tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23199123612639235652024-03-13T10:10:10.570-07:00THE MERMAID-J-i-g-g-l-e-http://www.blogger.com/profile/03946719630008355741noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319912361263923565.post-4416994046165745332009-12-20T07:36:00.000-08:002009-12-20T07:37:41.349-08:00FOR THE LOVE OF PARASOLS AND PATCHWORK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's so easy to lose oneself in fun and enjoyable, yet probably time - wasting and self - absorbing things, like cutting out pretty fabrics and making gorgeous lacy things and frills and flounces and tiers and girly things i may never wear or sell (but fingers crossed, of course that I will)....<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a once - again extremely necessary spare - bedroom cleaning, (the fabrics were getting outta control again - I have been utterly mean this time in cleaning and reboxing and sorting... I even THREW OUT some fabrics!!!!),<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">:O<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I "came across" some really pretty fabrics that I just needed to sew right away.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The fabrics are all sorted into boxes of colours now - where once they were sorted into fabric types - and I found some lovely quilting fabrics in blues and pinky browns that I couldn't HELP but to cut up into little rectangles and start sewing immediately!<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I mostly make "crazy patchwork" - where i just mix any fabric in any colour and any sized patches, although I have made a few quilts where I have followed some kind of structure....this was not always a planned thing.<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This time I DID plan to make a specific pattern using different shades of the colours. <br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I suppose being so anal as to have my boxes of fabric sorted into type, meant that the blues and pinks were already sorted into cottons suitable for patchworking; lots of tiny florals, and tones and shades of both the pinks, browney-pinks (of all bloody things, hey, Elise?) and blues.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4g0mrltbI/AAAAAAAAAw8/iISwJ6Yf5VI/s1600-h/BLUHALF.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4g0mrltbI/AAAAAAAAAw8/iISwJ6Yf5VI/s320/BLUHALF.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> I simply had a pile of fabrics, made a template and started chopping. <br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I did stop to think that "normal patchworkers" probably have a number in mind of HOW MANY patches to cut before they start.... I hadn't thought of that... (my rotary cutter died not long after I started so I had to continue manually after I had started... It wasn't such an unpleasant job).<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Another "norm" for me is to lay all my work out on the floor. There is always enough room for big things like quilts that way, but I tend to do the same for pretty much everything I sew. I am also guessing "normal quilters" (by normal I mean the ones who are NOT just making it up as they go, as I do) would have some kind of plan on how the pieces go together once they have been cut. The floor this time, allowed me to put the colours together in the pattern - ish kinda thing I wanted to do. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4TNCATn3I/AAAAAAAAAw0/jjS66gU6240/s1600/BLUHU.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4TNCATn3I/AAAAAAAAAw0/jjS66gU6240/s320/BLUHU.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As usual the cats have an opinion on everything, and our new buddy Humphrey is no different. He enjoyed helping "place" (or should I say rearrange...) the patches after I had laid them out on the floor in order.... and his ideas on how LONG one should sew, slightly differed to mine.....there were even times when I WANTED to keep sewing and COULDN'T!!! Go figure!<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Dear Humphrey had a PARTICULAR opinion about the making of my parasol... He loved it, and thinks it's the greatest toy in the WORLD! Mostly because I didn't want him to touch it, I think!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4idgS4dPI/AAAAAAAAAx8/BfFKylSQGCM/s1600-h/ligs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4idgS4dPI/AAAAAAAAAx8/BfFKylSQGCM/s320/ligs.JPG" /></a>A month or so back I pulled the light shade down out of my room because it needed a wash, but upon doing so, realised it would have to be cut and re-sewed to wash properly, or just hosed off, if not.<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I went for the cut and no-re-sew option....<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I have had the desire to make a parasol, and the plans floating around in my head for some time (this also seems to be one of my norms - floating plans) and after cutting the fabric off the lighht shade noticed the cute shape of it, and set straight to making that parasol.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4hR_Z7lKI/AAAAAAAAAxc/WDL7DHarJjc/s1600-h/fr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4hR_Z7lKI/AAAAAAAAAxc/WDL7DHarJjc/s320/fr.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The frame was covered in fabric binding-y stuff already, so i made a template for the panels and gathered all my laces and the pretty fabrics and all other projects were put on hold for a little while.<br />
</div>I had an idea in my head of making a cat handle for it, and one day while sitting at Red Rock while Josh was swimming, I took some newspaper and found a stick as fat as (what I thought) a piece of dowel was, and started to make the papier mache-able shape. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4g4vcuG7I/AAAAAAAAAxE/DSyjBFq6nas/s1600-h/chs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4g4vcuG7I/AAAAAAAAAxE/DSyjBFq6nas/s320/chs.JPG" /></a>I did papier mache him once I got home, and cloth machie'd him as well, with a canvas-y white cloth. Each layer needed to dry in between glueings so I could easily do the lace-y, fiddly bits while he dried.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4hJt_VzBI/AAAAAAAAAxU/PIo-n1WMQOE/s1600-h/fhs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4hJt_VzBI/AAAAAAAAAxU/PIo-n1WMQOE/s320/fhs.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used TONNES of lace and used an "heirloom style" of putting the laces together and sewing them onto the panels after they had been pieced together. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have a book that teaches how to make an heirloom bonnet and dress, and I simply used the same technique for putting the laces together: one row of normal flat lace, sewn to a row of gathered lace, topped with a row of either eye-hole (ribbon - hole - whatever it's called) or the like, sewn to another row of flat or gathered lace if desired.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4helHrGqI/AAAAAAAAAxs/EQQXZFudJUg/s1600-h/frs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4helHrGqI/AAAAAAAAAxs/EQQXZFudJUg/s320/frs.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The panel pieces I made using a lace fabric, and a lining of satin.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had lots of laces I would have LIKED to have used, but tried to stick to bright whites only. The OTHER favourite that I DID'T use for the panel pieces, I used instead to cover the cat handle piece and the top pointy peice for the parasol.... while the piece of lace was laying on the ironing board one day, I thought two out of the row of flowers looked a little like eyes and so decided they SHOULD then be the eyes of the cat.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4i_vL5o1I/AAAAAAAAAyk/HitBk2bGaJk/s1600-h/shs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4i_vL5o1I/AAAAAAAAAyk/HitBk2bGaJk/s320/shs.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4iWhq9EOI/AAAAAAAAAx0/zA3RA4unJcw/s1600-h/incs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4iWhq9EOI/AAAAAAAAAx0/zA3RA4unJcw/s320/incs.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I haven't used the electric drill in quite some years, and after an interesting start, and some great advice from dad about a pilot hole with a nail, I managed to drill a hole sufficient distance from the top of the dowel to be wired into place inside the light shade frame... which quite handily has the little metal plate thingy with a hole through it (for sitting between the screwey - inney bit in the light fixture and the ceiling bit)... a little big, but close enough to the size of the dowel to make it relatively easy to wire it into place.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4iqANOoaI/AAAAAAAAAyM/7g3UI0Wjo5I/s1600-h/humpar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4iqANOoaI/AAAAAAAAAyM/7g3UI0Wjo5I/s320/humpar.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4ih_jiIfI/AAAAAAAAAyE/_MuZq3AAd8o/s1600-h/lhhs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4ih_jiIfI/AAAAAAAAAyE/_MuZq3AAd8o/s320/lhhs.JPG" /></a><br />
