Halloween Happiness!

Happy Halloween.  What a fun holiday.  I had a cousin whose mom is from the UK.  When she came to this country and realized you could go door to door and get candy for free.  She went crazy!  We still laugh about her enthusiasm.  She even shipped candy back to her sisters who were younger!  Funny, having grown up here, I don't think of Halloween...

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The glacial progress (of the pumpkin coach)

So,  I've been making progress albeit ever so slowly. I attached the lining to the interior of the coach, I still have trim, etc to do. After removing the clothes pins, I trimmed back the excess fabric. You can still see the back seems.  I will cover those with trim. This is a straight shot in.  You can see the brocade is smoothed out. Without the flash,...

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It's my birthday! I want a dolly!

So, my mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday (and no I didn't blurt out: another porcelain bjd!) -- Even if that is what I was thinking.  I want a friend for Agnes.  They can wear matching outfits, etc. I was thinking about this description.  I know people like to call these dolls porcelain, but in reality they are bisque.  (fired to a mat finish...

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Lace overlay cranberry skirt

I've been working on this (forever) -- actually, I did the antique lace overlay probably about a month ago. All that was left is to add the waist band, easy?  Yes and no.  Easy if you put your mind to it and actually do it.  Not so easy if you don't.  ;) It is a cranberry dupioni with antique lace. How I made it:  First, I measured a piece of silk....

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Marie wig... progress??

So I remembered this wig that I have been "working on".  I think I have several more steps, but this is where I am.  Needs something.......  Can't put my finger on it. I used thin drinking straws to curl the goat hair.  I made 2 sets of three curls.  I wet the hair and wound it curler style onto the straw (Cut into 2" pieces) once it was dry,...

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I saw this fabric....

That is how it always starts.  I did see a fabric that for whatever reason made me want to make a very simple gown for Agnes.  So, although I have tons of projects backlogged, I took the time to make a simple ad hoc gown.  Something to wear with those beaded slippers! I need to make an updo wig for Agnes.....  which reminded me, I still have that Marie...

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One down, tons to go. Black beaded slippers

Finally, completed the slippers!  Once the tops were beaded, it was just a matter of putting them together. How I did it: Trace Agnes' foot.  Make 4 things from that trace.  Inner sole, lining, outer sole, upper.  Once I traced and cut out the upper.  I proceeded to bead it.  (Really painful).  Once I finished that, the rest is pretty...

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more pumpkin coach

So, I marked the pattern on the back of my brocade fabric.  Silly me I used disappearing ink.  Problem with this is humidity erases it.  I went outside to take a photo and it was really humid. This is the reverse of the fabric.  Heavily metallic. By the time I set up, the lines were beginning to fade.  Noooooooooo.  There are supposed to...

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Store bought vs. making it

I'm the first to admit that I'm no seamstress.  Especially in 1/6 scale.  From the beginning, I have always said Agnes' wardrobe would be a combination of store bought and "mommy made" fashions.  As I think more about this, I think any of the items you would need/get in your every day wardrobe should be store bought (if possible).  Specialty items such...

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It's Shoe Time!

 Bored, I decided to take a look at DOA at some of their tutorials.  Lots of very talented people there.  I came across a post by Switchblade.  It's title is Tutorial: Really Simple ballet flats. Well, its really to make flats (I'm not sure why they are referred to as ballet).   I drafted a pattern using paper towel. Then I changed my mind.  I...

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Amazing outfit

I got this outfit last week from MioMio on the doll boards.  Wow.  The workmanship and quality is amazing.  Very happy with this outfit.  I chose the Poppy version.  Oh Agnes looks sophisticated -- she needs an updo wig! (Put that on the list).  I was hoping I'd have the beaded slippers ready at least (didn't happen). This outfit is two pieces....

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You've got mail -- and stuff

I'm like a kid when it comes to getting packages in the mail. I got the "Chanel" bag I ordered and the LV tote too! Here they are: I so wanted a logo Chanel bag and I just couldn't wait.  I got this one from Ebay as was the LV tote.  Would I order again?  Probably not.  Although both bags are cute, the quality just isn't there. The most fun part...

