Jane Eyre

This isn't the official first post for Jane Eyre, just another teaser. I haven't finished inking the doll yet (but will soon! My pen just ran out of ink the other day...). Have y'all heard about the new Jane Eyre movie coming out this next year? I'm really excited about it. the trailer looks good. (look here for more info)

Merry Christmas Eve!

Nightgown and Robe

Here is a charming nightgown with a full robe for Cora.

Late Monday update!

Here is Kathy Selden from "Singin in the Rain". Sorry it's late!
She has the dress she wears upon meeting Don Lockwood (the brown and tan suit), the "Beautiful Girls" sequence dress, the "Good Morning" dress, and her lovely formal gown from the last scene.
for Leslie

Those sad country songs...

No Margaret Hale for today, the files are on the wrong computer! But Winifred thought she'd show off another of her song inspired dresses. This one was drawn while listening to "When I Fall" by TrickPony.

Afternoon Gown for Cora

Cora, dressed for an afternoon of casual activities. Perhaps she'll take a stroll in the gardens, or invite a friend over for tea, or just curl up and read a book by the fireplace.

Singin in the Rain: Lina Lamont

One of my favorite movies is Singin in the Rain. I watched it recently and was inspired to do a run of costumes based on the movie. Here is the first set in the series: Lina Lamont.
They are made for Leslie.

Afternoon Gown for Margaret

Here is nearly the last of Margaret's dresses. This is an afternoon gown that could go with nearly any scene in the book.

Cora's Simple Daygown

Here is a day gown not made for entertaining visitors. It is a very simple gown, combined with a overdress in the style of a poet's shirt. A belt at the waist and the ensemble is finished.

Ancient Norsewoman

We got back safe and sound last night. It's good to be home!
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After a long break from the blog, here is Cleo sporting a fierce viking tunic. She wears a simple underdress, a tunic, leather belts with metal buckles and decorations. A money pouch and sharp knife hang from the lower belt. The decoration on her chest and around the neck is made of copper.



For articles and photos of viking costume, check out:
http://www.strongbowsaga.com
http://www.lothene.org/colouring1.jpg
http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/daily_living/text/clothing.htm


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Click for full-size image
Click for PDF to print *This one has a PDF format*

Stranded!

Well, I was going to have a real swell post for all of you tomorrow, but it turns out that I'm stranded in California. There's bad weather at home and the airport is closed so we won't be returning until Monday. I will get an update up once I am back at my home computer :)

Margaret: Afternoon Gown

Here is a lovely afternoon gown for Margaret. 

Cora's Winter Cloak

 Another Cloak for Cora. It's bee so cold where I live that it seems fitting. This is a heavy cloak with no hood. It is clasped at the front with a cord and two brooches. 

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Thanksgiving

The rest will come later, I am out of town for Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! Eat lots of pumpkin pie!

Silvia

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PDF coming soon!

Dinner in London

Here is Margaret again, almost for the last time. She is wearing a lovely dress for a dinner party among friends in London.

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Cora at Court

This is a very formal gown for court occasions. The over-skirt is trimmed with lace and gathered in a bustle at the back to fall in a long train. The bodice is fitted and trimmed with ribbon in a military-reminiscent fashion.

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Silvia in Pastel

Silvia in full color!

I am so out of it! Have a couple weeks off made me completely lose track of the schedule, sorry!

Here is Silvia, attempting to match Leslie's full color glory, lol. She's wearing a very simple pale blue knit top, paired with a mauve skirt.

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Return from the abyss!

Whew, I had just finished typing this update when I accidently closed the window without posting! Thankfully Blogger saves unposted things as drafts so I didn't lose anything!

I'm back! Sorry it took so long; I really meant to pre-load the updates and then all of a sudden we were moving! We just got the internet set up (thanks to my loving husband) and I can start updating APC again!

It's been starting to get cold here, and snow is threatening to fall soon. This put me in the mood of nice, warm winter clothes. I know it isn't Wednesday, but I felt like switching things up. Here is Cora in a gorgeous full cloak with hood. It is made of heavy wool and lined in satin, with a ribbon to tie it closed.


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Moving

I'm in the process of moving right now and we haven't gotten internet hooked up at the new place yet. Hopefuly I will be able to start updating again soon!

