Halloween 2013

I really had a lot of fun doing a Wizard of Oz theme for Halloween this year.  I passed out little mini-wands to the little girls that were trick or treating, many were more pleased to receive a silver sparkly wand than candy, their expressions and sweet smiling faces were precious. 

Mini Munchkin-land

Glinda's wand

Dark Glinda Costume

Dark Glinda
My Halloween costume for 2013.
I've entered it into the Threads Halloween Costume contest. 

I wanted to create a gown that showed Glinda the Good Witch's dark side. Dark Glinda was created with a 1950's repro dress pattern. I split the pieces to create a separate skirt and bodice, I prefer versatile pieces. The boned bodice has an overlay of two net and sequin pieces that create the illusion of a butterfly. The skirt is a simple full skirt gathered onto a waistband and layered over a hoop skirt. The original Glinda costume is accented with quite a few butterflies and I took inspiration on the theme. She also had tons of netting, but I wanted to use netting judiciously in this outfit through the bodice overlay and bolero because I wanted to accomplish a look of sleekness yet still hold onto the femininity Glinda exudes. I used a bolero pattern and trimmed the netted sleeves with two layers of lace. Dark Glinda also has my version of the iconic crown made of stiffened lace net pieces, the same as the bodice pieces utilized in another way and trimmed with a silver star burst. The costume is finished off with a red ruby glitter belt, a rhinestone buckle and accented with silver sparkle butterflies, along with purchased lace inset opera gloves with you guessed it, butterflies. I glittered a dowel for the wand, added a silver star and another butterfly. Unseen are also red ruby slippers, and silver lurex stockings. I had great fun making this costume and kept it a secret from most of my friends until I unveiled it on All Hallows Eve.

Ginger Harvest

I decided I wanted to give ginger growing a try as I've been making candied ginger for about a year now with good results.  One of my store bought ginger rhizomes had a node growing from it, so I just cut it off and tossed it in an 18 in pot with good potting soil and let it go.  Planted in August, it didn't take long to sprout some above soil growth and then took off.  I had almost 3 feet tall plants that looked pretty nice.  It's now December and I know freezing temps will be on their way soon enough, so I harvested and this it what I got off one tiny node.  I'll definitely be growing much more next year.  I could plant a lot more in just that one pot and get a great little harvest.  Give it a try, it's ultra easy.  Tablespoon in the last pic for size comparison. 

Lila

As the days grow shorter, I like to carry color in my garden for as long as I can.  I live in Virginia, so I'm able to to keep some life in the garden with mums and pansies.  Every year I buy a few pots of mums, when they are done blooming I cut them back and add them to my garden beds.  Here are some of the varieties that grace my home. 

All Hallows' Eve.... I made my costume and had a great time "haunting".  Happy Halloween

1860's ensemble for Alma. Ivory satin, handmade bias piping on jacket and skirt, ruched over sleeves with hand applied lace and flowers.