Halloween Creativity

It's Halloween and I was talking with a patron at my library about how when we were little we made our own costumes from what we could find around the house. I remember raiding my mother and father's closet for oversized clothes to be a "bum" or a "princess". Mother's sewing basket was a treasure chest of things I could accessorize my costume with. Stringing buttons made a marvelous neclace or bracelet, while baiding trims became belts and sword sashes. Nothing was ever thrown away, but recycled to be used in a different way. Old bridesmaid dresses were cut apart and the fabrics went to make things like fairy wings or a Cinderella dress, or later a crazy quilt. We were very creative in putting the costumes together, like the one I am wearing today. I raided my own closet and taped up the legs on a pair of pants, put on my "Geek" t-shirt that I got while visiting my brother at Microsoft and a long sleeve shirt with breast pockets. I made a pocket protector out of cardboard and lined it with pens not being used at home. I put on white socks and parted my hair in the middle and added the white adhesive tape to my glasses on the bridge and earpiece. If you haven't guessed, I am dressed as a nerdy geek. Everyone has gotten a big laugh and it didn't cost a cent! In this economy, we are all going to have to relearn how to recycle and reuse our belongings. I guess that is why scrap quilts and crazy quilts are so very popular.