Super Creature Power Suit Costumes

Our daughter loves Martin and Chris - the Kratt brothers. She loves to reenact the programs, especially with a best friend that enjoys the same show. Both of the girls have birthdays one day apart, one Sunday and the other on Monday - and I decided to make both a "creature suit" so they could play, imagine and reenact the shows in true character.

Super Creature Power Suits are not in stores, that I could find, but I found a blog, karascreativeplace.blogspot.com, in which the woman made all the necessary items for a Wild Kratts themed birthday party. Boys and girls alike, who love animals and nature, are drawn to this PBS show - but as mentioned, no costumes are out there.

From images on this blog, and looking at an episode image on the PBS web-site, it appears these costumes can be pretty simple to make. First, for the bottom - a pair of cargo style pants, aka "super adventure pants" will do, along with hiking boots (although hikers are not necessary).

 For the top two T shirts will be needed. Either a red, sky blue, or olive green - with a separate black T.  A 9x12 piece of felt to match the color T is needed. A pair of black knit gloves (optional) will finish the suit as seen on TV.

 To make the super creature power suit (on my to do this week!) cut the sleeves off the black T, and cut out the neckline to create a V-neck. Cut off bottom portion as well so it is approx 5-6 shorter than the colored T. (Making a slight upside down V in the bottom hemline of the T will be more like those used on the show, versus a straight across cut.) This will be pulled over the colored T like a vest.

Note that I simply bought a black T a size smaller than the color and shortening was not necessary - and because I was short on time I decided to pass on making the bottom more V in shape.

Felt was used to create the Super Creature Power Button (this will turn your adventurer into a part human/part animal with super creature powers). From the 9x12 felt cut one strip 2" wide x 12" long, set aside. Remaining should be a 12x7" piece. From this cut a 6" circle and three 2" circles. Baste or fuse the 6" circle in the center of the vest with 2" circles positioned on top to create a "paw print".

 From the 2x12" section of felt cut the following accent tabs all 2" wide (skip this step if time is an issue):

two 1/2" pieces

four 1" pieces

four 1/5" pieces

 Just below the shoulder seam on the front side of the vest attach 1.5" pieces at each shoulder. Just below, attach the 1" pieces.

 At lower sides, but in front of side seam, attach tabs on each side as well (if bottom hemline is angled position felt at same angle). Begin with 1/2" piece at bottom of stack, then the 1" and 1.5" on top.

 If you were able to find black knit gloves - from the scraps of felt cut a 2" x 1" piece and attach to top side of glove. If ambitious you can add a 1" cuff around the wrist with a 2nd 1/2" strip wrap around just below. To be truly authentic add 1/2" or smaller circle dots of felt on underside of glove at fingertip. (I did make gloves, and will post a photo soon.)

I am so excited to give the girls their birthday suit gifts - and just in time for Halloween too!

Gallery Canvas Print in Hand

Hi All - I want to provide feedback for you on the 16x20 gallery wrapped canvas print I received from Easy Canvas Prints. First, the turnaround time on my project was exceptionally fast. A+!
The image quality is good, although a tad dark, but that could be on my end when I changed the contrast a bit in Photoshop before uploading my image. 
The only area of quality that could use some improvement, and thus a B grade, is the number of staples used to stretch the canvas across the pine framework. An artist friend of mine actually pointed this out - as my experience with canvas prints is minimal. She noted that not enough staples were used and the canvas would start to buckle with time due to enviromental changes, such as humidity, etc. My friend said I could resolve this by simply adding some staples in while pulling the canvas tight. I had my husband bring in the staple gun from his woodworking shop and we will take care of this prior to delivering it to the local coffeehouse for the community artist showcase.
I have decided to donate the proceeds of the butterfly photo print, which I am calling "Camo", to benefit cancer research and add the funds to whatever I end up raising this month for my Arbonne business. It was actually two years ago this month, I am certain, when our friend Marv got the news that his cancer had returned. In his honor, I am dedicating my blog posts at purelyliving.blogspot.com to education of cancer awareness.
I will keep you posted as to the date of the artist showcase. I do recommend checking out Easy Canvas Prints...I love that they have 8x8s - I plan to utilize that size soon!

Happy creating!
Rita S.