Monday, August 22, 2011

A Chicken Story


I really want to share my little bit of weekend excitement with everyone.  On Friday night, our grand daughter phoned to ask if I could make her a costume for school.  Apparently it's book character day tomorrow, and she was hoping to have something special to wear.  Her chosen character was Chicken Little.  I immediately began to panic.  How on earth could we come up with a chicken costume, over the weekend, and not get away to buy anything!!  Okay..........., out came the step ladder, and hey presto, the stash cupboard came to the rescue.  Lots of fabric, bits and pieces landed on the bed, ready for 'something'.  

They arrived for lunch on Saturday, and after that we began with some A4 paper and a pair of scissors.  We tackled the feet first.  I knew the red/black quilted nylon I bought years ago would come in handy one day!!  I attached some elastic underneath these shapes, so she could slip her shoes through in order to stop 'the feet' flapping around.  A little band with velcro holds them in place around her ankles.  Thankfully, red childrens' tights were available in our small town.

We then moved on to the head - comb and beak.  Again, a little bit of trial and error with A4 paper, and thankfully, a knitted beanie still sitting in the cupboard, plus the quilted nylon would see the comb done.  I stitched a length of velcro [hook side] to the bottom of the 'comb'.  I did the same with the little arms on the beak.  Both bits grab onto the beanie and will stay in place for the day.

I didn't have a lot of time to make a really neat job of a 'body tunic', so the yellow fabric I had was fashioned into a poncho.  I cut a hole and slit, in order for her to pop it over her head, and again, attached a neckband with velcro closing.  A little line of machine stitching created a sleeve and part- body.  We thought it would work for the day.


Finally, the feathers had to go on.  Again, cheap yellow acrylic yarn from the stash helped create some feathered wings.  We did actually trim the feathers a little after this photograph was taken.  She told me she had to have a tail too, but as it was 'the last part', my brain was getting quite tired.  The yellow tail is a little sad, so I'm thinking Chicken Little probably could be having a bad hair day tomorrow.  

I still have enough to make Chicken Little again and again, and I really have to get a grip on this stash, it's just ridiculous.  After we'd finished the costume, it was time to sit quietly and have a glass or two of medicine [cleverly disguised as Sauvignon Blanc..........LOL].  It was a fun afternoon, and I thoroughly enjoyed creating something from nothing with a little girl so full of enthusiasm.   



 

17 comments:

shirley said...

What a great post Linda, you are so clever...I had to do a similar thing once when staying down the coast, for a robin hood costume for a grandson, so I can relate to the panic involved. Wish I had been prescribed "medicine" like yours way back then.

Dianne said...

How creative of you Linda. See - that is why one must never throw out anything from the stash!! You never know when you may need it. Our daughters were great ones for telling us the day before they needed a costume for something at school or for their jazz ballet. It was frustrating but we always seemed to be able to come up with something.

Anonymous said...

What a great costume Linda! Sounds like a fun weekend project. Laurel

Tracey said...

Oh Linda, that is just fabulous, you are so clever. It was book week at our school today too, however my children didn't go quite so creatively dressed as Wendy did.... Great job.

Jensters said...

Hello my friend and its so nice to be reading your blog again....and what a lovely one to start with, such a great costume for your Granddaughter....clever ladies....we all love our stashes xx

Anonymous said...

She's a gorgeous chicken little! You are so very cleaver and to have the stuff in the stash is great too. My days of doing book week are over now that that girls are both in secondary school. A big sigh, either disapointment or relief - haven't worked out which yetLOL

Jenny said...

So creative & so much fun. What a great way to spend some bonding time together. Maybe GD will be doing the same thing for her GD a few years further down the track.

DIAN said...

wow Linda, I won't say you are clever - don't want you to get a bit head now - however I am seriously impressed with the results. The funny thing is that I imagine it hardly made on impression on the stash.

As Wend is just beginning her school life I imagine there will be more of these emergencies - you need to keep a stash of "medicine" as well as a stash of textiles.

Frances Leate said...

What a fun way to spend an afternoon with your granddaughter and your result is so creative. The problem with downsizing a stash is that you never know what you will need in the future - at least that is my excuse!!! Take care.

Stitching Lady said...

Oh, how creative and wonderful. The costume came out super. You are so lucky to have a stash cupboard (or me: boxes or even cupboards in the basement with treasures) to make up just everything a little girl is dreaming of. She will never forget this all her life.

Anonymous said...

Oh! WOW Linda, how ingenious of you. It looks just fabulous, lucky little grand-daughter to have you. Hope she enjoyed the experience at school. Don't discard any stash, you're sure to be called upon again for further creations.

Anne

Radka said...

Well done, Linda !!! I know I would panic! You have done so well :)But thinking about it, isn't this what we are all about? With all our stash and creative thinking...You made a little girl very happy :)

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Linda, what a very creative and super great costume for your grand daughter. It is perfect and I am sure she will always remember this day with you. Hugs Judy

Assignment Help said...

Hi, Firstly thanks for sharing this information to us. It is very Interesting blog.


Assignment Help

Unknown said...

I found a extremely great site with loads of pin worms facts here. Many thanks for share this new content. Homework Help
Homework Hel Onlinep

nish gau said...

Great website. Get hack for pixel gun from pixel gun hack . It gives free access to coins and gems. Visit to know more in details.

Assignment Help said...

I am big fan of such lovely little things that smell so good. I have numerous aromatic candles at home! It helps me to relax after my working days
Assignment Help Sydney