Where's the progress????

Although it seems glacial, I do have some progress for the week: I've only been able to work on these for very few hours as my mom's health has been declining.  My brother arrived a couple days ago and is visiting with her... (that's a whole other story).  I am Soooo thankful she did not have to get admitted to the hospital.  We are watching her carefully and...

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Super Baste... Yeah Nicki Minaj spin off...

I kept having that song play in my head (I have teenagers) -- I was thinking of a title for today's blog post -- viola.  I know it is Super Base... I wanted to show some of the "work" on the coral dress. The underside of the hem.  I used coral thread.  If you look along the top fold, you can see the hem.  The white baste thread. The display side, you...

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while searching.... I found the perfect fabric....

I was looking through all my fabrics to find the sequined yellow mesh so I could make a detachable bustle-- I came across this fabric... It reminded me on the "design" I sketched out for the sports challenge (basketball couture) -- this would be the skirt -- representing the net. I remember thinking, you would never find the right material for that.  Here it was in...

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I really liked this

Looks simple enough.  They used a braid to make a bustier type top. If I can find a narrow (and thin) braid, I'd like to make this in black (or gold) I'm back to stitching today (I don't like hand stitching) -- or beading for that matter. So, I don't have to like it...

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Progress, thus far...Finished painting... I think

Coral dress:  Finished painting the skirt and the collar.  I have to think about the bodice. Orange dress:  I'm super frustrated.  I lost the beads and the thread to my orange dress.  I went out and bought new thread... Now that one is gone???????  What is going on.  So tired of it.  I went to 4 stores on Friday trying to get the...

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Having changed my mind... Several times

I think I'm settled on this as my "final, final"... When applied, it looks like elmer's glue to me (I kind of liked that effect) -- when dry it is clear, flexible and glittery.  Works. See the elmer's glue effect.  White, milky.... Once it is dry it is much more subtle. Almost ready for stitching.  Have to let dry....

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Spent much of yesterday reading about Couture.

As you may recall, I ordered 3 books.  I spent most of yesterday leafing through and marking outfits.  I am so enamored by these books.  Really love them.   I love the explanation (and chart) of couture vs. Luxury/high end ready to wear  -- if it was found in a store -- it's not couture! :) The books go into the explanation of how measurements are...

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I interrupt my burst of creative energy

To highlight yet another artist: Jessica of Cozy Couture. I contacted Jessica and told her I'd love to have a sweater for my Agnes... I have loads of patterns, but I neither have the time nor the energy to execute one any time soon. I picked black...  It is gorgeous. Yes, my pictures are pretty much terrible (that's part of the charm of this blog -- they are bad and...

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I'm working (slowly but surely)

I have a new embroidery thread.  It is iridescent white.  I thought it was funny.  One of the few things sold in the US that is made in France. Yes, the "made in France" is out of focus.  This is just DMC floss (specialty). I did two different stitches (A chain stitch and a straight stitch) -- when I was about 10 years old, I "took up" crewel work.  I...

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I found just the material for my "Coral" dress.

I may make 2 -- one white and one coral as I can't decide. I think I'm going to need more.  I only got a 1/2 yard....  Back to the store. I started by drawing (free hand with fabric marker) what I thought coral branches should look like. I cut the skirt and the collar then drew on them. This is another super labor intensive project (don't expect to see it finished...

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I'm still working.... also I have a new inspiration

I saw something over the weekend that really sparked my creativity... It had to do with coral... I've done some rough (and I do mean rough) sketches -- just a preliminary.  I get these things in my brain, I have to come home and jot it down or it "flies back out"  ;) I have lots of decisions as to execution.  I can't even decide on the color.  Should...

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Crazy, some times I get these strange urges. Shoes....

I had this strange urge to try to make some strappy shoes for Adriana.  I'm not good at making shoes (I know this) -- any way. This is what came of it.  As strange as this sounds, I think I could work on this until I "mastered" it.  They are very rough looking, but with time.... I want to make crazy bases/platforms I saw some they were just fabulous. I have...

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Petal dress progress

The progress looks slower than it actually is.  I think I'm about 4 to 5 rows "into" it. &nbs...

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I've been spending all my free time working on dresses

Free time.  That's a laugh. Knowing what I know now... I've got to make time to work on my doll stuff. I now have 3 patterns that I want to work on, but I first want to finish up these dresses: The yellow dress progress. I've beaded the top in an asymmetric fashion.  Here's with a flash...

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Here's where I am so far... Petal dress.

I like the effect so far, can't decide if it should be cocktail length, full length, or even short. In the photo, it looks "fairy like" -- in person, it doesn't. Here's another shot. Still working on "others" also, next up....

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Pink Petal dress

Well, I know I promised pictures, but this is all I have for now...  I figure if I showed an in progress photo it would be easier to imagine (the finished item) -- also once it is all layered, it would be harder to figure out how it was constructed. So here's a sneak peak: It may not be obvious so, I'll describe.  I'm on the second row(on the left) it looks like...

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Best day ever!

Both my daughters made it into their first choices for schools!  Couldn't be happier.  With all the stress lately, this is a welcome reli...

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This past Saturday, I attended a miniature show....

I had been anticipating this show for months (didn't know what to expect) -- there were two sections -- sales room and displays.  I headed straight to sales, the displays weren't going anywhere....  There might be something I need and someone else is going to get it :) -- see where this is going.  Got to stay out of salesrooms. I usually start off with, "I...

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Feathers arrived!!!

Just what I need more materials...  I wish I had more time.... These arrived last Friday from Hong Kong. In the sunlight,  the glare caught the cellophane wrapper on the organza.  Here's a photo of the feathers indoors with flash -- you can see the iridescence of the feathers a little better, but I'm sure you've seen them before. The "eyes" are quite pretty: With...

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Orange dress!

I'm working on the bodice of the orange dress.  I wanted to do some smocking, but the organza wasn't holding it..... I then started beading.... Not happy, back to the drawing board.... I hate wasting time but more so, I hate to have a design I don't like :) I tried pleating/smocking but the pleats are too deep, back to square one....

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Here at Dressmaker central...

I see other people's work (you know who you are) and I'm so intimidated.  These people are beyond professional, I mean masters!!  They bring doll fashion to a whole new level.  I'm in awe of their talent, but I know my limitations :). Anyway, these are just some of my (simple) designs (simply) executed. I'm trying to get to another dress. I worked on the orange...

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I wanted to work on the pink petal dress...

but Adriana still had on the yellow dress, I worked on that. I added the buttons on the back and attached the train.  I still have a peplum to add, lots of beads... More work for sure. I need to add the loops. Ok hopefully some progress on pink dress (tomorro...

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Dress 3 that I'm going to be working on (for now)

You saw petals and tulle.... Here's what I'm doing with them.... What's that you say, you can't imagine it...  check my progress (maybe tomorrow) for a better idea of what it is....

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As promised another citrus confection

You can see from the colors why I thought citrus.  Actually you'll see as I go along, tropical is more fitting. lots left to be done on this dress.  It has micro sequins on the fabric, but I think I want to bead it (heavily).  The most interesting part of the design (I think) is the back.  I can't decide whether to make the train detachable (or not) and...

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