All our ghosts have been dying to meet you Pre-Trip: Update & costume tweaks 9/20

[abbybeth]

12 days left in the countdown!

On Friday I was watching YouTube clips of Boo to You and Hallowishes and started getting so excited I was shaking a little. It's been 4 years since I've had the opportunity to go WDW and I'm looking forward to this SO much. I can't believe that after a countdown that was more than 6 months long we're so close now!

Ryan's dad came in to town to visit him this weekend so they could hang out & fish and such. That meant that I could spend all weekend sewing! Not that I can't sew if Ryan is over at my apartment, but with my schedule I don't get to see him every day so I like to spend time with him when I can.

I am pleased to report that my costume and all of the accessories are FINISHED. But I might remake the capelet.

Friday night: Capelet



It seems to hit OK while on, but I think the white trim feels heavy. I'd like to shorten it and change the trim which would mean remaking it from scratch ... we'll see. I have more fabric, but don't know that I have more time. And yes, I'm in my pj pants. And yes, they have lobsters all over them. The overwhemling feelings of jealousy you're experiencing because you don't have lobster pants too is completely normal and understandable.

Saturday: Alligator Bag & umbrella

Last we left the alligator bag, his mouth had been ripped open and one row of teeth had been applied. He's spent the last couple of weeks sitting in a floppy pile in the corner.

The rest of the teeth were added


He tried to eat my hand while I was putting in his innards


he has a magnetic snap closure and a beaded handle now!


detail shot - I used a little bit of the HM wallpaper fabric I got from Spoonflower for the handle tabs!


Then it was on to the parasol. This was easier than I thought it'd be! I cut the original cover from the arms and took apart one of the sections at the seams to use as my pattern piece.



Sew the 6 pieces together, add trim and put back on the arms! There are holes at the end of each arm piece to put stitching through.



I'll be filing that away for the future. How much fun would it be to redo old umbrellas in really cute fabric? There are all sorts of great prints available in laminated finish!

and here is everything together with the official side-by-side reveal of who I am



check out these pins I snagged on eBay - aren't they just PERFECT?!



Sunday: New projects!

I also modified my Minnie ears and starting making additional bows: Minnie, Sully (Monster's Inc) and Ariel



sewed up a dress to wear at Epcot on our first day & for the Scotland event


and sewed up a dress to wear to dinner at Narcoosee's on our last night (just need to finish the neck edging) Sorry about the tags - I bought the accessories for it based on a swatch of the fabric and wasn't sure if they were going to work with the dress or not until I could put it all together.



Sunday ended with this:



Isn't he just the sweetest? Ryan brought over dinner, ooh'd & ahh'd over the weekends projects and we watched football.

The to-do list finally seems like it's getting smaller. I have 2 pieces to finish for Ryan's costume - the sash & the spats. Those will get done this week. Other than there there are just a few odds and ends!

Tomorrow night we are going to see Imagine Dragons in concert thanks to tickets I won from work earlier this summer. Should be a great show!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Simply Awesome.

I was blown away when I saw the finished product on FB and even more so seeing all of the bonus pics on here!

Can't wait to see you and Ryan in your costumes. A very productive weekend indeed!

 

[abbybeth]

Simply Awesome.

I was blown away when I saw the finished product on FB and even more so seeing all of the bonus pics on here!

Can't wait to see you and Ryan in your costumes. A very productive weekend indeed!

thank you SO much! having it all come together feels like the hours have been worth it. I'm really excited to wear our costumes in the park - I've warned DBF that we'll probably get a bit of attention from people or at least from CMs just so he's not caught off guard. Here's hoping I don't take out anyone's eye with the umbrella (and that it fits in my luggage! it might be about an inch long)

 

[Abby's Dad]

... the umbrella (and that it fits in my luggage! it might be about an inch long)

Easily handled - bring it over (firing up the ShopSmith).

 

[Overexcited]

Looks great! I now know who you are, had to slap me upside the head with it!

 

[kayemgi]

The costume looks amazing! I do think the trim on the capelet looks a smidge heavy, but only because you mentioned it and because we're looking at side-by-side photos. It looks great as is, and it's something that very few people will notice! Do you have pink shoes as well? You guys are going to look so awesome.

