The first of the two bodices (I'm making two in case I want to keep one) has been embellished  with  a beaded picot edge along the neckline, two rows of gold trim, beads and sequins.  It's looking better all the time. I'm going to wait to do the off-the-shoulder beaded strings until the slave-girl skirt has been sewn on. That's the next step - measure dozens of narrow ribbons; reds, greens, black, and maybe blue, and FrayChek all the ends.

Christine's bodice is coming along nicely. The patterns worked perfectly! The bodice is now ready to be embellished, then the ribbon 'slave-girl' skirt will be added. I've made the beige tights and black panties, which show under the slave-girl skirt, in one piece to reduce bulk. 

I'm so glad I decided to make this outfit for Rosy. Unlike many of the newer BJDs out there, Rosy is a true "ball-jointed-doll" - all her joints are true "ball joints" - and she poses beautifully.

Took a few more angel photos - this time trying to create the look of "romantic old-world Valentines". I gathered every pinkish fake flower arrangement from around the house to use as background. My favourites are now all posted in a new album in Favourite Photos 2012.

Christine's bodice is coming along nicely. The paper towel and tape method worked beautifully for figuring out the pattern - I'll need to try it with my other large dolls eventually as well. It would be a great way to make some lovely evening gowns using some of my growing collection of beautiful silk and sari scarves.

Right from the beginning I've always wanted to make a BJD version of 'Christine' from 'Phantom of the Opera' - the scene in the stage production where she steps in to replace 'Carlotta', in Hannibal Triumphant, to sing "Think of Me". Marianne and I made a OOAK art figure of her once, and I bought the fabrics and trims for two BJD outfits way back in November of 2010. The biggest problem was always trying to decide which doll(s) to make it for, and drafting that multi-panel tight-fitting bodice. The bodice would end up quite thick because of the velvet and lining and all those gold trims, so I couldn't use a doll with a large bust. It would also probably end up looking very dramatic, and possibly out of scale for an Iplehouse EID - plus they had very large torsos which would make the bodice look way too bulky.  My Rosy has never had an outfit of her own - she's just been borrowing Ryungs costumes - and she has a nice slim body with a small chest and waist - so I finally decided to make 'Christine' for her. The larger BJD costume will be based upon my earlier smaller art-doll one, but will use different fabrics and trims as the originals were no longer available. This time the dramatic over-skirt will be a separate piece which can be removed to reveal the slave girl costume underneath.

Well, the first step - other than actually deciding it was high time to start - is to make a pattern for the multi-panel bodice. I thought I'd start by wrapping a paper towel around Rosy's torso, and then covering it tightly with layers of tape. Then I drew on the separate panels. Next step is to cut it off her, cut it into strips, draft proper pattern pieces and make a test bodice.

The new angel ensembles for Kaye Wiggs msd have gone up for sale - just two left!
For more information, go to the For Sale posting.

I made another variation of my simple BID pattern. It was time to take off the elf outfits, but I didn't have enough dresses for all the girls, so thought making something new from that pattern would be fastest.  This time I used velvet and lace to create a fancier look. 

The dresses are all done and the wings should be finished today. It's not that the actual amount of time spent on them is such a lot, but that they need a lot of drying and curing time between layers, and before I can do the other side, and that takes a long time.. 

I tried taking some photos of Layla and Miki as angels, but I wasn't happy with most of them. This was the best one.  I'll have to try again.

Yesterday was the warmest January 31st on record, and the two little snowmen didn't stand a chance. This morning there is no sign of snow to be seen outside - just two little mounds and two tiny carrots in the upper garden. If you look closely, you can even spot the chocolate chips they had for eyes. No wonder the two snowmen were hugging each other yesterday after the girls left - they knew this was going to happen. Oh well, at least it was fun while the snow lasted.

Well, today I have to finish the three sets of angel wings, and the last dress can get it's ribbon and bow sewn on. I have a hundred rolls of ribbon, but no cream - isn't that always the way -  so we had to go to the fabric store last night to look for some. There were two cream ribbons the right width, so I bought a meter of each - enough to finish the last dress. I can't wait to have them all done!