Take your hands off me, you drunken fool~

Welcome to REVAMP IT,

hosted by Natasha Burns at Artistic Creations!

I'm going to cheat a bit here.... Natasha's party inspired me to finally finish a long overdue project. I began this robe years ago, but my machine broke. I got a new one but by then the robe was lost in a sea of unfinshed crafts. Um... all I had left to do was sew on the sleeves!! GEESH, how hard is that? LOL~

These mosaics will all enlarge when clicked upon, just remember to hit the back button afterwards and not the X~

I found a red velour robe with good "bones" on ebay. I liked the idea of velour so that I could actually wear this as a housecoat for every day use. It wouldn't have the bell sleeves, but who can cook breakfast in those?

I added a layer of tulle, then hand stitched on each row of lace. I cut the sleeves off at the elbow. Then ripped out the stitches and unrolled the amputated peices, which were then rectangles. Cut these into ovals, then cut out circles in the centers. Added tulle and lace to those as well to make new sleeves. Busted a vintage red beaded necklace to use for buttons.

I was going to make a velvet belt, but lucked out and found a vintage one! Voila!

While you're here I may as well show you a few more embellished costumes.

This is Rose's Jump dress, made from a Morgan and Co. prom dress. I added beading at the underbust, rhinestone buttons, and sequined trim. I made an underskirt with tulle and added two rows of beaded fringe there. I then cut the overskirt at the knees to mimic Rose's gown.

Rose's tea dress made from an A-line bridesmaid dress. I first cut off the sleeves. Then sewed down the sides of the dress to make it more slim on the legs. Bought some matching green fabric for a placket in front and back. Made an overskirt with a dotted lace, used curtain lace for the tiers.



This is my next revamp costume to be. All from a $2 vintage suit. It will be a rather 40's does Titanic version, that I can wear more often than I would a full length suit. I have bought a purple tie, reproduction earrings, and found a gorgeous antique brooch. I have yet to find the right shade of velvet.

...And yes, there's more where that came from but I have to stop somewhere! If you'd like more info or want to see more photos, click on my flickr badges on the right.

Thanks for visiting! Be sure to check out the other REVAMP IT bloggers on Natasha's link!


Don't miss the Gone With the Wind Ball!
Get details by clicking my sidebar button or going a few posts back. Hope to see you then!

It's been 97 years...

...and I can still smell the fresh paint. The china had never been used. The sheets had never been slept in. Titanic was called the Ship of Dreams, and it was. It really was...

Just taking a moment to think about the lives lost and those affected by the Titanic tragedy.

There was a neat article in the St. Louis Post this past week. Close descendants of one of the late surviors live in the next county from me. You can read it HERE.

You can find more of my Titanic posts HERE. More to come!

Steamboat Arabia~

If you are fascinated with the Titanic, then you'd really like the tale of the Arabia. Though a major (and thankful) difference is that no one perished on this boat, except for a poor mule.

The Arabia was a steamboat that sunk in the Missouri River in the 1850's. It has been found all these years later, and dug up from the mud!

Many people were heading west, and the boat was loaded with 222 tons of goods for setting up general stores. Crates and barrels full of shoes, clothes, food, china, etc. were aboard.

After finding and digging up the Arabia, the owners of the museum have been able to display most of these items just as if you were walking into a general store back in time!

Just unbelievable!

Boy, I'd like to have some of those doorknobs!

Jars of canned fruit and veggies were still locked tight. If I recall correctly they did taste them, lol!

Are these buttons not adorable? When opening crate after crate, these buttons were found in the bottom of one. The cotton from which the clothing had been made had disintegrated.




I think it was over 6 years ago when we visited. We had gone to Kansas City to see my very first Titanic Exhibit!
French perfumes were also found on the Arabia, and I bought a reproduction scent that they named 1856. Only thing is, (anal as I am), the image that they used is not from that time period and it *really* bugs me! I would date this picture from the early 1900's, just before or around the Titanic period.

Please visit their website, and click on Museum Info. You'll be able to read the entire story, along with a video.

If you get a chance, you simply must visit the Arabia in person.

You'll see part of the boat, along with the tree that sank her.

I think they've added a lot more since we've been, it's time to go back!