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I cut up a wire coathanger to make the cross - wire pieces, and covered them and the handle, and every other exposed piece of wire, with lace..... all this while letting the next layer of glue dry on the cat (the OTHER lace)... and working AROUND another cat.<br />
It is a little hard to see in this photo, or any for that matter, but I hope you can see enough to get the idea.<br />
To finish teh HANDLE cat's little face off I would like to go to the bead shop and buy some clear rhinestones or something pretty and shiny maybe blue even, for the pupils of the eyes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In my mind a little "harajuku" style wouldn't hurt some of my designs and so after all wiring and lacing and glueing of the final bits on top, and using the left over pieces of satin and lace fabrics, I made a large bow for the outside top of the parasol, with lovely long tails that hang down past one's shoulder when holding it!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4i5PHAkpI/AAAAAAAAAyc/0N6XozCrcGU/s1600-h/ouhs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4i5PHAkpI/AAAAAAAAAyc/0N6XozCrcGU/s320/ouhs.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4jGPBdu3I/AAAAAAAAAys/CoETPGRerMQ/s1600-h/para.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4jGPBdu3I/AAAAAAAAAys/CoETPGRerMQ/s320/para.JPG" /></a>I am pretty pleased with the final results of my endeavours. It turned out pretty damn close to what I had pictured and planned out in my head.... I like it when things go the way I plan them! <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Humphrey was totally supportive and encouraging of every one of my ideas along the way, and every layer of lace was deemed perfect... I like it when others like my ideas too!<br />
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Now although everything else went on hold till the parasol was done, it was like a flood of inspiration hit me while making it, and so finishing the parasol and continuing with the quilts and some other projects as well, sort of blended so there was no finish and no start kinda thing.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4jVwAb-aI/AAAAAAAAAy8/8c3G9eIKUQQ/s1600-h/PINFAB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4jVwAb-aI/AAAAAAAAAy8/8c3G9eIKUQQ/s320/PINFAB.JPG" /></a>With the pink quilting fabrics, I wanted to simply line up the colours from light to dark.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For the blue quilt I had pictured in my head a kind of swirling vortex, spinning from a central very light to an outer very dark.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have never done a quilt like this, so I thought of my cross - stitches when I was laying out the colours, and how each stitch of colour builds towards the final picture.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I had a lot of fun with it!<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So did Humphrey AND Biggles! (Possum did too, she just isn't in these photos... (it's OK Possum - you have your very own page-bloggy-thing!) Humphrey is asleep in the far right of the photo after God only knows how long he spent deciding which colours should go where).<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4jflLsVrI/AAAAAAAAAzE/H5aLciQDSaU/s1600-h/PINKHLA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4jflLsVrI/AAAAAAAAAzE/H5aLciQDSaU/s320/PINKHLA.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I tend to never do things by ones, so several skirts and bustiers I had on the go were very close to finishing this week, and after lots of testing and then the purchase of some new eyelets, I finished those.<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I had 4 bustiers cut out and mostly sewn up this time last week, and all only took about twenty minutes to finsh the sewing of, and then a little ten minute eyelet -ing and they were done!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4j-bGY_VI/AAAAAAAAAzM/-Wrabvumndg/s1600-h/rehara.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4j-bGY_VI/AAAAAAAAAzM/-Wrabvumndg/s320/rehara.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">While doing the white bustier that I had in the works, though, I fell in love with it, and decided it was to be mine, and that I needed a mini tutu to match, and that the parasol could then be worn (held?) with this outfit in (hopefully) a harajuku outfit one day. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4kFFUafoI/AAAAAAAAAzU/_VnGhmxCNKo/s1600-h/rentut.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4kFFUafoI/AAAAAAAAAzU/_VnGhmxCNKo/s320/rentut.JPG" /></a>Once again all went on hold till the tutu<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">was finished, but the other three bustiers were finished quickly when I did get back to them.... which in itself was kinda fun, coz it feels like I'm sewing really fast, when in fact I'm not - just the majority of the sewing was done another time, and the finsihing touches don't take so long really.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Anyway, the cute white tutu petticoat I made myself a few months back will fit nicely under the tutu and with black boots.... mmmmmad!!! <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4kjSeAnbI/AAAAAAAAAz0/1FOYpEfCxOs/s1600-h/medcos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sy4kjSeAnbI/AAAAAAAAAz0/1FOYpEfCxOs/s320/medcos.JPG" /></a>Ok, so, one of the pink bustiers that I finished was made to go with the "medieval maid" costume... It was all finished waiting for the bustier. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I guiltily have now gotten these listed on ebay, after a week of listing nothing due to extreme laziness or some other patheic nonsensical excuse like I can't get near my own computer for the man child monster that sits and guards it daily and will fight to the death to keep his guard!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I also have guiltily now resumed work (play? haha) with the patchwork quilts and will have those finished within a day or so.... "guiltily" because I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't make any more quilt tops till I had finished the previous TWENTY I unearthed last time I cleaned up the spare bedroom!!! (I only have about 6 to go.... that's close enough I guess.....maybe not so "guiltily" after all) <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Quilting seems to relax me or something. So back to it I go!!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And for YOU to read while I am quiltilng happily away........<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Metal ribs were first manufactured in 1851<br />
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Cane and Whalebone ribs were seldom seen after 1870<br />
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Pre-1865 parasols had slender sticks that often folded in half for storage<br />
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Fashionable Parasol lengths started out shorter early on and grew longer as the decades progressed reaching their longest in the Edwardian era.<br />
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My personal observations are that 1870's and earlier parasols were generally under 28" in length, <br />
