Tomorrow I release my first ever 4th of July inspired Limited Edition, Limited Quantity line! Check it out after 5pm CST!
fashion design
This Week
Weekly wrap-up:
I’ve been working on orders as well as items for the upcoming photo shoots–still SO excited!!
Husband has been out of town, which allows me to stock up on junk food get a lot more sewing done, since I am able to sew into the evening hours–I don’t really cook when it’s just me.
While I work, I’ve been listening to “The Tudors: The Complete Story of England’s Most Notorious Dynasty” by G.J. Meyer, and I have to say–I’m loving it! I love history, and have always loved reading about any of the Tudors, but sometimes the books can be, let’s just say, a wee bit dry. Not the case here–it’s so interesting, and I’m even learning things I’ve not encountered in other books! Really worth it, if you’re a history nerd like me.
Have a fabulous weekend!
I Know I Just Said I Wouldn’t Do This….
Didn’t I JUST say that I wanted to break the cycle of posting just photo shoots?
Ahhh, well–this is new! And I wanted to share it before I forgot ALL ABOUT IT! (which I’ll do over the weekend, most likely)
Just a little product shoot with the beautiful Yuri, who I’ve gotten to work with a few times now–you’ll recognize her from the Boa Shoot and the Mardi Gras Shoot. She lives down the road–how lucky am I?
A few new pieces, a few new shots of older pieces.
Some new Swing Tanks, a new Crop Top, new Babydoll Tunics, new Sweetheart Neckline Bustiers….
And new shots of capelets and a cincher skirt.
We had so much fun, even though I had hoped to have more to photograph–as I mentioned, orders have been rolling in, and that means less time to create new things.
What do you think?
New Babydoll Tunics
Lately
It’s been busy-busy-busy around here with orders.
The garden is still going–though a little heat-affected.
Cucumbers and basil are thriving.
Pesto is in the near future.
I’ve been working on some really fun new projects, and can’t wait until I have some things to share!
Until then, I’ve added a few new items to the shop lately–trying to get things photographed and listed slowly–one a day.
Prepping for the Endless Nights Vampire Ball as well as Halloween! (and some fun bits here and there)
Striped Bustle
Velveteen Capelet
Floral Tunic
Velveteen Capelet
And, because I was a TOTAL slacker (blog-wise, at least) Friday, I have my Project Runway favorites today, too!
I was SHOCKED at the win for the week. I like Amanda’s look–it’s in my top 3, actually–but I felt like it wasn’t polished enough for the win.
It was like Emilio’s hardware store challenge bikini and Wendy’s grocery store bikini had a Cyber-Punk-Goth baby….but done better than either.
That probably doesn’t make sense anywhere BUT my head.
On with my picks!
Amanda
I really do love the IDEA of this dress. The fact that she had to rely so heavily on the muslin under-lining should have taken it out of the running for the win, though.
Samantha
Love the top–really cool technique. I just wish the top had been extended into a dress. I really wasn’t diggin’ on the film strip usage. Though, it is kind of jellyfish-y….and I do love me some “Princess Jellyfish”….
Kristine
Kristine’s would have been my pick for the win. I really like the usage of the letters. The bust bothers me, but I love the letters SO MUCH.
Did you watch? What did you think? Are the judges totally smoking WAY MORE crack than usual this year?
This Week
I spent most of this week thinking it was a day ahead, until yesterday when I inexplicably switched to thinking it was a day past.
That pretty much sums it up.
Orders have started rolling in for Halloween, Burning Man and miscellaneous events, so I’ve been working on those.
As well as sneaking in some fun bits in between–like this Star Wars ruffle skirt:
The garden has been exploding with the last of the summer squash and TONS OF CUCUMBERS, prompting a canning session (and another to come this weekend):
I lost one of the Summer Squash Pickle jars…..first ever to just crack in the canner. 
But, one casualty isn’t so bad. Especially considering I’m always amazed that every single one doesn’t explode or turn black.
Side note: One of the best sounds in the world are the “pings!” of sealing jars after a looooooong day of canning.
As I was checking (the endless) online things I do each morning before heading into the studio, I remembered–NEW SEASON OF PROJECT RUNWAY STARTED LAST NIGHT!!! Is there anything better than remembering that your ALL-TIME-FAVORITE show has started a new season and you get to watch it? Not for this gal. At least not on a Friday morning. (I don’t have cable, so watch the episodes the day after online)
I won’t bore you with my thoughts and ideas (besides, I can’t hold a candle to Tom & Lorenzo’s re-caps), but I WILL share my top 3 of the night:
Char
Love-Love-LOVE this top (and a good circle skirt is ALWAYS a winner in my book). The draping in the shirt is lovely, and I would totally wear this. The shirt really sells it. Plus, Char is just pretty kick-ass so far. Gotta love a designer from DETROIT.
Alexander
I know this one will be controversial. The fabrics aren’t my favorite to go together–I would have loved to see that neck done in a solid rather than the Hawaiian Granny Floral. But I really like the cut to this, and how it flowed. Go figure, I like the tent dress. 😉
Carrie
I was surprised this one didn’t make it into the top 3. I think it was more interesting than at least one that DID make it. I’ll be interested to see what Carrie does this season–I think she has an interesting set of ideas, and I’m a sucker for a gal with day-glo hair. This is really architectural and interesting. A few less cut-outs would suit it better to my taste, but I think it’s a really good use of the print.
