We started a new tradition today. We've been swimming in all there is to do: props, rehearsals, costumes, sets, etc. all the while the weather has been turning colder and colder and colder. So, Miriam had a brilliant idea: what if we had a Kids on Fire Day where everyone got together and we worked as a group on costumes and props? Great idea!
We gathered at two in the afternoon, said a prayer and divvied up the jobs.
We had two rooms with a captain in each room. Lauren was captain in the sewing room and I was captain in the prop room with Mason (Hiccup) as first mate. Rachel T. (Haggi), Lena, and Iva know how to sew so Lauren grabbed them and put them to work sewing bracers, arm guards, boots, belts, and tops.
There were thread, pins, and bits of fur EVERYWHERE! I love a good mess :)
Everyone else was busy in other places, but the sewing team would often pop in and say "Ruff-Nut, can we try this?" Our cast was so great--always willing to drop what they were doing and get into their costumes. Seriously, the coolest thing is to see the actors become the characters as they get into their costumes.
Around 5:00, we had dinner. Emeline (Ruff-Nut) and Miriam (Astrid) made chicken chili and cornbread for us. We ate for about a half hour and then . . . back to work!
In the prop room, we were making helmets and painting shields. The boys traced the pattern, cut out and put the heat curl into 24 separate pieces. IMPORTANT NOTE: A lot of us were painting shields (and they look fantastic), but those pictures aren't going to end up in this post because they're getting a post of their own.
We eventually moved out into the woodshed because the glue we use is kind of smelly. We assembled the hats, added the rivets (googly eyes), and then Creed (Former Peter Pan) took them out to spray paint them the chrome color.
At the end, we had six helmets finished. Wew! Those things are a lot of work. The crew stayed until 9:00 that night and we were beat. Thank you to everyone who came and helped and especially to all the moms and dads who drove.
We got so much done and, best of all, we had a fantastic time together. There's something special about working hard on something that you love and care about. A couple of the kids came up and asked if we could do another On Fire Friday next week. I hope we get to do another one too :)
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