A Dark Alice Kind of Week

So happy to welcome Friday this week.

The hubby has been out of town all week, leaving me to fend for myself amongst the kitties.  He’ll be back today. 🙂

Luckily, I had made a big pot of Chana Masala that fed me in the evenings, lots of veggies for salad lunches, many orders to sew up, and a whole stack of audio books to listen to.

Also:  A whole new season of “Mind of a Chef” on Netflix.

I have an upcoming order for a Wednesday Addams dress, and the client and I were ironing out the final design for it.  Of course, I had about a million ideas, ranging from the very traditional to the more “out there”:

Wednesday Addams possibilities

Wednesday Addams possibilities

Wednesday Addams Possibilities

Wednesday Addams Possibilities

I had two back-to-back Dark Alice orders, which ended up taking up the whole week, after Monday was spent cutting and most of Tuesday was spent visiting family and running errands.

Alternate Dark Alice, featuring a lower neckline

Alternate Dark Alice, featuring a lower neckline

The orders shouldn’t have taken quite as long as they did.  To be fair, the first order went smoothly.  But the second one.  The second one wasn’t cooperating, resulting in me have to entirely re-work (and re-cut) the bodice.  It just wasn’t laying correctly, and there was no other option.

This isn't the exact dress that I made, but its the same design....and I can't access the picture I took of the one this week

This isn’t the exact dress that I made, but its the same design….and I can’t access the picture I took of the one this week

So, I’m running a day behind at this point. 

Lucky for me, I was running way ahead of schedule before the set-back. 😉

Today I’ll be sewing up one last order that’s cut, and cutting a few more that are waiting.

Did you watch Project Runway this week? 

Loved the concept this week, but rather disappointed with the end results.  I had a really hard time picking a top 3, mainly because so much that walked that runway was dark and, honestly, kind of dull.  Not really a lot of new ideas. 

Which is sad, considering this is probably going to be one of the few challenges this season where they could have thought outside the box.

My top 3:

Samantha

Samantha

A bit basic, too reminiscent of the 90s, and FOR THE LOVE OF GOD GET RID OF THAT BACKPACK, but I liked the jacket and cowl neck here.  I hate those shoes something fierce.  Are those REALLY back?  Because there are, like, 5 pairs of them on the Aldo wall this season.

Emily

Emily

This was really cool, loved it with the jacket–but I wish she’d made the jacket in some other material.  It felt too…..snuggie.  Like, I’d be wearing that fabric sitting on the couch in my pj’s.  But, the jumpsuit was really cool–and I’m a gal that HATES a jumpsuit with a fierce passion normally.

Sandhya

Sandhya

I know this is weird, and I know a lot of people are going to hate it, but I think, of all the offerings, this one fit the challenge the best, and is something NEW.  It definitely appeals to the costumer in me, and maybe that’s why I like it so much.  I still love Sandhya–while they definitely gave her the whiny-edit last week, I still think she’s the one to watch this season.  She’s the only one, so far, to really show that she has something to SAY.  She really thinks about her designs, and what she wants them to be saying, and I really respond to that.

I can’t stop staring at the models toes, hanging off those shoes, and it’s FREAKING ME OUT.

I hate toes, and I hate women who wear sandals too-small for them.  GO UP A SIZE, LADIES.  There’s no shame in it.

Gahhh, toes.  *shudder*

Okay, they’re out of my direct line of sight now. 

Listening to this week:

"The Seven Dials Mystery"--Agatha Christie

“The Seven Dials Mystery”–Agatha Christie

I’m a Christie-addict.  I go through the collection and start all over.  I just don’t get tired of listening to them.

"'Salem's Lot"--Stephen King

“‘Salem’s Lot”–Stephen King

I read this back in…..high school?  Junior high?  I was a huge King fan (and Anne Rice).  I’ve been listening to a lot of the books I read back then, and it’s fun to remember the stories, but to understand them on a whole different level now.

"White Fire"--Preston & Child

“White Fire”–Preston & Child

I really enjoyed this, but I spent half the book yelling at the main character because she was SO. DAMN. STUPID.

I don’t think it’s a good thing that I was vehemently hoping she’d bite it before the end.

Well, that’ was my week–hope yours was good, and I’ll see you Monday!

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

Striped Bustle

Velveteen Capelet

Velveteen Capelet

Floral Tunic

Floral Tunic

Velveteen Capelet

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

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

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

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:

2095

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):

2084

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

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

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

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!