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

[abbybeth]

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!!!!!!!!

hmmm.... I could've sworn I typed a reply yesterday, but it's not here!

I love all the exclamation points!!! They're happy and there's lots of happy stuff going on

I'm redoing the capelet now, there are a couple things that bug me that I can't seem to get over, so that's on the docket for tonight after I get home from dance and tomorrow. Can't leave well enough alone...

I don't know how much clothing I'll make, but I'm learning a lot along the way. Now that I've been doing crossfit and weightlifting, my body shape isn't quite as easy to fit. Having the ability to do my own alterations or make my own stuff will hopefully help!

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

Thank you! It's a great opportunity and I'm really excited about the company and the direction the department director wants to take things. It'll definitely soften the blow of having to leave WDW knowing I have a new adventure waiting for me

Was in HM yesterday! Loved looking at your character!

I hope you told her I said "hi"!

 

[abbybeth]

Single Digit Dance! Single Digit Dance! Single Digit Dance!

(that's supposed to be 9 bananas in a row. there is no space in the third "banana" as I typed it. apparently the boards are messing with me)

It took seeing my dad's post on facebook to realize it, but we have 9 days to go people. Time to celebrate and panic. Preferably at the SAME TIME.

The shoes for my costume FINALLY came yesterday. It's been almost a month... granted, I did order them from China via eBay, but that's what I needed to do to get the right color at a price I was OK with (read: Abby's cheap, umm frugal) I just have to hot glue the ribbons on them.

Tonight I will make the sash for Ryan's character and begin the reconstruction of my cape. The more I look at it, the more I dislike it. And since I apparently tossed my modified pattern pieces in a fit of joy when I finished the first version, I'll be taking this one apart instead. Womp, womp.

But then all I'll be left with the spats, though now that halloween stores are open maybe I should just try to buy some from the 1920s gansta section.

We got the last part of our travel documents on Monday along with a cute booking gift from our TA



a tote & his and hers lanyards!

The front has an appliqued Mickey and embroidered "We Love Disney"



I think I'll use this as my carry on since it's nice and roomy and has a zippered top.

I also picked up $5 worth of cute halloween decor to make our resort window a little more festive while we're there. Wal-Mart has some really cute things - including some stand up plushies!

I didn't bring this gal home, but she sure was cute. I texted her to my mom, since she's a big Tink fan!



Ladies and gentlemen, princesses and princes. The trip is upon us!

 

[abbybeth]

I decided that I needed to redo the capelet.

The more I looked at it on my dress form and looked at it in the pictures here, the more I realized that it wasn't right. I'm so pleased with the other parts of the costume, that it just didn't sit well with me to be so bothered by one of the primary elements.

After looking at it for several days I realized that there were two issues:

1. The white trim, while the right length, was too heavy and weighed the whole thing down visually. It also didn't match the look and period feel of the dress

2. The shape of the capelet was off as well - it hit too low in the front and came down too far on the shoulders

I thought I would just pull the pattern pieces I had drafted, recut with the modifications and go to town. Apparently in one of my pointless attempts to tidy up my sewing space those got tossed I really don't know why I even try....it'll never be tidy anyways! I brought the capelet to work with me yesterday and ripped it apart on my lunch hour. I bought a new type of trim earlier in the week and figured I'd be ready to go!

Once I got home from dance last night, I set to work. I ran the new lace through my ruffling foot (seriously, one of my best purchases of late - if you sew, you need to get one. It does ruffles/gathers at even increments for you - no more gathering by hand!), recut my pieces and made alterations and got it put together.



I am SO much happier with version 2! It's hits in the correct spots now, the trim is much lighter and airier and it just feels like it suits the overall look and feel of the outfit.

With pretty much all of the other aspects of this costume, I've been able to zoom in on the painting to make fairly good guesses as to what materials would work. The trim on this capelet has been the exception. From other versions I've seen, people have a tendancy to use marabou or fur, which doesn't seem quite right to me, but the ribbon ruffle definitely wasn't it either. I think I've taken a bit of creative liberty with the lace, but I love the result.

I have a little bit of handsewing on the lining and have to install the snaps for the ribbon closure and then this version will be done! And yes, I pretty much always do crafts on my lunch, my coworkers don't even bat an eyelash at it anymore

I also now have an enormous petticoat to wear as well! It'll smush down for packing, but it seriously stands up on it's own, which will give me the perfect amount of poof! I'm borrowing it from my friend Holly (she was Cinderella from my girls weekend trip in 2009!) and her grandmother made it.

I'll have to get a pic of the petticoat so you can see how big and awesome it is! Until then, here's a picture of their cairn terrier, Archie (he had just shook himself out and his fur was so funny!)



Ryan's sash is cut out, I just have to sew it tonight. I ran out of steam around midnight last night and had to go to bed....

8 days!!!!

 

[Abby's Dad]

I am SO much happier with version 2! It's hits in the correct spots now, the trim is much lighter and airier and it just feels like it suits the overall look and feel of the outfit.

