In the next few days I am going to be interviewing a professional film costume designer from Europe for the upcoming Historical Costume Inspiration Festival. (needless to say - I'm so excited!!!!) Now, now. Don't ask who it is! That simply won't be revealed until the festival week! In the meantime....
I have an ongoing list of questions to ask - but I also wanted to know about you. What would you like to know? Do you have any questions for her? Let me know and I might include them in my interview!!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Vintage Hairstyling Book
I have been trying to recreate some 40s and 50s styles lately - and only had one success so far. Some help and instructions would be so welcome!
What do you think? Does anyone have this book?
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
10 Things that Make Me Happy
This is a post for Rebecca's fun little blog parade! (thanks for doing this, friend!!)
10 Things that Make me Happy:
(not neccessarily in order...)
1. Praying. Troubles - gone. Worries - washed away. Peace restored.
2. A book so good it makes me cry. Those always become my favorites.
3. Sweet memories
4. Dancing with a friend!
5. Painting, drawing, sketching...imagining.
(picture copywrited)
6. Reenactments. All the time - every day if I could.
7. Sewing.
(picture copywrited)
8. Fabric shopping
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9.Watching a Texas sunset from the back gate.
10. Chatting and sharing secrets with dear friends...
From Field to Fashion Book Giveaway
Anna Worden Bauersmith is having a giveaway of her lovely booklet 'From Field to Fashion: The Straw Bonnet' Do go on over and check it out!
I just recently got my copy of 'Field to Fashion' and have been enjoying the reading. It's very informative with tons of good info and sources + pictures! Highly reccommended!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Announcing the Historical Costume Inspiration Festival!
Have you ever dreamt of recreating that beautiful dress in your favorite painting? Or that stunning ball gown from the latest costume drama? What about that chic retro 40s suit?
Announcing – the Historical Costume Inspiration Festival!
Now is the perfect time to work on that costume project! Have it ready by the week of October 3rd – then dress up and do some beautiful photo shoots. Prepare your own blog post including pictures of your creation, tell what exactly inspired you (pictures if applicable are best), and description of materials and methods. During the event you will be able to enter your post into the link pool so everyone can enjoy seeing the lovely creations!
Rules:
1. Your costume must be inspired by a particular source. A painting, movie, museum dress, character, book passage, etc. You may enter as many costumes as you wish.
2. It must have at least some grounding in historical fashion (Ancient times –1960s) but this can mean not only exact historical reproductions, but also fantasy costumes, modern twists, combinations of time periods – whatever you can imagine.
3. You must post one of the following buttons on your blog sidebar or website if you wish to participate. (for those that don’t have a blog, don't worry about it. I will have a Flickr group for you to add photos!)
Note: you can participate using costumes you have sewn previously.
You can enter full costumes, or just a piece (shoes, hat, apron, corset, etc). Doll costumes or miniature costumes are also acceptable.
The event will wrap up in a final festive week, where we all showcase our various costume creations and are completely awed and encouraged by all the wonderful new inspiration for further sewing projects! I will have a linky here on my blog, so everyone will be able to see each and every beautiful costume. During that week I will be featuring fun posts, my favorite costumes, guest giveaways, movie reviews, and interviews with professional costume designers!
Rebecca of Sewing in the Past will be contributing special guest posts!
Also, Rebecca and I will award the three costume creations that we judge represent the….
-Most Creative/original
-Best Reproduction
-Best Photo Shoot
I am very excited about this new event! Comment and let me know if you will be participating, and if you have any questions! I'd also love to hear any ideas you might have!
Below are a variety of buttons for you to choose. Use them to link to this post.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
We have our Winners!
Now without further ado, our two lucky winners chose by random.org are....
Sarah Grace and Rachael!
Each will recieve her own copy of the Design-Your-Own 1860s Dress Kit!! Congradulations!!
(Winners, please comment with your email and/or mailing address. Comment will not be published.)
Again, thanks so much, girls!
For all of you who didn't win - don't forget the kit is always available at the official website or the Etsy shop!
I'll talk to you all again on Monday - with a very exciting event announcement, that I know you will all love!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Book Review: King Raven Trilogy
by Stephen R. Lawhead
The traditional Robin Hood Story, but set in Wales during the rule of William Rufus (son of William the Conquerer).