 Cora is dressed in a splendid afternoon gown. The gown itself features a full skirt with a striped bodice and overskirt. A long jacket with four buttons matches with striped trim and lace around the neckline.



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Second Try

 <----- Original Colored Version

New Colored Version ----->

I'm still playing around with how I want to do the coloring, but I think the new method of selecting spaces/coloring is working out better. I might try to add shading again once I get a little better.

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A full PDF page of Leslie's clothes will come in a week or two once her other clothes are revealed (don't want to spoil the surprise! lol). It will also be in full color. If you want copies of her uncolored (to color yourself or whatever), let me know!

Just Give it Away

I've been practicing coloring dolls in my free-time. RLC from Paper Thin Personas gave me some great tips for coloring, which I think have improved my abilities. Monday will showcase a newly colored Leslie with a fully colored outfit. Today, however, you get to see Winifred with another song-inspired dress. This time it's for a song by George Strait, "Just Give it Away" (yes, another depressing country song! lol).

First we have the original pencil sketch version (to the left).

(full size view here)


And below, is the fruit of my practice. A fully colored version of Winifred and the dress.

Margaret Hale

Here is Margaret wearing a charming gown with printed bodice.
There are only a few more dresses left for Margaret! Soon I will be introducing a new Fiction Friday doll.

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Simple Day Gown

Here is a simple day gown for Cora. This is one of her outfits while still a cook's assistant. It is a little big for her (it's a hand-me-down from a co-worker). The simple waist-belt is buttoned down the front.


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Leslie in Color!

SURPRISE!
All new and in color! 


I felt like something different yesterday and Leslie looked like she needed a little color. So, here we are! A simple cotton t-shirt of blue and yellow (my favorite colors) and comfy shorts covered in excessive pockets.

If you have any tips on coloring (especially computer coloring) let me know!

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Click for Doll to print

Margaret Visits Bessie

Margaret Hale has come a long ways in becoming accustomed to Milton ways. She has a close friend who live in a very poor part of town. Many of the upperclass in Milton look down on her for this friendship. Margaret, however, ignores them and takes pleasure from her long talks with Bessie.
This is a print gown with a ruffled scoop neck and striped pattern.


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Walking Gown

Here's a delightful military-influenced walking gown for Cora. It has a full underskirt, gathered overskirt, and coat-style bodice complete with epaulets.

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Silvia looking formal

Here is Silvia, wearing a warm cowl-neck sweater and skinny pencil skirt. Perhaps she had a presentation at school today and had to dress up for it.


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We're moving during the next couple of weeks, so I'm going to try and pre-load all the updates. I'm hoping they will update like they're supposed to, but I have been having problems with that lately... :)

Dinner at the Thorntons

Margaret had a hard time deciding what to wear to the dinner the Thorntons invited her family to. They were one of the most prestigious families in the town of Milton (even though to the Hales, because their wealth was from indistry, they would always seem "shoppy"). Margaret tried on all her old party dresses, parading them one by one before her mother. They decided that this white silk, which she wore last year at her cousin's wedding, would do the trick.


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Cora's Geared for Riding

One of Cora's favorite past times is riding horseback. This charming outfit is made of durable linen. Alternating patterned panels form a split skirt, enabling a lady to ride astride while still maintaining modesty. No corset is worn under the bodice for easy of breathing while riding. Leather gloves, crop, and a hat for protection from the sun complete this outfit.


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Meet Silvia!

Well, you saw her briefly before, but here is her official introduction. She's a little casual for this since I haven't scanned her shoes in yet (but then, I've been assured that shoes are overrated. Let's just say she's enjoying the last of the summer heat by indulging in barefoot walks on the lawn). I really need to start getting more creative with my modern clothes. Most of them are pretty boring, sorry!

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Tea Time in Milton

I must have been more tired this morning than I thought! The first post I created for Margaret was the same gown as last week! It wasn't until I had already written about it (again) and posted it up that I thought: "this feels familiar..." and sure enough, it was a double post. So, it's been deleted and this is my second try! lol.

