So many things!

First I want to wish you all a happy thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for, so much in fact, that I haven't had time to blog much!

So, I'd love to tell you about everything that's going on, but I do have a 12 pound turkey to cook, rolls to bake, and mash potatos to mash!  So instead, I'm sharing a little family tradition we do for thanksgiving.

Every year, we go to a paint your own pottery studio. I let the kids pick out something small to paint, and I pick out a dinnerware piece to serve our thanksgiving meal on. Two years ago, I made an attempt to paint one at home, and it failed, as I did it with the wrong paint. The following year (last year) we made a turkey platter.

This year, we made a mash potato bowl.  Last year, I forgot to add the year we made the piece, so I remembered to do so this year. All of the dinnerware will have hand print turkeys. I'm hoping though that we will be able to do some pie dishes at some point instead of turkeys, we'll do apple and pumpkin palm prints.

The idea is when the kids are in high school and thereafter, we'll have a full set of serving ware and a memory to go with each piece--a memory to be thankful for.

Poll! Unfinished, or Looks good?

I'm facing a small delimma.

I have these two charms, made from princess buttons. I'm really attracted to the one on the top.......

UTNIL.....you flip them over.

See what I mean? Niether of them a really appealing, but the glitter looks better then the back of the modified button.

Any ideas? Do you like the glitter better? Should I add something  tottally different? Not sure where to go from here....

Vote for my next year's halloween costume!!

A big thankyou to Daree for contibuting the most questions and guessing the correct answer to what my costume will be this year. The correct answer is Mother Gothel! I think she is a brillant character and would be really fun to play! Be sure to catch my updates here on my search for a Mother Gothel Costume.

Everyone played so well, and I'm happily now ready to accept my defeat. You all were able to suggest ideas for next years costumes. I've made it a poll on facebook, so vote and share with your friends! The one with the most votes by Wednesday eveing will be the winner! I'll keep you up on my progess as I make the costume myself, which is a big challange, because I can barely sew! :0)

Here are the options:

1. Wicked Witch: I had to do some research on this, because it's such a general idea; but I'd like to put my own personality to it. So here are some pictures I'm taking insperation from:

Now, I'll be honest with you. I'm not going to handmake a wig! (sorry folks! and FYI I won't be making shoes either! ) I absolutely love this wig, but I think maybe what I will do is dye my hair instead. I love love LOVE this necklace, and I can make something simiular to it!  My witch costume would most definitely be more modest/modern themed. I'm thinking knee length black and purple dress with beading (maybe!) I'm thinking a shrug and a mini witch hat on a headband would also be cute.

This hat is available from bella's boutique on etsy.

2. Princess Zelda

This famous princess would be the first princess I dressed up that is not Disney (Remember Padme was an elected queen, NOT a princess). This one also gives me a bit of freedom as there are many versions of her. My favorite (and perhaps favorite by most) is the twilight princess version.

Thankfully, I already have brown boots (from the padme costume!) and white gloves which I can modify (from my wedding!). Being I have an interest in fabric painting and resin/polymer clay I think I'll be able to design the details quite nicely. I'll make the crown from resin most definetly, I've already got the plans drawn down in my head. :0)

3. Pebbles!

OK I know this is a commercialcostume available, but I promise it will be handmade! I love the leg warmers on this! I think though I would change the skirt to a fluffy tule skirt, and wear tights underneath. Sorry people not going to wear high heels, but I think I can make some cute sandals with polymer clay bones attached to it that would look just as cute. I also think I'd like to add some ribbon to the tunic somewhere, and of course I'll handmake the earrings and possibly the bone bow too. :0)

There you have it! Now get to voting!
http://apps.facebook.com/opinionpolls/poll.php?ref=stream_poll&pid=ABOiyrDgwvA

Halloween Costume 20 Questions!

If you are just joining me, this week I will be playing 20 questions with everyone this week on my facebook page! I've decided on a costume this year to weay trick or treating with my children.  If I win I get bragging rights!!! If you guys when then you will get to pick my costume for next year- and I'm vowing to make it myself, starting in Januarary (because I'll need that much time) !  I might even throw in an extra treat if you guys really do a good job!

Here are the rules:

1.  Each fan can ask one question per a day. I will answer the top four 'liked' questions the following morning.
2.  Each fan can like as many questions as they wish.
3. Fans who know the answer already are not eligible to play (that's just my husband!)
4. Questions need to be a yes/no answer. All others will be removed.

How to play.

1. Take a look at my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Whimsical-Mai/232573656756213 , and update yourself on the clues.

2. Post your question under the indicated wall's post for that day (hint: it will say something like: post your questions here)

3. Like the questions you want answered.

4. Invite your friends to play to! The more friends you have playing, the better questions you'll have and the quicker you'll get to the answer!

5. Come back each day and play again until Sunday!

Let's Play!

School has started for my eldest! It's still summer, but I am thinking of fall, and of course; Halloween! I have a confession, I would be a cosplayer if not for marrying my husband. I love dressing up in costumes. In another dimension I am married to a social reject whose only religion is worshiping video games, and comic-cons. Every year I sew up a few costumes and we have unbelievable adventures!

