spooky stuff

These are the .68 cent cupcakes I mentioned last week. 2 kinds here--a pound cake with marionberry swiss buttercream and an espresso cake with mocha swiss buttercream. Mariko and I did the testing. I'm not a huge frosting fan, a little goes a long way for me, so I knocked off more than half. The marionberry was the winner-just a tiny bit of tart, very lovely. The Halloween sprinkles were added by the baker, which the girls loved, but they still wouldn't eat a bite of these. I plan to order more for a upcoming baby shower and will report further. They are from holiday essence, and it's run out of a house and you have to order in advance. It's old school, and there's something very reassuring to me about patronizing a non-hip bakery. I also ordered a Swedish princess cake for Mariko for a belated b-day, she will have to show photos of that one. They didn't even flinch when I told them to write "you suck" on it. It was perfect.

With all this cake love I should announce that the bend the rules flickr group is well over 1000 photos now, and I did eat way too much cake, coincidently, so thanks for helping me get a sugar headache you all!

Sally. This is who the girls want to be this year for Halloween. I plan to sew some muslin dresses, but I am also trying to be reasonable after my hardcore burnout last week. For instance, I am ordering the cupcakes for the upcoming baby shower, not making them from scratch. And, when grammie and I were out last week, we picked up some 50% off fairy costumes for the girls (complete with wings) to have in my back pocket if I just can't sew costumes this year. I feel sort of sick at the idea of not making the Halloween costumes, and I probably will, but come on, man! Plus, if I actually do, I can save the purchased ones for Christmas, they will be prefect in the dress-up box. I actually have felt a ton of relief knowing I have a back up plan.

Sally is from e-bay and the girls actually get the play with my Nightmare Before Christmas toys, although I sort of have to look away so I don't get all mean and controlling. I started collecting these before I had kids. They love them, good girls!!

Comments

[Nancy Cook]

I sewed up my own Sally. I's let you borrow it but it's be way too big for them.
I've got to find that picture and scan it.
Congrats on the 1000 photos
and it would be okay if you don't sew them. I only have one until February so I have no excuses but you have 3 and a newborn...

[ashley&family]

I completly understand how you feel. Last year we welcomed our 5th and final addition and I did not make Halloween costumes. It still bothers me that I didn't but this year I am in full force! I still wince when someone ask if I always make there costumes and I have to fess up "I make them every year, except last year"

[Laura]

Mmmmm those cakes look yummy!As for the costumes don't be too hard on yourself, everyone needs some down time!

[Caroline]

I made a Sally costume a few years back! Here is my husband and I dressed as Jack and Sally! I used tights as my "skin" and used a marker to draw on the stitching. Of course, I needed to shower after doing this! The dress was a challenge, but I just used solid fabrics and drew in the designs. We got so many compliments on these! Unfortunately, this is one of the few pictures I have, but it might help you out!

http://www.river-girl.com/weblog/uploaded_images/100_1050-750078.jpg

[Pam]

I love that you write about the mean and contolling feelings. I had those too.
Its hard not to get Halloween costume burnout. Take a break and greet it fresh next year.

[Marmite Breath]

Oh, Sally! I love her!

No shame in having a back up plan. If you don't get to sew the costumes, it won't be the end of the world.

I think I should go as Sally too. I'd sing her mournful little song all the way around the neighbourhood.

[patty]

Love love that Figurine you have of Sally:) Oh my goodness!! I am a huge collector of all things Tim Burton!!!! Where did you get that its great??

Sally is a great costume, you can do it:)

[Selah]

Us crafters put such pressure on ourselves, and god lord I can imagine your pressure is greater having written a kick ass sewing book and all, but if you're not feeling it give yourself a pass. Maybe you could sew a couple of trick or treat bags so you'll feel good to have made something but it won't be as stressful to produce. Either way, enjoy your Halloween.

But I'm looking forward to seeing photos of the Sally costumes cause you know you're gonna make 'em. Now I gotta go freezer paper stencil all the bones of the body on my son's sweatsuit!

[jmbmommy]

So funny about the dolls-before-kids...I gave my Pee-wee Herman doll to my boys...and really have to say to myself, they are toys, they need to be played with.

Great job on the back-up plan!

