A Tudor Outfit - in progress!

I have been frightfully busy over here in Virginia - working 2 jobs and going to college will do that to you. I am just now getting to new Spring 2012 designs (I usually start this process in February). I'm sorry for the lack of blog posts and anything else!

But, I thought it would be fun to let you all know what I am working on today. I have wanted to do a Tudor outfit for a long time - despite the fact that I think the fashions of the 1500's are ridiculous in many ways. However, I am always excited about new designs! It keeps my life with my business interesting. I found a beautiful fabric at the local fabric store that I thought just screams Renaissance! I have been researching for months to find the best way to use it.

And just for the record - the entire process of finding a design, fabric, and eventually making the dress and getting it out on the internet usually takes months. It's a long time.

I'm doing a classic Tudor dress design that will be mostly a deep green. It's really a lovely fabric. However, I thought that the outfit wasn't complete without a headdress! I have decided on a French Hood, a style that was made popular in England by Anne Boleyn. Thus, the outfit will be called the Anne Boleyn Dress. I can't wait to make this and get it out on my website so you can all see it!

Winter Clearance is Here!

Four beautiful outfits are now clearanced. Save up to 15% - but hurry, supplies are limited!

Go to the Clearance Page >

New Renaissance Dress!

This beautiful dress reminds me of the Rapunzel costume in Disney's 'Tangled'! My little sister saw it and immediately begged me to do my blond doll's hair in Rapunzel's style! I wasn't able to do it, but she sat down and made her hair look great! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a picture of that style, but the dress is still beautiful!

Out of all the dresses I have made, this one has probably been the hardest to figure out. Slashes in sleeves are somewhat easy for adult clothing, but completely impossible for dolls. I spent hours brainstorming on just how to accomplish this, and I went on to make several mock-ups and experiments. I am so pleased with the results! It's not simple, by any means, but it looks great! I was also thrilled to find some beautiful glass beads that matched my brocade perfectly! I couldn't be more excited about this dress!

Brand New!!

New items are finally out! Many of these outfits have literally been in the works for 6 months. I am very excited about many of these, but especially the 'Annie Oakley' Dress. The skirt is made to look like the split riding skirts of the time, and the lace on the blouse adds just the right touch to make it feminine!

More posts about the other dresses coming soon!

Festivals and New Items!

I have been very busy preparing for my next Fall festival. I will be a vendor at the Chateau Morrisette Black Dog Wine and Classic Rock Music festival. It is in Floyd, Virginia, if you live in the area and want to stop by!

Because of the festival, I have many new outfits that I have not been able to post on the internet. Here is a list of the names of the new outfits- can you guess what they might look like?

• 'Annie Oakley' Dress


• 'Clara Barton' Dress


• 'Catherine the Great' Dress


• 'Katherine of Aragon' Dress


• 'Maria Theresa' Dress


• 'Elizabeth Monroe' Dress


• and more!

The 'Sarah Josepha Hale' Dress and other designs!

I am finally past my first big show, and now I have had the time to put some new designs on the internet! The first is a dress I'm excited about- the 'Sarah Josepha Hale' Dress. You can find more information about this dress on its' product page. But for now, here are the pictures! I am very pleased with how well the pictures show the details of the dress.

And here is another outfit- the 'Louisa May Alcott' Dress. More information is on its product page.

And moving through time to the Great Depression is a dress that was inspired by the Shirley Temple movie, 'Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm'. More information can be found Here.

And, finally, we have arrived in the 1940's with the new 'Home Front' Outfit. More information can be found Here.

Olde Salem Days

Firstly, I apologize for the lack of posts in the blog recently. I have been very busy getting ready for one of my big annual shows. This Saturday I will be at Olde Salem Days all day in my booth. If you live in the Salem, Virginia area, be sure to stop by! If you don't, it is a huge craft fair that is worth the trip!