Costume contest

[Lazy K]

I'm a veteran of 4 costume contests but have never had to give the 60 second talk. What am I suppose to talk about? I'm totally confused about this. Please give me some examples of what I'm suppose to say.:help

[Kid Sopris]

I'm a veteran of 4 costume contests but have never had to give the 60 second talk. What am I suppose to talk about? I'm totally confused about this. Please give me some examples of what I'm suppose to say.:help

All that comes to mind, is these lyrics from long ago:
You talk too much you worry me to death,
You talk too much, you even worry my pet
You just talk, talk too much
You talk about people that you don't know,
You talk about people wherever you go
You just talk, talk too much
You talk about people that you've never seen,
You talk about people, you can make me scream
You just talk, you talk too much

No Help, HUH :go

[Duzy Wales]

Lazy K, someone with a little more experience (it seems) than Kid will be along to help you with this. I haven't entered one.....so I can't....and Kid does try.....:rofl

[Petticoat Betty]

:rofl :rofl :lool :lool :rofl :rofl

Nope, no help here either, but Kid's funny tough....
Sorry, couldn't help myself...

[Drusilla]

Tell them what time period you are representing.
Tell them what type of clothing you are wearing, ie bustle dress or natural form, etc..
Tell them what it is made of, what kind of shoes, underwear, jewelry and hat, purse (reticule) you are using. Show any authentic acoutrements, such as things you may carry in your purse (which should be empty of any modern stuff!).
Do not do a character unless it is asked for, a costume contest is a COSTUME contest, not a character contest and often time is limited so stick to the costume and be cheerful and polite and HAVE FUN!
And don't get wrapped up in the outcome, judging is different at each event so take nothing personally. It's not about winning, it's about participation and learning and having a good time with your friends.

[Nellie Blue]

You can also tell them a tall tale....

Howdy ya'll! I'm Nellie Blue and I just caught the stage in from Alabama. I couldn't believe how the gentlemen were acting when I stepped down into the street here! Why they were splashing around in the horse trough and almost ruined my new dress here from New York City. I ordered it specially made out of this soft blue silk from India........blah blah blah

[Kid Sopris]

You can also tell them a tall tale....

Howdy ya'll! I'm Nellie Blue and I just caught the stage in from Alabama. I couldn't believe how the gentlemen were acting when I stepped down into the street here! Why they were splashing around in the horse trough and almost ruined my new dress here from New York City. I ordered it specially made out of this soft blue silk from India........blah blah blah

Isn't that what I said in so many words? :lool :rofl :lool

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

When I am judging, I want to hear "why" you are wearing what you have on. I don't necessarily want to hear you say, "I'm wearing this because....", I want the story. For example, the year I won the costume contest at the SASS Convention, I had a story, that all 4 Belles played on. I worked in the info I wanted the judges to hear. It went something like this:
Sterling Silver Mirror in hand, looking at my mask and "talking" as if making a journal entry, "March 26, 1883: Tonight is social event of the year. I have been fortunate enough to receive one of 1200 invitations to Alva Vanderbilt's masquerade ball. I will be wearing a gown of chinese silk with 213 czechoslovakian crystals on the front of the gown and 452 handstitched peacock feathers on the four foot train....I will be none other than the Vain Peacock."
There was much more than that, but you get the idea.
When I did the Mae West dress at Mule Camp, I didn't even talk about my dress, I took the stage as Mae West and did her great one liners, flirted with the judges. When Aneeda did Dale Evans, she sang Happy Trails and talked about "her life" married to Roy Rogers.
If you are attending the Convention or EOT, the judges don't want to hear, "My dress is made of silk and I have on 7 layers of underwear, yada yada yada." They want to hear the story behind your outfit...why you are wearing it. Make it believable. If you need some help, let me know.

[Lazy K]

Thanks so much. All of your suggestions have been very helpful. Keep the ideas coming!:ty

[Clancy]

I NEED HELP

IM hopeless at making up stories.....mabye why my mum always caught me out!
:rofl

really i do need help, im a US costume contest virgin

[Aspen Filly]

Clancy...what are you going to be wearing for the costume contest. that will help us decide what ideas to give you.

