Recently I had the opportunity to do a very fun project. The theme of the auction at our school was Masquerade Ball. They brought someone in to sell masks which was nice for most people, but was never going to fly for me as I did not want a mask that could possibly look like someone else. Throughout my life I have definitely had the need to be unique. Heck with worrying if someone else would have the same dress at my Junior Prom, I did not want anyone else to even have the same color! I opted for bright purple which in the end was only worn by one out of probably 300 other girls. Anyhoo…

I also love to make things which meant this was the perfect time to stretch my creative muscles. Luckily, I had a few partners in crime. 3 of my girlfriends and I went on a road trip to visit the new Hobby Lobby on my birthday followed by lunch at Fenton’s. What could any 42 year-old birthday girl like more than a morning of crafty inspiration followed by a super yummy lunch and amazing ice cream with like-minded friends? We picked up supplies and inspiration all over the store.

We met a few days later to put together the masks. I did do a little bit of prep work to my mask as I wanted it to be glittered (a tremendous shock for anyone who has been reading my blog). I also decided that the base should be painted black before I glittered it. My husband assisted by spray painting it with left over paint from a Pinewood Derby car.

The basic base painted black:

Then I gathered my glittering supplies:

• Mod Podge
• Bowl
• A little water
• Black glitter
• a straw to stir and a brush

Next I worked in small sections painting some of the Mod Podge, water, glitter combination over the mask and then pouring more glitter over each section. I like things really sparkly…

Part of the reason for wanting to make our own masks was that most of the masks sold were the type that attach to your head with an elastic. I would go nuts having something in my hair like that. It seemed much more elegant to hold it on a stick. We got together and the glue guns went flying. I love that they are all so totally different. Here are the final results:

A few notes on what it took to create mine:

• Think about the sizes and proportions of the different embellishments. I had to go back to the store for additional trim as I found the original ones I selected were all the same size.
• I used a rhinestone clip on earring for the embellishment at the forehead. Wish I had a bigger one, but I worked with what I had.
• Don’t be afraid to go big.  In the end, I loved mine, but it was not as over the top as I would have liked.

We brought a vase to the auction, so we had someplace to put our masks the night of the event.

And finally, a better view of my mask as featured on the lovely face of my daughter dressed up in my old Senior Ball dress. In my effort to be different, I ditched the color craze and made the dress myself.

Happy crafting!