Masquerade Ball Rules and Voting

Are you attending the Masquerade Ball??  Want to learn more about it?? All the rules and info you need. Hold onto your Broomstick cuz here we go!

This competition is all about creativity and your mad skills. Everyone loves a homemade costume.  Show your best and create something great. 

--Enter up to 2 costumes, new or old. It must be made by YOU. It does not have have to be your original idea or tutorial, and it doesn't matter if it was made with or without a pattern.  

-- Costumes do not have to be sewn.  They can be made of any materials you can find.

--FAMILY FRIENDLY costumes only.

-Costume must be 50% handmade. You may buy supplies or reuse old items to make your costume but the bulk must be produced via your handy work. Example: you are going to make a cowboy.  You buy or reuse jeans, t shirt and hat. You make the accessories. vest, chaps, holster, bandana and boot covers

--Entries will be accepted September 26th- October 20th in the form of a link party. 

--You can link your entry from your Blog or from your Flickr account.

--The Top 10 will be chosen by the Masquerade judges.  Judges will email me their Top 15 picks, and I will take the top 10.

--Big Tip: Take the very best pictures of your projects that you can!  Presentation always helps--This is not my favorite rule, but you must be a US citizen (or at least have a US shipping address) to enter. This is because the prize sponsors are only able to ship to a US address. Thanks for understanding!

--If you have a blog, please post the "I'm attending the Masquerade Ball" button on your sidebar and blog post!

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--To enter, you must be a follower of Free Time Frolics  via Facebook and RSS.

Voting
--The Top 10 will be chosen by the Masquerade judges.  Judges will email me their Top 15 picks, and the top 10 will be taken from their picks.

--Voting for the TOP 10 will be open from Monday 5pm -Saturday 5pm The "audience" (readers) will vote by poll.

--The top 10 Projects will be unveiled on Monday October 22nd by 5pm.  Each costume will then be open for voting.  They will not be linked to blogs or flicker accounts.  You are welcome to advertise your costume on your blog, Facebook, Google+ or Twitter to promote your costume. 
  
--Poll Daddy will be used to conduct the voting.Voting will close on Saturday October 27th at 5pm MST the winner will be announced October 29th by 12pm
Final voting breakdown will go as follows:
Poll daddy votes 60%
Judges final vote 40%

Judges will base there decision on:
Creativity
Presentation
Use of Materials

I hope all this is clear as Witches Brew! If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment. Others may have the same question.  Please come join us.  It will be so much fun!  I can't wait to see what you create.

Masquerade Ball Judges & Sponsors

It's time to meet your Judges and Sponsors!!!

Judges and sponsors for what you ask???? Why the Masquerade Ball of course! What is the Masquerade Ball?   Check out this post to find out! Then come back and see the judges and sponsors and see what you can win!

I have been working on my Masquerade Ball for months. Judges and Sponsors are ready and excited. Do you want to meet them??? All of these ladies are some of my favorite Bloggers. If you don't know them you need to. Please be sure to check out there blogs! Now its time to remove the Masks and introduce your judges!

My Sister's Suitcase

Holly & Nat are wonderful friends of mine. I truly value their friendship. These ladies are amazing bloggers, crafters and DIY-ers. I love there fresh take on crafting and there originality. EVERYTHING on there blog is fantastic. Be sure to check them out. You won't be sorry.

Emily at 52 Mantels

If you haven't been to 52 Mantels, you must see. Emily has a new Mantel every week. Yes that's right, EVERY WEEK. Just thinking about it makes me tired. She is amazing, a new mantel, home decor and a link party every week. This blog has it all. I love to visit and see what she is up to. You should to!

Bonnie & Trish @ Uncommon Designs

Bonnie & Trish are two sister in laws who team up to share their ideas and amazing skills with the world. They have a weekly link party on Wednesdays and Pintrest boards to make you drool. Whether they are refashioning or decorating there home for the holidays you are sure to find lots to love over at Uncommon Designs.

Rachel @ Family Ever After

Rachel has a crazy fun blog.  She sews, paints, crafts and has something new going on her blog every month.  Giveaways, monthly sew along or just quirky posts that you will love.  My favorite was the day she dressed up like a pioneer. Remember to head over and see what Family Ever After is all about!

Megan @ Brassy Apple

Megan is a total Refashionista!  She even has her own show on  My Craft Channel called Re-Fashion it.  She takes old clothes from your closet and makes amazing new clothes for you to wear.  I love her fun DIY projects and how she involves her kids.  Brassy Apple is one of the first blogs I stalked.  You should too.

So if you don't know any of these ladies blogs, you really should. Please go check out there blogs.  They are fantastic.