with larger parasols appearing in the 1880's. </span></strong><br />
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Much like the modern woman, Victorian Ladies were concerned with porcelain complexions. In Victorian times, the parasol was the original SPF 30, providing shade from direct sun. By the early 1800's parasols had become a wardrobe necessity that no fashionable Lady could be without. Here are a few clever flirtations for Victorian style fun in the sun:<br />
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1- Carrying it elevated in left hand: "Desiring your acquaintance."<br />
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2- Carrying it elevated in right hand : "I am willing."<br />
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3- Carrying it closed in left hand: "Let's meet at the first crossing."<br />
4- Carrying it closed in right hand: "Follow me."<br />
5- Carrying it over right shoulder:"You can speak to me."<br />
6- Closing it: "I will speak to you."<br />
7- End of tip to lips: "Do you love me?"<br />
8- Folding it up: "I wish to get rid of your company!"<br />
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A brief History of the Parasol... <br />
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Parasols In Fashion <br />
Throughout America, Europe & Victorian England a Parasol was consider an essentual part of ladies fashion. They were as important to a lady as her gloves,scarves,hats and footwear. Originating in the East indies some 3,000 years previous, they did not appear in the Americas until around 1740 but by the mid 1800 every woman would own at least two, one black and one white. By the 1860s large bonnets and hats had gone out of fashion and the more dainty head dress was supported by woman, so to ward away the suns damaging rays on perfectly smooth and pale skin a parasol was employed to shield the Victorian Ladies faces. Parasols became status symbols used by ladies, a lady was never to be seen carrying an umbrella as they were for gentlemens use only to convey ladies from carriage to doors to prevent her being rained on. A lady in an open top carriage would always have her parasol up and on display to all to convey that she was indeed a lady. <br />
Enchanting parasols became one of the most prevelant gifts for a gentleman to give his sweetheart during the 19th century. Because of their elegance, extravagance, and expense, it would have been a grave impropriety for a gentleman to give a parasol to a young lady for whom his intentions were not serious, and in return, a proper and decorous young lady would not have accepted such a gift unless she intended to receive the gentleman, as well Therefore, it became conventional for a groom to give to his bride a parasol as part of his wedding gift to her. <br />
In 1740, a fashionable lady appeared on the street corner in Windsor, Connecticut, carrying what may have been the first parasol ever seen in North America. It had been brought all the way from the West Indies -- but her neighbors were anything but impressed. As she strolled around town, propping her open parasol on one shoulder, they mimicked and taunted her, mocking her dainty footsteps as they followed her around town, carrying colanders perched on top of broomsticks. <br />
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A century later, no one would have noticed, much less parodied, a lady carrying a sunshade, for wealthy women thought America and Europe considered parasols an essential part of any well-dressed woman's outfit. "Our gloves, shoes and stockings always matched and we carried dainty parasols of brushed chiffon, feather or lace, with the most beautiful handles of carved ivory, mother-of-pearl or hand-painted porcelain", a society woman recalled in her memoirs. "We were indeed the cynosure of all eyes "Even middle-class, and poorer, women coveted at least two -- one in black silk, another in white.<br />
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Like the fan and the lacy handkerchief, the parasol was both an object with a practical purpose and an indispensable aid to the subtle art of flirtation. In the hands of a skilled practitioner, it could mysteriously shadow a lady's expression, disguise the direction of her glance from a chaperone, coyly indicate her changing moods, dramatize her sparkling eyes and smile, even camouflage her imperfections. Lady Hamilton, Lord Nelson's notorious, no-longer-young mistress, always favored pink and pink-lined parasols, because the rosy light they cast on her face made her look more youthful. <br />
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A change in the social climate doomed the parasol, making it seem first quaint, then outmoded, and finally preposterous. In the 1920's, a tanned complexion replaced pale skin as a status symbol, indicating that the owner didn't have to work and could be around on the beach all day. During that decade when flappers wore rolled stockings and cloche hats, when hems rose and inhibitions fell -- parasols disappeared. The most romantic accessories under the sun were relegated to the attic of history, with wasp waists and high-button shoes.<br />
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A unique teenage style exists in Harajuku, as it is the hub of teenage fashion ranging from punk, rock, goth and other non-conformist styles. The most notable of these fashions is the gothic lolita or the lolita style. Teenage girls who adopt this style are sometimes refered to as Harajuku girls. As seen in the photos below, lolita girls dress to appear like porcelain Victorian dolls. Their dresses are full of lace with Victorian style blouses. They wear elaborate hats, hair ribbons or bows. They often carry parasols or stuffed animals. This goes without saying, but the Harajuku style is all about accessorizing!-J-i-g-g-l-e-http://www.blogger.com/profile/03946719630008355741noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319912361263923565.post-67535333702284263302009-11-13T11:26:00.000-08:002009-11-13T11:44:16.962-08:00"I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO CHASE THE LONELINESS BIRDS AWAY..." - The Power of One - Bryce Courtney<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">"...The Loneliness Birds seemed to fly into my heart and lay large stone eggs....." (excerpt from the movie based on the book The Power of One by Bryce Courtney.)</span><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">"20 SKIRTS IN 2 DAYS" </span>was the original thought to keep my brain from exploding, or is it imploding? <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sv2nKHRZ4pI/AAAAAAAAArk/Qp_Jh1FDiX8/s1600-h/8ttb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sv2nKHRZ4pI/AAAAAAAAArk/Qp_Jh1FDiX8/s320/8ttb.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sv2lywpEqnI/AAAAAAAAAq8/WZBr7fk6zsw/s1600-h/812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sv2lywpEqnI/AAAAAAAAAq8/WZBr7fk6zsw/s320/812.JPG" /></a>I knew a lady once who had an autistic son. Over the few years of assosicating with this family I learned stuff about austism that I may never have known otherwise. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Degrees of austism are rated in categories of "functioning", eg" high or low functioning. I thought this a wonderful description that would perhaps do for non - autistic people as well. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sv2nTiZyQnI/AAAAAAAAArs/PYxVsh1MJos/s1600-h/8btt25cm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sv2nTiZyQnI/AAAAAAAAArs/PYxVsh1MJos/s320/8btt25cm.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">If I were to describe my brain this last fortnight it would HAVE to come under the heading of "very high functioning"..... (not only do the stone eggs in the heart weigh alot, but the Loneliness Birds seem to flutter around in my head while tending to their eggs... or something)<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">No one single thought or train of thoughts is enough, oh, no, my brain wants to go silly and think ten MILLION things at once. This can sometimes be an Ok thing - for example if i use that energy in a positive fashion..... like work! Work! Work!