What do you think??

My pretty headband from my Best Friend Sophia <3

(Forever21)

My new haircut!! Holiday season 2011

Another pretty headband from Sophia <3

(Charlotte Russe)

This one I've had for about a year (or two by now) but never really worn too often, even though I LOVE it. I THINK I got it at Rue21??? lol.

What would a girl be...

Without a pair of fabulous looking shoes?!

Perfect for those going to a ball, or who just like the style in general. Hop on over to American Duchess' shop, and buy yourself a lovely new pair!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Mr. Bingley, how do you like my flowers for your Ball?

I liked this updo better than the previous  photo I had posted but I still wasn't satisfied with this style either.

I played around with my hair a few more times before the Patriot's Ball and finally decided on a few simple braids brought up and pinned to my head. I really liked the simplicity of the look AND I knew it would look even cuter with some flowers looped in at the back. I was very happy with the way the whole look came together :)

I did all of the work on the over-dress, the under-dress, the stomacher, the underthings, and the corset by myself with the exception of the hem on the overdress. I couldn't seem to get it to cut straight because of the silkiness of the fabric. I took it to the tailor who was altering my brothers suits/tuxedos and she zipped it out very nicely!

The dress held up well for dancing. I lost a few straight pins that were holding the stomacher in place so I was thankful I used multiple pins with each tab! The only real issue I faced was with the back of my underdress continuing to slip out of the top of my overdress. I had pretty much created the dress pattern on my own and had forgotten to take into account how high the back of the underdress was compared to the back of the overdress. If you view the video posted on my facebook page from a week ago you will see what I mean :)

Our family had a wonderful time in Bristol. We made many new friends and already have plans to visit with several of them over the summer. Plans are to make the Patriot's Conference and Ball and annual event and I am already excited to hear more about the plans for next year!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

A Georgian Gown for the Ball..

Since I am still waiting on boning to finish off my corset, and reading far too many books, I have decided to go ahead and start on a new gown for the Ball. It's next month, and Georgian/Regency costumes are encouraged :D Since I already know what my inspiration is, and have a photo ready to share with you here, I shall... 

Isn't it B-E-A-utiful?!? The floral that you see is actually Brocaded silk, and the gown really is from the 18th Century. I think it the perfect mix of Georgian and Regency and just right for a young woman who would've been around just as the fashions were changing. Even as you sit and watch Pride and Prejudice (2005, sorry dears) you will realize that Mrs. Bennet (and other such women of her caliber or more, for example Lady Catherine deBourgh) were still wearing the Georgian gowns they grew up with; while Jane, Elizabeth, and Georgianna where wearing modest and comely gowns in the new style - which suited their personalities just fine and seemed so sweet amongst their characters. And, even still the younger girls (such as was found in the characters of Kitty and Lydia) were extravagant with their "it's all the rage in London" 's. 

Since I am noticing the lack of hoops in the photo above, I am relieved of another fear... I have neither the time nor the funds sufficient enough to include a set of hoops into my grand ordeal of a costume. * whew *

It sounds so lovely, I can only hope it works! Pray for me friends, and hope I don't mess up my stitching! At least I have some assurance of hope in the fact that I can use a new machine that works and not have to go at it by hand, which  would be sure to be a disaster in the making... Oy vey! 

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

A Tid-bit of Stitchery...

I said in my last blogpost that I would put up a photo of the embroidery I've done on my corset when I had the chance... I finally had time to get around to it yesterday evening. Not only did I get a few of the embroidery, but I decided to take a few of my work so far as well. As you can see, it is just a simple Vine pattern w/ French Knot berries, and a few leaves...

Though the photo's probably aren't the best, here they are :)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Sweet Little Dress Photo's

Here is the process of making my little dress. The lighting wasn't super fantastic because I took them in the morning, and it has been raining all week:

The pattern drawn out on the shirt. Now, I don't have a daughter to borrow a dress from for a pattern, but I do have dresses of mine that my momma saved.

So, I used one of my pink easter dresses.

Detached Pocket



Goodbye sleeve...



And, there went the other one.

Close-up of the back, right before I cut the neckline for the dress.

From this photo you can't really tell but, I cut the neckline directly under the two buttons shown in the photo before this.

Side seam sewing :)

Belt loops, which I made from bits of the sleeve.

Attaching the belt loops

As you can see, I kept the pocket. I had plans for it!! I took more fabric from one of the sleeves, folded it in 1/2 and gathered it up, then attached it in a sprial to the pocket.

Ta-da!! It's a flower :D

It's almost finished.

I re-attached the pocket to the front of the dress where I felt a little girl could easily use it for hiding all her dainty little things, like a flower for mommy, or a card for dad.

Then I hand-stiched a button from my sewing box to the center of the flower, making sure not to catch the dress. Turns out, the button I chose was a larger version of the buttons already attached to the shirt.

Close-up of the flower on the pocket.

C'est Fini!!

(This photo was taken by momma later in the evening, hence the color difference.)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

A walk with you, 337 miles away...

We find ourselves missing people as we go throughout our days.. So, why not come up with a fun way to spend time together no matter what the distance that separates you is?

Today Justin and I took a "walk" around DC. He took photo's with his phone, and sent them to me, so I could see what he was seeing!! It was very fun to receive the photo's and to know that this was a new experience, and a fun one... that we were doing together.

Some of the detailing on the window and it's grates...
 

Some very pretty architectural detailing as well!

Lovely photo here :D

One of my favorite sorts of photo's are something called "Dutch Angles". Isn't it Fabulous?!

More in the way of beautiful architecture..

Love the pillars, and the little rosette ceiling pieces that join the corners of the squares together :D

Lovely Garden view...

Isn't the little spiral topiary adorable? I love sculptural things like that in a garden, they add so much visual interest, besides there just being pretty flowers.

 

A close-up of the Sun dial

Full Sun dial.. isn't the silvery hedge beautiful?

I bet it would be a breath taking site to see on a moonlit walk..

Outside of the Smithsonian Castle

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

The Silver Tree
Now, if only there was a money tree...

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

The Fountain



A view of the Fountain through the Gates




More of the lovely Fountain!



I have been to all of these places before with Justin, on my last visit to the DC/Maryland/Virginia area. So seeing them through pictures, and knowing we had walked there before was an extra special treat full of many fond memories.. 


So, when you find yourself missing that special someone, or your dear, dear friends..
Take a walk down memory lane, or see what interesting ways you can find to see each other!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Shared Tutorial in Practice...

So, I worked on it a little while and made 3 flowers. I made more through out the day, but only wore just the first 3 in my hair :)

...The flowers, & twist...

I have one little one off to the left side of my twist...

and to the right...

I have one larger one, coupled with a smaller one.

All of my flowers have 3-5 Swarovski Crystal beads at the centers.

I hope you enjoy making yours as much as I have enjoyed making mine, and sharing the photo's!!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl