Ebates

So a little bit of shameless promoting. Not for me, but for ebates. It is the source I use for cash back on all my online fabric and craft shopping. I just go the website I am purchasing from through Ebates and get anywhere from 1 to 10% cash back on all my purchases. It is great. So if you haven't heard of it, check out Ebates. Trust me, it is worth the click.

Preparing for a show

So I am two weeks out from "starting" work on the summer season at our local theatre. We are doing Peter Pan the musical, Fools by Neil Simon, and Into the Woods. So a great season full of fairy tale characters. One of the joys of being a designer, it that your work gets to start way ahead of others. I have been spending the last few months collecting ideas, drawing sketches, ordering materials and supplies, and full of charts and more charts. 

Since the design team is spread out across several states I decided to utilize Pinterest as a way of centralizing my design ideas and making communications easier. So I created a board for each of the three shows. Check them out if you want to get a taste of the pre-show stuff that goes on for a costume designer.

Peter Pan

Fools
Into the Woods

It's a great way to save links to supply sources and pics for ideas all in one location.

Hopefully I shall actually be able to maintain somewhat of a photo log of what we achieve in costume shop this year! They are all some great shows and with some rather great costumes, I think.

Toodles

Prince Charming

So my little brother was asked to prom by a friend as the escort to 7 ladies who were going as Disney princesses. They wanted him to be Prince Charming. So he (of course) asked me for a costume. I am currently designing the summer season for OAT. We are doing Peter Pan, Fools, and Into the Woods. So my mind was on fairy tale characters anyhow, so I told him sure. Since Into the Woods had two princes in it I decided to just kill two birds with one stone and make him the costume that I was going to make for Cinderella's Prince in Into the Woods. 

We are going with a bit of a modern steampunky look for the Prince's.

I was really excited about how it turned out with the brocade, and velvet. The Prince in Into the Woods will have a lot more accessories to go with it. 

So tell me, does it make you think Prince Charming?

Toodles

Shoes, Glorious Shoes!

So for those of you who haven't heard about The American Duchess period shoes, well, now is the time of knowledge. And a chance to win a pair of free Regency Shoes. So go check out the website and blog to enter to win. 

Sorry, this post would be longer, but I am exausted after a long day sewing and then rehearsals. I hope to post pics next week of all the fun stuff I have been working on.

Swimwear, Renaissance dresses, gypsy clothing, painting, and much much more.

Toodles

Swimsuits!

So spring is here and with it comes dreams of swim suit season. So I have started sewing my sailor boy vintage swim suit. There will be pictures I promise. At this point it is only the sailor shorts that are completed. I am still working on the pattern of the body. Once that is nailed down I hope to take pics while constructing and let you know how it all works out.

Anyhow, until then...

I wanted to share a great swimsuit giveaway that is being offered over at By Gum, By Golly. for a swimsuit from Popina Swimwear. 

So get on over there and enter for your chance to win an adorable vintage inspired swimsuit.

~Tuesday Tutorial~ Sweater leggings

 So I have always liked leg warmers. Thankfully for me, they are coming back into fashion now and I no longer look like an outdated weirdo who doesn’t keep up with the times. Oh wait,  that's is how I will always dress.

 Anyhow, I knit myself a pair and love them. But I wanted more and didn’t want to take the time required for knitting them from scratch.

 I  tried the upcycling an old sweater method and decided to share it with you here today. How to turn a sweater into leg warmers.

So I picked up an old sweater at Salvation Army for $1.50 that I felt would cut up nicely and that I liked the sleeves. The whole sweater by itself is rather ugly really, but I only wanted the sleeves.

I cut off the bottom ribbing and the sleeves of the sweater. 

I cut the bottom ribbing down to pieces the same length as the top of the sleeves and surged the ends together.

Then I surged them onto the raw edges of the sleeves.

And viola, I had leg warmers. As a note, if you don't have a surger, they you will want to use a zigzag stitch on your machine. As it allows for stretch and also finishes the edge.

I think they are a fun way of adding a splash of color to an otherwise boring outfit. I have lost count of the number of compliments I have gotten on these. Plus, they are super warm which is a plus, especially for all this snow in March we are getting here.

Have fun cutting up all the old sweaters you can get your hands on. I know I am going to be making some more! Just picked up some more sweaters at a goodwill clearance rack since it is spring. So I will be prepared next winter.

Toodles

Random Photos

So I was sorting files on my computer and came across some photos I thought I would share.

I had tried my hand at cake decorating a while back and tried to make a haystack cake with fondant animals.

As you can see it was only semi successful.

It was a super hot day and our AC was out. So looking back it was not the best weather for this project.

I also found these pictures of a vintage wedding dress and its reproduction that I had taken at an estate sale.

