Project Blythe

Art Meets Blythe Fashion

2010-02-12T21:41:00.000-06:00

I have been preparing artwork to send to Somerset Studio for possible publication in their fashion-inspired issue. I was working in vintage catalogs when I hit on the idea of using some of my Blythe clothes in assemblage. Here are the results.

The Baby Doll

Party Dress

Petticoat

Keeping up...NOT!

2009-10-01T17:44:00.002-05:00

As much as I love the idea of doing the PR challenges for my girls, I have to admit defeat at the hands of "too much to do." So, I won't be posting or sewing any more challenges this season, any energy I have for sewing will go to stocking my Etsy shop.

Of course, Siriana will still be that fabulous and dramatic rendition of Christian Siriano. Sirianas will never go out of style.

Challenge 4

2009-09-12T17:51:00.003-05:00

Scroll down for previous challenges and results.

CLEARANCE SALE - AZALEAS

2009-09-12T11:00:00.001-05:00

For Project Runway challenge results, scroll down.

Challenge 2 Results

2009-09-11T19:23:00.003-05:00

Max models my creation for challenge 2 of season 6 -- "Maternity Chic." The material used is from a vintage hankerchief, the first of many, I hope :) It's kind of weird seeing a Blythe doll looking pregnant...

Babydolls on Sale

2009-09-08T00:58:00.005-05:00

I've put my three favorite babydoll dresses on sale in my Etsy shop: Sugar and Spice, Batik Babydoll, and The Circle Game.

Challenge 3

2009-09-05T01:53:00.003-05:00

Challenge 2

2009-08-29T19:49:00.003-05:00

Wow, only two episodes and I'm already behind!

Challenge 2 is: make a maternity chic look for a supermodel.

It's going to be a real giggle trying to make one of my girls look pregnant...

Challenge 1

2009-08-21T13:35:00.003-05:00

(Create a red carpet look showing innovation and your point of view as a designer)

And Lindsay Lohan is watching...

That Ari got knocked off right away was no surprise to me, I had her tagged as "auf" the minute she said "I don't do sketches" and went to stand on her head in the workroom. OTOH, I wasn't all that enamoured of the dress that did win, I liked the red flowing thing that Johnny did better than Christopher's textured poof-fest.

All Star Challenge Post-Mortem

2009-08-20T20:57:00.004-05:00

OK, so I was glad to see the arrogant team, Jeffrey and Santino, knocked out of the competition right off the bat. Of the remaining four, my sentimental favorite was Sweet P. I also happen to think that she had the best of the four collections. I had no real opinion about the winner, Daniel V. (which is telling), but I was most disappointed with Kortu's lack of professionalism in her whining about coming in second "again." Get over yourself, Kortu.

Project Runway 6 -The All-Star Challenge

2009-08-20T19:13:00.007-05:00

Create a three piece mini-collection showing your evolution as a designer...LOL...theme and variation on a party dress? Why not? And one of the looks must be "red carpet ready." Wondering what kind of red-carpet event a Blythe doll would attend...oh, and one last look with "unconventional materials..." I was going to have to make four anyway...this is a picture of the girls on premiere night watching the show from the Project Blythe workroom.

Pre-Premier Favorite

2009-08-20T01:39:00.004-05:00

After looking at the previews on Lifetime, I'm initially throwing my support to Louise Black, who resembles the soon-to-be-released "Punkaholic People" Blythe. Not that Louise is punk, she's more Goth with a taste for vintage clothes and repurposing vintage embellishments. Check out her glove-top dress (in the casting section video.)

Play along with Project Runway

2009-08-19T19:10:00.004-05:00

Here's your chance to play "Project Runway" with your girls!

Beginning on Thursday, August 20th at 8pm ET & PT, 7pm CT, Season 6 of Project Runway kicks off with an All-Star Challenge followed by the first episode.

You're invited to play along - each week I'll post the current challenge to this blog (http://projectblythe.blogspot.com) the night of the airing, and you can create and add your interpretation of the challenge for your girl(s). Work on one challenge, work on them all, work on them in any order...

I've started a Flickr group where you can post your creations: http://www.flickr.com/groups/projectblythe. (if you don't belong to Flickr, consider joining - there is a free account option, otherwise post links to your images in a comment to the challenge)

No deadlines, not a whole lot of rules, it's meant to be fun!

