Shots from over the weekend:
Working on some sideshow-banner-inspired artwork for an upcoming shoot:
This is the second one, which you can barely see (even with the wacky editing filter I used), but I had to share it due to the Buster Keaton photo-bomb:
The arugula in the garden was just BEGGING me to make one of our fav salads, Arugula-Fennel:
Requisite Garden Photos:
We worked a lot in the yard, as evidenced by the mountain of limbs/fronds/weeds that we left behind:
I’ve been taking it easy, sewing for myself and re-grouping.
I decided to put all the custom orders back up, so if you’ve been waiting, now’s the time.
I planted some sweet oat grass for Lizzie. When it got long enough for her to chomp on, I brought it onto “her” sun-porch and she promptly climbed into it, effectively smooshing and killing all the grass in the middle of the pot. 
I worked in the yard and found the new crop of Devil’s Horse grasshopper babies masquerading as a toupee. (I have NO idea if that’s the right name–it’s just what my family has always called them)
Also, the first of the cherry tomatoes ripened (and were promptly eaten after this picture).
I did whip up a few new items for the shop. A pinstriped tunic top:
And a Mardi Gras peplum skirt (so out of season, but it was in the stack of things to sew):
Oh! And I got my new ironing board cover (I treat myself to a new one every year)!
(this is from the etsy shop Compelled To Craft, and I highly recommend shopping with them–this is my third from them, and I have loved each one. Great quality, great prints. https://www.etsy.com/shop/compelledtocraft)
As a few orders have already rolled in today, I’ll be back to normal production work next week! I don’t know if my self-imposed vacation was long enough…..but it sure was getting awfully quiet in the shop. 😉
I keep forgetting what day it is this week.
I also decided to reintroduce caffeine.
THAT’S the kind of week it’s been.
So far, I’ve:
Finished up an Alice order.
Made a new Dieselpunk military capelet.
Created a super ruffly red and white striped choker.
Made a beautiful silk brocade capelet.
And spent many, many hours putting together sketches, images, prices and a full proposal for a really cool job. (SPOILER: I didn’t get it–but I did give myself a ton of new ideas for future offerings and a potential photo shoot)
I feel like I should have more accomplished by today….maybe I need to give myself some slack?
You may have noticed that my shops are all on vacation this week. Only a temporary hiatus while I catch up on orders and regroup a bit. I expect to be back up and running in a couple of weeks.
As mentioned, I’m using this time to catch up on orders. But FIRST, I had to complete the doll pairing for my nieces:
A red chiffon skirt/dress (shown as a dress since is so LOOOOOOONG):
A couple of sparkly cowl-neck tunics flew off to the UK:
An Alice dress is in the works for a lucky actress:
And a striped tunic, bustle and military hat came off the machines, too:
All-in-all, a productive week so far. Hope yours is going well, too!
I love these crop tops.
I have a couple myself, and need to make a few more.
I’m a huge fan of layering, you see.
A friend once laughed at me, when I lamented having had a hard time figuring out what to wear one day–this is back when I had an office job.
He said–“What do you mean? All you do is: tank top, t-shirt, cardigan, and GO!”.
Which hit it on the head. That really nails down my clothing–tank top, top over that and cardigan, if the second top has short or no sleeves.
Which is why these are a great wardrobe addition for me. Tank top (possible two in contrasting colors) and crop top. Done. Comfortable, easy to wear, and goes with anything.
I have a few new fabrics to make some of these out of–wild prints! PRINTS! I never use wild prints, so I’m excited to get making them. Once my stack of orders is diminished, that is.
You can find this one here on etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/97690622/shirt-crop-top-womens-shirt-cowl-neck
Photographer: Underexposed Photography (https://www.facebook.com/brittsmithphoto)
Model: Amber Carollo http://www.modelmayhem.com/2598688#
Wow, that weekend flew by. And I mean flew.
A little work in the yard & garden was accomplished….but very little.
Mostly, I was inside, sewing up a special Easter treat for one of my nieces!
I used Simplicity 1900 (find the pattern here: http://www.simplicity.com/p-7473-doll-and-clothes.aspx) , and it went together pretty easily–the legs and arms made me want to scream out in frustration, but only because they’re so teeny and fiddly–ugh!
The fabric for the dress is a Japanese print that I bought before I even HAD nieces. But I bought such small yardages of it (it was crazy expensive), I had never found a project small enough to use it in. Until now. 🙂 I couldn’t be happier with it–so pretty, and perfect for an Easter dress.
Another one is in the works for the other niece.
The garden is growing. Slowly. (I’m an impatient gardener)
The sage bloomed. I know I should cut the flowers, to keep the sage growing, but I hate to cut them–the bees love them.
Speaking of bees–after many, many, many attempts–I managed to capture (in a photo) one of my bumble bee buddies! They hover around me the whole time I’m outside, yet when I try to snap a picture, suddenly they have an urgent meeting to attend.
The roses are exploding!
And, I did the taxes. I always wait until pretty much the last minute.
Hope your weekend was lovely and felt longer than mine!
Ah, Friday again! Looking forward to a weekend filled with gardening, sewing & a crawfish boil! Here’s to hoping the rain holds off for the outdoor activities, and that you have a fabulous weekend yourself!
My favorite finds of the week on Pinterest (follow me: http://www.pinterest.com/trappedintime/):
(Marta Orlowska)
(Sydney Long)
(Madonnas by Katarzyna Widmanska)
(Vintage Edwardian era cape)
(With or Without You – Paul Lovering)
(Lora-Zombie)
The Wicked Witch replica dress is still in the works. *this close* to being done.
I only have the dress photographed (and poorly at that) so far. Note the dress form she’s on is slightly too small….
Can’t wait to get better pictures and the whole costume together! Hopefully this weekend will allow me some time to do so.
It’s definitely been a longer process than anticipated. Cobbling together the pattern and making it all work together proved to be more intensive than I had imagined. But, it’s looking beautiful, and will soon be offered on a made-to-order basis in my shops. 🙂
I love this black and gold striped fabric.
Sadly, I haven’t been able to find it for some time now.
Made into a stunning bustier (which I loooooove). I’ve made these for a few years now. This is the last of the line, until I can magically acquire more fabric (fingers crossed).
Lined in black twill.
Flexible boning sewn into the lining.
Grommets and a modesty panel in back.
So pretty with formal as well as casual looks.
bust: 29-32 inches
waist: 25-28 inches
You can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/120370309/bustier-corset-striped-corset-gothic?ref=shop_home_active_6
(also listed in my rebelsmarket and artfire shops)
Modeled by the ever-beautiful NancyJane ( http://www.modelmayhem.com/2403245 )
Hair and Make Up by Amanda Bravender
For inquiries: http://www.ahbweddingandevents.com
New fabrics arrived over the weekend, and I can now create ruffle leggings in white as well as red. (in addition to the cream, black, blue, and multi that are ALREADY offered) Capri or full-length! Send me a msg if interested as I don’t have the new color options listed in any of the shops yet.
Happy Monday!
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