Spooky Birthday Breakfast ☻

 Come on in!!!
We recently had a 'Spooky Birthday Breakfast'
for my #2 grandson, who just turned 12.

At the front entrance of the house, just to set the theme, I stuck white paper dots from the stationary section onto
this lightweight black pumpkin from Walmart.
I tied it with a bow &
hung it on my shepherds hook.  I bring it in if it looks like
rain, as the dots aren't waterproof.   Maybe next year,
I'll paint it!

 

 We comfortably fit all seven members of the family at the square table in the sunroom for bacon & eggs & Belgium waffles after church.





Happy Halloween placemats set the tone & a creepy look black crow watched over the event.
A battery operated candle is inside the witch's hat.
I NEVER use open flames around the children!



The grandkidlets found creepy spider rings hanging onto their orange juice glasses.



 I'm sure getting my money's worth out of these Dollar Tree Birthday glasses! 
They go beautifully with any colors I have on the table.





 I set the table with plain white plates with little bowls to be used for either fresh fruit or ice cream served later with birthday cake.



 I found these cute little "Boo" hand towels at Tuesday Morning.
I prefer gently "scary" things at Halloween & this little ghost fit the bill.











Quite frankly, the spiders & snakes really gross me out, 
but I knew the grandsons would get a kick out of them.
Ms. C. wasn't too thrilled with them.

























She & I & her mother enjoyed a soothing cuppa tea from this darling Halloween teapot.







 I've done this kind of theme for my grandson's birthday before, with lots more creepy foods.
You can see & read about it HERE.

I just can't get away from it when his birthday is so close to Halloween!



I'm finally fully recovered from my cold...it was a doozy!
Thanks for all the "get well" wishes.

I'm joining Cuisine Kathleen for her "Let's Dish" party tonight as well as
Yvonne at StoneGable for "Tutorials, Tips & Tidbits" tomorrow &
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for "Tablescape Thursday".
I'll be with The Tablescaper for "Seasonal Sundays".

Come check out these fun parties for lots more ideas!
Thanks for stopping by The Gazebo House.

American Girl Doll Clothes

My granddaughter, Ms. C., has American Girl dolls at her house to play with.

I use Target's knock off versions, "My Generation" dolls here
for fitting & modeling purposes when I make clothes for them.
(did you notice the chopsticks I taped to her hand?)

They are the exact same size.  The only differences that I can 
discern are the missing front teeth & the hair on the Target dolls is of a less silky quality.  
Otherwise, they make perfect models!





 Directions for making the Halloween mask can be found HERE. 
I used glittered felt, which doesn't show up too
well in the photo.  It also had to be trimmed down to size
a wee bit from the pattern given.

 The pattern for this Chinese costume is from Joan Hinds'
book,  Sew the International Wardrobe for 18-Inch Dolls

 It is the same book I used to make these Irish Step-Dance outfits

 


(blogged about HERE)





This silky satin was NOT fun to work with! 

It is VERY prone to raveling & it also couldn't be
ironed very easily...melted at a fairly low temp &
didn't take a crease very well either. 

It was a bundled pack of fat quarters from Joann's, which was tied up in ribbons & fastened with the little
frog closure, seen above.  

I decided to use it for the closure on the doll's kimono top.
"Motherrr, you never throw anything away!"





Since Ms. C. is very much into gymnastics & dance these days, I made her dolls a leotard from a swimsuit pattern I found for free online. 
Directions for leotard/swimsuit can be found HERE.

I would advise you to cut the pattern at least 1/4" bigger than printed & to also use the lower neckline version

or it will be very difficult for any child to get it onto the doll.
I even struggled with it!



 

Ms. C. requested a matching pair of "Booty Shorts"...
~insert rolled eyes~~
I used a standard doll sized pants pattern & tried to shorten it enough to comply with her request. 

 I think I hemmed them TWICE after this picture was taken,
in order to get them short enough to satisfy my * mini wardrobe coordinator*.  She is definitely developing her own sense of style!  

Thanks so much for stopping by The Gazebo House today.

I'm linking up with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her Metamorphosis Monday as well as
Yvonne at StoneGable for her Tutorials, Tips & Tidbits on Thursday and
The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays meme.

I hope you'll also visit these lovely ladies & join the fun!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!