Project Fun, part 1

Inspiration - Tim Burton
Challenge - create outfits for 6 kids under 6 and then have a fun photo shoot (where children must be bribed to wear outfits).

I started feeling all Tim Burton-y around the end of August. Mr. Burton fits my concept of Halloween perfectly. Of course you can't go wrong with Mr. Depp, but I have a particular appreciation for his animation.

And Mrs. Sweetpeas is always up for a creative challenge. So we hunted and scoured our favorite haunts for stripes and polka dots and bits and pieces and odds and ends to put together. And it was so. much. fun.

And in the end it didn't even matter that they had to be mostly bribed. Who doesn't like a good lollipop? Par for the under six set.

I've been playing around with the images. Trying to figure out what they wanted to be. They're evolving...

(and when I say 'inspired by' I mean 'loosely based'...very loosely)

Sneaky Peaky - Funky Bunch

The ever-creative and talented Mrs. Sweetpeas and I have been working on a project...

Carefree Girls

Wuhoo! I got this sweet little book in the mail the other day from Anne over at Green Jello.

It's creative and lovely to look at. And I'm determined to overcome my fear of trying to follow instructions/patterns and actually make it work! I do think I need to expand my horizons beyond straight lines and elastic casing. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks Anne and thanks Shambhala!

Upcycled Ghosts

One of the most fun projects I came across when I was researching 'upcycling' was turning your empty milk jugs into ghosts! The Bee thought this was the greatest idea ever and was very enthusiastic about getting them done. He's such a creative clever boy. And his numerous projects keep us quite entertained. Tonight he put up Halloween 'posters' on every surface he could reach. Did I mention he's very enthusiastic?
The Bug did a great job on his jug too and these goofy faces make us smile every time they light up!

(The Bug's jugs are on the left and The Bee's is on the far right - I did the much more boring ones in the middle)

You can google 'milk jug ghosts' if you want more instructions, but really, you draw on a face and make a hole in the back (or top) for lights to go in. Easy peasy.

*I did a presentation on 'upcycling' for our church 'frugal fair' in September. Upcycling is basically re-purposing something you may have thrown out or discarded.
I was going to do a post on it, but it's just one of those things I never got around to. There are some great sites on upcycling, etc. if you want to take a look, it can be a lot of fun. I may get back to it with a few more projects I found...

Getting Ready

Halloween is just so much fun. I remember my mom making us the coolest costumes as a kid. You really had to use your imagination and lots of creativity so you wouldn't end up in one of those aweful plastic store-bought costumes. Now it's almost the reverse. My boys WANT those plastic store bought costumes. Babes isn't quite there yet, so I may have this year to sneak in her 'mom-made' costume. Although it's going to take some convincing to get her to wear anything Her Highness may not be in the mood for. I'm sure it will take some bribery. Until she realizes how this Halloween business works! That's why I have included a 'Handy Dandy Candy' pocket on her skirt.

Anyway, I have a couple more tricks up my sleeve...!!

Deanna, Steve, & Morgan the Pup

This was a rare case where I hadn't actually met this couple before their shoot. They were so sweet and fun despite the wicked cold wind. And oh, that puppy face!

So Smitten.

Baby Girl 28 Months

Yikes, this is late. I think it's fair to say that September just blew by. And it was beautiful. I can't believe those golden sunny days are gone already. And oh my little Miss. She is busy and loud and full of energy and bold and shy sometimes and sassy and bossy and adventurous and funny. Sometimes I tell her she's bossy (when she's bossing me around) and she'll just turn around and say, 'No, YOU bossy!'. But really she likes to boss us all around. She talks quite well and she loves to tell us what to do. Or not do.
She has become quite particular about things. Even more than she already was. It can be quite a battle just to get her dressed most days. Her favorite outfit of the moment is a little t-shirt that's almost too small and tights (not leggings) just tights. And nothing else. And she doesn't appreciate mean ole' Mom trying to make her respectable by wearing ANYTHING OVER THEM. Thank you very much. Basically she doesn't appreciate much from Mom these days and will say 'No' just because she can. Please don't let this be foreshadowing...fast forward 10 years. YIKES.

She loves to run and especially to hide. One of her favorite haunts is to grab a cereal box from the pantry and hide out in front of the washer and dryer while enjoying her snack. Little cereal crumbs leave a suspicious trail.

Because her daddy and I are also sneaky we have found a way to exact our revenge. We tiptoe into her room before we go to bed and night and tuck her in. She never has covers on and sometimes she'll sit up or shake her sleepy head at us. Not too sure what we are up to. I like to pick her up and hug her tight, smell her fuzzy blonde head, kiss her cheek and then tuck her back in and snuggle her up with blankets. She's too sleepy to fight or to yell NO or try to run away. And we can't resist her!

The E. Family

Oh it was a blustery day...but the E.'s are troopers. And it was a lot of fun!

And Another Sneak Peak...

Young Wedding - Out Takes

You have to appreciate a man who can make you laugh, and who will pick a grasshopper out of your dress...












So Smitten

Young Wedding

Whew! I'm not actually done editing yet. But I put up some of my favorites so far on So Smitten...

Young Wedding - Reception

Ok this is kind of in reverse order. The reception is usually after the wedding, and it was. So it's just me who's a little out of order. Wedding photos to come.
And I was really only at the reception as a guest, no official capacity. Which was quite relaxing. But I couldn't help myself and had to take a few shots. Especially since my sister (the lovely and talented Shishi) was in charge of the decorating. And it was beautiful! Twinkly and pretty and charming and delightful (and you may think I'm biased, but it was). And I have to say, the food was just fantastic. I've been to many weddings, fancy and simple, and this one was a real treat (homemade perogies, and a fresh salad bar with homemade dressings). And to top it all off the brides sister spent the day making homemade apples pies. That's some real love!