Wordless Wednesday: Rain or Shine?

Taken on a Sunny/Rainy day in Arizona.

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Catching Up: A Pink Dress for a Special Doll

Over the past couple months I have managed to finish a particular project from my list,  a doll dress.  Technically I finished all the projects on my list, but that will come later.

Anyway, I had been meaning to make at least one really great dress for my ball jointed doll since I first got her (see Catching Up -- A New Friend).  What’s the point in paying that much for one doll if I don’t put effort in dressing her.  But I put off making her anything other than some basic skirts and tops, until now. 

Behold the pink princess dress.  Some of you may find it very familiar since I already made post about it here on my doll blog. 

This dress was not a easy project to tackle.  I found a pattern that was supposed to fit Msd sized ball jointed dolls like mine, but it was intended for dolls with considerably more child-like figures. 

This was something I didn’t realize until after I had cut and sewn most of the bodice.  I had to spend a great deal of time taking it in and such to get it to fit right.  Then came another problem…

…the skirt.  I hadn’t notice that the skirt pattern wasn’t as full or as long as it needed to be to get the right look.  This I noticed after I had already sewn it and attached it to the bodice.  But rather than let my doll wear a dress that was too short, I added to it. 

I cut into the skirt and gathered it in a couple of spots to create a bustle look, then added some lace and bows.  Finally I used one of the circle skirts I had made before (see 5 a Week: Skirts for Dolls) as an under skirt.

The end result was a more interesting skirt design and an over all prettier dress.  It’s nice how things work out so perfectly, or at least close to perfect.

I also made a cute little matching hair accessory with a scrap of lace and some ribbon.  It ties on her head with some ribbon, bad idea.  I know it looks pretty tied, but it is a pain to actually tie the darn thing.  Her wig usually falls off at least twice each time I try.  I’m going to have find some doll size headbands to use as a base the next time I feel like making doll hair accessories.

Here’s the updated list:

• Purse
• Bag
• Mini-bag
• Dress
• Vest
• Fleece

Three down, just three to go.  They will be up tomorrow.  Look forward to it. :)

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Wordless Wednesday: Just Came From The Library

 

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Christmas on Pinterest 2015 Plus Some Gift Help

December first, Christmas is now less than a month away. (Insert appropriate, adult reaction).

Here to help with your holiday planning needs is the latest edition of my Christmas Pinterest board.  And as with all my yearly holiday pin boards, I will continue to add to it throughout the entire calendar year. 

Anyways, here it is:

My Christmas 2015 Pinterest Board

Some highlights:

• Recycled K-Cup Snowman Hat Ornaments
• Victorian Christmas Clip Art Girl with Wreath
• Minion Christmas Ornaments
• Felt Gingerbread Gift Bags

Plus, I created a new general pinterest board that could prove useful this season.  A Gift Ideas board, solely intended for crafts and other stuff that would make nice gifts for other. 

Gift Ideas Pinterest Board

Some highlights:

• 25 Things to Sew in Under 30 Minutes
• Teacup Candles
• How to Sew a Sock Monkey
• Ear Bud Holders

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Catching Up: A Late Costume Post

Now, nearly a month after Halloween, I will finally share my Halloween costume.  Just because I can, plus it came out well.

It started out with two different ideas.  First I had some pretty fabrics I got for Christmas last year that I wanted to use for something.  Second, the fabrics screamed fairy to me so that would be the way to go, except I didn’t want wings.  I was a fairy last year with some gorgeous wings that sadly got stuck in every doorway the entire evening.

So what are you if you’re a fairy without wings?

A sprite!

It came out well, just a little different from my original design in a few ways.

The skirt is made in two layers.  The first is s satin-y solid color green trimmed with lace, and the second is a floral print sheer tulle with lace and a narrow ruffle on the edges. 

I originally planned on ruffles for both layers, but decided to go with just lace for the bottom layer to save time.  I also wanted to but a large bow in back, but opted not to in order to save time.  Also I thought is might make my rear look enormous.

The wristbands came out just as I intended.  They are decorated with flowers I got at SAS awhile back (see The Biggest Craft Haul Ever).  I added long ribbons attached just under the flowers.  I thought it would look pretty hanging down from my wrists. 

The downside to these wristbands is that I didn’t wear them with the costume the first time.  I went to a party before Halloween.  I used the restroom before leaving for this party and of course took them off first to avoid getting them wet.  I realized on the way to the party that I forgot to put them back on.  At least I remembered them for Halloween night.

I made a pair of hair clips with the same flowers at the wristbands and with the same long ribbons too.  They add just the right touch to my hair and are pretty enough that I wish I had more clothing in this color.  Maybe that could be a future sewing project?

When I dress up in costume, I have this strange need to make sure my purse matches the rest of the outfit.  To ensure this, I ended up making a simple little bag with some leftover fabric.  I originally planned to make a drawstring bag because I thought it was more fitting to a sprite, but that idea went out the window.

Here’s one of the more interesting parts of my costume, the top.  It came out considerably shorter than planned.  I am normally not in the habit of wearing midriff baring tops, far from it.  But because of the way the fabrics I used behave along with the style of this top, it just looks more flattering when cut shorter.  It looked really frumpy before I cut off the bottom part.  The downside is that while last year was a particularly warm October here in Arizona, this year was quite noticeably colder.  Maybe next time I’ll make a matching cape for warmth.

This necklace added just the perfect touch.  The pendant is a little fairy door locket I got on sale at Joann.  The funny thing is that I got the chain on sale at Michael’s.  Anyway, it goes great with this costume and with just about everything else.  I’ve been wearing it almost constantly since Halloween.

I had a lot of fun wearing this costume, and I got plenty of compliments too which is always nice.  Makes me wonder what to do next year.  Is it too early to plan for that? 

Of course there are still other stuff to make this year.  Christmas is a month away, so I will be posting my list soon and working on checking it off.  Look forward to it.

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Wordless Wednesday: All Aboard!

Taken at the Sycamore Light Rail Station in Mesa, Arizona.

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