Any questions, leave them in a comment to this post, and I'll get right back to you.

Introducing "Siriana"

2009-07-21T17:29:00.009-05:00

My newest girl: Siriana (Night Flower). Siriana's debut is pretty special in that it is right before season 6 of Project Runway on August 20th. Siriana is named after my favorite-project-runway-designer-of-all-time, Christian Siriano (Season 4 winner). (Somehow the name "Crissy" just didn't make the cut.) This season, she will be both a designer and model on Project Blythe, although she will have to share the stage with the other girls, especially Thistle, who hasn't participated in Project Blythe before.

In these photos, Siriana is wearing the evening version of the "Lipstick Jungle" day-to-evening challenge in Season 5.

Fashion Show on Bravo

2009-07-19T18:48:00.008-05:00

I tried to get into "Fashion Show," but didn't really grab onto it. I kept forgetting to watch it (I would NEVER do that with Project Runway), so I've really only caught three or four of the episodes.

I don't think Isaac Mizrahi or Kelly Rowland have the personality factor (i.e. Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn) that made Project Runway so fun to watch. Fern Mallis, who always gives good, spot-on critiques that reflect the real world, just wasn't enough to engage me in a significant way. I also cringe at their toss-off lines: "we're just not buying it," and "buh bye darling."

Bravo also didn't air the episodes often enough during the week so that I could keep up. And, although they do make the episodes available online, I don't like watching TV on my computer screen, it's not the same and I can't position my desk top to the couch. On top of that, I am really getting sick of the erotic angst of the upper class UNREAL HOUSEWIVES of New Jersey, New York, Orange County. Every time I turned to Bravo to see if there was a repeat airing of Fashion Show I got re-runs and marathons of the housewives.

(In fact I don't watch the housewife shows at all, I'm just irritated to see them on the schedule night after night. Then it's going to be Top Chef for crying out loud. I don't watch that either. I do wish I had some of their problems though, if I could exchange my financial situation for those problems. Anyway...that's another rant.)

Fashion Show seemed like a conglomeration of other creative-challenge-reality shows -- I saw a little of the "model" series and the "interior design" series, but didn't see anything all that new to grab my attention. I did like the mini-challenges at the beginning of each episode, however, which is one of the things I like about one of the interior design series. I don't watch the "cooking" shows, and I'm wondering if there aren't some aspects of those in there as well. I didn't see enough of the workroom setting, and I can do without the "audience" voting -- there's too much of an "unknown" factor there. It seemed like they really wanted to NOT include anything that even vaguely resembled Project Runway and went way too far.

Some may say that I shouldn't compare Fashion Show to Project Runway, but of course I do. I was disappointed that Bravo didn't get to hang onto Project Runway, and eagerly awaited their new fashion designer competition. Hopefully Bravo will be able to hone some of the things about Fashion Show that work, and get rid of the things that don't.

Nevertheless, I'm going to try and watch the finale, and at least see the final fashion show on the the internet. I'm rooting for Danielle.

Thistle Models a Custom Order

2009-07-19T14:23:00.002-05:00

Purple Paisley

2009-07-16T21:56:00.004-05:00

I was wanting to try out both the pattern and the purple paisley, I kind of love it!

Finally, Something New

2009-06-15T10:55:00.004-05:00

It seems like forever since I've done a doll dress, having been busy with writing and art-making.

PR-Good News Bad News

2009-04-25T18:00:00.002-05:00

The good news?
Season 6 of Project Runway has a start date on Lifetime Television.

The bad news?
We have to wait until friggin August!!!

Read on:. PROJECT RUNWAY Returns to the Catwalk With August 20 Premiere on Lifetime Television

TIB Manna Energy Drive

2009-04-24T17:58:00.004-05:00

Local story about Etsy

2009-03-29T12:54:00.006-05:00

Local crafters put their stuff on Etsy

The site is an explosion of handmade crafts, some good, some bad, some strange.

People just aren't making things like they used to, said local artist Melanie Falk.

You go to almost any store, and you'll find the sleek, slick, small and mass-produced, but it's all almost entirely UN-unique. Where's the personal touch? Where's the evidence that a living, breathing humanoid crafted this item?

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:

http://journalstar.com/articles/2009/03/29/living/402/doc49cbc3a275ce2544519755.txt

Meet Thistle!