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Oh clancey good luck I will probably not ever enter a contest for the same reason...:faint

[Drusilla]

Like Fannie mentioned they have the time and inclination to want stories, then go for it. Sounds like more fun anyways! But not every costumer is an actor with a character that is believable, so develop your character and just have fun with it.:w2
Unfortunatly as the organizer for the costume contests here (with the exception of Rondevous of the Gunfighters, that is run by other people) I have been strictly limited in time by the BOD so mine are only costume, not enough time to tell stories......if we did that it would go on all day and into the night.:waiting No shortage of characters here with big windies to tell.
But I have to work within the limitations of the schedules for the day. I AM pushing for character contests that will run all day for future events, should be much more entertaining.

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

If Mad Mountain Mike sticks to the format that we put together, each contestant will be limited to 60 seconds. Makes it tough for us blabber mouths.

[Drusilla]

But you have such interesting and entertaining things to say....wish I could be there, I would probaby learn something or two about having more fun. A lot of the time I take life way too seriously. This is one of my "happy places" on this site, you all are uplifting for me..the other is my sewing shed :sewing .

[Miz Pitty]

I'm with Clancy..the 60 second thing really has me a little nervous. I'm trying to be calm and have fun, like Drusilla says, but I think you gotta get the first one out of the way. :go

I am wearing an 1864 ball gown. ANy helpful hints on story or accessories would be most welcome. Of course I had to be silly and do this at my home club! Look out Mule Camp! Here comes the hoop skirt!


Pitty

[Kitty Phann]

Remember the golden rule of speaking in front of a crowd.....picture them in their underwear!!!!! :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl Or better yet...Chickens :chick :chick



Kitty (who doesn't do well speaking to a crowd) Phann

[Lazy K]

I'm hoping my dress will speak for itself. Or that the judges will be so dazzled that they won't notice my stumbling speach:gg

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

I know that speaking in front of people can be quite nerve racking. Maybe this will put your mind at ease....remember, the people you are talking to (and talk to the entire audience, not just the judges) are your cowboy and cowgirl friends. They have been out on the range shooting and yes, even missing targets, just like you. Approach this from the state of mind that you are just talking to your friends, not from the stand point of giving a presentation. Ellsworth T. Kincaid and Lady Stetson are judging at Mule Camp, and they are two of the sweetest people you will ever meet. Just remember, Ellsworth is "The Purdiest Cowboy" and he likes to flirt. Get into your character, be your SASS alias or whomever you are portraying at the time. Have fun, this is supposed to be fun!!!

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

OH honny if Elesworth is judging you just make sure you smile realy pretty at him! That man is a dear and like Fannie said a complete flirt ( in the nicest possible way!) I met them both and when asked to shoot a scene with Elesworth as my "husband" he promptly told lady Stetson "Look honny I got a new younger wife!" I nearly DIED! LOL!!! :faint :rofl Oh yes and try not to look into those bright blue eyes... they are very distracting (prettiest cowboy in :sassmarshall indeed!) :chick :lalala

They are both a hoot and very very pleasnt and sweet to visit with!

Greeneyed (you know just have fun and dont think about the contest part...!!) Gypsy

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

See, he is the "Purdiest Cowboy".

[Kid Sopris]

I am wearing an 1864 ball gown. ANy helpful hints on story or accessories would be most welcome. Of course I had to be silly and do this at my home club! Look out Mule Camp! Here comes the hoop skirt!


