Work In Progress

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.

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.

Swing of Things

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Sorry for the silence this week.  I’ve been busy settling back into the regular routine.

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Custom orders are rolling in again.

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Ideas are bouncing around my head at all hours.  (but that’s nothing new)

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I listed a few new items in my shop, including the giraffe print tunic that I mentioned awhile back.  (you can find it here, in my shop:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/126929190/tunic-tunic-dress-tunic-pink-dress-pink?ref=shop_home_active)

I have a shoot this upcoming Monday, and am looking forward to playing dress up with two fabulous models (who also happen to be sisters) as well as spending some time with an amazing local MUA and hairstylist.

Reflecting a bit and re-grouping.  Trying to gain focus again.  I feel I lost my focus a wee bit in all the craziness of the show prep.  Needing to remind myself of my vision and my goals–and understanding that just because they are different than what people may think they should be, they’re still valid–and, best of all, they’re mine.

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Have a beautiful weekend!

Already?

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The show is over?  It’s come and gone?  But…..but what do I do NOW?

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Seriously, I keep falling back on the same thought I’ve had for the past 2 months:  “Okay, so what do I need to do for the show today?”.  Then I realize:  nothing, there’s nothing to do for the show anymore!

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It went so amazingly well–I had a blast, and the models, hair, make up and photographer were all just the most fabulous people to work with.  I couldn’t be happier with the end result.

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To see a (somewhat blurry) video of the runway, check out my business facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/trappedintimedesigns  I’ll hopefully have something with better quality visuals soon–but this gives you the general idea.

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I’ll be getting better images soon, too.

For now, I’m back in the saddle, taking custom orders and setting up a few photo shoots.

Working on a Steampunk Carmen Sandiego costume right now–how cool is my life?  The customer saw this skirt, and we’re building from there.

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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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Walk-thru

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First walk-thru at the venue for my upcoming show was yesterday.  It’s being held at the Eiffel Society, which has a pretty interesting history, having started it’s life in Paris ON the Eiffel Tower. (http://eiffelsociety.com/)

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I’m closer to ready, still not 100% (nor will I ever feel that way, I’m sure).

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More model fittings have happened, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.

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More stress-induced dreams have also happened, but I’m not so jazzed about those.

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Less than two weeks!

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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Fitting In

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First fittings for the upcoming show were yesterday.  Some things were great, other things not so much.

This was one of the greats:

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I’m finding that I need to be more adaptable to change.  A life lesson that I probably have needed to learn for a rather long time.

Also:  be true to me and my vision.

Sewing up a storm today–some alterations, and beginning work on a big ol’ stack of things to sell at the show.

Have you purchased your tickets yet?  http://www.rawartists.org/http-www-etsy-com-shop-trappedintimedesigns

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….