Friday, April 29, 2011

Prince William and Princess Kate's Magical Day

The happy couple

Associated Press image
 I might be English, but no, I didn't get up at 3 a.m. (Canadian time) to watch the Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. I have  recorded it and will savour every detail later. I did wake up in time for the church service and enjoyed that over breakfast.

I admit I love the pageantry and the Brits certainly know how to do it right. Kate's dress was perfect. it suited her figure, was elegant and not overdone. I loved the length of the train, which could have gone way over the top and been halfway down the abbey.

I saw the lace sleeves and said "glory hallelujah!" Sleeves will now be back in style for brides at long last. So much more comfortable than strapless, let's face it. The buttons at the back were classic. I have yet to see a close up on the embroidery on the skirt, but I hear it was done by the Royal School of Needlework. It warms my heart to hear traditional skills still being used and honoured. I read Kate chose Alexander McQueen's studio for their mastery of craftsmanship. (That should read "womanship.")

The little bridesmaids dresses echoed the bride and that was a nice touch. The pleats really gave a full skirt without massive bulk at the waist. and the same was true for the bridesmaids.



Photo by Getty images

Kate's sister, Pippa, looked very elegant in her dress. It flattered her and the white was perfect. I was a bit leery when I saw the draped cowl neckline, but it was obviously under control. Way back when, women used to attach a peg of some sort to the cowl and tuck it in their bra, so it wouldn't drift when they bent over. Cool trick and worth remembering.

What did you think of it all?

Naturally, William looked smart in his uniform, but it wasn't all about him, was it? It was about the commoner marrying the Prince with the Queen's blessing. The fairytale dream come true. Long may it last, in blessed happiness.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Stones

Photo by Edwina Sutherland

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Masks of Venice

Photo By Edwina Sutherland

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Friday, April 8, 2011

Flat doll challenge

Marie Antoinette

Here is the flat doll I am making for an online swap. The theme is Marie Antoinette. I had a lot of fun dressing her, using bits of sari fabric. She is on her way to the next swap partner now, for more trimmings.  I could have sold this doll last week!!

Mine has a steam punk theme and I have made one for myself, to see how it went. I am still deciding what to do with the chain. She will also lose the hair and get a helmet of some description.


Steam punk doll

I like the challenge of a flat doll. No fussing with detailed finishing or fit. Just put the idea into motion. This doll was jointed at the knees. I love the hair treatment and can't wait to see what happens next with that.


Flat doll #3
This is the last one to do. I need to add some shoes and accessories. her dress was made reversible!! So She may need extra shoes!! This is just like when I used to play with paper dolls! Confess: who played with paper dolls and loved it?
We are also creating some extra dolls, to send to our dolly friends Down Under, who were affected by the floods and quakes.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Leslie Bailey class

Last weekend, I had the joy of hosting Leslie Bailey for a class here in Ottawa. What a fun time we had, as Leslie led us through the process of creating an elf with polymer clay.

Leslie broke it down step by step. Every head turned out so well! I think all the class went home happy. I know I certainly did. Even when fingers snapped off, Leslie showed us how to put that right and mine lost several! He has now been baked for a final time and looks amazing!


The Marquis, by Edwina Sutherland

My fellow wouldn't become an elf though. To me he looked more like a Marquis. I have been reading "The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B." by Sandra Gulland. Such a good book. All the descriptions of costume during the French Revolution must have influenced me, because I soon had this snooty looking character glaring at me!

So, a Marquis he will be. I have his pose, now for his costume. Do you think it should be pink stripes or yellow?

The Marquis