WOW!!! ... now that was just CrAzY tOWn.

We made it women!

(and by we I mean Gwen and I, and by made it I mean we are still alive. Very happy to have hosted and happy to be done.)

Zoo #1 is complete! and as Emily says "So let it be written, so let it be done."

WHEW!

What a fun time though.

Seriously.

For any desperately dying to know, a total of 18 women and multitudes of monkey's attended this month's zoo.

That's just plain awesome!

I had fun... although I will never wear those shoes ever again in my adult life.

(what was I thinking?? I'm never going to be too lazy to mate socks again.)

We learned a couple things along the way.

Like for instance, have a tutorial BEFORE people start going.

(My apologies to those affected by my lack of instructions)

But, we will know for next time.

I would also like to send out a shout out to all you wonderful ladies who went above and beyond to help clean up afterwards.

Gwen and I never expected so much help.

I know I speak for both of us when I say, THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

You saved us an extra hour, at least.

For those of you not able to attend. I have in my grubby little paws the patterns and instructions for the capes, so give me a ring, or a comment, or an e-mail. I would be happy to share.

As far as the tutus go, we were all so consumed in capes that we didn't get to tap into the awesomeness that is the tutu. Because instructions for how to make one are posted all over the blasted web I feel no shame, remorse, or fear in posting a link to one of the tutorials here for you to look at. If this one doesn't float your boat, type "no sew tutu" in your search engine and sit back while you are floaded with other options. Enjoy! Here is a video one as well.

(and, if you still find yourself baffled, Kayla, Gwen, and I all know the in and outs of it)

We are looking forward to next months zoo. Jami and Emily will be hosting and it will be legend

...wait for it...

dary.

Legendary.

More deets soon to come.

(Amy, would you do me a favor and send over any pics you got, or just post them on the facebook group page. Thanks! Way to remember your camera AND memory card. You truly have it together woman.)

Be Excited!

February's zoo is just around the corner. Less than one week, to be exact. Are you ready for it? Do you have your stuff? Capes are done and they are UBER super cute! Don't believe me? Check out the proof: (this is just a teaser peeps! check out more pics in the original cape post)

A couple last minute things though:

• Please bring scissors. These projects involve a lot of cutting. And 2 pairs of scissors just isn't going to cut it for 15 mamas. (get the play on words there? clever, clever.) So, if you have them, bring them.


• Also, sewing machines. We need them. If you have one, please bring it.


• Thread: whether or not you have a sewing machine, if you are planning on making capes, you need to bring your own matching thread.


• Gwen and I will provide 2 irons/ironing boards, as well as pins, pencils, patterns, etc.


• Demonstrations, help, and examples will be there for your enjoyment.

And finally, Be excited because I sure am! This is going to be a blast!

{By the way, just because you make two capes, which equals out to be four different superheros, does not guarantee that you won't have fights. I never imagined SuperWhy would be so popular... I might have to make yet another one.}

We Have Capes!

First of all, Miss Rachael, you, my dear, are amazing. Simply Amazing. Just when I thought I was going to have to whip out my never before tried pattern making skills, Rachael forwards me on the pattern! So, everyone, when you see her, pass on your extreme joy and adulation!

Here goes, these capes we will be making are reversible. That equal 2 superheros (or princesses) per cape. You will need a sewing machine and thread, so keep that in mind. (Sounds stupid to mention, but they are two rather important supplies.) Don't stress out if you don't own a sewing machine, (or know how to sew) we will share.

Now, besides that, you will need:

For a boy cape:
3/4 yard black fabric
3/4 yard red fabric
(or whatever colors you want for your capes, these colors are based on a superman (or incredibles)/batman cape. pick whatever you prefer.)
Felt for emblem (*see details below)
fusible web
matching thread
small piece of Velcro

For a girl cape:
3/4 yard pink fabric
3/4 yard purple fabric
(once again, your choice...or your monkey's in my case)
Felt for crown emblem (whatever you prefer, you will need 3 separate colors, 1 sheet of each)
fusible web
Matching thread
small piece of velcro

For a super hero mask:
1 piece black fun foam
1 small piece 1/4" black craft elastic

The yardage suggested is for a little monkey between 2-4 (the finished cape will be approximately 19 inches long, from shoulders down) If your monkey is bigger 5-8, or you would just like a longer cape, buy 1 yard of each fabric, and the finished cape will be 30 inches long. Also, because the standard width of fabric is 45-60 inches, you will be able to make 2 capes with the allotted fabric if you so choose.


*Felt details:
Batman: 1 piece yellow felt, 1 piece black felt (this will be enough to make 2 batman emblems)
Superman: 1 piece yellow felt, 1 piece red felt
Spiderman: 1 piece black felt, (if you just want a spider) 1 piece black felt, 1 piece red felt, and black puff paint. (if you want a spiderman face)
Incredibles: 1 piece yellow felt, 1 piece black felt, 1 white scrap of felt
Initial: 2 pieces felt, whatever your heart desires
Super Why: 1 piece blue felt, 1 piece white felt, 1 piece gold/yellow felt
Word Girl: 1 piece yellow/gold felt, 1 piece red felt

{By the way, if anyone knows someone who is extremely better at taking pictures than I am... could you let me know.}

Cape Capers

Clever title eh? That's why I am in charge of the blog! ;)



Here is the deal with the capes. We ARE MOST DEFINITELY doing them. However, I have to make a pattern for them...so, since I haven't done that yet, there are no specs for the capes as of yet. Don't worry, all the info will be up soon. Really soon.

By the way, the sidebar poll that asks you to pick between project a, b, c, and d: I am just waiting for projects/ideas so I can fill it in with actual options. So start sending me your ideas, or I will fill it in with mine. (talk about blog domination)

Check the first post for a couple clear ups about hosting. Thanks.

tutus

Cute huh? Thanks go to Kayla for suggesting such an adorable project for February's festivities.

If you are coming, and planning to make one of these little darlings,

you need to bring the following:

• 3 - 6 yards of tulle.

The amount of tulle depends on the size of your monkey and the "poofiness" of your tutu. More tulle = more poof. Also, feel free to buy all your tulle just one color, or mix it up a bit with coordinating colors. (Photo 1 and 2 were made with 2 different coordinating colors, and photo 3 is made with only 1)

• White sewing elastic, cut the size of your monkey's waist.

3/4" elastic works best for bigger monkeys, where 1 - 1 1/2" inch elastic works best for the baby monkeys. (the fatter elastic tends to curl on bigger monkeys.)

• gems, silk flowers, skinny ribbons (optional)

To add a little flare to your tutu you can hand sew on some little embellishments (see photo 1) If you choose to do this, bring a needle and thread. Hot glue works as well, it is just quite a bit messier...

• two inch wide satin ribbon (optional)

This picture shows the tutu's waistband wrapped in a 2 inch wide satin ribbon.

If you would like to protect your monkey's tummy (because tulle is very very scratchy) and ensure that they will actually wear your newest creation, bring a piece of coordinating ribbon that is 2 - 2 1/2 times the size of your little monkey's waist. Disclaimer: some monkey's will wear tutu even if it's scratchy. It just depends. A shirt will also help buffer the owies.

{Please note, all photos are from etsy, here and here. The tutus pictured are for sale at those shops, if you so desire.}