Titanic~ The ship of dreams~

Are you ready to board Titanic?

~~~*Drum roll please*~~~

*These images and painting are copyrighted*

Isn't it fabulous!?

This wasn't a surprise; I knew my SIL Joyce was painting it. But still, I am blown away. She told me she was going to paint it for me long ago. We discussed how it should look, etc. I said I wanted the ship to be HUGE, and as if it were coming at me out of the canvas. I wanted a bright sky, not dreary or night time. I think she completely nailed it. I love the lighting on the funnels. The color of the water is gorgeous.

(The photo doesn't do it justice)

The red stripe at the bottom is the perfect shade.

It will hang in our stairwell upstairs. Joyce said after she finished it she raised her arms and said "I'm the king of the world!" WOOOHOO! I don't blame her, what a work of art, patience, time and love.

(Speaking of Somewhere in Time, see her sweatshirt? Joyce has been to the Grand Hotel and took pics of it for me!)

Joyce is an art teacher and has already begun to nurture the *budding artist* in Nova. It runs in the family as Kevin and Joyce's Great Grandpa painted. Nova loves to paint, perhaps he'll be next!

Just look at the detail!

There is a window in my stairway in the the back left if you're looking at the painting. The sun will stream in just enough to look like that is where the light source is coming from; hitting the ship just so~ it's perfect! You can click the picture to enlarge~
The steam and smoke, the lifeboats... the shading... wow.

Melly cat had to approve~
It will be hung higher and I want a shelf below to create a vignette.
Note: we are not finished with the staircase~ and the entire hallway decor upstairs will be inspired by the great ship's corridors and staterooms.

I played with pictures of the painting and turned it black and white. Joyce and I both gasped as it looks like an actual photo of the ship.

The Titanic has always fascinated me, so it wasn't just the movie Titanic with Kate and Leo that started my obsession. It just added fuel to the fire, BIG TIME. My dad and I have always talked about it, and there are many other movies and of course documentaries on the ship other than the Rose/Jack version.

Here are a few of my movies. I know I have more stuff I have taped somewhere. Joyce found some of these for me too!

This is a collection of books and such. I have a book from 1912, and an album with survivers telling their stories; both of which I have put in one of those "special" places that I can't remember where. I hope to find them soon.

This is the book that had the picture of the ship that I liked best, so that's what she went with.

Joyce obviously has a passion for Titanic as well. She also painted me this cool cherub~ inspired from the broken one off of the grand staircase. I love the gleaming metal look of it!

We've gone to one of the exhibits together about three years ago in St. Louis, MO, and then to the Titanic museum in Branson, MO this summer. I've been to a few other exhibits, including one in Kansas City, MO. Kevin took me to the last Titanic dinner and to see the musical when we were first dating as a surprise. I already knew then he was a keeper, but that definitely sealed the deal, lol!

Joyce and I in St. Louis~

The dome pic featured on my banner~

Are you still here? Goody! Then I must show you a few of my costumes too!

And let's not forget my Rose doll collection!

OH, the necklace I'm wearing in the first pic while holding the painting is a replica of one brought up from the actual ship. This replica is much larger than the original.

So anyhoo... back to the star of the show here! JOYCE. I cannot thank you enough. Your hard work and talent is MUCH appreciated and I shall display this materpiece with great pride. Love and hugs to you!

I also want to thank all of you special blogging friends for being here to share my prize gift today! Big hugs to you all as well!

Nikki

Take her to sea Mr. Murdoch

Look what came in the mail today~
A hand stamped card...
From my SIL Joyce!

What?? Titanic docking HERE? Oh my goodness!!

How exciting~I must pack!!

Here is a slide show of some of my favorite, exquisite vintage Edwardian garb. None of which I own. Too $pricey$ for me, but a girl can dream, eh? I just love the slim lines~ luscious fabrics, trim and lace....

(And shoes!!)

Stay tuned this weekend to see what Joyce has finished!!

This is a post I had already created when I found out Jan at Jan and Tom's Place was having a Somewhere In Time party. I love that film too, and I figured since Titanic was the same time frame, that those who love the costumes in SIT would enjoy this slideshow as well. And if you like dolls and Somewhere In Time, then you'll love my friend Ellen's page for sure. Ellen had the costumes from the movie recreated to fit her 16 inch dolls. Franklin Mint's Josephine makes a splendid Elise! Note that there is a page two to her SIT dolls~ and Richard is there in his brown striped suit!

Please visit Jan for more SIT fun!

Show me your form!

Welcome to "Show Me Your Form", hosted by Tiffany at Shabby Scraps~

If you don't have a dress form, make your self one with duct tape! I've always wanted to do this. Instructions here!

These are my "double mint twins".

