Daddy spent a few hours every night for just about two weeks.  I'm guess it was well over 30 hours.  He's added a few details since. 



He added the monagrammed arches and supports.  But, we still haven't been able to paint it.  Daughter refuses to take her furniture out of it.  :/  Guess she likes it as it is.



Oh, but she did move the critter families out.  They've down sized to a smaller house.  Now, the mini lalaloopsy are occupying the mansion.    Daughter has built them some new furniture out of pop caps, little boxes, toothpicks and assorted other found doodads.

*o*
Are the tabs actually strong enough to keep the desired shape if/when you thghten the corset or do they just conform to your body shape?

Oh, yes!  The tabs hold their shape just fine (and without boning).  I definitely lose a few inches when cinched in.    It has just a little stretch due to the fabric I weave mine with (polar fleece).  But, I weave really tight and allowed for the stretch when measuring.

LOVE this!  Great job!  Long live Hogwarts!! 

So excited to see you won. While I probably will never attempt this, I loved it so much.

Thanks!  I'm excited to get a t-shirt!  And, I hope you DO try it.  If all fails, you're only out a couple cereal boxes and some glue.    I remember what I think was the 1st costume piece I made with a cereal box.  It was a bat-shaped halloween mask for the daughter when she was really young. 

...Did you put something on the hat and flowers to make them waterproof?..

Yes, sorry I forgot to mention that.  I like to put a coat or two of an indoor/outdoor waterbase polyurethane varnish or spray on clear acrylic.  Staining it with the shoe polish also probably adds to making it water repellant.    Though being cardboard/paper, it would be near impossible to make completely waterproof.  But, it should withstand light sprinkles of rain.

[THANKS!]

HUMUNGOUS THANKS! to everybody for voting for my hat!  I'm thrilled that you liked it!!  Once I've hear something official, I want to announce a celebratory giveaway on my blog sometime in the month of July to show my appreciation to everyone for their support!  But, shhhh...don't tell anyone! 

...I'm looking at my Boo't right now and I know it started life the same way!

Ahh, thanks, Cackle!  I think I'll never exhaust my cereal boxes' potential uses.  One of my next projects is to make much needed hat boxes with them.  We're getting quite the collection of hats made from just about everything from cardboard, to can tabs to reshaped felt to leather.  Who knew hats would be so fun!  But, it's getting about that time I'm itching to get back to painting some boo'ts! 

Congrats on the win! Well done! 

Thanks, rackycoo!  I really enjoy these challenges!  I still feel SO honored to just receive votes from anyone besides my own mother.   

Thanks, again, everyone for the kind comments. 

I have to pin this. So awesome.

Double thanks!  I'm honored!

Impressive. This hat needs to be worn somewhere it can be seen. I think it calls for a special occasion. International Look At My Awesome Hat Day.

LOL!  That would be a great holiday!  Hat Day should be EVERYDAY!  Ahh...just googled it and "National Hat Day" is not til something like the middle of January.  I can't wait THAT long to wear it!    Guess I'll have to sport it at our local swap meet this weekend.  On occasion, we've been known to wear our crazy steampunk creations there because people request to see what we're doing with their stuff we bought.  Now, people expect us to wear strange things.    Hehehe

Tim Holtz seems to always have such wonderful stuff.  I have an aunt whose practically obsessed with his items. 

Yeah, rackycoo, not to brag or anything, but I think it just does look better perched on my head than it did covering the shreaded wheats.

You do great work!  Such attention to detail!  Love the drawers, especially the pulls, too!