We went down to the lake yesterday evening to take some more doll photos, but it was even windier than Saturday - the waves even had whitecaps!  I had worked some hairspray into Narae's wig to help tame it, but it was still way too windy.  So this morning with it being hazy sunlight before the rain moves in, I thought I'd take some photos of Narae in the backyard. Took some on the picnic table, and under it, and on the rock pile. I love how they turned out, so immediately had to create a Favourite Photos page with all the best images. Now I need to take official photos of the costume parts down in the studio - and while I'm down there, find that felt and mohair so I can try focus on making that wig for Tedros - again...

I've finished my Celtic commissions, Elin has her first dress, and now I'm seriously trying to make something for my Tedros. It's about time too, since he's been waiting since January. I have lots of ideas, and that great chainmail glove, but for his first outfit I really need to keep it not too complicated - probably something "fantasy Medieval" to go with more fancy gowns I have planned for my large ladies - probably something inspired by 'Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves'.

It's just I have so many other things I want to make - like some Hallowe'en costumes for my Kaye Girls - they'd look adorable dressed as little girls going Trick-or-Treating - but there's always another Hallowe'en next year. I also want to start some Christmas Elf outfits, and am trying to resist those too. Then there's the box full of saris and scarves needing to be made into dresses, and one more fairy commission.

I don't expect Tedros' outfit to come easy. He's so HUGE and HEAVY! I expect he'll look amazing dressed, but he also needs a wig.  Guys don't have the same hairline as girls, so a simple round cap just won't do - he needs sideburns and receding temples.  I saw interesting instructions for making a wig pattern without seams at the front, and gave it a try. I taped a paper towel tightly around his head, drew the edges and cutting lines in order to make the rounded cap lie as a flat pattern, and then cut it, folded it in half, and made a new symmetrical paper pattern. Now to make a felt test 'wig' to see if the pattern works. Make any adjustments, then try it in lambskin.

I finished all the accessories for the two Celtic commissions, and we went down to the lake to try take some photos.  Narae was a challenge because her wig goes wild with the slightest breeze, but I did manage to get some that weren't too crazy. Here's my favourites....

I'm working on two Celtic outfits, and the actual sewn garments are now done. The costumes are meant for msd dolls whose measurements are in between the two I have - slimmer than Asa, but bigger than Narae - and the dolls are 2 cm shorter so skirts and sleeves need to be a bit short on my models. Today I get to start all the accessories; studded leather belts and wrist-guards, leather bags, and jewelry.

An order of shoes and boots from Mimiwoo arrived yesterday. What amazing footwear!! 
The package included two pairs of brown hiking boots - one for Maya,  and one for Narae.
Maya was eager to try his on right away......

Here's my new little Elin, with short perky auburn hair and a pink lace dress to match her friend.

 I was opening the LittleFee pattern envelope to see if those patterns could be used, or adjusted to fit Elin, and imagine my surprise when there were two brocade and lace bodices in the envelope! All ready to add sleeves and skirt!  Just recently someone had asked me if I could make a Pink Lace dress like my Cinny's for their LittleFee, and I told them I couldn't because I didn't have any more of the lavender-pink brocade or the picot ribbon. Well, I found a whole spool of old rose picot ribbon when organizing all my ribbons a few weeks back. And today I discover two pre-made LittleFee bodices - I guess I could have taken that commission after all!

The bodice is a little tight for Elin since Iplehouse BIDs are a little chunkier than LittleFees. The back barely closed, so I had to sew buttons with loops instead of snaps.

I'd like to try some other eyes - like blue or green - and make her some wigs. I think she might be nice in light blonde, or dark brown. But I'm in the middle of two commissions, so she will just have to wait. At least she's not naked anymore!

I picked up my Narae this afternoon. She had been at Charie Wilson's to be de-yellowed, have her cracked ankles fixed, and to get a fresh new faceup, body blush, manicure and pedicure. Charie removed the outer layer of yellow, returning her to her original golden beige colour.  We also went down another eye size, and gave her some JPop, size 10, blue glass eyes.

When I got her home, I dressed Narae in her New England outfit, and tried every wig on her that fit her. It's interesting how she always looked best as a brunette before, but now I think she looks best with black hair - or light blonde. I really like the black, but the dyed leather against her head will stain, so she'll probably end up wearing the blonde most of the time.

It always takes me a bit of time to get used to my dolls with new faceups, since I don't do change well, and the new faceups generally don't work with the same eyes and wigs from before, but I'm really liking Narae's new look. She also photographs beautifully! 

Tinies are such fun dolls! You can always count on them to do something unexpected.

Took some doll photos out in the garden last night. My hibiscus collection has gotten too big so I'm giving away half of them, leaving me with my ten favourites. I picked some of the flowers in order to take some doll photos. I liked this shot of Cinnamon surrounded by the giant blooms.

I've had two requests for MSD-size Celtic outfits, so am working on both at the same time. One will be blue-green tartan with blue tunic, and the other will be red. The tiny studs I used on the larger outfits are too big for these smaller ones, so I'm using silver beads instead, and that sure makes the work go faster! I've frayed all the bottom edges, so today I get to "muddy" them. Then it's time to make the underdresses and all the accessories. The customer getting the red ensemble will be making her own chain-mail, so that underdress won't be needing my simulated knit 'chain-mail', only some undersleeves to protect the doll's arms.