Saturday, May 29, 2010

Peek-A-Boo

So proud of my girl & I...we almost went an entire year without getting sick.
But it definitely hit us hard this past week. I blame all of the road-tripping, visiting, and late-night creating sessions...but they were so worth it!
Our strep throat & fevers have forced us into some much needed downtime at home. Unfortunately, we are not with the rest of our gang out east in Long Island for this three day weekend! Late this afternoon, we finally began to bounce back a little. I finished-up some easy projects I had laying around-
This simple skirt with a draw-string made from a thrifted DKNY t-shirt:

...And a wide crocheted belt with satin ribbon closure. Totally does not go with the day's attire, but hey- I wanted to share!
I actually made this to belt a white t-shirt tunic dress and another olive
green peasant dress.



Other than that-we've been making lots of movies with my new Flip video cam. I highly recommend them...so light and portable. We love it! My girl has been busy writing lots of short stories and even a play that was supposed to be performed by my family this weekend.
Tomorrow we are off to the beach to rest-up at one of my girl's favorite places.

A blessed & safe Memorial Day to all.

A special thank-you to my Grandpa's youngest brother, my Uncle Richard-whom I never had the chance to meet...He ran away at 15 and signed himself into the service. He died during World War II, when his ship went down. I have a picture of him on my altar. I don't know much about him...I do know he was very patriotic and died for the love of this country.
God bless him...and all who have died in service for something they believed in.


Sunday, May 23, 2010

The Otherworld

This was a tremendous weekend that began at 6am friday morning when we loaded-up the car with the costumes I made and set out for Millbrook, New York - one of several locations for
The Otherworld Film. I proudly completed all of the tunic, tunic dresses, and fairy wings I was hired to make...and then I was honored when Gisela, the director/filmmaker asked if my daughter and I would appear in a couple of scenes. Wow.
Not to sound too cliche, but this entire experience has been quite magical.
Working on these costumes has already opened some doors for me. I will be working on costuming/wardrobe at the Rhinebeck Center for the Performing Arts this summer and this morning I was offered a one-week position as Costume Assistant on a soap opera being filmed not too far from NYC! More to come...Now back to The Otherworld:
Several scenes of the film were shot at Wing's Castle, an incredible place built by owner Peter Wing and his wife. You really have to see it to believe it. The inside is just as beautiful as the outside, too. My daughter and I spent our first hour there just running around inside the castle with wide-eyes, mouths open, taking photos and squeeling with delight!

Here is the view from the side yard...
Oh, I've missed the mountains, even the little ones.


I took lots of photos, I thought I'd just share a few here.
Actors on set!

Me and my girl hanging waiting for our scene in the woods.
It was such a glorious feeling making this tunic dress for my daughter.
This was an experience of a lifetime and I have been so very blessed to be able to share it all
side-by-side with my darling child.


Like her Mama, she enjoyed every second of it all.



"I wanna thank you Heavenly Father for shining your light on me." - Alicia Meyers

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Otherworld Costumes

I have been keeping a little bit of a secret here in bloggy-land.
About a month ago, I signed on to be a costume designer/seamstress for
an independent feature called
This actually rocked my world for so many reasons!
I have flirted with the stage/film industry throughout my life...Primarily acting in my late teens and throughout my twenties. The dream sort of morphed in my thirties and I became more interested in the actual writing and "craft" of the theater.
In more recent years, I have been dreaming about costumes...Something I have always been interested in. I almost applied to FIT at 27 to study Costume Design.
Funny, how things come around again...Or never really leave you, that is!
I have been so abundantly blessed with this opportunity.
It leaves me speechless.
Here is one of several women's tunic dresses I've been working on.

And here is the dress alongside a couple of men's tunics.
I have a few more of those to make.
The filmmaker is still deciding on whether or not she wants trim on the men's tunics.
I personally think we should go for it.
I like ornate costumes!


The next phase of costumes will involve more tunics and more
elaborate dresses. Also, long, flowy, fairy-wings will be made.
The film will begin shooting again on Monday, so this is going to be a very busy week for me.
However, I don't mind at all. I love it.
I was made to do this.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Dresses...by Us!

Mama's: Using this nifty tutorial I whipped-up a batch of funky nighties
after scoring a pile of old-time concert tees from back in MY day!
(Pink Floyd's The Wall included!)
This was especially useful since my girl is growing like a dandelion and was in
need of some bed clothes. She loves to throw them on as soon as she gets home
from school. They make us both happy and just suit her so well!


And LIVE & IN COLOR...
CUB'S CREATION: (So proud of her!)
Just check-out Barbie's dress. It is completely made of paper!
Too bad my girl wouldn't boost Barb from the car so I could give you a full view of the dress.
She even cut the bottom into a fishtail shape!
Is there a fashion career in her future or what?

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

We Made...

I made a white nightie out of a thrifted LL Bean T-shirt.

She made my dream of becoming a mother come true.

We made...

Bouquets of Love

The pipe cleaner bouquet is a Mother's Day gift I made.
My little fairy-girl made the paper bouquet for me a while back and placed them next to my bed,
"So you would feel like you're in a hotel, Mom!"

May you have a blessed Mother's Day.
Peace & Hugs to you all!