I live with Harry Potter

Yesterday my son's school had a "Literary Parade".  The kids could dress as their favorite literary character (no cartoon characters or monsters allowed).  They were to bring along the book from which their character came and they could also bring a small pumpkin decorated as either the character or as a sidekick. 

Is that not the cutest Harry Potter you've ever seen?  And that's his owl Hedwig. 

He said a few other kids dressed as HP but they didn't have the lightening scar.

Huh???!!!! 

Isn't that the most defining feature of HP??

Ever since we got the HP glasses and tie a few days ago he's been wearing them around the house (and out to dinner last night) because he likes to look like a nerd.  LOL!

trick or treat disney style

Boo!

Bet you thought I fell off the face of the earth, huh?  I think this has been the longest hiatus I've taken from the blog since I started blogging about a year and a half ago. 

Busy, busy, busy! 

I've been working on lots of layouts and projects, mostly for Scrapbook News and Review.  I'll share them as I can.  Some of them you can see throughout this week during their daily Halloween email newsletters.  Sign up now if you're not already receiving them.  There are some AMAZING projects by the staffers on there.  Lots of great Halloween ideas!  You can see many more in the upcoming Octobert/November double issue premiering Sunday 10/31. 

I began my hiatus with 5 days at the Disneyland Resort.  Our hotel was awesome because it had an entrance right into California Adventure (which, truth be told, I love so much more than Disneyland...is that wrong?). 

We met up with some friends right at the beginning and hung out for a little while for the Disneyland Halloween celebration.  They close the park early to general admission and you have to have a special pass to be in the park for the evening.  (Translation: They get you to pretty much pay double to be in the park all day long on that day.  Mmm hmmm.  It was fun but not THAT fun.)  They have a special Halloween-themed fireworks display with a Nightmare Before Christmas theme, a special Halloween parade with the characters dressing up in costumes, and trick-or-treating. 

The boy dressed up as Woody (I think this is his third Woody costume since he was 2 - the boy LOVES Woody) and the girl was a punk-y version of Alice in Wonderland.  Not intentionally, although I think it looks ADORABLE.  In my haste to pack I overlooked the footwear aspect of the costume so she ended up wearing her All-Stars. 

Loving this week's Sketchy Thursdays sketch!

So, I set out to make this layout really quickly and wouldn't ya know it, I decide to get all fancy on the ears and ended up spending waaaaaay longer than I wanted to on it.  Oh, well.  I think it's pretty cute!

I tried to make the Mickey ears look like a real hat by sewing the words.  Yes, with my sewing machine. 

This Friday the boy's school is having a Literary Parade (apparently we can't do Halloween in school anymore?) where the kids can dress up as a literary character - no cartoon characters or monsters allowed.  The boy has picked Harry Potter and I can't wait to get him all dressed up.  They can bring a small pumpkin to carry which can be either a miniature version of their character or a sidekick.  (If I get it done) the boy will be carrying a white pumpkin made to look like Hedwig.  I'm so proud!!!  I'll definitely share pics.  He's already been wearing the HP glasses all around and he looks like Harry! 

So, do you do Halloween?  Any big plans for the weekend?

Heidi

p.s.  Tessa from Precocious Paper is challenging everyone throughout the month of November to develop an Attitude of Gratitude.



Every day in November she'll share on her blog something she is grateful for.  I will definitely try to follow her lead and play along.  Goodness knows my gratitude attitude could use some developing!   Check out Tessa's post here to see how to play along.

Wizards & Monsters

Wow!  I can't believe it's already March 1st! 

Today is officially my first day on the Category Stories Design Team.  We have a very cool prompt this month:  "__________ was one of her very best friends." 

As I note, "Yes.  I'm a nerd!" 

I'm guessing those of you who aren't Harry fans don't get the three rings...they're the Quiddich goals...it's a game played on broomsticks with 4 balls and...oh, you don't care!  As mentioned, yes, I'm a nerd. 

My journaling reads, "I read 29 books in 2009 - 21 were Harry Potter! Quiddich.  Butterbeers at the Three Broomsticks.  Accio Firebolt!  Expecto Patronum!  Severus Snape - Oh u no u ~heart~ him!  Invisibility cloak.  Don't make me go Avada Kadavra on your ass!  Yes.  I'm a nerd."  These are some of the things I wish I could do/see/have.  And, yes, I'm 1/2 way thru my 4th tour with Harry.  I just get to the end of the 7th book and feel like I'm losing a bff so I have to start over again.  And, no, it never gets old and yes, I discover new things everytime.  Yes.  I'm a nerd.  Haven't we established that yet??

The paper and fabric from which I cut the hearts are yummies from the Ninja Addicts "Don't Get It Twisted"  kit.  Of course I had to stitch - my "thang".  Harry is cut out of a box of valentines. 

Head on over to the Category Stories site to check out what the rest of the team made for your inspiration.  I love that we all had such different takes on the prompt.  And be sure to play along with us for your chance to win this amazing piece of art by Amy Lapi:

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Today is also the first color challenge for March over on the Design Dollies.  LOVE this color combo:

Royal blue, sky blue, and lime green.

I couldn't believe I actually had the perfect piece of paper for this!!!  Every single piece on this layout except for the "Rawr!" letter stickers are from the Ninja Addicts "Mommy's Little Monster" kit. 

The Social Distortion song "Mommy's Little Monster" was an anthem to my teen years.  And I've been calling my son "Mommy's Little Monster" since day 1 so how perfect is this kit for us??!!!! 

Love the little Fimo dino made by Ninja Master Nely!  Too cute!  And the feltie dino montage made by Ninja Master Ally.  These chickies ROCK!  I also like that in this pic you get a sense of how cool and rainbow-y the ponchello is. 

Hop on over to the Dollies site to check out what the rest of the team made.  These girlies are so talented!!!!!!!!!!!!  I love being a part of this amazing group!

Hope you have a great Monday!

Heidi