Ready to run (Costume: check)

I have been talking about my first 5K since January.  Now it is just over 12 days away! (See ticker on the right column to see exactly how long!!)  And I'm thrilled to announce that I have finished my costume--with almost 2 weeks to spare!!

The race is the Alien Chase (when you live in Roswell, NM, almost everything is alien themed).  The 4th of July weekend marks the anniversary of the 1947 UFO crash.  I know that I have no chance of winning the fastest woman or even the fastest woman in my age group (40s).  But I could have a chance for the best costumed runner.

I chose to go with a classic: Star Wars' R2D2.  My son tells me R2D2 isn't an alien, he's a robot.  But he does come from "a galaxy far far away" AND, he chases aliens all over the galaxy!

I started with a tutu.  (Just Google "make a tutu" and you'll find lots of instructions.)  Basically, you take a piece of elastic a few inches smaller than your waist.  (Important because you will stretch it out!!)  Cut tulle about 6-8 inches wide and twice as long as you want the tutu. (Mine were about 25 inches, so around 12 inches when tied.)  Wrap elastic around something (I used a laundry hamper). Loop tulle around the elastic and knot. Add as many as you'd like.

Finished tutu. (Doesn't it look cute with the Mickey Mouse shirt?)

To make the shirt, I started with a man's sleeveless white t-shirt.  I used freezer paper for the template.  Looking at pictures I found on the internet, I drew the pieces (front, back, and both sides). I used the freezer paper box for my ruler.  Here are my templates.  Next step was to use the x-acto knife to cut out the blocks.

I ironed the freezer paper (plastic side down) to the t-shirt.  I put a cardboard box inside the shirt. Then I started painting.

I let each side dry overnight (or at least several hours) before starting the next section. This is the front.

This is the back.

Once everything was dry, I peeled off the freezer paper. It was a bit trickier than I expected, but it still worked.

I think the best part of the outfit is the hat!  I debated on how to do it. I needed something that I could run in. I finally found a white baseball hat at Hobby Lobby.  I lightly drew my design with pencil, and then painted it.  I love the way it turned out!

Here's the finished project. Right side.

Left side. (Please ignore the laundry hampers in the background...the kids just got home from camp!)

The back.

The front.  Here I am ready to run!