Pitty


Well, I suppose you could start off with something like this and revise it to fit what you need. Fit the dress description into the story line:

Women were involved in the Civil War in both the North and South. Slaves and free women, rich and poor, married and single, all took part in the great conflict that consumed the nation. Some women worked as nurses (and a few were the first women doctors), some raised money and helped organize the U.S. Sanitary Commission, which provided supplies and worked to improve health conditions for the soldiers in camps. Some escaped from slavery and then helped other men and women escape to freedom, some disguised themselves as soldiers and fought on the battlefields, and some worked as spies carrying information across enemy lines. Women formed a central part of the abolitionist movement that advocated against slavery in the years before the war. Women also joined political organizations dedicated to women's rights and began the struggle for women's suffrage (the right to vote) in 1848, a struggle that continued into the early 20th century. The Civil War period profoundly affected women's position in society and provided many opportunities for women to change their own lives.

[Miz Pitty]

Oh my, he shore is purdy!!!

we'll get tongue tied just looking at him..better focus on his lady instead.
(NOT) :lool

Kid, my goodness, didn't realize you were such a historian!

pitty

[Kid Sopris]

Kid, my goodness, didn't realize you were such a historian!
pitty

:ty

Oh yeah, There is a lot people don't know about me..In fact if you took all my knowledge, rolled it into a ball, and shoved it up the rear orifice of a mosquito, it would roll around like a B-B in a blimp!:lool

[Garnet Rose]

:ty

Oh yeah, There is a lot people don't know about me..In fact if you took all my knowledge, rolled it into a ball, and shoved it up the rear orifice of a mosquito, it would roll around like a B-B in a blimp!:lool

Would she have to know the proper fork to use to do that? :go

[Kid Sopris]

Would she have to know the proper fork to use to do that? :go

Nah, I think this would work ! Unless she likes to Fork! :lool

[Ida Hands]

Just use a SPORK! No guessing! (YAY! MY 500TH POST! I know, I know, I gotta get here more... now, if I could only reach 1000)

[Miz Pitty]

hmmm, the more I'm here, the more fun I have...

Kid, I love a good fork :lool

I would never get your speech out in 60 seconds...

I think I'll do the honorable thing here.. FLIRT!!!!!

I'll bat my eyelashes and flutter my fan...and try to breathe in this outfit..

and picture ELlsworth in his undies...:sk


Pitty (who's grinnin' way too much)

[Winston Dawg]

Hey thought I was prettiest cowboy in SASS.:sassmarshall !!!???:confused: :10 :(

Daddy told him got pretty hair,look good on Lodge pole butknow him little better,likes him, no take hair. Him say Daddy skin make good lampshade!
WD:lool :rofl

[Miz Pitty]

:ty

A word of heartfelt thanks to all here. Your advice and encouragement got me through our costume contest at Mule Camp Saturday night.

Ladies, you are right, Mr. Ellsworth is some handsome cowboy! All the judges were very kind and encouraging as well. They could not have nicer.

Oh, what happened, you ask? :waiting

We placed second in Ladies. The winner this year was Cami Sole (sp).
She also made the winner's costume last year. She wore an 1890's walking dress with hat. It was nerve racking, but we had a good time. It was also our second wedding anniversary, as we were married at Mule Camp 2004.

Thanks again, dear friends. Next year we will be more prepared and calm. Perhaps I'll even remember what I said in my one minute!

Pitty

[Kid Sopris]

Congratulations Miz Pitty ! We all knew you could do it! :tban

[Lazy K]

Congratulations!!!! I want a photo!

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

Congratulations!! We knew you could do it.

One question....where are the pictures? :tap

[Nellie Blue]

Congratulations! :wv

[Duzy Wales]

Congratulations!!!! :wv

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

A HUGE Congratulations to our newest AWARD WINNING costume maker!!!

But you forgot the "bragging rights " rule about PHOTOS!!!

Greeneyed ( front side and back! SO happy for you!!!) Gypsy

[Miz Pitty]

Thank you all so much. I can't take credit for making the gown, though. I did do the research. I made the headdress, and found correct accessories.

BUt I can't figure out how to make the picture file small enough for the Alley. It seems my Adobe Photo has taken over my HP Imaging, and I cannot for the life of me find a way to reduce it.

Any computer whiz's out there that can help?

:help


Pitty

[Miz Pitty]

with grateful thanks to Kid Sopris, here we are..

[Nellie Blue]

Just beautiful!

