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This Week

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I received a surprising influx of hours at my part time gig this week (going from the normal10 hours to 21 hours), so I’ve been running around like a crazy person this week, trying to stay on top of it all.  The fact that my shift starts at 5am hasn’t been helping.  A 4am wake up call isn’t my idea of a good time.

Now that the week is coming to a close, I feel like I’m getting a little more sure-footed.  Next week looks to be just as challenging, so I’m thinking of ways to streamline my week days.

Still, I managed to finish up a few projects and start work on others.

Sneak peek behind the scense from a shoot that features my clothing:

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A new shipment of striped fabric (for leggings) arrived.  I ordered some narrower stripes along with the ol’ stand-bys this time around–excited to see how those work for the leggings.

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Found some irresistable notecards.

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Got word back on that Kahlan costume–the bustier looks SO AMAZING!!  Happy customer and happy designer!

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Finished up the burlesque bustier and ruffled shorts.  The bustier has a seperating zipper front for the closure.  I do believe I’ll be offering this option in the shop soon!  It turned out really well.  Hope I get final pictures from my client….

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A snake poked it’s head out to say hello at my husband’s office.  I wanted to pick it up, but figured it was best for both the snake and myself if I didn’t.

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The sky driving across the 24 mile Causeway bridge this past Saturday.

There was more, but I’m still getting used to remembering to snap pictures.  I’ll get it someday!

This Week

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This week started out with finishing up a couple projects–a pair of ruffled boy shorts (I’m extremely smitten with these, btw and I’ll be offering these in the shop as soon as I can get a photo shoot set up):

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My final Kahlan Mother Confessor bustier replica!  I’m really happy with this.  It took a lot longer than I expected it to, but I took extensive notes and wrote out and drafted my pattern immediately after completing, so that I can (hopefully) make it in MUCH less time the next time around (and I already got an order for another full Kahlan costume, so we’ll find out in a few weeks):

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Then on to a dress for a photo shoot.  The dress started out as just the base, and looked like this pre-fitting:

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After the fitting, the dress became just a tad bit shorter (ha!  I have SHIRTS longer than this thing):

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And then the draping began!  I didn’t snap pictures of every single version (trust me, you should thank me for that), but I have a couple.  Here’s one version that I liked an awful lot, but ended up being too bulky for what the client is going for:

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A little less bulky, but still too much fabric:

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Though I really liked the back of this one–I’m a fiend for a bustle (even if it’s not REALLY a bustle):

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And, the final result (pre-hand sewing):

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I’m currently trying madly to finish that baby up so that I can make a head piece and another pair of ruffled bloomers to go with it by SUNDAY.  *gulp*

Wish me luck.

And send chocolate.  And caffeine.

TnT Tuesday

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Today I’m sharing one of my favorite tunic dresses from my shop.

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I had *just* enough of this fabric to make this one dress.

I’d purchased the fabric eons ago as a remnant and could never quite figure out what to do with it.

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Then, I was preparing for my runway show a few months ago.  I had hit that place, that place where I’d completely lost my vision and couldn’t figure out WHAT I was doing.

I started scrambling about, making random boho-style things, because that was the style I was really feeling at the time.

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And, out popped this beauty.  I originally intended to include this in the show itself.  But that was in the haze of doubt and confusion.

As much as I love the tunic, it didn’t belong in THAT show.  And, so, it wasn’t included.

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I’m a layering kind of girl, so I love it layered with a tank top, and over jeans.

Don’t get me wrong–it’s cute alone, too.

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You can find the listing here, in my shop:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/127897194/tunic-tunic-dress-tunic-floral-dress?ref=shop_home_feat

Modeled by the gorgeous Hannah (www.modelmayhem.com/795520).

Images featuring her hair up:  Hair and Make Up by Amanda Bravender
For inquiries: www.ahbweddingandevents.com

This Week

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What I’ve been working on this week:

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A full Kahlan, Mother Confessor replica.  This includes the full overdress (done), a long skirt (done) and a custom bustier (in progress).

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First time through for the bustier–I’ve draped the pattern, altered it, and am now sewing it up.  I’m working with a faux leather (yes, I know, but it sure does keep the cost down, and until I have an actual LEATHER MACHINE, I’ll be working in pleather) and cotton twill.  I’m excited for the end product–just have to remember to keep good notes, as I do plan to offer this in the shop after this project is complete.

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Beginnings of a bustier and ruffle bloomer look for a burlesque number.

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Which meant a trial run for some boy shorts–these will be altered, but I kind of love this cut and am thinking of offering these in the shop soon, too.  Just need to do a fitting on a model first.

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Shipping completed items out every couple of days.

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And getting a package returned to me from the post office.  Apparently the large envelopes I’ve been using for over 2 years as a flat rate are NOT ACTUALLY FLAT RATE.  But, somehow, no one ever picked up on this.  *sigh*  So, until I get myself a postal scale, I’ll be taking the long way round and bringing all my packages to the post office, paying there, and coming home to note down how much certain things weigh so that the NEXT TIME I can just prepay.