They are both vintage dress forms, one was my Grandma's, and I acquired the second one later.

I've used them for various projects and eventually want to display my costumes and vintage clothing on them in my parlor, bedroom, and craft room.

Currently one is wearing a vintage pearl collar, a lamp shade carcass, and on top of that my 15" Franklin Mint Vinyl Scarlett doll's wire hoops for her costumes. I have to store them on something round, and for now this fits. However, Miss Scarlett actually has doll dress forms of her own! Here's one featuring the Blue Mill Dress,

The other twin is wearing my unfinished red staircase robe from Gone With the Wind. All she needs is the friggin' sleeves sewn on (which are sitting on top), but as you may have seen in my last post I have to learn to use my new sewing machine first.

I made this from an exsisting vintage robe. It zips up the front. I didn't want real velvet as I actually want to wear this garment as an every day housecoat. It had regular sleeves and I cut them at the elbow, and tried to get that draped sleeve effect as much as I could with the fabric I cut off. I think this will work out perfectly, because having the really large draped sleeves like the real robe wouldn't be practical. I long to wear this Christmas morning, so I must conquer my machine by then, lol!

Here is Scarlett in the staircase robe~

Closeup of fine lace and netting behind it~

A rare sketch of Walter Plunkett's original design for the robe...

My robe as I found it on eBay.

I sewed the lace and tulle on by hand. I wish I could afford fine lace and net!

A shot before I cut the sleeves off.
What is a staircase robe without a staircase?

That is my doll's dress form and red robe on the post.

Wow, my staircase is looking much better these days!

I also have a torso dress form.

I like to use it for vignettes like this one I did for Valentine's Day, see all of my heart necklaces?

Displayed on the form is an antique velvet waist from the 1870's. It is the MOST LUCIOUS velvet ever. They certainly don't make things like they used to. I believe it to be silk. Here is a slideshow featuring it on yet another form made of wire. You will also see a bustle gown from the period which the waist would've been worn with. The peice used to be heavily beaded. I wish I could've seen her in all of her glory.

Here is one of my prized possessions, an antique period gown from 1910. It is made of aqua moire taffeta. Beautiful tissue silk draping, pearls, lace, and faux flowers. It has some repairs to make at the shoulders, but other than that she is in excellent condition~sans a few pearls here and there. It has steel boning and an attached silk petticoat. These are old scans, but you can see more details of the gown in this slideshow.

I musn't forget to show you Scarlett's "Shame" gown. I think it's my favorite. Here it is in the works.

I love embellishing pre-made dresses.

Here's what the dress looked like before. I got it for $25 on eBay. Ripped off the sleeves and added the stones. The train is just pinned in the pic, need to sew that and add feathers and she's good to go. It's more red than the film version but that's ok for the price!

"And put on plenty of rouge, I want you to look your part tonight!" She's so beautiful here,

Wow, this post is getting much to long! I shall try to simplify it somewhat, lol!

The twins have helped me with my Drapery Dress and Jump dress too.

NOTE: let me tell you that many of these photos are taken in rooms before they were redone. (We're redoing our 100 year old home). So you'll see boxes and junque everywhere. It's slowly getting better! My craft room is full of all of the stuff we had to move out of Nova's room when I found out we were expecting! His room was to be used for storage for a while... not any more!

Here's a shot of the "Jump" dress from Titanic. I embellished a prom dress to look like Rose's gown. I added a tulle underlay, beading, rhinestone buttons, and cut the overskirt at an angle. You can see more in yet another slideshow here!

The "Drapery" dress I bought on ebay. I had to take it in 6 inches, and redo the collar and sleeves. Thank goodness I had those twins!!

YES! That's Kevin as Rhett! I cut and colored a wig for him, made him shave, and dyed his brows and mustache. LOL! I even bought him a pinky ring, *snort*

If you're still here and you're not saying "ENOUGH already!" then you can see more pics in this album.

Kevin before morphing into Rhett. HEY! If you squint hard enough you can see my mannequin in the background, along with one of the twin's torsos on the floor with Dorothy's dress on!

I'm sure I could bore you with more, (such as Rose's Tea dress from Titanic), but before I go I'll show you a pic of my mannequin. She's kinda spooky, and about 7ft. tall. She was nekkid, but I threw this vintage plastic apron on her for now. Like her "Rose" wig?

Then I walked around the house with camera in hand and was surpised to see how many other little dress forms I had.

My newest addition to my GWTW collection. Kevin's cousin surprised me with this.

Thank you Vickie!

Tiffany, I hope this helps your husband to see how much these gals mean to us. Thank you for hosting "Show Me Your Form". Nadia is a true gem of a find, enjoy her! I look forward to meeting Miss Kitty.