[Lazy K]

Really beautiful. And it looks good on you. Sometimes folks hve great costumes but look uncomfortable wearing them. You look great!

[Miz Pitty]

:ty :ty :ty :ty


I have learned several things this weekend, one of which is that costuming is a lot harder than it looks. The Belles make it look all so easy. I will endeavor to do the same. I had a great time, and a wonderful seamstress that is ready to take on another one! :tban

I already have a beautiful scarlett and gold one we're working on already..
yeah, I'm hooked!

Pitty

[Clancy]

Congrats on your win!... Your dress looks wonderful!

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

Your dress is beautiful!! Congrats again.:tban

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

You know, if you ever have to give a presentation in front of a bunch of Alley Cats, you'd score big with this:

The Valentine's Day ball is just around the corner and I have this old dress hanging in the closet. I think I will make a few changes to bring it up to date. Ever since the war we haven't had the money to buy silk to make new dresses, so this one is a little behind the times and do so want to be.....oh look a chicken.

[Lady LaSalle]

Holy moley! That dress looks incredible! Way to go!!!!!!

[Sweet Violet]

WOW!!!! That dress is AWESOME!!!! You look gorgeous! And congratulations on your anniversary!!! How fun!

[Duzy Wales]

You look beautiful and your dress is awesome! Congratulations! :cti

[Maddam Fyre]

That is fantastic! Your Modiste did a wondrous job!

I Have my story line, even starting to iron out "who" Maddam Fyre is. now I need to figure out what Victorian "flame jobs" they had on their buggies and coaches... :flame

That gown is really gorgeous! Congrats on the contest!

Mme. Fyre

[Ida Hands]

That dress is spectacular! You two look fabulous. That is a FIRST PLACE gown. Congratulations

[Miz Pitty]

awwwwwww, shucks ya'll...

you're making me blush....:blush

thank you so much for all the good wishes. I am sending a copy of the thread to wonderful lady that made this beautiful gown. She will be thrilled.

Can't wait till next year..hmmm...wonder of the GA state match will have a costume contest??


Pitty

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Ohhhh you look absolutly stunning Just a lovely color for you and a beautiful fit!!! Pretty Pretty!!

GG (fannie found my chicken again...maybe if I really really quiet I can catch it!)

[Kid Sopris]

GG (Fannie found my chicken again...maybe if I really really quiet I can catch it!)

Well I found a picture of GG stalking her chicken ! As usual she is equipped for dinner too!

[Lizzie Marie]

Miss Pitty that is beautiful.....congratulations on your win....

[Goldie]

Well I found a picture of GG stalking her chicken ! As usual she is equipped for dinner too!
She does do all her own stunts!

(GG I LOVE the new avatar LMAO)

[Drusilla]

Congrats Miz Pitty! Sorry so late, I am just recovering from Wyatt Earp days and the Showdown at Tombstone this past weekend where I ran a guess what? The Wyatt Earp Days Costume Contest!!!! :faint I ran around like a :chick but all went well and most were very pleased. We had 81 entrys in 9 catagories and gave out first, second and third placements plus we had a children's catagory and I bought all the kids ice cream cones for participation! Kids are after all our future, and gosh they were soooo cute!


Dru (your dress is really pretty!)

[Nellie Blue]

Wow! 81 entries! I'm impressed!

[Drusilla]

Yep we got swamped, but I kinda knew it would be that way so I was ready, the BOD was REALLY surprised. :rofl I asked for several hours and they said I could only have an hour and a half and I just laughed....took over two hours and each entry only had 60 seconds.....anyways, I got a list of improvements to make, but in all it went very smoothly.
There was over 17 Lawman entries, they were all so good looking I wanted to throw myself at them and get arrested....BAD GIRL!

[Garnet Rose]

Miz Pitty, what a lovely dress! I think you need to take your avatar from that picture. How about one of these?

[Garnet Rose]

Lazy K, you need an avatar, too. How about this?

[Lazy K]

Oooooh, I like it! But I don't know how to do avatar things.

