Little Red, The Big *Bad* Wolf, #30daysofgratitude

The end of October brings two things:  Halloween and November.  First things first, let’s get to Halloween. It was Alma and Harriet’s first time carving pumpkins this year.  I have to admit it went much better than I expected!  The promise of cinnamon rolls probably helped.

This year my girls are Little Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf.  I made Alma’s dress using the same Shwin and Shwin pattern I’ve used before (here and here and here) for my base, but really altered it.  I made a circle skirt and added a petticoat layer.  The dress is so fun and twirly.  I also did snaps instead of buttons or a zipper.  Snaps are my jam these days.

For the cape and hood, I used Oliver + S’s pattern from their Little Things to Sew book.  I used a cozy flannel for both the dress and the lining of the cape.  The outside of the cape is red velvet because it doesn’t get more Little Red Riding Hood than red velvet.

Harriet’s costume is a little more thrown together.  I made the hat with wolf ears (that sort of looks like Yoda ears) using a pattern from the same Oliver+S book.  It’s made out of flannel, with a plaid flannel lining.  The vest is borrowed from Harriet’s friend Elsa.  The makeup is by me and my eyeliner pencil.  The tail is just a bunch of yarn I combed and pinned to her pants.  She loves growling these days, so a wolf is kind of perfect. Today they got to wear their costumes to school.  Hopefully they come home with all the parts and pieces.

So, next up is November!  My favorite because we get to anticipate the anticipatory season on Advent, which is my favorite!  It’s kind of like how Thursday is fun because you know Friday is coming up.

I’ve been doing the #30daysofgratitude project on Instagram for at least 3 years.  I love being mindfully grateful (as evidenced by 2014 and my 365 days of gratitude).  During my year of gratitude, I would write down one thing each day – one word only.  This November project is more fun because it can be a full sentence, a story, or a word – in addition to the photo.

The thing about these hashtag projects is that they are much more fun when friends play along (thanks for joining me with my #93summerdays, Meredith!), so please join me this year!  I know I’ll be joined with hundreds or thousands of strangers, but it’s fun to have friends and readers play along, too.  I’ll be using the tried and true #30daysofgratitude hashtag, but I think I’ll add #30daysofgratitudeATT (for And Then They), just to keep things separate.

If you want to practice gratitude next month, please use both #30daysofgratitude and #30daysofgratitudeATT, so I’m sure to see your posts.  Also, share your Instagram name in the comments, or comment on my posts so I can follow you! (Mine is carolynfwilliams)

Happy Halloween, and thanks for reading!  I’m grateful for YOU!