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sv2ne43_BdI/AAAAAAAAAr0/WhgFQriO8so/s1600-h/10tts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sv2ne43_BdI/AAAAAAAAAr0/WhgFQriO8so/s320/10tts.JPG" /></a>So as the brain goes nuts, I set little challenges for myself.... like seeing how many skirts i can finish and how quickly (without dying or letting the house go to the dogs of course). <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Since the return of the Overlocker from the Fix-It Man's shop, it has been a very busy little machine. I have many garments half done waiting to be overlocked before I can finish them. I grabbed a bagfull of skirts from the pile of half-done's, and there just "happened" to be twenty tartan skirts in it, all with only an hour or two to go before they were finished. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">20 skirts in two days was a little over zealous..i had to admit after a full day and most of the night sewing. <br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">By skirt 15 my shoulder had fallen off and my neck had gone down the path of "goodbye cruel world"; my wrists were doing their "fat lady' song rendition. (you know - the show's over when the fat lady sings....) <br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">To my delight though, the overlocker was looking at me with greedy eyes wanting more! (Yayy for the new Mr Fix-It Man!!)<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Technically, I should have started the challenge at a set time and with a fresh new bag of skirts that I was starting from scratch, and and all sorts of "technically correct" ways of doing physical challenges... but such was not the way of my high - functioning brain, or my physically limited body, so I actually counted three broderie anglais skirts as part of the final fifteen. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sv2mUqk862I/AAAAAAAAArM/q0fwqb_w9x8/s1600-h/12wtt22cm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sv2mUqk862I/AAAAAAAAArM/q0fwqb_w9x8/s320/12wtt22cm.JPG" /></a>The three broderie anglais skirts I had finished in the morning, and then set myself the challenge at about lunchtime. I was thinking to NOT count them and do only the tartan skirts in the challenge, but as the following lunchtime loomed I was realising that I had bitten off more than i could chew, and decided to stop the challenge early rather than continue to twenty skirts and have to lie on the couch for a week recovering. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sv2lfUmYNrI/AAAAAAAAAq0/TQ4qrtOHkj4/s1600-h/815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Sv2lfUmYNrI/AAAAAAAAAq0/TQ4qrtOHkj4/s400/815.JPG" /></a>In the end I am awfully happy with how many skirts i did get done, and it seems the general populace of Australia is pleased also..... Out of the 14 skirts pictured here, HALF of those are already sold! Wowsers! Go me!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So, high functioning brain week due to loneliness and fluttery unresting head has proved to be a very productive time after all!<br />
</div>-J-i-g-g-l-e-http://www.blogger.com/profile/03946719630008355741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319912361263923565.post-250050389341353642009-08-18T04:44:00.001-07:002009-11-01T20:14:02.038-08:00ELISE'S ANNE OF GREEN GABLES DRESS.....Several, perhaps even "many" years ago.... in a musty, dark, and questionably scented corner of a tiny Opportunity Shop, run by sweet old Nanna's, in a town or place that has long since skipped my mind...... I came across (and bought), a sewing pattern for an extremely pretty dress (which I since then have Googled and is called an "colonial - style" dress). I brought the pattern home from the Op shop and stuck it away in another musty dark corner where it remained.... until about 3 weeks ago!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371292752470379714" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqqTM-gjMI/AAAAAAAAAk0/foVh_Usbuqg/s320/r.JPG" />I have learned... on more than one occasion now, (and why I keep forgetting is beyond me...), that "getting in touch with one's inner child" is a sure - fire way to feel true to oneself and have a hell of a lot of fun doing it!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371272835713909922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqYL5RuxKI/AAAAAAAAAhs/Xr6KxawEFXY/s320/5.JPG" />When I came across that same Op Shop - bought pattern the other week while searching for some fabric or other, I decided it was time to make myself a lovely dress purely for enjoyment and pleasure purposes only! I would really enjoy making it, and I would and will love wearing it.<br /><br />Enough of life's pressures, and so on!<br />Time to feel like a pretty little girl with no more cares than which flower smells the sweetest and which leaf is the greenest....<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371291889217558402" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Soqpg9G_14I/AAAAAAAAAkE/CD2Fq4WvBL0/s320/11.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371291876461836450" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqpgNly-KI/AAAAAAAAAj0/4h4FQNp7mWM/s320/13.JPG" />Unbeknownst to me until that day a couple of weeks ago, the pattern did not contain an instruction sheet, but thankfully DID have enough of the pattern pieces that I would be able to (hopefully) relatively easily make the dress, by just working it out as I went. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqnqqIW-7I/AAAAAAAAAic/xDyVwWoCi7k/s1600-h/pet.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371289856898431922" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqnqqIW-7I/AAAAAAAAAic/xDyVwWoCi7k/s320/pet.JPG" /></a> <div> </div><div> </div><div>As I was rummaging up the fabric for my dress, I found a little extra pretty fabric....</div><div>and unbeknownst to ELISE, cut one out for her at the same time I cut mine out!</div><div>Tehehe!</div><div>When Elise came to visit me last Friday eve, I had both dresses partially cut out, but showed her only mine. As I knew she would, Elise adored the pattern and went straight into imaginings of tea parties wearing glorious dresses! </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>The pattern included most pieces for a "colonial style", floor length, waisted dress, similar to that which Anne of Green Gables dreamed of and eventually got to wear to her recitals at the White Sands Hotel..... </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>For my recent birthday Elise loaned me the Anne of Green Gables book which I haven't had the pleasure of reading for an awfully long time. She (Elise) is such a darling that she tried to buy the book/s for me for my birthday but with little success. Loaning the book to me was just as good - I started and finished reading it in the same week that I started and finished both dresses!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371292745610617026" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqqSzbA4MI/AAAAAAAAAks/fRSeyhzQjHU/s320/6.JPG" />Reading Anne reminds me of how much I love being me and how much I love pretty dresses!</div><div>And flowers.</div><div>And daydreaming.<br /><br />And kindred spirits.</div><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371292726752128722" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqqRtKzLtI/AAAAAAAAAkU/srxr2U1ubjs/s320/9.JPG" /></div><div>I started sewing the dresses on Sunday, and messaged progress reports on both the book and MY dress to Elise throughout the week. I finished my dress and the book on Sunday, and finished Elise's dress today (Tuesday).</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371272812841131506" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqYKkEb3fI/AAAAAAAAAhU/XAO6_vGdgyQ/s320/2.JPG" /><br /><div>I can imagine Elise and I dressed in our finery sitting on a blanket by the river daydreaming.... or picking flowers in the council park by the pond......... or even just picking flowers out in the back yard at her ma's house.... haha<br /><br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371272817812834434" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqYK2lyCII/AAAAAAAAAhc/wzLIk5yhP00/s320/3.JPG" /> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqomkQNwGI/AAAAAAAAAjE/horBXLB4oIk/s1600-h/19.