Are you ready for the Prizes?? My Sponsors have been so great to work with.  I am truly grateful for there willingness to support the Masquerade Ball this first year.

First Prize

Fat Quarter Shop

Facebook

CeCe Caldwell Paint

 Second Prize

 Fabricnest.com

Pick Your Plum

Facebook / Twitter

Third Prize

Sassy Steals

 Facebook 

 Plaid

Facebook / Twitter

So there you go. What a great group of Sponsors.  I am so excited to see what you all create.  Tomorrow come the contest guidelines.  Be sure to come back and check them out then get crafting.  I am so excited to see what you create!  Need a little inspiration?  Check out My Masquerade Magic Pin board for costume, party and decor ideas.

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You are all invited....First Annual Masquerade Ball

Come one, come all.....

 

  I have 4 little monsters of my own and I love to make costumes for them.  I have always wanted to enter a costume contest where the costumes are all handmade. I decided last year after Halloween that people make the greatest Halloween costumes.  All of you have some Mad skills. 

So last year after blogging my first Halloween I decided the blog world needed a Masquerade Ball.  A fun event to  link up and  share your homemade creations with the world.   And after all your hard work you deserve a pat on the back and maybe a prize. Right???

 Well starting tomorrow you will get to meet your fantabulous judges.  They are all amazing Crafters, Bloggers, Seamstresses, Diy-ers, Refashionistas and so much more. Can you guess who they are???

Then Thursday I will give you all the details and prizes.  Be sure to come back to check it out. 

I am so excited to see what you all come up with.  Be sure to tell your friends and family.  Everyone is invited. 

Need some "Pin" tastic ideas for Halloween???  I have been pinning all year and have some great ideas in My Pintrest boards.  Head over and check out my Masquerade Magic board.  Costumes, parties and food ideas. You are sure to be inspired!

 Don't forget to add the "I'm attending" button to your blog.

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A little love in the Master Bedroom

Mandi over at Vintage Revivals is having an Epic room Make over.  Oh how I need this.  Our bedroom is sad, sad and tan. Boring and brown. I tried to decorate it but never completed it. Our home was a foreclosure and we have done a lot of work. New carpet, paint and appliances.  But that was as far as we got.  We ran out of money. Other rooms have taken priority.  You know the ones people see when they walk in your house. So that means the master bedroom is low on love..... Boring, drab, the dumping spot for laundry, kids toys and the catch all. Do you want to see??? So I made this little video to share.  My room needs Mandi! I even wrote a song just for you Mandi.  I figured it was the thing to do!

I know this is a low budget film. Don't knock it. I spent $10 on garage band and i movie. It was 10 o'clock at night. A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.

Our bay/ french door are kind of stupid. Only one opens.  They window don't open either.  I made these curtains to block out the light and add a little color to the room.

In this picture there is a remnant of the last owners TV wall stand. They painters did not even remove it before they painted. How lazy of them.  But know my leftover paint has changed colors so I can't really fix it.

Not quite sure what to do with this shelfy thing.  It is about 3 feet by 12 feet.  It has electrical outlets for lighting.  My husband thinks its a great place for and hammock.  What do you think???

They say your bedroom should be a retreat.  A place to relax and get away and share a little {Love}.  Mandi as you can see there is not much {Love} in this bedroom.  Its cluttered and boring.  I need you!!! Mandi here are the reasons you should come to Idaho! 1. We need a little more {LOVE} in the bedroom. You can help {wink wink} 2. Idaho is Awesome!  And close to home. The days are warm and the evenings are cool. 3. I am a seamstress, painter, sander, stenciler wantabe and baker.  My skills are at your disposal. 4.  I have an extra room for you and Hailee to crash in.  You even get your own bathroom.  Or a hotel just minutes from my home. 5. I have a cute group of Idaho bloggers that will claw (Literally) the door down to meet and decorate with you.  I may have to set up security! So you see not only will you save my bedroom you will have groupies too! They would be so happy to meet you! 6.We grow great potatoes. 7. My husband would appreciate any help you can give to our bedroom. He would love for you to set the mood. 8. My husband said I am Queen Nerd for singing you a song.  I told him it took king of the Nerds to make me the Queen! I did it just for you! 9.My room needs a little Mandilicious-ness.  Please come!!!!!!! Phaaaaaleeeeeease come to my house!

Best Ever, No Fail Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's been a while since I had a recipe on the blog.  I though it would be fitting to have this recipe today.  My kids are back in school!!! Yeah!I love being on a schedule. In celebration of the first day of school I thought my Best ever, No fail Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe was in order! These little lovelies are the best!  Just ask my kids.   I win Mother of the day when I make these yummy little treats.  They are kind of our go to treat for parties, picnics or just a family night treat.  Everyone loves them, I think you will too.