TnT Tuesday

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TnT (Trapped In Time) Tuesday!  Featuring recent additions to my etsy shop, and a bit of info on the items.  Thought I’d try something new.

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This is a beautiful red silk-blend floral brocade bustier that is a relatively recent addition to the shop (I’m still swamped with custom orders right now, so new items are on the back burner right now).  It’s really quite beautiful in person.  I do have a bit of a weakness for brocades, especially when it’s an Asian print.

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Modeled by the gorgeous Nancyjane (http://www.modelmayhem.com/2403245) and photographed by yours truly.

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I have two of these currently in the shop.  One with a bust of 30-33 inches and a waist of 26-29 inches.  The other with a bust of 36-39 inches and a waist of 32-35 inches.  (you can find them here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/150539161/bustier-corset-red-bustier-brocade?ref=v1_other_2  and here:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/150539349/bustier-corset-red-bustier-brocade?ref=v1_other_1)

Fully lined in black cotton twill for durability.  I sew flexible boning into the lining of all my bustiers.  These are much more comfortable to wear than, say, a metal boned corset.  You can wear one of these lovelies all day and not feel like you’re going to cough up your spleen.

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They’re made to be worn as a shirt.  The look equally lovely alone or over a coordinating tank top (my favorite way to wear them).

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Bustiers were the first items I began sewing when I decided to open up an etsy shop.  There’s just something about them that I love.  They’re both vintage and modern, and can be made from just about anything.  (I love making these out of vintage band t-shirts, and one of my favorites that I EVER made was from my own vintage MAD magazine tshirt.  It was SO, SO cool)

Editing

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In between sewing up custom orders, I’ve been editing many, many pictures from a photo shoot I did on Monday of this week.

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I think I’ve mentioned before how lucky I feel to meet so many talented and wonderful people in my area.  I got to utilize THREE of these fabulous folks for this shoot.

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The amazing Amanda Bravender did hair and make up for my two models. (For inquiries:  http://www.ahbweddingandevents.com)

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My models were sisters Nancyjane ( http://www.modelmayhem.com/2403245 ) & Hannah Johnson ( http://www.modelmayhem.com/795520 ).

We had a BLAST.  Seriously, I don’t think I’ve had that much fun in a long, long time.

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So, slowly but surely, new items are rolling into the shop.

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These images are just a taste of what’s to come!

Ghosts

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What do you do when you find yourself second guessing 3 of the final looks for an upcoming runway show?  Well, if you’re me, you grab a stack of spring fabrics to turn into tunic dresses and you pull up your trusty queue of scary movies.  Add a large iced green tea, a few kitties, and you are SET.

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Prep Work

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Taking a wee break from sewing the actual outfits that will be worn on the runway.  Instead, I’m focusing on sewing up a few things that will be for sale at the event.

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Yes.  Yes that IS a giraffe print tunic dress hiding in there.  That fabric was a remnant that I purchased on a whim at least 10 years ago.  I could never figure out what it wanted to be, but then I pulled it out while thinking of spring tunic dresses and tops, and poof!  It found it’s calling.  I kind of love it.  Like, a lot.

There’s a very full stack of items to sew up for the show.  One thing at a time.

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In a fit of ignoring the sewing for a few minutes, I hung up more thread storage the other day.  No more baggies of thread on the floor by the machines for me!

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It’s been awhile since I’ve posted a gratuitous kitty picture.  So, I give you Mimi.  Yes, that IS a beautiful blue sky for the first time in what feels like weeks of gloom and rain.

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Black and White

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I realized yesterday that my collection for the upcoming RAW show is mainly blacks, whites & muted colors.

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“How did you just realize that yesterday??” you may well ask.  Yes, yes.  Very good question.

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All I can figure is that I’ve been so focused on creating, finding models, sewing runway looks, making time to sew as much as possible to sell at the event, finding music, hair inspiration, make up inspiration, and trying to not short change my spouse, that I kind of…..didn’t notice that I have been tending to lean towards black and white, especially.

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So, I’m thinking on how to add a couple looks with color now.

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Maybe the geisha inspired look will make an appearance….

Boa

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A tulle boa for Mardi Gras.

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Not listed in the shop yet–will get stock photos over the weekend.

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One more custom order to go, and then it’s to the grindstone to get everything ready for my upcoming RAW fashion show and booth.

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This was the first tulle boa I’ve done.  Pretty result, but I don’t think I’ll make another.

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Extremely fiddle-y and time-consuming.  That baby is made up of strips of tulle (hand cut by yours truly) and individually sewn on in alternating colors of gold, green and purple.

Thank goodness for books on cd.

(if you’re interested in purchasing the boa, please comment or contact me)