That’s how the first email I received about the “Obama Cape” started — “A Very Special Cape”. And was it ever!
A few weeks ago I got an email asking if I could do a custom cape for one of the members of Senator Obama’s field campaign in Florida. The email went on to explain that most of the staff members had been putting in 16-18 hour days for months … and that at the beginning of the campaign, she had said that all the field organizers (for both campaigns) should feel like Superheroes because of all the hard work they had been putting in.
So a bunch of her co-workers wanted to surprise her on Election Day and present her with a handmade, custom, beautiful Superhero Cape … and they wanted ME to make it! They gave me a rough sketch of what they wanted the logo to look like and the wording to say … but above and beyond that they basically gave me artistic freedom to create it however I wanted.
I was THRILLED they had found and asked me. I was TERRIFIED – I had never made an adult size cape, let alone one that was as intricate and detailed as this one. But most of all I was ENERGIZED – what an awesome way I could put my own little mark on this historic election and donate a little of my time to such a great cause.
It turned out to truly be a group effort. I had my mother in law helping me come up with a pattern for an adult cape, my mom cutting the intricate tiny little letters, my brother in law modeling the mock-up we made for sizing, my sister in law pinning and cutting, my husband encouraging me and staying up to talk to me and let me bounce ideas off him … but it was all worth it. It turned out so great!
“Botts” is the nickname of the staff member who is now a TRUE Superhero. “Team Florida” is to represent her wonderful team she works with. The 27 is to represent the 27 electoral votes Florida has. And of course, the Barack Obama campaign logo we’re all so familiar with.
I am so happy that I had the chance to work on this special project. Angela, if you read this, I hope that this Superhero Cape brings you much joy – I know your coworkers were excited to make this a reality for you – you can tell they really appreciate you!
Here’s to the end of an exciting Presidential campaign and a new President of the United States of America!