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371290886112919650" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqomkQNwGI/AAAAAAAAAjE/horBXLB4oIk/s320/19.JPG" /></a>The sewing pattern pictured two variations of the dress, and I decided that Elise should have one, and I the other. </div><div>Recently I heard that "crop tops" (midriff tops) can make a tall person look shorter - which is a real bummer because I have been a huge fan of crop - tops for all of my life!<br /></div><div>Anyway, going on that theory I decided my dress should have the extra layer of ruffles, as this may shorten my height somewhat, and Elise should have the dress with the straight, undivided skirt, which theoretically, should increase her height.<br /><br /><br />I really have no idea what effect hugely puffed sleeves have on one's height.... but oh! The sleeve puffs are wonderful!</div><div>Anne Shirley would be proud!</div><div>As well as puffed sleeves, both variations of the dress have a ruffled hem and neckline, low back, and bow details.</div><div>The dresses are fully lined, and I have made both Elise and I a petticoat to puff out the ruffles at the bottom.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 241px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 322px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371292730436263778" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqqR65Kn2I/AAAAAAAAAkc/SElPQUPLs2s/s320/8.JPG" />Elise's hair and skin colouring is darker than mine,so I also chose different colours for her dress. I know she wears brown well, and have no idea what she thinks of pink......</div><div> </div><div>BUT i have combined a gorgeous fawny - brown with a striped satiny shell pink and the palest of blush pink, with lots of white fabrics for Elise's dress, also in the hope of adding the illusion of height.<br />(and, Elise, I just hope you either LIKE pink.... or just like the combinations together of the pink and fawn.... or something)<br /></div><div>;) <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqonYQkZBI/AAAAAAAAAjU/685leeKOk3c/s1600-h/17.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371290900073047058" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqonYQkZBI/AAAAAAAAAjU/685leeKOk3c/s320/17.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I have used a fine organza - like fabric, which makes a lovely swooshy sound when I move it, for parts of the outer dress, and the lining of Elise's dress.</div><div> </div><div>The lining is hemmed with white lace, the same lace hems Elise's petticoat.</div><div> </div><div>Elise's petticoat is actually a brighter shell pink crushed sateen, which MAY ever so slightly shimmer underneath the layers of shell pink organza stuff only (this being the finest of the fabrics).<br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqononKd7I/AAAAAAAAAjc/9PHbM3smnEY/s1600-h/16.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371290904462784434" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqononKd7I/AAAAAAAAAjc/9PHbM3smnEY/s320/16.JPG" /></a>I used the stripey satin for the bodice only, stripes running vertically </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>- you guessed it - </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>....to add height or continue the height theme thing or however I say it now I've said it a dozen times. Haha.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371272830497596882" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqYLl2EJdI/AAAAAAAAAhk/HzT-goGfA_E/s320/4.JPG" />As always possum had ideas on whom should be getting pretty dresses and lacy petticoats....... (for some reason I can't get these words to go with the picture of possum on the lining - lacey bit... but I am sure you understand ...) <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371291897664034578" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Soqphcky1xI/AAAAAAAAAkM/4jadxHaZr2k/s320/10.JPG" />For the sleeves and two of the overskirt panels I used the fawn brown fabric, which has a lovely vague shine to it. To break up the hemline a little, and to be resourseful and waste as little as possible, I used left over pieces of both the fawn and the pink fabric at intervals in the hem ruffle.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371292738080256562" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqqSXXosjI/AAAAAAAAAkk/JDZS9eclmmQ/s320/7.JPG" />Parts of the hemline ruffle, and also the neck ruffle are made of curtaining lace, giving the dress a kind of antiquated look.<br /><br />Using (28 METRES...!!!!) of the sweetest triple - scalloped, machine - embroidered, braid - type lace, of a shiny fairy pink; the ruffles at the hem and the neckline, as well as the sleeve hems look stunning, and very feminine. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371272806948250706" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqYKOHdpFI/AAAAAAAAAhM/n2Hvq4VUZuQ/s320/1.JPG" /><br /><div> Gathering the ruffles was one lonnnnnnnggggggg job........</div><div>But SO worth it!<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371291882947890162" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqpglwMS_I/AAAAAAAAAj8/zw5ppO2WR4c/s320/12.JPG" /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqooHYEHQI/AAAAAAAAAjk/TSYhINeIAR0/s1600-h/15.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371290912720952578" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqooHYEHQI/AAAAAAAAAjk/TSYhINeIAR0/s320/15.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div> I counted how much lace it took - for Elise's dress...I forgot to count how much for my dress - and I forgot to count how LONG it took to gather 20-something metres of ruffle!!</div><div> </div><div>Ahh well, the dresses just wouldn't be the same without them, and oh! how lovely they feel when you spin around in a ruffled dress or skirt.....!!!</div><div> </div><div>*sigh*<br /></div><div><br />I swear that has to be one of the most lovely girly feelings ever, feeling your skirt fly up around your legs as you spin around like a little girl in love with the world!<br /><br />Not to mention SEEING the wonder of your gorgeous, remarkably beribboned and beruffled flying skirt shiny flaces of lace; flying about you like as if you were in a carnival ride...... or a parade with colours and flowing banners and flags and pretty things all around......<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371291867780689506" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqpftQDLmI/AAAAAAAAAjs/fj5tU_kxWhE/s320/14.JPG" /><br />Ok, so where was I? </div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><br />The back is a little low - cut, with the ruffle going all the way from back to front, and has a long zipper closure.<br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Soqom_VktSI/AAAAAAAAAjM/mzt_ne3eysg/s1600-h/18.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371290893383152930" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Soqom_VktSI/AAAAAAAAAjM/mzt_ne3eysg/s320/18.JPG" /></a><br />Inside the sleeves there is a layer of tulle to create puff, and so that there is no rubbing of little tulle edges on underarm skin, I have sewn ribbon over the hems of the underarm and the tulle end of the sleeve.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqnsCGuqAI/AAAAAAAAAi8/xjz_F25AKjc/s1600-h/20.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371289880513914882" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqnsCGuqAI/AAAAAAAAAi8/xjz_F25AKjc/s320/20.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Just about the time I cut out the pattern pieces for these two dresses, my LABELS came in the mail..... </div><div> </div><div>Ooooh and how unbeleivably gorgeous they look! I am so pleased with them!<br /><br />OF COURSE,my dress had to be the first, but Elise's is the second, garments EVER to have real, true, genuine </div><div><strong>-J-i-g-g-l-e-</strong> labels on them!<br /></div><div>Elise's dress has bows made out of stunning white bridal satin (it was just so nice and shiny against the sort - of - shiny pinks and fawn colours, I thought it was an adorable contrast). Each sleeve has a small bow on the outer elastic gather; and a small bow adorns the centre front v of the bodice.