Margaret and her family are somewhat situated in Milton now, even if they are not yet accustomed to it. The weatehr is colder, the air is full of soot from factories, and the people are a good deal different. Margaret's father has taken on a few students, teaching from the classics (such as Plato and Aristotle). This evening he has invited his favorite pupil and new friend, Mr. Thornton, to tea.
Margaret dresses in this lovely "light colored muslin... with a good deal of pink in it". She looks stunning by the gaslight as she serves tea and tries to be interested as her father and Mr. Thornton discuss philosophy long into the evening.


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Wool Tunic

Here is Tamarita looking surprisingly like a lady in a simple every-day wool tunic and shift. It's deep into winter so she wears thick leggings, heavy undergarments, and a long sleeved shift finished off with the wool tunic laced up the front. Her shoes are heavy clogs with a thick sole to keep melted snow out.

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I've been thinking for a while of updating the Tamarita doll. I would keep the same pose (so I don't have to redraw all the dresses), but her face and hair keeps bothering me for some reason... This project will probably go on the back burner, but sometime in the next six months she may get a complete make-over!

Here is Amelia sporting a simple wrap dress with rose and sash. Again, there are no shoes!

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I've finished compiling a full PDF of Mandie. You can find that on the new "Print the Dolls" link above, or click: Mandie Shaw.

I Put Your Picture Away

Here is Winifred with another song-inspired dress. Have any of you heard the depressing "I Put Your Picture Away" sung by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow? Even though the lyrics are so sad I can never switch the station when it comes on. Something about the song makes me like it (my husband says I like depressing things, and maybe that's true). So this is a dress sketched while listening to that lovely, depressing melody.


The dress is a strapless silk mermaid-style skirt. The bodice falls sleekly to an off-center point at mid-thigh, below which the skirt flares into pleats. A loosely draped knit bolero completes the outfit.

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Margaret comes to Milton

Margaret and her family have travelled from lovely Helston, in southern England to the cold and industrial northern town of Milton. She goes with her father to help secure an apartment that will do for their small family and one servant. Even if they are in reduced circumstances the Hales are very concerned about their class. Milton is a place where classes have almost been done away with. Instead of upper, middle or lowers class you are Master or Hand. Hard work gets you ahead, laziness could buy you death. It is a hard world for Margaret to enter, but she tries her best.

Here she is dressed in an old silk visiting gown with buttons down the bodice, a straw bonnet, and a large india shawl. 
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Introducing...

These two are the newest addition to Modern Mondays!

Say hello to Silvia (on the left) and Leslie (right). Both are seniors in High School. They have been friends for practically forever (okay, they met in 7th grade). Silvia is hoping to go into graphics design while Leslie is applying to every art school she can find. Keep watching for these two to show up on Mondays!

(I have shoes sketched for them... I promise! They will soon be shod!)

Tea Time

Here is a simple day dress for Cora. She has plenty of gorgeous ballgowns, but for everyday uses she needs a basic gown that, while asthetically pleasing, will be practical. It has a loose fitting bodice, high neck, 3/4 length sleeves. A wide laced belt pulls the waistline in according to fashion. The hem is elegantly trimmed with a large swath of lace.

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Just for fun, here is an excerpt of Cora's story:

Several days later Cora returned to her room after the noon meal. A letter addressed to her was set upon her pillow.
“Gillian?” She called, “Has a messenger been by?”
“I don’t think so.” Replied the maid from the adjoining room. “I haven’t heard his knock, at least.” She entered the bedroom, “I think I’ll lay down for a bit if you don’t need me, Cora.”
“That’s fine.” Cora said absentmindedly, she picked up the letter. Her name was written in fine cursive on the front, but there was no indication of the sender. The wax seal was impressed a blank circle. Cora carefully pulled the wax from the paper and unfolded the missive.
My dear Cora, (it read)
I learned of your new appointment with great misgivings. There are things happening in the palace that are beyond the understanding of either of us. I must meet with you so I may speak candidly! I will wait on the eastern ridge; please come as soon as you can.
Your brother, Daenar
Cora re-read the letter. How had he gotten it on her bed? Had he been in the room? Her heart beat quickly at the thought of her brother going to such dangerous extremes.
Cora grabbed a thick cloak from her wardrobe and ran downstairs.
Lord Viharet was in the hallway, shaking rain off his hair. It dripped into muddy puddles on the wood plank flooring. “Going somewhere, Lady Cora?” He inquired.
“Oh, I- that is- I was, but- is it raining?” She fumbled.
“Quite the downpour.” He assured.
Cora walked into the east parlor and stared out the window. Sure enough the rain came from heaven as though the sky had been torn and all the waters above were let loose.
Lord Viharet sneezed behind her. “May I call a maid for tea?”
“Oh! I beg your pardon. I am being inhospitable. Let me take your cloak; tea will be along shortly.” Cora gathered his wet over-clothes and hung them in the hall with her own dry cape.
A few minutes later she re-entered the parlor with a tea tray.
Lord Viharet glanced up in surprise. He rose and took the tray from her. “Allow me, my lady. Is there no servant to do this for you?”
“Gillian is napping, Cook is visiting family, and the maids are busy cleaning elsewhere.” Cora replied with a sunny smile. “But I am used to serving; it is more comfortable for me to serve than to be served. Would you like milk or sugar in your tea?”
“Both. I keep forgetting your prior employment. You have assimilated into a lady of means so well I must remind myself that I have hired you to play the role.” Lord Viharet graciously accepted a teacup and saucer from her.

