Sunday, November 1, 2009

Saturday....Halloween!

As promised, here are the costumes I made for the boys. First, an explanation. It was not my original intention to "make" costumes. The wife had "bought" costumes for the boys at the Dollar store. These included a helmet, shield, chest plate, tiny machine guns, and some glow wear. She had figured she could create some kind of costume out of this arrangement. Turns out, the helmets were evidently made to fit a doll's head. Either that, or the Chinese people making them have tiny perfectly round heads. Regardless, they wouldn't fit the boys.
So, I started by just trying to make them fit, which included cutting the back half off and expanding it with duck tape. (Red Green is my hero!) Still, the helmets only covered their scalp and eyes. Next thing I know, I'm adding aluminum foil sandwiched between clear box tape to cover the face. The boys where so happy with that, they encouraged me to continue. I started crafting pants out of alternating strips of Aluminum foil and duct tape. Then added some electrical tape to the back for the "flexible" look. Eventually, everything was covered with clear box tape.
The oldest decided he wanted a "jetpack". I took the shield my wife bought, turned it upside down and added 3 Toilet paper rolls covered in aluminum foil, some red foil for a flaming effect, and clear tape; then fastened the shield to the chest plate with foil shoulder straps. The youngest decided he DIDN'T want a jetpack, which I think is saying something.
After putting everything on, I saw the need for accessories and made the arm bands and waist protectors/belts. More aluminum foil sandwiched between clear tape.
The boys loved them. They wore them on at least 3 different occasions (which meant constant repairs.) I probably spent enough on tape and foil to buy a couple of costumes. They did win $25 in a costume contest, but unfortunately the wife wouldn't let me subtract my labor and material cost from that. Greedy little ingrates split their winnings and bought Webkins animals and Chaotic cards.

Here's the pics. I present the "Star Wars Assassins" or "RoboTroopers", or whatever else they told people they were, which changed each time.


Shiny, eh?

14 comments:

ScoMan said...

Rookie mistake.

Next time you need a binding legal document prior to beginning the project stating that any income as a result of your time and skill will first go towards your cost of materials and labour.

Any income over and above that goes to the legal guardian of the recipients of the income.

Anonymous said...

In support of my cheapness, the plan all along was to MAKE costumes, I just bought that stuff at the dollar store for accessories. I bought the tape and aluminum foil then also. However, I had NO IDEA the you would be making them (maybe secretly hoping), let alone do such a kick-ass job. Great job honey, and good pic's too. Look so fall-y.

adrienzgirl said...

I think they look awesome. And really, as the Daddy, shouldn't the joy on your little ingrates faces be payment enough?

phairhead said...

OMG! You fuckin' rule, Ed :D

Kimberly said...

I think you did great! At least you got them to GO trick or treating, my youngest didn't want to go - what the heck? What kind of kid doesn't want to go trick or treating?

Tracie said...

You did a great job! So creative! The pictures look good, too.

Anonymous said...

You are a good costume maker.

Ducky said...

I bow to you oh great and mighty Oz! I'm tickled to see that you have a talent other than being a total asshat! Kudos

Sebastian Anthony said...

Best jetpack EVER!

I wish I had a father as enterprising as you...

Tgoette said...

Great job Ed! Do I hear Hollywood calling?

My son went to a Halloween party as a Catholic priest (without the small child attached to his loins as is the popular fashion these days) and said he had a pretty good time for a priest!

Leigha said...

Very nice. I applaud your creativeness. early any problem can solved with duct tape and/or aluminum foil.

Moooooog35 said...

..and that day, everyone in the neighborhood got the free porn channels on Cable.

Anonymous said...

OH man, those are the best costumes! I hate when people just get their kid ready made costumes from Walmart or something. Where's the creativity in that? Boring! Better to have a toilet paper jet pack ANYDAY!

Phillipia said...

Awesome costumes:)
Foil, duct tape, and TP rolls - all ya need.

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