[Garnet Rose]

To save on your computer the avatar I posted:

Right click with your mouse on the avatar I posted
Choose Save Picture As
Choose the folder to save it in (usually your My Documents / My Pictures folder) and click the Save button

To upload the avatar that you saved to your computer:

Click on User CP link (at upper left of the forum)
Click on Edit Avatar under Settings & Options
Click in the little circle next to Use Custom Avatar in the Edit Avatar window
Click the Browse button
Find the pic you just saved and double click on it
Click on the Save Changes button

If you have any problems, send me an email or a PM or one of the board's moderators could put your avatar into your account for you if you request it.

[Lazy K]

Testing to see if the avatar works

[Lazy K]

Whoo Hoo! Thanks Garnet Rose for walking me through that. It looks great.

[Ida Hands]

Miss K, EXCELLENT avatar!

[Garnet Rose]

You're welcome, Lazy K. So glad you like it!

[Miz Pitty]

oh, that is sooo cool!

I will do that when I get home...thanks Miss Rose!


Pitty

:ty

[Lady Dallas]

Hey Dru

That's fantastic to have so many entrants in the costume contest. Maybe next year they'll give you more time to judge. First time we've missed it in 5 years. First things I want to unpack when the movers bring our things are my dresses and make sure they all made it safe and sound.

Counting down the days til we move into our new house. :waiting
Lady Dallas

[Drusilla]

Yep, we sure missed our Lady Dallas! Next year will be improved in many ways, even though things went well, there were a few points that need honing. So I will be working on that for the next time.:chick
Love that dancing chicken!

[Miz Pitty]

Testing avatar graciously supplied by Miss GG..

Pitty

:ty :ty :tban

[Garnet Rose]

You're welcome, Miz Pitty. Your new avatar looks great!

[Tatted Lady]

Miss Pitty, I saw you at MC.

We were there too. My SIL was talking to you when you were getting your pic's done. I'm sorry I didn't get to say Hi.

Here is our pic.

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

TL, you looked fabulous!! That wig really suits you. Love the dress!

[Goldie]

That's a wig?!? Wow! Very nice! And I just loooove the the dress, especially the colors!

[Miz Pitty]

ooooohhh, so pretty! I am so sorry I missed you, too.

Your gown is just lovely, and your hair is amazing. Is that really a wig??


Pitty

[Duzy Wales]

Tatted Lady, What a wonderful picture, you both look great! Love the dress!

Isn't that the way it goes....you go and want to see and meet everyone and everything is moving so fast....there is just not enough time!

[Coffee Em]

TL, you look gorgeous!

[Lady Killer]

When it comes to costuming I like to think outside the closet. Here's my 1st place winning entry in the Ladies Specialty catagory at Wyat Earp Days in Tombstone. Although the high tops are vintage, the dress is off the rack from Recollections.
Thank you to Dru, the Vigilantes and the Lions Club for a fantastic weekend!
LK

[Drusilla]

You are most welcome. Very cool outfit......no competition they did not have a chance!!!!:faint Hehehe
By the way, did Fly give you the job??? He's been short of help lately...

[Coffee Em]

Oh, how wonderful! You were a Billboard Lady! I only learned about period advertising models very recently, and it hadn't occurred to me that that would make a great costume contest entry. Lady Killer, you're one smart and creative cookie!

[Tatted Lady]

Thanks for the compliments....

That is one of Miss Tabitha wigs.

The one I "have" to wash one of these days. So it will probably never look the same again!! This is the one that is pulled up into a knot at the back of the head with curls around the bottom that are kept up in sponge rollers between wearings.


Duzy, sorry I didn't get to see your either. Just not enough time.:tap

[Miz Pitty]

Soooo, has anyone heard any costume news from EOT yest?

Surely they had some beautiful dress and gowns there....

Pitty (whose waiting with baieted breath) :waiting

[Lazy K]

While the shootin started last week for the early birds the Official Opening isn't til this Wed evening, the 21st. The costume contests start on Thursday.