My favorite of the season (even though I really did NOT like her runway look) is Sandhya so far. That’s liable to change once we really get everyone’s aesthetic and personalities in play, but Sandhya has an amazing body of work, a point of view/voice, and she’s just really sweet. She’s got skills, and I hope those bitches don’t knock her around too much.
Happy weekend!
This Week
It’s been a good week–still a little slow on the orders-front, but that’s normal for June. A few come in here and there, and so I get those done immediately, and then back to new items, new styles, new adventures.
A pair of ruffle leggings was made and shipped off to Canada:
A capelet found a new home:
A new style of dress was created (and I’m in LOVE)–it’s a lovely lightweight black gauze over a black cotton lining, and I CANNOT WAIT to get it onto a model for fit and better pictures:
Another stack of crop tops for the upcoming lakefront shoot:
The second of three shirts for a friend’s order:
A new tattered lace collar:
And a tattered fabric boa:
(also a couple of new shirts for myself snuck their way in)
As I sewed away, I listened to:
–“Doctor Sleep” by Stephen King–this is a follow-up to “The Shining”, one of my all-time favs of King’s. You find out what happened to Danny, and it’s a fabulous story. Lives up to the original, and satisfies all those “I wonder what happened to…” questions from the first. I really enjoyed it–having a good book on cd to listen to makes ALL the difference when sewing. Makes me more anxious to get back into the studio every morning!
–“Edwin of the Iron Shoes” by Marcia Muller–I had no idea that this book was from 1977, until the lead character put on a “tailored denim pantsuit” to go to an interview. That had me wondering, but what REALLY got me was when another character was described to be wearing a leisure suit. Good story, kept my interest. Not on the same level as “Doctor Sleep”, but interesting nonetheless.
Where I’ve Been
Or, rather, what I’ve been up to, since where I’ve been (the studio and the garden) hasn’t really changed.
I’ve been sewing up a few shirts for a friend’s order (that blue jersey is one of my FAVORITE fabrics of all-time. I made myself a shirt with it, and it’s just sooooooo comfy and soft!):
Turning a big ol’ stack:
Into a bunch of these:
And sewing up a pair of shorts (WHAAAAT? I never sew shorts!):
The shirts and the shorts are being made for a soon (I hope) shoot I have in the works with one of my amazingly talented model-friends. Just a low-key shoot, probably along the lakefront. I’m in love with the shirts, and want to have a whole slew of them up in the shops soon–but they just look so lackluster on the dress forms! They change dramatically when on a human form. Also–a great excuse to get out of the studio and go have some FUN!
I have a number of shoots in the works right now–can’t wait to get going on them all!
Happy Monday–I know it’s not the norm to enjoy a Monday, but I always kind of do (don’t smack me). It always feels a little like a fresh start, and I have an extra bounce in my step as I go about planning the week.
Behind The Scenes
Yesterday was a BLAST!
New friends were made, old friends were enjoyed, and so much laughter ensued that my cheeks STILL hurt today.
I feel so happy with how it all came together–my vision feels realized!
I even remembered to snap behind the scenes photos throughout the day–no small feat for me.
It all came together so well, and while I was exhausted by the end, it was so worth it.
Now comes the hardest part–the waiting for the final images!
But I’ll be patient, I promise.
Until I see what is sure to be amazing photography by Underexposed Photography, I’ll flip through the bits I snapped and remember how much FUN was had.
I’m already itching for the next shoot!
Models: Erica Boss & Amber Carollo
Make Up: Laurin Edmonson Hart
Hair: Peggy West
Clothing & Accessories: Trapped In Time Designs
This Week
As mentioned, I’ve been sewing like a mad-woman, getting ready for Sunday’s (SUNDAY!!!) shoot.
I’ve not snapped too many photos.
Well, I have, but I can’t share them all. I’m hell-bent on creating a video of the process of putting this shoot together, so I’m hoarding images I’ve been taking. It’ll be more of a slideshow set to music….but I’m calling it a video. I might even call it a MOVIE. A FILM. I’ll be a Filmmaker, and pick up smoking again.
Or I’ll just make a slideshow to music and call it a day.
Probably the latter. I’m tired.
So, anyway. Sewing! This:
Turned into This:
And This is technically from last week, but it was in my pictures folder so HERE:
Also: the giraffe dress has shipped off to its new home!
I’ll miss it. *sniffle*
Shhhhh
It’s been awfully quiet around here lately. I wish I could say it was because I’ve been doing exciting and fabulous things….but, really, it’s just been a lot of sewing and painting.
I did manage to sew up a few things for myself that have been in constant rotation. These oversize t-shirt style tops are pretty much my go-to for the summer (and, MAN, summer is here in the South!):
I also ordered a ton of jewelry, both on etsy and forever21 online, so I’ve been playing with new necklaces and earrings.
I rarely buy anything new for myself, and it’s even MORE rare for me to sew anything for myself.
Of course, I was WILDLY optimistic in my cutting out of things for myself and still have 3 entire skirts that need to be sewn–but those will have to wait for evening and weekend work. Orders and photo shoots come first. 😉
Speaking of shoots–I finished up the second painting for the upcoming shoot:
AND I found a good deal on the PERFECT SHOES for the models:
Luckily the model who will be in the red pair has the same size foot as I….so those will most likely end up in my closet.
Off to package the weekend orders, hit USPS and then SEW-SEW-SEW! Have a fabulous Monday, my friends!
Trapped In Time Designs 