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqnrwXQOAI/AAAAAAAAAi0/52a_O8YGdtQ/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371289875751385090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqnrwXQOAI/AAAAAAAAAi0/52a_O8YGdtQ/s320/21.JPG" /></a><br /><br />At the back of the dress covering the lower end of the zipper, is a large bow, also made with the bridal satin on Elise's dress.<br /><br />One top corner of the large bow at the back is sewn down and the other has a press stud to allow movement of the bow whilst dressing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I love the ruffled hems.......<br /> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqnrYdDv0I/AAAAAAAAAis/9ZDMbz3nRso/s1600-h/22.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371289869333282626" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SoqnrYdDv0I/AAAAAAAAAis/9ZDMbz3nRso/s320/22.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...and I also hope that YOU like the ruffled hems and puffed sleeves on your new dress, Elise! </div><div> </div><div>Tehe!</div><div> </div><div>Let me know when you're available to come and try it on, (I can do alterations if needed...) and we can have picnics and picks flowers together.........<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Soqnq5TBzGI/AAAAAAAAAik/kHrXhGpTWNM/s1600-h/23.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371289860969712738" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/Soqnq5TBzGI/AAAAAAAAAik/kHrXhGpTWNM/s320/23.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Thanks for being my friend!<br /><br /><br />:)<br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>-J-i-g-g-l-e-http://www.blogger.com/profile/03946719630008355741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319912361263923565.post-44053636390419121752009-07-24T02:59:00.000-07:002009-11-01T20:14:15.100-08:00THE MERMAID'S PIRATE PARTY<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#3333ff;"> <span style="color:#ff0000;">THE MERMAID GODDESS</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmWOxh1xsI/AAAAAAAAAaI/JRgnux8a2F4/s1600-h/ren+mer.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361982011918894786" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmWOxh1xsI/AAAAAAAAAaI/JRgnux8a2F4/s320/ren+mer.JPG" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">At one stage in the last few weeks, the thought of turning 36 was rather daunting..... in fact for even more than just ONE stage in that time! As well as the pressures of time and gravity that I already had way too much brain - food for, I went and added to my pressures, by deciding it was time for a party.....<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRKOP3x6I/AAAAAAAAAaA/MYs9bj-eMsE/s1600-h/re.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361976436170672034" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRKOP3x6I/AAAAAAAAAaA/MYs9bj-eMsE/s320/re.JPG" /></a> Best to have one QUICK before my fortieth sneaks up and scares me!</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">MER - RENAY</span></div><div> </div><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> As usual I stressed myself out unecessarily, needing a whole heap of decorations and a most - stunning costume for myself..... </span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOoSTNiZI/AAAAAAAAAZY/7goYY0U1r2o/s1600-h/merkit.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361973654119614866" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOoSTNiZI/AAAAAAAAAZY/7goYY0U1r2o/s320/merkit.JPG" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">......but I seem to work well under pressure - I pulled through in an almighty fashion and outdid myself once again, with both an AWESOME (GOTHIC) MERMAID GODDESS COSTUME, the likes of which have never been seen before.... and some pretty wicked decorations..... not to mention a pretty rockin' party!! WOOHOOO!!</span></div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"> <div><br /></div></span><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRI9Ntw8I/AAAAAAAAAZg/JPZF5_Os6W0/s1600-h/merlarf.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361976414418355138" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRI9Ntw8I/AAAAAAAAAZg/JPZF5_Os6W0/s320/merlarf.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div> The theme for my party was "PIRATE" - fancy dress OF COURSE!! My invitations told everyone to dress in their "favrit pirate garb", and turn up or WALK THE PLANK!<br />HARR!!! </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOnl74WXI/AAAAAAAAAZA/em7yCADDwGo/s1600-h/meeee-rmaid.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361973642210597234" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOnl74WXI/AAAAAAAAAZA/em7yCADDwGo/s320/meeee-rmaid.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">MER - THRONE</span><br /></span><br /> BUT! What I didn't tell most people, was that I was not going to dress as a pirate - my nickname has been THE MERMAID for almost ten years now - so I was / AM : THE MERMAID!</div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">PIRATE BEN + THE MERMAID</span></div><div> </div><div> I mean, really - if it weren't for pirates dreaming of mermaids on their rum - filled sea nights - would we even exist?<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJH2sSDI/AAAAAAAAAZo/yJ5_1ewV-t4/s1600-h/merpan.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361976417274578994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJH2sSDI/AAAAAAAAAZo/yJ5_1ewV-t4/s320/merpan.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOoSTNiZI/AAAAAAAAAZY/7goYY0U1r2o/s1600-h/merkit.JPG"></a></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJH2sSDI/AAAAAAAAAZo/yJ5_1ewV-t4/s1600-h/merpan.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div><div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">PETER PAN (PADDO) + THE MERMAID</span></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJH2sSDI/AAAAAAAAAZo/yJ5_1ewV-t4/s1600-h/merpan.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> The MERMAID COSTUME has been a works - in - progress (in my head at least) for several years now, and to finally have the fabrics, a pattern (also in my head) and the occasion ready to make it, was a very worthy reason to put myself under such pressure!<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOoMn0UVI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/n20TgWs2Zo8/s1600-h/merfire.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361973652595429714" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOoMn0UVI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/n20TgWs2Zo8/s320/merfire.JPG" /></a></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOoSTNiZI/AAAAAAAAAZY/7goYY0U1r2o/s1600-h/merkit.JPG"></a> </div><div><br /> I used silver lycra for the main fabric of the costume - I imagined a shark or dolphin's body with a gorgeous goldfish tail and lots of fins - these i made using several colours of satins and lace and organza, buckram (stiffening) and the silver lycra.<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJH2sSDI/AAAAAAAAAZo/yJ5_1ewV-t4/s1600-h/merpan.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /> THE MERMAID GODDESS COSTUME ended up being - and was always going to be - a five - piece costume, including skirt, bodice, separate sleeves and a headpiece.</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJQubByI/AAAAAAAAAZw/RY_QAnRwx_4/s1600-h/pan.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361976419655812898" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJQubByI/AAAAAAAAAZw/RY_QAnRwx_4/s320/pan.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOnl74WXI/AAAAAAAAAZA/em7yCADDwGo/s1600-h/meeee-rmaid.JPG"></a></div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJQubByI/AAAAAAAAAZw/RY_QAnRwx_4/s1600-h/pan.JPG"></a> </div><div> I used a hot blue lycra edge to hide the elastic on the bikini top and skirt, both of which have small silver fins at the back - one just above my bum, and one on the centre of my back. I think these looked MAD!! And really completed the costume - I mean - mermaids have fins, right?