I am extremely jealous of your lobster pants, and also that you are 12 days out! 46 to go for us, which after counting down from almost 300, still feels pretty good! I'm going to lose my mind at 12 days, haha!

 

[abbybeth]

The costume looks amazing! I do think the trim on the capelet looks a smidge heavy, but only because you mentioned it and because we're looking at side-by-side photos. It looks great as is, and it's something that very few people will notice! Do you have pink shoes as well? You guys are going to look so awesome.

I am extremely jealous of your lobster pants, and also that you are 12 days out! 46 to go for us, which after counting down from almost 300, still feels pretty good! I'm going to lose my mind at 12 days, haha!

I have pink flats coming (hopefully - it's taking way too long ) that I will add ribbons to.

I think I have to redo the cape .... the more I look at it, the less pleased with it I become. Back to the drawing board...

 

[Alysa]

Oh my gosh!! That is so awesome!!! I think my favourite part is the parasol. If they had a best costume of the night award, you would win it! I have been sewing Robbie's costume this week and he might get a runner's up. Wish we were going to be there at the same time as you! 20 days left for us. Can't wait to see photos of you both.

 

[abbybeth]

Anyone interested in some non-Disney, but slightly Disney connected news?

My Disney countdown is also the countdown to my last day in my current position! I have been offered and have accepted a new position with a company that is much closer to where I live and I'll start after I get back from Disney. While my current job has afforded me a lot of great opportunities, I drive at least an hour each way. A lot of time and money goes straight into my car (and gas tank)

I'll also be switching gears from student services at a university to working in a marketing department in a corporate setting which is more closely aligned with my educational background and skillset.

All this only 10-15 minutes from my apartment! I've been waiting until everything was in place with the new company and the appropriate notice had been given with my current employer

Guess I'll need an "I'm celebrating" pin in addition to the birthday pin! Here's to the excitment of new adventures!

 

[abbybeth]

Oh my gosh!! That is so awesome!!! I think my favourite part is the parasol. If they had a best costume of the night award, you would win it! I have been sewing Robbie's costume this week and he might get a runner's up. Wish we were going to be there at the same time as you! 20 days left for us. Can't wait to see photos of you both.

Thank you! I can't wait to see Robbie's costume too!

I'm sad we're missing each other - and not even by all that much!

There will be lots and lots of pictures taken. LOTS.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

thank you SO much! having it all come together feels like the hours have been worth it. I'm really excited to wear our costumes in the park - I've warned DBF that we'll probably get a bit of attention from people or at least from CMs just so he's not caught off guard. Here's hoping I don't take out anyone's eye with the umbrella (and that it fits in my luggage! it might be about an inch long)

When other park guests come up to you asking to pose with them for pictures, that's when you know your costume's a big winner. And I'm pretty certain that's what's going to happen with you two. Some guests may assume that you're CMs in character as well. You'll have a blast.

 

[blabbermouth]

Ahhh! You sewing expert, you!

That costume is probably one of the best I've ever seen!

Also, love the two dresses, the second one especially.

And, congrats on the new job! I love working 10 minutes from home

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Oh, and congrats on your new job!! Always good to cut down on your commute time. As someone who commutes 45-60 minutes each way I can relate although my commute time is purely due to traffic volume rather than distance - it's only 9 miles.

 

[abbybeth]

When other park guests come up to you asking to pose with them for pictures, that's when you know your costume's a big winner. And I'm pretty certain that's what's going to happen with you two. Some guests may assume that you're CMs in character as well. You'll have a blast.

Oh, and congrats on your new job!! Always good to cut down on your commute time. As someone who commutes 45-60 minutes each way I can relate although my commute time is purely due to traffic volume rather than distance - it's only 9 miles.

I don't know that we'll be mistaken for CMs since these two have never been face characters (plus I'm not forcing Ryan to wear dress shoes, so he'll have black running shoes on under the spats) and we'll have our MNSSHP wristbands. I hope they allow me to put it on the gator, putting it around my wrist will be a bit of a stain on the whole look!

