Ballgown part deux

I've realized that in making my second ballgown, that I neglected to blog about it, unlike last years which got a few blogs....

So this year....This years ballgown is an 1870's Era (the early bustle period), it began with research like usual...and ended up being inspired by the blue gown that Claudia wears in "Interview With The Vampire"



source



it doesnt show the colour all that well... but I knew I wanted rusching, neckline detail and blue.....

so I did a sketch...and got to looking for fabric....and as things go..I couldnt find any fabric in the colour that I wanted....so i ended up buying a dark teally blue iridescent taffeta that I fell in love with( I had originally wanted to stay away from teal...but I love it and it looks real good with red hair) and as an accent colour I got a taupe-y brassy shot with black taffeta....for the neckline decoration I got a selection of beaded appliques. Again as with any design project, I did a complete redesign before I started construction, because I got inspired by an antique family photo album inherited from my Great Grandmother(i'll scan in the photos in question another day....I promise)

It took about three weeks of work, for several hours aday, but I was still sewing the day of the Ball and finished it litterally about an hour before the Ball, because I am just that awesome.... needless to say all of the work paid off because I got a whole lot of compliments, and according to my professor it was the most popular dress there(not to sound to conceded here)

But anyway enough of my babbling and onward to the pictures:

New Favorite Thing

Bolo Ties....

Definitionly speaking a Bolo tie is a type of necktie consisting of a piece of cord or braided leather with decorative metal tips or aglets secured with an ornamental clasp or slide.

often times you see them worn like this:
(mmmmlookatthatcowboy)
image source


but i like to wear them as such


(this is todays outfit)

recently i scored three at goodwill, and now am looking to expand my collection

Happy To See You!

Thats what I like to call my little family of cartoon characters, that I doodle, paint, stencil and make into pins....Finally...after being prodded and pleaded to make an Etsy shop to sell my little friends...Ive done just that....I am still working on it....figuring out pricing and transaction stuff... but I've started making stock...so far its just a few little paintings...soon I'll put up some pins...and maybe a stenciled shirt or two...We'll see how it goes....

but heres a wee sampling of the paintings that I have so far
'Peekaboo'
'Hello' 'Tip Toeing Thru The Tulips

click here to go to my shop!


but yeah....aren't those wee canvases the cutest? Im gonna have a hard time letting them go...but alas hopefully they will go to a new and loving home

farmers market

be still my berks county heart

look at the tilt of that 'o'....look at it!












nothing better than bulk candy bins

more produce stands than you can shake a stick at!

sweet and juicy?
you bet






...and this thing!

im gonna try to get better at this whole 'go on adventures and blog about it with pictures thing'
so the first one will be rough of course.....but better ones to come, i hope

i love

when i have my window open and i can hear the train...




ahhh spring...how you lift my spirits