But, this is the real world, or at least the dimension where my husband won't be caught dead in a costume, and has never been to a comic-con. Neither have I. Not to say we would never go, but...

In this reality, Halloween is my chance to cosplay. I'm going to promise you pictures when I find them; but for now I'm going to share my favorite costumes from previous years.

My first handmade costume (all are made by my mother because I haven't taken the time to learn how to sew properly) is my favorite character Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Of course, I didn't want the yellow ball gown, which is widely available. Instead I wanted her peasant gown. The blue dress with white apron; complete with a basket and book.

I've had other costumes, but one that stands out in my mind is Padme's outfit from the third episode. I specifically choose this costume because I was pregnant at the time, and didn't want to be another 'pumpkin belly.' No thank you, I'd rather sit at home and miss out. But really who wants to see a pregnant Disney character?

This year, I'm giving my costume choosing power to you!!!!!!!!! Well...sort of.   The last few years I've not dressed up at all, with all the stress since Haley was born I didn't have enough energy! So now, three years later I'd like to take a stab at it, but to make it fun, let's play a game. On my facebook fan page next week, we'll be playing a game of twenty questions! I've already picked out my costume for this year, and you have to guess it. If  you guys (the fans) win, I will:

*Definitely dress up this year

*Post a video or photos of my costume

*Fans get to choose my costume for next year!

If I win, I get bragging rights, and saved from the humiliation of posting a silly video of myself. Rules will be posted here on Friday. Check back soon!

The End of Harry Potter

You all should know by now; I'm not the best at getting around to blogging. :0) So I've been meaning to write about my reaction to the final Harry Potter Movie. Now I'm just getting to it, after weeks of being in theaters.



We went to the Spokane Valley Mall Theater to see it opening weekend, and I have to comment on this: Apparently there was a basketball tournament going on in the parking lot! The parking attendants were telling movie goers that they had to park on the opposite side of the parking lot because the spaces in front of the theater are reserved for those going to the tournament.

Please somebody explain to me:

1. Why you would plan anything in the same place of the theater when a international top movie debuts?
2.  Why was it necessary to place the tournament there, when the parking circles the entire mall and had plenty of space?

Not that I'm complaining, because I'm sure my fat butt can use the exercise. But you would think it would have been common sense?

Anyway. Without spoilers...Harry Potter was so so............GOOD. This one, although darkest of all, was much better than it's counter part from last year. Although I remember skipping through some paragraphs during the first part of the book too. I know they were in hiding for several months, but when it feels like several months before anything exciting happens, I can't help but skip a few paragraphs. Anyway..

I think the only disappointment that I had was my most anticipated moment: When Mrs. Weasley kicks Beatrix's you know what. Of course, being as vivid as my imagination is, I had pictured something entirely different. I would have thought Mrs. Weasley would have more 'surprising power' come out kinda like when Yoda fought Count Duku. I mean, as soon as you saw Yoda drop his stick you knew something amazing was going to take place. Then to see that little guy whip around a man three times his size and basically send him running.....That's what I was expecting. Instead I felt it was more of a pissed mother with no exceptional power who got lucky. It was still nice to see it go down though. I clapped at the end of the scene too, and others followed. :0) First time I ever set off one of those......I should try that more often.

I still want to go back and see it again. Anyone want to pay our babysitter? ;0)

Proud to Believe

"Mommy, are mermaids extinct?" my five year curiosity peeks. Suddenly visions of the planned out "Is Santa Real" explanation comes to a screeching halt. I wasn't prepared for other fantasy explanations.

I clear my throat unsurely, praying I say the right thing.  " No, honey, they are not extinct. But no one knows for sure if they are real. No one has any proof."

Panic and disappointment reaches her angelic face.

"That doesn't mean there isn't any mermaids," I reassure her. "it just means we haven't found them yet. All that matters is what you think."

Hope returns as she exclaims "I will be the first to find one!".

Some might not approve of  allowing my kindergartener to believe in such things. Honestly, I think it's the best thing you can do for a child; teaching them to be open-minded and proud of their beliefs.

In adulthood we are faced with trials of fighting for what we believe in:. our religion, our ethics, and even identity. I can't stress self-confidence enough. It's connected to everything we are. What good does it do when you crush a child's possible reality? They become uncertain, letting others decide for them who they are and what they believe.

I have strong faith in what I believe in. I don't want my children to believe in what I believe unless it's what they want to believe it too. If they decide to follow a specific religion, I hope it's because it's where they feel they belong. Though I am not a follower of a specific belief but my own I study several for the sake of appreciating choices. My children will have those choices and will be proud of their choice.

And if they change their minds, they will be proud of that too. Believing in something is only worth it if you can say that you are not ashamed of what you believed even though you changed your mind. So...I know there will come a time when my five year old will probably not believe in mermaids anymore. That's okay. As long as she is proud to have believed in it for as long as she did.