Showing posts with label 1960s dress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1960s dress. Show all posts

Thursday, July 19, 2012

DIY: The Gladys Presley Poodle Dress

Look, ma, no arms!
 Today I can proudly say I accomplished somethings. That's right, plural. Most days I'm lucky if I can accomplish a good hair washing (which, ahem, today was not one of those days) but today I was all about finishing somethings off: decorating the thematic area of my art room (cannot wait to share that with you!) and this here dress.
Now you can see the real reason I was hiding my hands. And why I couldn't wash my hair today -- I'd never remember to pick up bananas if I did!
 You might recognize this dress pattern if you've been reading for a while. It's the same pattern I used to create my Empire Strikes Back dress for Star Wars Weekends. You remember, the one where I almost got Boba Fett's digits if hubs hadn't blown my cover. Take a look-see here if you need a refresher.
I'm currently on a big time 1950's poodle kick. When I share my art room decor with you, you'll see what I mean.
 You might also recall this little prissy poodle. This was my traveling DIY I worked on while overseas. I based the poodle off of the little pups found on the wallpaper in Gladys Presley's bathroom. You can read all about that and my trip to Graceland here.
How do you know when it's time to wash your hair? When hubs refers to it as "troll hair". Since when do trolls rock bump-its, I ask you?
 I was so excited when we returned from our trip to finish this dress. I've decided to create a couple of thematic dresses for this school year and this one ties in perfectly with one project idea I have in mind. 
A close up of the wallpaper in Gladys Presley's bathroom. Do you see the poodle I used as my inspiration? I added the beret.
 Despite the fact that I've now sewn three dresses from this same pattern (what? practice makes perfect-ish), I struggle with it every time. I blame bad memory and an inability to understand long sentences that don't involve multiple pictures. In color. With cute cartoon characters. Talking poodles would be good.

Did I mention that part of the problem might also be my undiagnosed ADHD?
Oh, look, I'm having another one of my pharmaceutical-drug-ad-photo-moments: If you suffer from the inability to read multiple sentences without talking cartoon poodles, ask your doctor about NotBeingaCrazyPerson. Possible side effects of taking NotBeingaCrazyPerson include: acting like a grown up, not wearing bump-its, and washing your hair. Use as directed.
 But it all came together. Finally. I can actually say that I no longer dread putting in the armhole facing-thingies. I mean, as a self-taught sewer (well, with the help of my Memphis bud) but I can easily say that sewing from a pattern really is just a matter of following the directions. And seam ripping. Lots of seam ripping.
I am so in love with this puppy print. I'm sending some off to the amazing Jen of Peachy Tuesday. I cannot wait to see what adorable hair accessories she creates with this.
 Along the way, I discovered this fabric designer: Tammis Keefe. Have you heard of her? This fabric is actually a reproduction of a printed pattern from many years ago. It's funny, without my knowing it, I have recently purchased three of her fabric designs. I love her style, it' so stinkin' cute.
El Fronto.

La Backo. Looks like someone needs to add a hook and eye to the top of the dress. Or just lay some dirty hair over it. Which is most likely.
 Well,  now that it's finished, I wonder what Gladys would have thought of my dress...or better yet, her hunky son...
Well, that looks like a wink of approval to me, E. Thank ya.
I keep having these dofus moments where I don't make it in front of the camera in time. Which results in these kind of shots. Whatcha think, E?


Yeah, it's a stare I'm used to.
Do you know this lady? Elvis did, if that give you a hint.
So, there you have it. My completed Gladys Presley Poodle Dress. Now, if I could get my hair to Priscilla Presley Perfection, I'd be out of Troll Hair Land and into Mushroom Cloud Hair Territory. It's good to have something to aspire to. 

Be sure to drop by within the next couple of days to see my art room. Here's a hint on the theme: it is Tres Magnifique!
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Sunday, June 17, 2012

What the Art Teacher Wore #21

Rainy Stormy Sticky Monday: Oh this silly weather. On this here day, I was productive, finishing my Nashville sign and spray painting a couple of those plant holder thingies (behind me). top: Ann Taylor, garage-saled; skirt: Anthro, purchased at The Paris Market; sandals: Sseko with DIY straps
 Well, kids, here's a lil round up of my weekly wears and some lovely works of art that I just happened to match. Each one of these paintings comes courtesy of pinterest (gah, what did I do before pinterest? Laundry? Sleep? How foolish of me!). If you'd like to follow my pins of all things vintage/art teacher/craft/sewing/painting/not-cooking-but-drooling-over-images-of-food, you can click on that wee button I finally figured out how to install to your right. Let's stay up past our bedtime with glazed-over eyeballs and pin together, whatyasay?

BTW, I managed to score a batch of lovely tops at a recent garage sale (J.Crew! Ann Taylor! Anthro!) several still with their $68 price tags for just a coupla bucks. So, of course, I promptly wore one each day. Hence the numerous outfits of separates. In case you were wondering. 

Enjoy and I'll be chatting with you again soon...I want to share with you some other treasures I recently scored.
Woman In Blue Irving R. Wiles
Exploring Nashville's finest food and thrift Tuesday: The art teachers I work with and I spent this day exploring Nashville. Have you ever been to a Goodwill Outlet? You must. And, if you are local, you also need to get yourself to Los Paletas ASAP as they are now dipping their popsicles in...wait for it...Olive and Sinclair dark chocolate! I almost died. top: J.Crew, garage-saled; skirt: made by me with vintage and Anna Maria Horner fabric; sandals: same Sseko as above
I am in love with all of these paintings by Lulie Wallace.
Adorable hair clip by the ever-awesome Peachy Tuesday.
Estate-saling and more Nashville-exploring Wednesday: A buddy and I hit the road with a list of addresses promising The Biggest Estate Sale Ever! We walked away with a trunk full of treasures. dress: vintage, thrifted, I've had this beauty since high school; rope sandals: by Nomadic State of Mind
Andy Warhol, Butterflies 1955
Catching up with a buddy Thursday: I have so enjoyed my days of catching up with friends this summer. It reminds me that I need to do more of that. Just sitting and chatting. dress: vintage, thrifted; sandals: Target, old; kitty: Asha, big, sweet and fluffy
I love Mary Blair.She's the reason I must ride It's a Small World every time we visit a Disney park as she designed the interior of the ride.
Errand-running and DIY'ing Friday: I started this day out strong and then wound up losing my steam around noon. Trying to get jacked up on B-12 didn't seem to do the trick. I suspect getting off pinterest and going to bed at a decent hour might solve this problem. top: J.Crew, garage-saling; skirt: Anthro, sale last summer; sandals: Target; belt: gift from a friend
One of my favorite artists of all time, Isabel Bishop.










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