Invitation to the Ball: Story and Running Costume Design

By Tina Lammers Hull

What do a Fiddlemeister, a bunny, and gum have to do with learning how to run a half marathon? Join Violette as she has to overcome her fears to face the challenge of rescuing the Princess' Rainbow Sparkles bunny in time for the big celebration, and all while running in a gown.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: May 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781626755581

Book preview

solved.

In Comes a Problem

The door flung open and in came a bubbly fairy named Gabina. Hi Sewcutta. Great news. I found Rainbow Sparkles.

Hidey ho to you to, chuckled Sewcutta. She looked around Gabina. So where is the Princess’ favorite bunny?

Well, it is not that simple. She’s been captured.

What? screamed Sewcutta as she walked around Gabina. Oh that is terrible, just terrible. We have to call the council of the Godmothers. They will send someone to rescue her.

They already did.

Oh good, so Rainbow Sparkles should be home in time for dinner. Sewcutta collapsed into her favorite cushion chair with relief. Who did they send?

A girl named Violette.

Who? asked Sewcutta, moving in closer and hoping she did not hear Gabina correctly.

Gabina yelled, Violette.

Sewcutta was startled and fell off her chair. She got back up and asked, who is that? I don’t remember meeting her at any of the council meetings.

She is a peasant girl from a small village on the outskirts of the kingdom.

But ... but, the council has so many trained people. I am sure it would be no problem for one of them to just barge in and get Rainbow Sparkles.

Gabina held up a piece of paper.

Let me see that, said Sewcutta as she took the paper and read it.

Oh dear. Oh my. How do we even start? This girl is timid and has never done anything adventurous in her life. And we only have until the Princess’ birthday celebration, just 2 months away.

I can teach her how to run, exclaimed Gabina. But I also need your help.

Of course, anything.

I need you to design a gown for her to wear to the ball.

Sewcutta pulled out a pad of paper and pencil. She began to scribble some notes. Let’s see, we can start with 2 ½ yards fabric, 3 feet ribbon...

With a look of confusion, Gabina interrupted, but Sewcutta, you don’t even know the problem yet.

Startled, Sewcutta quit writing, looked up, and responded, why, yes, you are correct. Looking at Gabina with a big smile, just excited to sew.

I need a special gown.

I have a whole closet full of beautiful gowns, said Sewcutta as they opened the closet doors. One of these should work.

Oh, as beautiful as they all are, none of them will work.

With a confused look, Sewcutta asked, why?

They are all for dancing.

Of course they are, that is what a gown is for.

Well, yes.

Sewcutta took a gown out of the closet and with a spin of her finger, Gabina was wearing it. Sewcutta looked at her finger with amazement. Now how did I do that?

It is gorgeous, absolutely fabulous.

I know.

What I mean .... is .... well .... This is perfect for a someone showing up at the ball in a horse-drawn or engine-driven carriage.

So simple, we just ask the transportation Godmother for some help.

Is there a Godmother for running?

Running? No one shows up at a ball by running.

"Well, the fine print in the specification requires running 13.1 miles after saving Rainbow Sparkles. And she has to give Rainbow Sparkles