With pretty much all of the other aspects of this costume, I've been able to zoom in on the painting to make fairly good guesses as to what materials would work. The trim on this capelet has been the exception. From other versions I've seen, people have a tendancy to use marabou or fur, which doesn't seem quite right to me, but the ribbon ruffle definitely wasn't it either. I think I've taken a bit of creative liberty with the lace, but I love the result.

I really like version 2, and the lace is perfect with the overall scenario of HM, and the period. Good job Ab - and Archie is cute.

 

[JessM]

Yay for single digits!

I love your costume it looks great!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Your trip is so close! So excited for you! And that means we are that much closer to seeing you and Ryan in your costumes at the Party!

 

[khertz]

8 days to go! SO EXCITING!!

Version 2 of the capelet looks great. I feel like you and Ryan are going to be REALLY popular at your party!

 

[abbybeth]

I really like version 2, and the lace is perfect with the overall scenario of HM, and the period. Good job Ab - and Archie is cute.

I told Holly we should dress Archie as a baby Chewbacca for Halloween ... he's totally got the hair for it!

Yay for single digits!

I love your costume it looks great!

Single digits are so exciting! and thank you!

Your trip is so close! So excited for you! And that means we are that much closer to seeing you and Ryan in your costumes at the Party!

SO close now - it's starting to feel real! I hope we get good pictures for sure!

8 days to go! SO EXCITING!!

Version 2 of the capelet looks great. I feel like you and Ryan are going to be REALLY popular at your party!

Thank you! I hope we're not TOO popular - I certainly won't mind a little bit of it, but we still want to be able to fully enjoy the party. Guess I can always sic the alligator on people! he might be hungry....

I'm also a little worried that there are rumors that it'll be really packed since it's close to TOT race weekend. I've always gone to the earlier parties that have had lower crowds and it seems like this one might be more in line with the close-to-Halloween dates. We'll see!

 

[Alysa]

The more I read about you the more I believe we are kindred spirits. I am in the middle of redoing Robbie's costume because the tail isn't quite right and I had to go out and get a new zipper that matched better. And because i have so little me time, no one bats an eye now when I do the hand stitching in the car (passenger seat)!
The caplet is now perfect! Can't wait to see it! Have you done a trial run of the hair? That's always the hard part for me. Thinking of booking a visit to the GF spa for them to do it for me.

 

[abbybeth]

The more I read about you the more I believe we are kindred spirits. I am in the middle of redoing Robbie's costume because the tail isn't quite right and I had to go out and get a new zipper that matched better. And because i have so little me time, no one bats an eye now when I do the hand stitching in the car (passenger seat)!
The caplet is now perfect! Can't wait to see it! Have you done a trial run of the hair? That's always the hard part for me. Thinking of booking a visit to the GF spa for them to do it for me.

I think we are too! I believe that if you're going to do something, do it right and to the best of your ability! That's something my parents instilled in me from a young age

I wish I could do stitching in the car, and always do when I'm NOT the one driving. I actually can't sit and just be so if I'm riding in a car/plane/train/X-wing I'm doing some kind of handwork. Ryan's gotten used to it for the most part now and just likes to know what I'm working on and asks to see progress.

I haven't done a trial run yet. I need to.... I have a basic game plan for how I want to tackle it. I have hair extensions to add extra volume and hair to work with from when I dressed as Belle along with the bangs (that will need to be trimmed and shaped) I think I'm going to leave my hair naturally curly that day too so it'll be a little easier to get the loose tendrils she has. At least her makeup is simple!

 

[lynnielou]

Hi!
Just catching up on the Pre-trip while doing my own preparations (panicking) of getting ready! STUDYING, STUDYING, (need to take a short break, LOL).

Amazing revision and I really like version #2. Way to go Abby!!

I told Holly we should dress Archie as a baby Chewbacca for Halloween ... he's totally got the hair for it!



Single digits are so exciting! and thank you!



SO close now - it's starting to feel real! I hope we get good pictures for sure!



Thank you! I hope we're not TOO popular - I certainly won't mind a little bit of it, but we still want to be able to fully enjoy the party. Guess I can always sic the alligator on people! he might be hungry....

I'm also a little worried that there are rumors that it'll be really packed since it's close to TOT race weekend. I've always gone to the earlier parties that have had lower crowds and it seems like this one might be more in line with the close-to-Halloween dates. We'll see!

 

[klacey1]

The capelet part II came out gorgeous! I can't wait to see the full look, petticoat and all!

 

[wheatly]

I know that I'm definitely late to the party, but I'm subbing anyway!
I have read your whole PTR and am especially envious of your sewing skills (all of your stuff is gorgeous! ). When my mom helped with my costume for last year's MNSSHP, I had her do all the sewing, 'cause I just didn't have the patience for it (I'm definitely more of a painter than a sewer).

We will be at MNSSHP this year on October 4, so we will have just missed you.
I guess in some ways that's good, as you will have me definitely beat if there ever were a costume contest!

