It's that time of year again!

No, no. Not the holidays!

It's dance competition season. The time when even normally sane (I do use that term loosely) mothers start turning into raving lunatics as they pull out the glue guns and heat tools, the Swarovski crystals, the fabrics, the thread and needle and soon their hair... all in the quest to ensure their little girls just sparkle out there in front of the judges.

Sound like a nightmare a la Toddlers and Tiaras? It can be and let me tell you- those folks are freaky! The moms and teachers who give you the cold shoulder because you don't have the latest and greatest in equipment or look down their noses and get outright rude because you don't fit in their little clique. The dirty looks you get because you actually have to (god forbid!) work instead of being at the studio at 3pm each day. The girls who burst into inconsolable tears when they miss one step.... And please, do NOT forget some of the most hideous costuming and hair styles ever created. Oh yes, there is some crazy drama going on out there.

Generally though, dance competitions aren't all that bad. My daughter is a complete devotee to the art of dance and the chance to show off. I happen to think she is quite talented too. She has danced with the same group of girls for years and they have developed a loving and supportive friendship at a time in life when many girls are falling to pieces. Her grades are high, she's exercising instead of sitting on the couch, and she has such confidence (even when looking like a tin soldier or wearing a cup of cocoa on her head).

                     

Dance is what she lives and breathes and it's the career path she wants to follow as of now. The competitions are a time when all that hard work is given the opportunity to be recognized by people outside their usual sphere. Some cool trophies and the chance at scholarship money never hurts either.

So, as she expands into the realm of solos and fancier costuming I need to become the mother and woman I have never been- I need to get with the frilly and feminine program. I have to get with the sparkle thing. And because I love her to death and want to support her dreams but think shelling out anywhere from $50-200 on a fancy dolled up costume is ridiculous... I am learning how to sew and gem.

Last year's lyric solo costume was an e-bay find for less than $20. I spent hours with gems and glue and shaky, inexperienced hands to make a great base into something that would shine on stage. It wasn't the best but I was so proud of myself.

This year I need to do even better and do it with two costumes. Here are my bases. Excuse the awful photo quality. 

Lyric costume- I Know Where I've Been from Hairspray

Jazz costume- Some People from Gypsy

I've been planning the jazz design since yesterday and have started the gemming tonight. I haven't even started the lyric but I know it involves sewing the waist tighter, sewing the overdress to the tank top underneath and a whole heck of a lot of sparkle work. I have 25 days. I'm armed with crystals, heat tools, gems, needles and thread and my good old shaky, achy hands. Cue the hair pulling!