Yikes! My commute without traffic would be about 35-40 minutes, but it never happens that way. I'm about 33 miles each way. How crazy that your commute is so long time-wise, but so short in mileage. I'm definitely looking forward to getting some of my day back!

Ahhh! You sewing expert, you!

That costume is probably one of the best I've ever seen!

Also, love the two dresses, the second one especially.

And, congrats on the new job! I love working 10 minutes from home

Thank you so much The second dress is the one I keep waffling on, not sure if I love it or not yet - but everyone seems to love that one most! It's really lightweight and soft, so it's really comfy!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I don't know that we'll be mistaken for CMs since these two have never been face characters (plus I'm not forcing Ryan to wear dress shoes, so he'll have black running shoes on under the spats) and we'll have our MNSSHP wristbands. I hope they allow me to put it on the gator, putting it around my wrist will be a bit of a stain on the whole look!

You might be surprised. There are a lot of Haunted Mansion fans out there and people may think that you and Ryan may be CM characters that are paraded out just for the party a la Jack and Sally.

If you haven't yet, take a gander at Carrie (lurkyloo)'s trip report for MNSSHP.
http://disneytravelbabble.com/trip-reports/halloween-trip/day-12b/

She was dressed up as The Bride and her husband as an obscure character (at least obscure for us U.S. Disney fans) from Tokyo Disneyland's version of ToT. During the party they had guests coming up to them for pictures who believed they were CMs. One of the actual HM CM had to step in and tell the guests that they were not CMs so that they wouldn't get tied up with all of the picture requests.

 

[Miss Potts]

OMG the costume! The umbrella! The alligator bag! THE PINS!!! You did a fantastic job!

I can't believe you made those other dresses as well, you are so talented! I'm in awe! Hahaha!

 

[abbybeth]

You might be surprised. There are a lot of Haunted Mansion fans out there and people may think that you and Ryan may be CM characters that are paraded out just for the party a la Jack and Sally.

If you haven't yet, take a gander at Carrie (lurkyloo)'s trip report for MNSSHP.
http://disneytravelbabble.com/trip-reports/halloween-trip/day-12b/

She was dressed up as The Bride and her husband as an obscure character (at least obscure for us U.S. Disney fans) from Tokyo Disneyland's version of ToT. During the party they had guests coming up to them for pictures who believed they were CMs. One of the actual HM CM had to step in and tell the guests that they were not CMs so that they wouldn't get tied up with all of the picture requests.

I have read that TR (I'm a closet Lurkyloo groupie and have followed her from back in the days when she was planning her Disney wedding!) so we'll see what happens. I'll be flattered if someone thinks our costumes are good enough to request a picture, though I have touring plans and lots to accomplish so hopefully it doesn't deter our party plans!

OMG the costume! The umbrella! The alligator bag! THE PINS!!! You did a fantastic job!

I can't believe you made those other dresses as well, you are so talented! I'm in awe! Hahaha!

aww thank you! I'm in LOVE with the pins - Once I found them, I had to stalk on eBay for a while. They kept going higher than I was willing to pay and then an auction came up with both of them together and I got less than the price I was willing to pay per pin - it was meant to be! I plan on doing a shadow box with some various HM stuff, our party tickets and pictures of us - the pins will eventually go in there to display.

I don't know that my mom (Hi Lynnie Lou! ) ever thought that the sewing classes she had me take as a child would morph into the level that it has in recent years!

 

[khertz]

I really just can't believe how amazing your costume came out! I can't wait to read your TR and see pics of you and Ryan in your costumes and hear what kind of reactions you will get during the party!!

The dresses you made for yourself are super adorable too. Seriously, I wish I was that talented because I have a hard time finding dresses I like that are casual and look nice on me, so being able to whip some up myself would be great!

And congrats on the new job!

And I just realized I ended almost all of my sentences in this post with lots of!!!!!!!!

 

[Alysa]

Congratulations on the job! What a great thing to be celebrating with your trip!

 

[Overexcited]

Was in HM yesterday! Loved looking at your character!