 

[RachelNinja]

Caught up on all your updates! Silly me couldn't figure out what costume you were making until it got closer to the actual reveal! It is amazing, and you are so talented! I think it's so creative and can't wait to see pictures of you guys there.

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

Wow! Your costume is amazing! You did a fantastic job putting it all together. You are going to be a huge hit at MNSSHP.

Congrats on the new job! That is very exciting. It's great to have a much shorter commute.

Less than a week to go! Exciting!

 

[abbybeth]

Hi!
Just catching up on the Pre-trip while doing my own preparations (panicking) of getting ready! STUDYING, STUDYING, (need to take a short break, LOL).

Amazing revision and I really like version #2. Way to go Abby!!

Thanks mom! Get that studying done so you have more time to play in the parks!

The capelet part II came out gorgeous! I can't wait to see the full look, petticoat and all!

Thank you - I'm so much happier with version 2 I went through and mended any areas in the petticoat last night and got it stuffed into a ziplock ... it's massive! But packs surpsingly small

I know that I'm definitely late to the party, but I'm subbing anyway!
I have read your whole PTR and am especially envious of your sewing skills (all of your stuff is gorgeous! ). When my mom helped with my costume for last year's MNSSHP, I had her do all the sewing, 'cause I just didn't have the patience for it (I'm definitely more of a painter than a sewer).

We will be at MNSSHP this year on October 4, so we will have just missed you.
I guess in some ways that's good, as you will have me definitely beat if there ever were a costume contest!

No such thing as too late - welcome! I'm glad you're here! Thank you so much for your sweet words, I'm really happy with how everything came together. Funny thing is, I'm not a very patient person at all. But I am quite stubborn, so when I get my mind set on something, I stick after it. So I think it's more of a refusal to accept defeat than large amounts of patience

Bummer we'll miss each other at the party! Hopefully I'll have lots of fun pictures to post though

Caught up on all your updates! Silly me couldn't figure out what costume you were making until it got closer to the actual reveal! It is amazing, and you are so talented! I think it's so creative and can't wait to see pictures of you guys there.

Thank you! I'm really excited to dress up in them. Everything is done now other than attaching the ribbons to my shoes, so 5 minutes with a hot glue gun tonight and I'll be all set!

Wow! Your costume is amazing! You did a fantastic job putting it all together. You are going to be a huge hit at MNSSHP.

Congrats on the new job! That is very exciting. It's great to have a much shorter commute.

Less than a week to go! Exciting!

Thank you!!! and thank you for the congrats - I'm really looking forward to the shorter trip in to work and taking on a new adventure.

4 days, 20 hours left in the countdown, I can't believe that we'll be in WDW this weekend, it doesn't quite seem real!

 

[kayemgi]

I think the new capelet looks awesome. Kudos to you for being motivated to redo it so close to leaving! I can't wait to see pics of you guys in costume. Have an amazing vacation!!

 

[abbybeth]

I think the new capelet looks awesome. Kudos to you for being motivated to redo it so close to leaving! I can't wait to see pics of you guys in costume. Have an amazing vacation!!

Thank you! I'm glad I had a few days to look at it and figure out what needed to be changed - I'm much happier with this version! All the hard stuff is done now and the costumes are done (other than glueing ribbons on my shoes) Anything else I manage to finish before we leave is a bonus!!

 

[abbybeth]

Well, we are in the home stretch of the home stretch.

3 days to go!

3 shall be the number you shall count, and the number of the counting shall be to 3.

(any other Monty Python fans in our midst?)


The Holy Handgrenade


5 is RIGHT OUT. That was 2 days ago.


The suitcases are out, though not much is in them yet. I will have to carry on my umbrella - it won't even go diagonally in my large suitcase.

I'm trying to weigh my options for how much I trust that nothing will happen to the costumes on the way there. Do I check the bag with the costumes as planned or do I use that as my carryon? We have a non-stop flight, but are using ME. While I haven't had problems previously, I'm feeling oddly paranoid this time. Anyone have thoughts?

I have a few bows to finish up for my interchangeable Minnie ears and need to get the apartment cleaned up for the catsitter - and also need to get her my key.

We have a ride to and from the airport now, so we'll save $$ on parking, which is always nice. My friend Holly offered, which was really nice.

In other news, the October times for the BOG Lunch FastPass are open! I snagged an 11:15-11:30 window and already pre-ordered our food for Monday, 9/30. I had hoped to do lunch there that day anyways, so I'm excited that we'll be able to use the FP for it.

I'll try to post at least one more time before we leave!

 

[Alysa]

Amen.
Who is not a python fan?!

Can I send you a large packing tube for the parasol? I have concerns.

Congrats on the Be Our Guest lunch!
My sister has to go home a few days early and asked me to move our reservation for there. Ha ha! Yes, she is one of those. I told her she is just going to have to do a counter service. What kinds of lines are we talking about for her?