<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOoMn0UVI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/n20TgWs2Zo8/s1600-h/merfire.JPG"></a> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOn6mrEfI/AAAAAAAAAZI/zI-iM02bAVU/s1600-h/merdance.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361973647758791154" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOn6mrEfI/AAAAAAAAAZI/zI-iM02bAVU/s320/merdance.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJH2sSDI/AAAAAAAAAZo/yJ5_1ewV-t4/s1600-h/merpan.JPG"></a></div><div><br /> The sleeves are also edged in the hot blue lycra, and have fins on the underside - made out of some of the satins and organza used in the tail.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJQubByI/AAAAAAAAAZw/RY_QAnRwx_4/s1600-h/pan.JPG"></a> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">THE MER- DANCE</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOn6mrEfI/AAAAAAAAAZI/zI-iM02bAVU/s1600-h/merdance.JPG"></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> The headpiece is made using a long string of pearls wound around my head, and with scraps of the silks and lycra hanging from the pearls (imitating seaweed).<br /><br /> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmM4NMxzaI/AAAAAAAAAYg/tD7RdfG7adc/s1600-h/renj.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361971728605105570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmM4NMxzaI/AAAAAAAAAYg/tD7RdfG7adc/s320/renj.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOn6mrEfI/AAAAAAAAAZI/zI-iM02bAVU/s1600-h/merdance.JPG"></a></div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">WENCHES KARA - LEE + JESS + THE MERMAID GODDESS</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> Although the tail is attatched to the skirt it is rather long, and designed to trail behind the skirt, but for safety (I had a fire in a tub onthe lawn....) and cleanliness purposes, I attached a loop of elastic to the very end of the tail, which I wore on my wrist.</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOnZKMuxI/AAAAAAAAAY4/-NiISXfi0zc/s1600-h/gar.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361973638780992274" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOnZKMuxI/AAAAAAAAAY4/-NiISXfi0zc/s320/gar.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> Originally I had only planned for a "standard" MERMAID GODDESS costume - if there IS such a thing - but after the aquisition of a new pair of gothic / punk PLATFORM shoes.......</div><div><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">THE MERMAID + THE WENCH JESS</span></div><div> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361969298914007074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmKqx5R2CI/AAAAAAAAAYA/O-Gbaj-I_nU/s320/remerje.JPG" /> <div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOnZKMuxI/AAAAAAAAAY4/-NiISXfi0zc/s1600-h/gar.JPG"></a> </div><div> I just HAD to wear them, as one does with new shoes, so I "gothed - up" my costume a little on the night - a black choker collar (also made by me, of course), a couple of studded wrist bands, a black belt, and striped stocking - socks, lots of jewellery...... = GOTHIC MERMAID GODDESS!<br /><br /><br /> I put my hair up in "twisties" the previous monday to my party - like rags, but without the rags.... (old fashioned way of curling hair). I had it pinned tightly to my head for five nights - it was a major relief to take the pins out on Saturday....</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmM3xgJuZI/AAAAAAAAAYY/Ur2EOmIkyXk/s1600-h/renger.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361971721170172306" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmM3xgJuZI/AAAAAAAAAYY/Ur2EOmIkyXk/s320/renger.JPG" /></a><br />......by which time my curls were definately NOT going to fall out before I was ready to stop partying!!</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOoMn0UVI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/n20TgWs2Zo8/s1600-h/merfire.JPG"></a> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmM4NMxzaI/AAAAAAAAAYg/tD7RdfG7adc/s1600-h/renj.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">PIRATE GERALD + THE MERMAID GODDESS</span></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJH2sSDI/AAAAAAAAAZo/yJ5_1ewV-t4/s1600-h/merpan.JPG"></a> </div><div> My ideal image of a mermaid goddess is one with golden curls.... and that's what I had! A little help from Jess on getting them to sit just right with my headpiece on, and I still even had curls the following day!!<br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHt36mQeI/AAAAAAAAAXg/khxWFA4kGfk/s1600-h/throe.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361966053534876130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHt36mQeI/AAAAAAAAAXg/khxWFA4kGfk/s320/throe.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJQubByI/AAAAAAAAAZw/RY_QAnRwx_4/s1600-h/pan.JPG"></a></div><div><br /> </div><div> Now, it would come as no surprise to hear me say that EVERY MERMAID GODDESS needs a THRONE.......</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOoMn0UVI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/n20TgWs2Zo8/s1600-h/merfire.JPG"></a> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJoXTY3I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/LIRXoNuCh-c/s1600-h/prats.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> SO.... I made one!<br /><br /> And it rocked! </div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">WENCHES HAYLEY + JESS</span></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmM3xgJuZI/AAAAAAAAAYY/Ur2EOmIkyXk/s1600-h/renger.JPG"></a> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJoXTY3I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/LIRXoNuCh-c/s1600-h/prats.JPG"></a> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJoXTY3I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/LIRXoNuCh-c/s1600-h/prats.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361976426001294194" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJoXTY3I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/LIRXoNuCh-c/s320/prats.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmOn6mrEfI/AAAAAAAAAZI/zI-iM02bAVU/s1600-h/merdance.JPG"></a></div><div> </div><div> I bought one of those kid's plastic wading pools shaped as a shell in two halves... you know the ones? Spray - painted silver, the top shell I propped open and draped some gorgeous sequined silver fabric over the top;</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJoXTY3I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/LIRXoNuCh-c/s1600-h/prats.JPG"></a> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmRJoXTY3I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/LIRXoNuCh-c/s1600-h/prats.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">PIRATE DEAN + HIS WENCH HAYLEY</span></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHt36mQeI/AAAAAAAAAXg/khxWFA4kGfk/s1600-h/throe.JPG"></a> </div><div> .....and the bottom I left blue, and placed several royal red, gold, and turquoise / purple cushions inside to sit upon.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmM3irH19I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/tkjNb20laRI/s1600-h/renly.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361971717189654482" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmM3irH19I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/tkjNb20laRI/s320/renly.JPG" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHt36mQeI/AAAAAAAAAXg/khxWFA4kGfk/s1600-h/throe.JPG"></a></div><div> </div><div> The bottom of the shell I had a mass of white tulle "sea foam" flowing over the edge of the shell and covering the coffee table that it sat on.<br /></div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmM3irH19I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/tkjNb20laRI/s1600-h/renly.JPG"></a> </div></div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmM3irH19I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/tkjNb20laRI/s1600-h/renly.JPG"></a> </div></div><div><br /> It was perfect for a MERMAID GODDESS PRINCESS! </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmM3irH19I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/tkjNb20laRI/s1600-h/renly.JPG"></a> </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmM3irH19I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/tkjNb20laRI/s1600-h/renly.JPG"></a></div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> ...... it also deemed perfect for a few pirates ...... a wench or two..... and at least one drunken sailor....!!!