The one on the left is the original and the right one is a reproduction.

It is a 1950s wedding dress.

Here is the original.

And the reproduction.

I also found these pic of my Georgian that I have not yet done a complete post on. Shame on me.

Now that I actually have hair (and have altered the dress.) I want to do a proper photo shoot with a friend. Hopefully I can do that this spring if we have good weather some day.

Well, that is it for now. We are gearing up for a production of Oliver! the Musical that opens this month. After that I am designing Peter Pan the musical this summer.

Fun Fun!

Toodles.

Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe giveways

A dear friend of mine over at Shealynns Faerie-Shoppe (yes, the one responsible for all the beautiful ent wife jewelry.) is hosting quite the Christmas blog giveaway.

I figured it was only fair to take a minute to share some of the amazing goodies that you enter for over at her blog.

The first giveaway is any item of a $30 value or less of your choice from Sheaylynns Faerie Shoppe itself.

She makes some beautiful jewelry. Just a few examples below.

The second giveway is Middle Earth inspired perfume Sampler from Sarawen Perfume Art.

The third giveaway is a beautiful handblown Arkenston pendant from Third Wind Studios.

The fourth giveway is the winner's choice of either the Deathly Hallows Ring or the Accio Keychain from Foxwise.

The fifth giveaway is a set of Hobbit assorted notecards from Erika Rae Heins.

The sixth giveaway is a Tengwar Hobbit Notebook from The Little Schremlin.

The seventh giveaway is a kit for three twist of fate chainmaille bracelets from UnkamenGift.

The eight giveaway is a rose pendant from The Untamed Rose.

The ninth giveaway is any item of the winners choosing from Bookish Charms shop.

The tenth giveaway is a three pack of handmade soap from The Goat Milk Shop.

The eleventh giveaway is some gorgeous quilled jewelry by Chava.

Last, but not least the twelfth giveaway is a Fairytale Flower Necklace from Rosie's Shop.

Lots of wonderful and pretty items up for giveaway over at Sheaylnn's blog. So head over and check it out.

Steampunk Fascinator

Happy New Year!

So this year while making one of my Christmas gifts I had the opportunity of trying a new craft out.
 I got to use wire and beads for the first time while making a Seampunk Fascinator.
I made my first ganutell flower. Also known as Wire and Floss Flowers.

I used bronze and copper wires and combined it with some glass eye beads and swarovskian crystals for bling. All the metal supplies came from Unkamen Supplies. Check out their Etsy store for all sorts of beads, wires and jewelry making supplies.

Unkamen make the twisted spaced coils specifically for me for this project. They are great! I went for the twisted wires on the spaced coils for a more steampunky look.

Vintage keys and chains are a must for anything steampunk related. Unkamen supplies also makes all sorts of jump rings for chain mail. My brothers made the chain for me. I wasn't ready quite yet to get that into metal working.

And of course you have clock parts and gears for a steampunk facsinator. Yes, that is part of a zipper as well.

I dug through my box of scraps and found some interesting steampunky fabrics, trims and laces as well. Just a lot of cool random stuff.

This was a custom order for a good friend as a gift for her daughter. Modeled below by the daughter/recipient.

I liked the pop of colour that the peacock flowers added and couldn't resist throwing them into the array as well.

I shall do a tutorial on the ganutell flowers later. 

That is all for now! 

Toodles

Little Women the Musical Costumes

My latest costume endeavor was designing Little Women the Musical back in November.

I know, a month ago and I am just now finally getting pictures up... 

I am not exactly known for being prompt am I?

Most people know the story of Little Women.

The four March sisters as they grow up during the Civil War.

So my first period play to design set in the Civil War era! Yeah, exciting!

I want to first mention the set, designed and built by one of my many talented brothers.

Pretty impressive, right.

Amy, Meg, and Beth playing dress up.

Beth and Marmee preparing Jo and Meg for the ball.

Jo meets Theodore Laurence III at the ball.

Random ball goer

More random ball goers

Another random ball lady.

Meg meets Brooke. (With random ball people in the background.) Unfortunately I forgot to get pictures of some of my ballroom attendants.

Beth, Amy, Meg, Laurie and Jo swear to be loyal friends.

Jo cuts her hair.

Hags

Trolls and the fair Clarissa

An old knight with monks. (Yes that is real chain mail.)

The Rodrigoes, Clarissa and Villainous Braxton.

Meg and Brooke

Mr. Laurence gives his piano to sick Beth.

Amy returns home from Europe with Aunt March

Laurie has grown up as well.

Marmee, Amy and Meg as they prepare for Amy's wedding day.

Professor Bhaer and Jo

Finally, the entire cast at curtain call.

And there is a brief recap on the show.

That is all for now.

Toodles