Photos from today...

A random assortment of photos from my life today...

Fall leaves looked very pretty against the blue sky this morning.

First deer of the season! - my 'little' brother Laredo brought home a nice 8-point mule deer buck earlier this evening.

Savory dill scones. Recipe to come soon!

Sneak peek at one of the 17th costumes. (they are all completed as of this evening!!)

Hope everyone is looking forward to a lovely Thanksgiving!

Recent Projects - Fairytale Dress and Girl's White Regency

I'm still working hard on the family's 17th C. oufits. Look for pictures sometime next week. :^) Hopefully...

Until then, here are a couple of recent projects for Etsy clients:

A white cotton voile regency drawstring dress. This was for a 12-year old girl - I think it will be lovely for her special event. White dresses are always so elegant and simple. And I love doing this regency pattern - its just plain fun.

This next project I just finished yesterday. It was definately a little more complicated - quite a challenge!

A 'Tangled' Rapunzel dress in an adult size! How much fun is that?

The skirt is actually attached to a spagetti strap under bodice. The over bodice with the pink sleeves laces up the front with pink ribbon through hand-worked pink thread eyelets.

Frying pan and chameleon were not included with the costume.

Two layer skirt!

The skirt trim came from fabric.com - some lovely floral organza-backed ebroidery stuff decorated with pearly seed-beads. Cute!!

Neckline, waist, sleeves, and skirt all trimmed with lace.

Hope everyone is having a good Friday!

Weekend fun...

This last weekend my brothers and I drove up to Oklahoma for our first HSA (Homeschool Alumni) get-together. It was so much fun! A big thank you to the Naylor family for hosting it!

The girls!

The guys!

Activities included a photo scavenger hunt in the historic town of Guthrie, morning devotions, bowling, dancing, jamming, and playing all manner of humorous and crazy games such as 'Four on a Couch', 'Hostage', 'The Broom Game' and 'Dutch Blitz'.

It was such fun making so many new friends! Lots of memories!

What I've been up to....

This is what my room looked like this afternoon. My fabric area had grown intolerably messy - I just couldn't stand it any longer so I pulled everything out and put it back in. Nicer. and neater. My whole room needs a more thourough reorganizing, but that will have to wait until I have more time.

I also have several ongoing sewing projects. A white regency dress and an adult Rapunzel dress, both for Etsy clients.

Then I have a rather interesting costume challenge I'm trying to get done for the family.....

17th century outfits.

Yes, yes. I know. For months I've been saying my next new time period would be 18th century or 1830s.....but unforseen circumstances dictated that it must be 17th century. Specifically the years 1600-1620. English or Dutch inspired. Can anyone guess what the costumes might be??

My costume was the 'experiment one', and it is happily almost complete! Pictures will be forthcoming.

Now I just have 7 more costumes to go.....

*note - the dress pictured is not the look I am going for. It is just for laughs. :^)

San Antonio Trip Part 3

 

On Saturday morning we were looking forward to seeing 'The Runner from Ravenshead' as several people had been raving about how good it was. I wasn't sure what to expect - and I was very surprised. It was seriously the cutest movie I have ever seen! All the many roles are played by five siblings - and they are all so professional and serious little actors - they do a fantastic job. The storyline is a beautifully done allegory - very deep and thought provoking. The sets and location are amazing as well. We bought the DVD before leaving the festival - and plan to give more out as gifts. I highly recommend this film!! (click here to see the trailer)



On Saturday afternoon Ashely and Gabrielle from Bramblewood Fashion met up with us to explore a 3-story antique shop! It had many, many vintage clothing pieces - we had fun trying on some hats!

A vintage blow-dryer in mint condition!

Slippers and luggage.....

Mirror picture!

The boys both found WWII uniforms to buy for their airsoft wars. Cim bough an American Army Aircore, and Laredo bought a German sergent.

                                      

More walking downtown...

The meeting of the Sense and Sensibility forum ladies.

(we all wore green ribbons to recognize each other!)

All dresses up and on our way to the Award Ceremonies

Ashley and Gabrielle looked lovely in their formals!

Against the excellent advice given about the vintage pink dress, I decided to play it safe and wear the dress I  made for my graduation in 05. It's just a simple silk duponi with dropped waist and a fluffy organza petticoat. The black lace bolero I made at the last minute to cover my sad 'farmer tan'. :^)

We ended up staying for church the next morning, and then going out to eat with some new friends. It was fun - but it ended up being a really late night when we got back home!

It was a wonderful experience - and I'm looking forward to attending the SAICFF Academy and Festival next time! They are having half prices off admission for about one more week, if anyone is inerested!

What to wear with skirts in cold weather??

Well - I wear cotton stretch leggins from Kohl's. They are quite warm, and don't add bulk. Sometimes if it's really cold, I even wear tights and leggings!

(I don't like being cold.)

What do you other skirt-wearing girls do in cold weather?? Any good reccomendations?

San Antonio Trip Part 2

Our first morning in San Antonio began with a trip down the beautiful river walk on our way to the convention center to view the first films of the day.

Here we are in one of the theatre rooms -some of the rooms got so full they had to turn people away!

That day we saw a feature film, some animation shorts, and heard two lectures.

That afternoon we had a quick swim in the hotel pool. It was a little cold, but still enjoyable.

Eating our sack lunch along the river walk.

Walking the long, long way to the Municipal Autotorium

The highlight of the evening was a special director's cut film screening of a new movie called 'Ace Wonder' by the makers of 'The Widow's Might', last years festival winner. It was so good! We definately will be going to see it again when it comes out in theaters next spring/summer. Afterwards the cast and crew were on stage to talk about the film.

You can keep up with the status of the Ace Wonder movie on their website or on facebook.