[Ruthanne]

Oh gosh I have to also sew a Sally costume for my 8 year old! We must compare pictures! I've been practicing her face here but I really must improve on it!: www.kittythimble.typepad.com/twofaced

[Sonnja]

Those cakes look yummy!
Kind regards,

Sonnja

[Julie]

I still have my Nightmare Before Christmas watch from Burger King but I am totally coveting your dolls. That really would be an adorable halloween costume...

[Melissa]

My kids are obsessed with scary, gory things and would love the dolls!

[hadley]

You deserve a super mom costume, complete with tulle skirt and cape. And maybe also a hat.

[ashley]

i had my first bit of marionberry last month in a homemade pie and i'm in LOVE!!i brought jam back for my family and co-works.

congrats on 1000 photos!

[Steph]

What is it with us adults and toys that we hate to see played with?

[Amber]

Super crazy simple brown smocks + sharpies + girls = make your own Sally?

Ok, + sharpies could be a little, uh, dangerous. But if the sewing lines were drawn on instead of being actual sewing lines... it would be less sewing.

Or big black yarn + yarn needle + a little thrift store action + girls = maybe easier than the whole thing from scratch?

Man, I was so easy. I just wanted to be a princess every friggin year. Except once I was Alice in Wonderland. And then a "punk rocker" until Halloween was sort of over. Oh, and the year I was the Phantom of the Opera in a thrift store black suit (I still wear the blazer!) and a cut off "Jason" costume hockey mask. But mostly, princess. I'm hoping to get my squeaker-to-be to be with the Amy Karol "dress the children as woodland elves" program.

[Amy]

Good luck with your costumes! I too have the back up fairy costume idea if my handmade Rainbow Fish does not work out. I started it today and so far so good, but I haven't added the back fin yet...eeek, just two more weeks!

[Mary]

Oh, yummy cupcakes! I'm on a bit of a cupcake binge myself these days, although it's mostly a visual gorging. Good luck with the costumes. I am kicking myself for the brilliance of tackling a Kinsale Cloak for Miss L's costume.

[Mallory]

It looks like your first picture changed for some reason - it was the cupcakes, but now it is another picture of the (adorable) doug fir apron.

[Marisa]

Nice cupcakes. I picked up my son last week from daycare when he was about to sit down for a birthday cupcake with one of the other kids. He was not too happy about leaving without the cupcake, so I took one, to go. He is only 2 so I carried him out to the car. When we got there, there was no frosting on the cupcake anymore. I said, Honey, where's the frosting? He said - Mommy arm! Yup, there it was, smeared down the arm of my brand new bought on last Saturday white sweater. At least the mystery was solved.

[scribblesnbits]

I love that movie! I finally saw it last year (how behind the times am I?) and just fell completely in love.

[kbd]

Ooh, loving the new blog header-thingy. AND the doll collection.

[erinK.]

I don't think I've ever commented here before but I wanted to blame - er..credit the adorably sweet smock with the clothespin doll pockets that you posted a while ago for sparking a new holiday gift making obsession that I even feel compelled to share pictures of - they are here:(http://www.flickr.com/photos/erink2/) I'm totally new to flickr - so I hope that works. But I think they're coming out pretty cute - and its a way to use up all that fancy (read:expensive) yarn that I would compulsively buy thinking that one day I would learn to love knitting (i kind of hate it.) Anyway, I really like your blog. thanks!

[jj]

I was Sally a few (nope, make that 10) years ago, and I used a thrift store polyester dress with an ugly pattern on it but the same basic shape as Sally's dress, and just basted on patches of other dresses or fabric I had laying around. It doesn't have to match the movie for people to get it! Wear tights and stitch up the knees with embroidery floss, a good eyeliner for the face and you're done -

I really enjoy your blog too, thanks for posting all the beautiful pictures!

[Lisa sp]

What a miracle this post is! My 8 year old (an actual Sally) wants to be this for Halloween as well, and I am too scared to see the movie, so I have very little to go on. I do have a backup cat costume, just in case.

[malin]

What lovely cup cakes...jummy..jummy!!Kind regards Malin

[Angela]

I am actually with you on the Halloween thing this year. I LOVE Halloween, but I can muster NO enthusiasm for making a costume. I lucked out though. Last year's slightly too big costume? Fits this year, if a little shorter than I believe it was intended to be. That's ok, the little panties cover for it. Fairy princes, take 2 here we come!