Cleaning Lady

Here's Amelia, we haven't seen her in a while. Today she is busy cleaning. She's dressed in uber comfortable jog pants, cotton Tshirt, and an apron. A feather duster will help get rid of cobwebs.

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I'm trying something new with the PDF files. I'm not going to post individual outfits, but an entire series. So, instead of doing single dresses for Margaret Hale (for example), I will post the entire series in a PDF booklet once the series is completed. That way I can save room on my hardrive, and you don't have to print only one dress per page! If you prefer having separate PDF's instantly available with the post, let me know. I can always switch back to the old way!

"Holy Water" from 2006

Here's a little treat for all of you. I was going through a bunch of my old drawings and founds this series that is made back in 2006. The doll's name is Winifred and each of her dresses is inspired by a different song. Most of them are country songs (which is mostly what I listen to). They were sketched in pencil so the quality isn't as clean-cut as my more recent works.

This particular dress was sketched while listening to "Holy Water" by Big n Rich. You can watch the music video of it at http://www.cmt.com/videos/big-rich/37570/holy-water.jhtml if you haven't heard the song before. It used to be one of my favorites. Here are some of the lyrics:

"And she says...take me away,
And take me farther
Surround me now,
And hold...hold...hold me like holy water holy water

She wants someone to call her angel,
Someone to put the light back in her eyes,
She's looking through the faces and unfamiliar places
She needs somone to hear her when she cries.

And she says...take me away
And take me farther
Surround me now,
And hold...hold...hold me like holy water."


For the dress:
Click for full-size image
Click for PDF to print

For the doll:
Click for PDF to print

Dinner with Lennox

  It is springtime and the roses are blooming, but a cool breeze still chills the air, reminding you that winter isn't very long gone. Thus, Margaret wears long sleeves as she dresses for dinner with an old friend from London. Her mother has stressed all day over the properness of their country fare; she is worried that Mr. Lennox, a lawyer of high standing, will think their hospitality 'quaint' and not up to London standards. But Lennox cares little for the food (which is very good) or the smallness of the room (which is cozy), but saves his attention and compliments for the young lady he came so far to visit.
  Margaret, dressed in this simple silk afternoon gown. A ribbon and cameo adorn her elegant neck, while the neckline modestly comes up to meet the choker. The skirt is full and without adornment. In her hand she carries a small bouquet of roses from the garden.

read the book to find out what happens next!

Just out of curiosity, have any of you read (or even heard of) North and South? Or any of Elizabeth Gaskell's other works?


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Click for PDF to print

Dinner Gown

Here is Cora wearing a charming long sleeved dinner gown. It is trimmed with satin ribbon, punctuated by little bows. The sleeves and apron have a berry print. The bodice/neckline/sleeve cap are sheer chiffon. A choker made of ribbon and lace finished the ensemble off.


Click for full-size image
Click for PDF to print

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I went to the Farmer's Market this weekend and bought a bunch of blackberries (I need to find a place to hand-pick them). I love fresh berries! Today I'm trying out a tart-recipe, but I made the wrong dough recipe so now I'm creating my own blackberry tart-of-sorts. Hopefully it tastes good!

New Scanner!!!