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Yet more beading.... the crown!

Jumping around with these beading projects have made this challenging to say the least.  I've got these projects going: The purple silk gown black beaded slippers pink crown Hand setting each bead -- painstaking... but rewarding.  I wish I were quicker I wish I could focus a camera better.  So many wishes!  ...

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What's this you ask?

Well, it's the innards (of the pumpkin coach) -- actually it is a felt prototype for the lining of the carriage.  This was harder than I thought.  I took the measurements of the outside of the pumpkin, but this did not equate to the inside measurement.  I needed to piece together and stitch the felt just to insure it was the correct dimension.  I have to...

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The black beaded slipper!

So, this project has been on (well for a long time).  Thus far my progress has been to bead the upper.  (Not too much progress -- but progress none the less!) You can see the tabs on the sides...

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Ok, I'm obsessed! Doll things excite me.

I saw the coolest thing on one of the doll boards.  It was a black umbrella (fully functional).  I messaged to the poster of the photo and inquired where she had gotten it.  Ebay.  I looked but couldn't find one.  Trust me, I've found a lot of things there, but no umbrella.  Then the other night, I was just surfing out of boredom, I finally found...

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What's taking so long? (Beading)

I started this weeks ago.  I really don't like doing it though.  If I watched TV, maybe I'd do it then. There are 3 types of glass beads in a random pattern (first mistake)  Random takes longer than structured for me. This is the tail of the lined silk skirt that will eventually become a gown. it looks ok.  But I'm not thrilled with it.  I'm trying...

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Catching up! Carriage photos.

I will dedicate the next several posts to working on/finishing my existing project. Well, this is a bear of a project.  But I want to do it right, so I'm going to take my time. I started with the pumpkin.  I showed this several posts ago.  Today, I felt ambitious, so I started the painting. Here are a few shots of the white pumpkin becoming a silver carriage...

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Came across the photo that started it all!

Or, should I say the doll that started it.  Betty Modish.  Wenham Museum.  I feel like my wardrobe, (although I knew it would pale in comparison, just isn't doing justice to this massive undertaking.  I feel like I should start over.  Channeling Betty......

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Too much time surfing

The net that is.  I find I've been spending too much time looking at others.  (Other people's dolls, other people's doll stuff, etc.)  I need to get off the web and spend some time with Agnes developing her wardrobe -- then I want to do some dioramas.  I think I'm going to make one large diorama with walls/floors that I can change out for other scenes....

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Happy Friday!! Evil Bay?? I think not.

I know that a lot of people refer to "that" site as Evil Bay.  I've bought and sold stuff on there from back in the old days.  My ID was so old that when I moved (because I also changed internet providers) -- they would not let me use my old ID -- because I had lost the password -- I was somewhat addicted to Ebay -- I'll admit it.  So when I moved to Florida....

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Stand by

I had an urge to finish one of my many unfinished projects.  This is the wooden wig stand.  I'm no artist (as is evident) -- I'm a crafter.  I just muddle along.  I'm happy with it though.  And I can cross it off as completed. I painted the base with some gold metallic paint I had lying around.  I used the blue I owned, I bought the black...

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Michael Kors inspired shoes

I wanted to make a pair of shoes out of patent red leather (found a scrap in my stash).  Then I thought, I have the platforms from the Volks shoes in red, good, good.  Then I wanted to make them like the espadrilles I made in Denim for Agnes.  I was in my daughter's closet (She asked me to mail her some stuff to NY as it's getting cold there).  Then I spied...

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I'm Excited!

After last week, I decided to give the "fashionista" Barbie line a try.  It is an inexpensive playline.  The good thing is somehow there is enough room (in the rear) for Agnes.  I would love to find a line: Fashion Royalty, Poppy Parker, etc that might have clothes that could fit Agnes.  I would like to have her everyday clothes "off the shelf" and then...

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