</div><div> </div><div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">DRUNKEN SAILOR GEROME</span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361969306443823762" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmKrN8hupI/AAAAAAAAAYI/eVTYQJQrMX8/s320/ger.JPG" /></div><br /><br /> The SHELL THRONE proved to be a great success, and a well - needed rest - spot! What a thinker hey? On top of the coffee table it was just the perfect height to flop into and relax one's mer-feet (or pirate feet) for stolen moments during the big night.<br /></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmM4aE3gsI/AAAAAAAAAYw/Zse_VcXYaQc/s1600-h/renayley.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361971732061586114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmM4aE3gsI/AAAAAAAAAYw/Zse_VcXYaQc/s320/renayley.JPG" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmM3irH19I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/tkjNb20laRI/s1600-h/renly.JPG"></a></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div> My decorating skills didn't stop at myself or my throne, I decorated the garage and the front yard as well.</div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div> Originally the party was going to be held in the backyard, and Josh's trampoline might have been a pirate ship, and the flying fox a seaweed hangy line thing... the gate was gonna have a PIRATE FLAG on it......<br /></div><div></div><div><br /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361969292161802114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmKqYvbX4I/AAAAAAAAAX4/xIANXF0HnE4/s320/rjk.JPG" />But after New Zealand decided to go and have a tsunami a few days before the party I was unsure if the weather would hold, and indeed it didn't - it rained not two days before the party!</div><div> </div><div> The rain did go away and the sun and the wind came out...... and the cold.</div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">DRUNKEN SAILOR DARREN</span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361969286330449442" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmKqDBH_iI/AAAAAAAAAXw/tZoFKQVJ4d8/s320/ds.JPG" /></div><div> So to be warmer and more protected from rain and or wind, I changed the party to the front yard and garage instead, which ended up being pretty easy to decorate and looked very effective.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHtsjY5VI/AAAAAAAAAXY/tPazLD4MfOQ/s1600-h/throned.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361966050484741458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHtsjY5VI/AAAAAAAAAXY/tPazLD4MfOQ/s320/throned.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> Inside the garage I had my THRONE, lines of seaweed - left over fabrics from making my costume torn into strips and simply tied onto a thin rope; - a couple of PIRATE FLAGS and some pot plants made it look pretty awesome.</div><div> </div><div> The tree in the front yard was covered in seaweed, as well as the ropes for the tarps, and another SKULL AND CROSSBONES flags on the fences.</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHtsjY5VI/AAAAAAAAAXY/tPazLD4MfOQ/s1600-h/throned.JPG"></a> </div><div> I covered the esky and a basket in paper and painted them brown with gold bands - treasure chests, and painted another single shell silver as an ice bucket for drinks.<br /></div><div> The pirate flags I made out of large pieces of black fabric, with fabric skull and crossbones glued on and painted with eyes and teeth. Simply folded over at the top and sewn they then threaded onto the ropes quite easily, and looked terribly cool!</div><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHtYfCAWI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/8LS6U53QpkA/s1600-h/walk+my+plank.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361966045097754978" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHtYfCAWI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/8LS6U53QpkA/s320/walk+my+plank.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div> At the garage door I had one last pirate flag that said "ENTER AT OWN RISK" and looked wicked with the garage roller door open and the light shining out from behind it.</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHtYfCAWI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/8LS6U53QpkA/s1600-h/walk+my+plank.JPG"></a> </div><div> As well as decorations and my glorious MER - COSTUME, I made a PETER PAN shirt for Josh to wear, but at the last minute josh decided to go and stay at a mate's house for the night, so Patrick looked unreal in the PETER PAN COSTUME instead!</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHtYfCAWI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/8LS6U53QpkA/s1600-h/walk+my+plank.JPG"></a> </div><div> Originally,before the MERMAID idea sturck me, I was going to dress PIRATE as well.... and started making myself an wicked tiny little PIRATE MINI SKIRT, and a TRICORN HAT.</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHtsjY5VI/AAAAAAAAAXY/tPazLD4MfOQ/s1600-h/throned.JPG"></a> </div><div> Both of which I finished, and look UNREAL, and Kara wore to my party instead.</div><div> </div><div> <div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHtIiISnI/AAAAAAAAAXI/LbY-v-QZg9w/s1600-h/wench.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361966040815782514" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHtIiISnI/AAAAAAAAAXI/LbY-v-QZg9w/s320/wench.JPG" /></a></div>So I suppose about 20 peopl <div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHtIiISnI/AAAAAAAAAXI/LbY-v-QZg9w/s1600-h/wench.JPG"></a> </div>e.... ahh I mean PIRATES turned up to party with me, most of whom put in a GALLANTeffort in the dressing up department! AND at least THREE out of the twenty (what's that as a percentage? 15% ???) of the party - goers WERE WEARING MY COSTUMES!!!</div><div> </div><div> <div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHtIiISnI/AAAAAAAAAXI/LbY-v-QZg9w/s1600-h/wench.JPG"></a> </div> There's another party on next weekend that I will be making costumes for as well! And wait, it gets better too.... I was already asked to do one costume for this party .... her friend then asked me to do her costume, and now another friend is suggesting she'llpay more if I make her a costume as a priority over the second request! HOLEY MOLEY! </div><div>The -J-i-g-g-l-e- ship has set sail!</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHtsjY5VI/AAAAAAAAAXY/tPazLD4MfOQ/s1600-h/throned.JPG"></a> </div><div> My costumes were a hit at my party - and are becoming a regular hit at other people's parties... My party was a hit!, And turning 36 wasn't so bad after all!</div><div> </div><div> <div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHs_fI5ZI/AAAAAAAAAXA/LarbBAj-zE0/s1600-h/wenchs.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361966038387320210" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHs_fI5ZI/AAAAAAAAAXA/LarbBAj-zE0/s320/wenchs.JPG" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHtIiISnI/AAAAAAAAAXI/LbY-v-QZg9w/s1600-h/wench.JPG"></a></div> I had a selfish moment of upsetness that my coolest buddy Elise couldn't make it to my party due to transforming into a mermaid herself..... but as Elise said recently in an sms:</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>"HERE'S TO THE YEAR OF THE MERMAID!!!"<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHs_fI5ZI/AAAAAAAAAXA/LarbBAj-zE0/s1600-h/wenchs.JPG"></a> </div></div><div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHs_fI5ZI/AAAAAAAAAXA/LarbBAj-zE0/s1600-h/wenchs.JPG"></a> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361969284119502562" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmKp6x_nuI/AAAAAAAAAXo/3T6jO-gqK-Q/s320/tail+fin.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J6xbcB4k03I/SmmHs_fI5ZI/AAAAAAAAAXA/LarbBAj-zE0/s1600-h/wenchs.JPG"></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>-J-i-g-g-l-e-http://www.blogger.com/profile/03946719630008355741noreply@blogger.com0