  I have a beautiful new printer/scanner thanks to my wonderful husband! It arrived today and is just lovely. I scanned in seven pages in less time than it used to take me to do one! I am so excited!
  In celebration of this new scanner comes this ghastly colored sari for Cleo. I was bored the other day and for some reason decided that coloring would be a good idea. The results are not very pretty. Clearly I need to work on this area of art... but who knows? Maybe with practice I will improve and some day be as talented as Liana!
  I used Dr. Ph. Martin's ink for this. The colors are Grass Green and Golden Yellow, your basic green and yellow. I also have a turquoise which I'll have to experiment with soon...
  Hmmm... I'll have to make a colored version of Cleo so she doesn't look quite so white! lol


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Click for PDF to print

Monday Morning Scramble

This morning is a lazy post :) The jeans are from last week, but today Tansy is wearing a sweater. Summer's heat has given way to chilly Fall and it's time to cozy up in those nice, warm, soft, wonderful sweaters.


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Here is Margaret in an elegant silk gown that has been died black in respect of a distant relation's death.


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Click for PDF to print


Exciting news!
  Today my husband and I are going house-hunting. It will be our first house, and I'm so excited! We've found several possible homes online (it's so fun to look through the photos and choose which one will suit your needs best), and today we get to tour them.
  And, a second news bulletin, my husband just purchased a new scanner/printer! I'm almost as excited about this as I am about the house! The old scanner was big and bulky, took forever, and couldn't be connected to a new computer. I'd have to hook up the old desktop, switch monitors, untangle cords, find a mouse, and the process was so long. But soon I will have a fancy new one! Hopefully my scanning rates will increase. My current process is to draw and ink a large stack of dresses, then scan them in all at once while watching a movie. Which means all the dresses you see are several weeks to months old. Perhaps with the new scanner I'll be motivated to get dresses up as soon as I have them finished.

Another Ballgown for Cora

Here is Cora wearing a charming formal gown. Stripes and bows seem to be the theme for this dress.




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Blouse and Jeans

Here's a simple and comfortable outfit for Tansy. A basic button-up, shortsleeved blouse, and a classic pair of jeans.

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Sorry!

I'm sorry there wasn't an update on Monday/Wednesday! I'll try to make up for it somehow...

Here's Margaret Hale again. Today she is wearing an afternoon dress for tea with an old friend who has come visiting. If you're curious who is coming to visit, read chapter three of North and South.
The book she is reading is The Divine Comedy, by Dante Aligheri.


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Margaret Hale

The book North and South was written by Elizabeth Gaskel between 1854 and 1855. It was originally published in segmants featured in a publication owned by Charles Dickens. In 2004 it was transformed to film by BBC. This delightful four-hour movie is well worth the watch. The story hits on some of the more serious facts of life, while weaving together a lovely romance.



Here is an excerpt giving a bit of a description of Margaret:

"...He had the same large, soft eyes of his daughter- eyes which moved slowly and almost grandly round in their orbits, and were well veiled by their transparent white eyelids. Margaret was more like him than like her mother. Sometimes people wondered that parents so handsome should have a daughter who was so far from regularly beautiful; not beautiful at all, was occasionally said. Her mouth was wide; no rosebud that could only open just enough to let out a "yes" and "no", and "an't please you, sir." But the wide mouth was on soft curve of rich red lips; and the skin, if not white and fiar, was of an ivory smoothness and delicacy. If the look on her face was, in general, too dignified and reserved for one so young, now, talking to her father, it was bright as the morning- full of dimples, and glances that spoke of childish gladness, and boundless hope in the future."

For Margaret's first apperance I have her dressed in a simple morning gown with a capelet for travelling. It is made of sturdy cotton, has a scoop neck, belted waistline, and long sleeves. The capelet is made of the same material. It fastens at the neck and falls in two points below the waist.

Doll:
Click for PDF to print

Dress:
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Cora's Painting Smock

Among other diversions, Cora enjoys spending an afternoon painting. The hills around her manor offer majestic landscapes for subjects. She wears a simple day-gown. The smock is loose and roomy to accomodate most styles of dress. A belt fastens at the natural waistline, a button at the neckline, and a gauntlet-type sleeve protecter from wrist to elbow. The pockets are designed to hold long handled brushes for the artist's convenience.


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