A young Welsh prince named Bran suffers a horrific tragedy, loses his father's kingdom to the Ffrenic (Norman) usurpers and is forced to flee into the ancient forrest. There his life is saved by a mysterious elderly woman named Angharad. She gives him hope and courage to fight back against his enemies against all odds. Bran slowly gathers a rag-tag band of Welsh peasants who have also lost everything to the Ffrenic rule. They use the forest and their deadly long-bows to best advantage and trust in God to give them justice in the end.
The three book titles are Hood, Scarlet, and Tuck. I found Scarlet to be the most edge-of-your-seat and Tuck the most enjoyable read. The plot grows more complicated with each book, and the ending was not what I was expecting!
The story line was compelling, but the writing style I didn't care for so much. I never could feel as involved in the story as I wished, somehow. Also several key characters seemed to remain distant (most notably Bran and Merian). There were also some rather gory descriptions, and a lot of 'Medieval' cursing that I could have done without.
I would say ages 16 and up for these books. Parents might wish to read them first for younger kids.
Actually whatI liked best were the historical notes found in the back of the book. Here the author explains why he chose to set the story in Wales, and in the earlier time period than most Robin Hood stories. The notes several Medieval legends and the facts that led him to make those desicions. Very interesting!
Has anyone else read these?
The traditional Robin Hood Story, but set in Wales during the rule of William Rufus (son of William the Conquerer).
A young Welsh prince named Bran suffers a horrific tragedy, loses his father's kingdom to the Ffrenic (Norman) usurpers and is forced to flee into the ancient forrest. There his life is saved by a mysterious elderly woman named Angharad. She gives him hope and courage to fight back against his enemies against all odds. Bran slowly gathers a rag-tag band of Welsh peasants who have also lost everything to the Ffrenic rule. They use the forest and their deadly long-bows to best advantage and trust in God to give them justice in the end.
The three book titles are Hood, Scarlet, and Tuck. I found Scarlet to be the most edge-of-your-seat and Tuck the most enjoyable read. The plot grows more complicated with each book, and the ending was not what I was expecting!
The story line was compelling, but the writing style I didn't care for so much. I never could feel as involved in the story as I wished, somehow. Also several key characters seemed to remain distant (most notably Bran and Merian). There were also some rather gory descriptions, and a lot of 'Medieval' cursing that I could have done without.
I would say ages 16 and up for these books. Parents might wish to read them first for younger kids.
Actually whatI liked best were the historical notes found in the back of the book. Here the author explains why he chose to set the story in Wales, and in the earlier time period than most Robin Hood stories. The notes several Medieval legends and the facts that led him to make those desicions. Very interesting!
Has anyone else read these?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Trip to Oklahoma pictures and New Linen Western Skirt
Last Saturday we made an all-day trip into Oklahoma to attend a fiddle contest and a rodeo. Well, the contest was in the morning, and the rodeo didn't start until evening, so we had a lot of time to burn in between. We went antique shopping (I'll post about my finds later!), got ice cream, and drove out to a nearby state park. Even though none of us had planned (or dressed) to go hiking, we decided to walk a ways on one of the trails anyway. The scenery was stunning!
The boys ahead of everyone else. (of course)
A mysterious cabin hidden in the rocks and trees.
Aren't the rocks incredible?
Look close and you can see a whitetail deer...
The scenery instantly reminded me of Elizabeth Bennet's visit to the lake country!
I'm definately coming back for a regency photo shoot!
A rather wilted, but still beautiful thistle.
In the town there were so many beautiful old houses!
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Now for a brief retro western-chic fashion description. :^P
(I apologize for the wrinkled-ness of the pictures. I had been a long hot day and lots of car riding)
Pink fabric hair flower (by me)
Orange ruffle plaid snap shirt by Vanity
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Braided leather belt
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Western boots by Boulet
Also - I recently aquired a vintage one piece slip. It was very comfortable! (I hate elastic waist slips!)
And, finally, my newly-sewn brown linen skirt. The pattern is from a wondefully easy Jean Hardy western flare skirt pattern. I would definatley recommend it. The directions are very clear and the pattern goes together wonderfully.
the rodeo went on until all hours. We finally had to leave about midnight before it ended.....
I personally think all bull-riders must be crazy. You could never get me on one of those bucking animals!
All in all, a very good Saturday.