I hadn't noticed the theme announcement, at least not until the very end of the alloted time to sew...and I was on the road to top things off. Four days, three countries, six airplanes, a train, a bus, a boat, and even a few cars. I spent four of five days this week on an airplane.
BUT
The opening week theme is circus. CIRCUS. For me, circus isn't a place you go to see on special occasions. It's not sawdust and glitter and cotton candy. It's hard work and bloody hands and sore muscles. And glitter. There's always glitter. You can't walk into any typical rig and not walk out without glitter on you. But it's also family. And to say that the Puppy has spent a fair portion of her life ensconced in that family would be an understatement.
June 22nd, 2016. I think this was the last time I was on an apparatus before she was born less than two weeks later. I couldn't get my hips over my head anymore.
Her first visit to the rig outside the womb was at five weeks, and she was a regular until we moved to Italy, dressed appropriately for special occasions like birthday celebrations. Tutus are ALWAYS appropriate when on the flying trapeze, not so much on the aerial apparatus I prefer. That requires tightly fitting clothing so that your shirt doesn't droop over your head when you're upside down, and your pants don't wrap around the apparatus
More recently on a trip to DC (See the Zoo pics in an earlier post), I had the chance to rejoin one of my families of choice, and see how much my body remembered. The Puppy joined another rig kid who was waiting for her class. She wasn't too happy to see me on the apparatus, but whenever anyone else flew, she asked for "more, more" until someone else hit the air. The cell phone eased things when Mamma was the one working (on the same silk hammock as in the prenatal picture.)
The next day I was on the flying trapeze and the Puppy climbed (partway) up the ladder to the platform, with some help at shoulder height. (and to assure that she wouldn't go any further, because she was intent on reaching the 23 foot high platform.)
She also got her first swing on the low bar. Had to wrench my little circus girl off the bar. She loves trampolines, the wobble board I keep in the living room, and will balance on anything she can. There's a real chance that she will make it to the top of a rig in September if the weather holds up.
So...what does one make, within a constrained time that covers everything circus means to this family? I guess it's a good thing I have a supply of crazy spandex in the stash! I started with basics that would be perfect for a special occasion at the rig...shiny, shiny spandex tank and coordinating short tights.
And then we hopped onto the wobble board. I can't actually use it to work out on when she's awake because I have to share. For some reason she prefers it upside down.
For the really big birthday parties, there's a matching skirt, the best photo of which I could get was below, because she was done and it was pretty close to bedtime.
The whole ensemble is big enough that it should still fit her in the fall when we head back to the States for my 25th college reunion (I *know*) which happens to be close to a good friend with a trapeze rig that might give us a shot at having a little fun.
Oh, my! Amazing! And so is the outfit! Isn’t that material hard to sew on?
Posted by: Leigh | June 08, 2018 at 10:35 PM
Wow! I am impressed with both of you! You are right! Lots of hard work and practice. The special circus outfit looks adorable on your little cutie. Great job!
Posted by: Karen | June 09, 2018 at 01:01 AM
That is SO cool how close to home this theme is for you! LOVE the pregnant-hanging upside down pic!! LOL
Posted by: Sherri | June 09, 2018 at 08:17 PM
This is fantastic! I love the little skirt and the story behind this is fabulous!!!
Posted by: Audrey | June 09, 2018 at 09:15 PM