Inspired by the Calef Brown poem “Tiny Baby Sphynx“, our four-year-old girl requests a Tiny Baby Sphynx costume for Halloween. “Gurk,” says Mama, but after two false starts and several hours of research into Pharaonic headdress, rises (or attempts to rise, anyway) to the challenge.
Faux-fur body-of-lion (modified from McCall’s 8953) includes suede paw-pads on underside of paw mittens, individually formed and impressively fierce satin claws, and no-drag tail attached to cuff by elastic cord to maintain that jaunty spring so characteristic of a Tiny Baby Sphynx.
Head-of-Egyptian-Pharaoh (consisting of polyfil-stuffed headdress and detachable collar) designed entirely by Herself’s own Mama: created from royal blue satin and shiny gold cloth (unknown fiber content – probably something horridly flammable). Headdress and collar embellished with hand-set faux jewels and brass studs, gold braid & black/gold Greek-key-style ribbon, and finished with decorative details lovingly hand-embroidered with metallic thread. Entire headdress lined with soft brown polyester flannel-like fabric to keep tiny baby Sphynx ears warm during cold Minnesota evenings.
Result? No one knew what Herself was “supposed to be”, of course. Head of Egyptian? Body of…ummm? A monkey? A lion? Uhhhh… (Has no one ever heard of a Sphynx? Really?)
Self-possessed, if slightly shy, four-year-old replies to baffled door-answerers: “I’m a FINKS!” Ah, of course [eyebrows furrowed in confusion]. Here’s a lolly, sweetie, happy Halloween.
Big “Awwwwww” factor? Slightly shy four-year-old Tiny Baby Sphynx repeatedly (and more important, willingly!) reciting eponymous poem by Calef Brown, from memory:
“Tiny baby sphynx / looks at me and blinks / I offer her some cat food / the kind that really stinks. / I wonder what she thinks about / at nighttime when she slinks about / inviting other sphynxes out / to gather in the moonlight.”
That’s a good enough “trick” for the “treat”, thinks doting Mama, even admitting her own bias (and we’re not talking binding, here).
Mama, afterwards, to Herself: “Next Halloween, can you please be something EASY to make?”
Dad makes helpful suggestion: “Tiny baby Eiffel Tower?”
Noooooooooooo…..!
LOVE this! I am so excited by this costume and this sweet little girl that I created an account just to comment! Mom and Baby Sphynx are very special.
Super cute! Love it!
Oh, thank you! You are so kind for commenting. You wouldn't be happen to be friends with the brilliant author of the poem, would you? ;-)