Last year, knowing our town parade needed a bit of zip, we entered a circus float. The children had so much fun they knew they wanted to do it again this year. And apparently, every year hence. Forever and always. (What have I done?!?!)
Thankfully, we all decided on the theme the day of last years' parade. PIRATES. ARRRGh Matey!
Knowing our theme ahead of time meant CLEARANCE DEALS! After Halloween, I got sword/eye patch/earring kits for 90% off. They were a dime a piece. I got gold coins after St. Patrick's day for a song and put them in the freezer to toss out of our 'treasure chest' at the crowds. The week before the parade I went to Salvation Army on half-price day to get some pants to cut and shred the bottoms off of and a vest for Andrew. Oh and the satiny moo-moo sort of thing that I made Adele's mermaid tail out of. Matt brought home lots of cardboard which helped with the 'details'. Everything else was using what we had or could borrow. (As in...the tractor, boat and haywagon.)
I used this tutorial to make Matt's tricorner pirate hat and this as inspiration with Ineke's parrot costume. I totally fudged the mermaid tail- leaving a skirt from behind and a tail from in front (Adele's feet were able to walk when she needed to and able to hide when she didn't.)
Doing things like this don't have to cost a lot of money. If they did, we wouldn't do them.
Two days before the parade, the house was in shambles. Every inch of it.
Actually, a few days after the parade too. ;-)
But messy houses mean crafty houses, am I right?!?
Here are the pictures of our pirate float...
PS. We won first prize again! WootWoot!
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| Home Again, Home Again |
It felt good to be crafty again. It's been a while. It's always nice working outside on the porch too. An outdoor sewing room.
And now that I have electricity out there, I was able to plug in my radio and listen to the rest of the audiobook To Kill A Mockingbird while I was working. The version read by Sissey Spacek was flawless. I don't remember reading this book in school...(maybe it was banned at the time?) and that is a crying shame.
Because it a beautiful book about a child grappling with honor, respect, hypocrisy, and courage. And children learning justice even when outcomes are not always just. I enjoyed listening to the audio version but I bristled every time I heard the cursing or very prevalent bigoted and ethnic slurs. An important part of the story, and yet I wondered what my neighbors would think if they heard the too-frequent "n****r" word echoing from my porch. I wonder though- how the title came to be. I guess I don't know about how to kill a mockingbird.
What it implies...what does that mean?
Anyone?
9 comments:
Well No WONDER You won again! Your floats are AMAZING and your costumes are even MORE AMAZING. Plus it doesn't hurt to have such a beautiful family ;) I am going to do my best to come next year even if it means coming alone with the kiddos, it looks like such a fun day/evening!!!
Love it!! To answer your question about the book, a mockingbird is a symbol of innocence and the theme running throughout the book is the death of innocence. It's a great story but yes, I cringe at the same bits.
Looks like a lot of fun!
Of course you won! That's because you are an ARTIST, girl! This is sooo lovely!!! Wonderful job!
I should reread To Kill A Mockingbird now.
What a fun time by all! And what a lot of effort you put into it. The memories will abound. Good for you!
Looks like everyone had a great time! Congratulations on 1st place.
that is what traditions and memories are created with...you can eventually invite others to join in the float (and the work)
Enjoy the work, and after 5 years or so...make an album (snapfish) of it...(include those costume parties..)
Hi! Frequent reader here - and I think your family is just lovely!
I've always thought that To Kill a Mockingbird was a reference to what Atticus told Jem - he could shoot any bird he wanted except a mockingbird, who was a helpless and beautiful bird. I think that the title paints Tom and the other underprivileged of their community - as mockingbirds.
Just my 2cents! :)
Hurrah! This looks like so much fun, and I second your children's belief that it needs to be a yearly occasion until the end of all time.
The float and costumes are so stinking impressive, especially knowing the time crunch you were under. I love them all! Ineke as parrot, though, is probably my favorite. Those wings are perfection. (Actually, HER wearing the wings = perfection.)
Congratulations and a second hurrah for good measure! Parades and pirates deserve them.
p.s. When you told me at church that Matt wanted the float to be "A Peck of PIOUS Pirates," I was a dope and thought you said, "A Peck of PIE IS Pirates," as in "A peck of pie = pirates." I was so confused by the pun until the girls explained it on the way home. Aaaaah! That makes so much more sense!
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