Carnevale Mask GIVEAWAY!!!! CLOSED.

September 27, 2009

Here's a little taste of Halloween in September. I want to post my first 'official' Halloween giveaway on October 1st but I have my doubts that I will make that goal. I'm really throwing everything but the kitchen sink into the giveaway. So, in the meantime, please enjoy some Carnevalesque goodness.

When I saw these masks in the latest Martha Stewart magazine along with a DIY tutorial I knew I HAD to try them. If you like them too, check out the tutorial here.

These make a great 'adult' costume. I liked the formal attire combined with the 'masquerade' look of the masks.

Here are some tips if you decide to try to make them yourself.

DON'T skimp on the materials. You absolutely need crepe paper in the sheet form and NOT the streamer form especially for the beak.


DO use a glue stick and not a glue gun. You really need the wide application of a glue stick. But more importantly you need time to carefully arrange the crepe paper and a glue gun gives you very little time to make mistakes.

DO NOT start the feathers around the eyes first like it says in the tutorial. Rather start around the outer edge of the mask. This way you can easily layer them on top of each other rather than having to pull the feathers up to glue the next layer underneath. If this is confusing to you, follow the tutorial until you reach the step in which you must start to glue the feathers. You will see what I mean.


DO buy your crepe paper online. I used half a tank of gas searching for gray crepe paper. And I was lucky to finally find it in streamer form. I would have saved myself a lot of time and money by just buying them o
nline. Since you have to buy the blank paper mache masks online you might as well go ahead and buy the paper.

DON'T substitute tissue paper for
crepe paper. The reason why crepe paper works so well is because of the wrinkles. It lends itself well to the look of feathers and gives a 'creepy' sort of texture that compliments a 'carnevale' style mask.

DO experiment with different colors. If I were to do these again I would have done a red and black feathered bird. Or a plain black raven with a yellow beak.

DO buy broad scalloped scissors. This will save you a lot of time especially if you do not have the steady hand to make even bumps yourself. You can find links to everything in the above mentioned tutorial except for the scissors. I found those at Michaels for $1.99.



I found the retro red dress at the Salvation Army for $1.50. I think it's really slimming and hides my pregnancy.


You may not be able to tell from the photos but I cut off the elastic band that came with the masks and added two thin velvet ribbons which work really well! This way they are adjustable for anyone and look a lot more slick!

It rained all yesterday and all morning today. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday. We found a small window of sunlight between 3pm and 5pm and drove out to the wildlife preserve.

I really should have rethought my shoe selection. The ground was pretty gross and my stiletto heels sunk in like sand. Plus, wearing high heels when your 22 weeks pregnant is NEVER a good idea. I nearly fell over several times. Compared to all the other hikers I looked pretty insane.



By the end of our photo shoot I was feeling uninspired but I wanted to get one more shot. I asked Brian to do something silly for me. He answered, "Sillier than walking around the woods in a suit and tie with bird masks on?"


I think the best part of this shoot for me was not having to put on any make up except my red lipstick. And simply pulling back my hair in a ponytail. I was ready in about 2 minutes.

If you look at the Martha Stewart shoot you'll see that there are two smaller masks for children. No, I didn't forget about them! LOOK FOR THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT MASKS ON TUESDAY.

This giveaway is for the masks featured in this post and I would would say these masks will fit any adult.

If you have any questions see the "questions and answers" link to the right. If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post. If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.
j.crew, j crew, jcrew, ann taylor, ann taylor loft, modcloth, express, gymboree, the children's place, gap, baby gap, old navy, the limited, crewcuts, gap the children's place, gap, baby gap, old navy, the limite

13 {comments}:

Brook said... Best Blogger Tips

wow these are wonderful!!

koralee said... Best Blogger Tips

Amazingly fun fun fun...I love the design of these masks and the fact that they are easy to make...the images are amazingly beautiful and brillant!

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said... Best Blogger Tips

You guys look great! How fun.

Rebecca Ramsey said... Best Blogger Tips

AMAZING photos! The masks are right out of a fairytale. Love them!

julia said... Best Blogger Tips

I just read an article in Reader's Digest about the history of masks. Very interesting. Yours are very nice and sophisticated especially with the beautiful clothing.

Kristina said... Best Blogger Tips

Those photos are beautiful! I think I found a new project :)

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said... Best Blogger Tips

Love the photos....and love RIBBON.....Just one more day until we draw for the Giant Ornament Giveaway on my Christmas blog...Stop by for a visit....http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com

Katie said... Best Blogger Tips

I just linked to this. The bird masks are inspiring for Halloween!

Masker said... Best Blogger Tips

thank you for the link to the tutorial, these masks are great, not just for halloween ;)

Myshell said... Best Blogger Tips

Ohand look at your little prego belly! I love it!! Great masks too....link love coming your way!
Cheers, Myshell

Figgy and The Professor said... Best Blogger Tips

How fun! This would be a pleasant change from our usual costumes. I used to be a professional clown and hubby loves horror movies. So, every year we dress up as the "Bonnie & Clyde" of serial killers. I would love to do something different and this would be perfect. Thanks!

Treatment Shop said... Best Blogger Tips

Nice Post! I also read some of your postings. I really learned a lot of things. Thank you for sharing.

janil said... Best Blogger Tips

I have never seen sthg like this!!!! I blogged!!!

 
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