Broken Doll

Because I never have enough to do around the house, I was watching youtube makeup tutorials.  I followed a side link and another and another another (you know how it goes) and I went deep into the Youtube rabbit hole.  I ended up at a fantastic user's videostream and saw a brilliant tutorial on doll makeup.  Loepsi has great tutorials for everyday makeup as well as costume makeup.

Of course, Miss has practically flawless skin as it is and it's very fair so doing the "natural" side took more makeup than the doll side.  I used a lot of shading and brown eyeshadow!

During post processing, I did a lot of work on the doll side to make it appear even more flawless.  I played with the eye as well to give it a more unnatural look.  I photoshopped out the dark circles and "wrinkles" under her eyes.  I did no work on the natural side.  I left the pink around her eyes, the circles and did not adjust her eye at all.

We both had a lot of fun with this shoot.

Last year, I wanted her to be a victorian wind up doll for Halloween, but I couldn't wrap my brain around the pattern drafting.  It took me an eternity to get it worked out and then she decided she wanted to be Rapunzel.  So, Rapunzel she was!  I hope to get her to be a doll this year.  I'll see if she'll sit still long enough for me to do the makeup again and let me curl her hair.  I have a couple of months left to talk her into it.

Fall is my favorite season

Well, it's not actually fall yet, but the fall fashions are coming out.  I love fall fashion.  I love the layering, I love the textures, I love the colors.  I love everything about it.  Since spring and fall are so similar here I get extra wear out of a lot of the pieces too.

Here are a few of my favorites

Here is an example of how I like to layer.  Here we have a denim jacket layered over a yellow long sleeved tee.  A corduroy skirt and a pair of knee high socks and knee high boots.  I love corduroy in the fall.   All items are from Gymboree except the boots.

A big cardigan and a tunic worn over a pink pettiskirt.  This is an outfit that she put together on her own.  I think she has excellent taste!  Items are from H&M.

 

Here is a cute pleated top from Next and a pair of skinny Levis.  A simple outfit for early fall and cooler summer days.  I like that the sleeves rollup and are kept in place with button tabs.  She loves that it has bunnies.  It's great when we both win!

A cute fox sweater from crazy 8 and homemade shorts paired with knee high boots epitomizes all I love about fall.  This would be easy to layer with a long sleeved top and tights for cooler days later in the year.  I really adore orange.

Two similar spring outfits that easily transitions to fall.  Open knit sweaters and top from the gap paired with jeans.  It's also easy to throw on a cape or a jacket on the way out if it's too cool for just a sweater.

An Old Navy outfit that I'm so in love with that she will be wearing it more this fall.  I think it would be adorable with an orange sweater too.

Flip this pattern Tinny Dress

I know I've mentioned how much I love Flip this Pattern, right?  Well, I've sewn along again.  This time it was the Tinny Dress from straight grain.

I didn't' do anything terribly exciting with the pattern this time.  There are so many options with the pattern (three collars, two sleeve cuffs and three skirt options!) that I couldn't think of anything I'd actually change.  I did add a belt and side seam pockets, though.

I really enjoyed this pattern.  It sewed up quickly, but it doesn't skimp on detail at all.  It looks professional and the fit is spot on.  The instructions were clear and I love that the pattern came with a print key so that I could print just the pieces I wanted from the pattern.  Perfection!

The fabric I chose for this was Nordika by Jeni Baker and a coordinating print.  I've had my eye on this fabric for a while and I was just waiting for the right pattern to put it with.  Tinny seemed like a match made in heaven.

I used the beautiful tulip cuffs and the open collar.

I added a belt and tied a small bow on the side.

and I also added hidden side pockets in the same coordinating fabric.  Now Miss can carry her treasures with her.  Usually Littlest Pet Shop or coins she's found laying around.

As usual, you can click on any image and view them full size in my flickr account.

I missed my sewing machine

I just got back from a family tour from California all the way up to Alaska. I was gone two weeks and I am so happy to be back near my sewing machine. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the weddings and the baby snuggles, but I am so happy to be home again.

I came home to two packages of new fabrics too! Now to get started on the next pattern flip and see about doing the Project Run and Play sew along :D So many things to sew! A few snapshots from my vacation full of family, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, grandmas, grandpas, great grandpas, demolition, getting dirty, eating reindeer sausage, eating and visiting.