2009-03-25T13:57:00.004-05:00

I know, some of you are probably thinking "Thistle? What an odd name for a doll, associating one with thorns...."

BUT, as the person who suggested the name pointed out (thank you hundredpoundradish):
"Many thistles have a beautiful pinkish flower top, but they also have huge spikes that will wound you if you mess with them."

That's my girl!

And the winner is....

2009-03-23T20:53:00.005-05:00

We have a winner! Actually TWO winners....read on...

Here is a list of all of the names submitted for the "Name This Girl" contest:

Paisley
Cotton Candy
Macaron
Cerise
Coral Pink
Lavender Pink
Cherry Blossom
Pinky Rose
Thistle
Pim
Delilah
Elliot
Annelie
Mia
Lavender
Lydia Biscuit
Marissa
Adelaide
Dinky Devereaux (Dink for short)
Tilly Harvard
Petunia Lee
Delphine
Pansy
Leilani
Dusty Cosmos
Lily Primrose
Poppy Kinneret (Hebrew for harp)
Floss
Mimi
Blush
Hayley
Kitty Wise
Vega Lune
Flamingo
Trinity
Neon Rose
Genesis
Varda Valentine

And the winning name is.....

Thistle

submitted by the

hundredpoundradish (TIB).

And the winner of the drawing is....

Carrie Me! (blog)

I will be personally in touch via Etsy and TIB!

Thanks to everyone who played, it was fun and I'll try to think of more challenges!

Name this girl! - win a Project Blythe dress!

2009-03-07T22:55:00.013-06:00

Two prizes for this challenge! (read on) Leave a name suggestion in a comment to this post, and you'll be entered to win from a random drawing.

I got this girl several months ago, and have yet to find her name. Let me tell you about her...

I just got her some new pink eyechips. I thought it was a crime for Takara to give a girl pink hair w/out matching eyes, so I bought some pink eyes from TIB and switched them out.

She's kind of like Reese Witherspoon's character in "Legally Blonde," in that she is a total girly-girl and highly intelligent. She's not a law student, though. She likes to wear her hair in a one-sided ponytail like the character "Sissy" in "My Favorite Uncle"--60s-70s TV show - do you remember that one? She's a cat person.

She has her dark side, though, and you don't want to make her mad. When she is manic she turns into a goth version of Courtney Love with pink hair.
I want a name that usually isn't a name, like her stock name "Biscuit." It could be the name of a flower, a foreign version of a word, like "Belle," or any interesting smart and girly word.

There are two prizes attached to this challenge, shown above. One dress will go to the winner of a random drawing of comments on this post. The other dress will go to the person whose name suggestion I pick. If I don't pick any names, I'll randomly draw twice.

If the winners of the challenge would like a different dress from my shop (on the right side of this blog), and if I have the fabric available, I will make the winner's choice.

So, leave your suggestion for a name as a comment on this post, and you'll be entered to win one of the dresses from Project Blythe.

Deadline: Sunday, March 22nd, midnight Central Time

2009-03-03T16:22:00.002-06:00

Another spring-like dress in the shop.

New in the Shop

2009-03-01T18:01:00.004-06:00

Waiting for forsythias again...

2009-02-24T15:50:00.002-06:00

Available on Etsy.

Sequels and Reruns

2009-02-17T21:33:00.006-06:00

Made another couple of dresses today, another "mod" dress and another "Pistachio Salad." (Will I ever be able to remember how to spell "Pistachio" correctly?)

Break out the bubbly, I did a collar!

2009-02-16T16:07:00.002-06:00

I knew I was going to try one at some point, but I didn't think it would actually turn out!

TIB Avatar

2009-02-14T19:05:00.002-06:00

Project Blythe out in the world...

2009-02-14T17:53:00.005-06:00

I love seeing my doll clothes on other people's dolls! This one is a stunner - that hair and how it matches the print of the dress. Thank you Maija! Take a look here:

Maija's Blog
www.maigirlz.typepad.com

LilGypsy's Blog
http://maisondeblythe.blogspot.com

Sewing Binge

2009-02-14T15:08:00.002-06:00

I've been sewing up a storm these past few days...six new dresses in a couple of days...I think it's cabin fever.

I've been sewing up a storm these past few days...six new dresses in a couple of days...I think it's cabin fever.

Blythe Charms

2009-02-10T15:57:00.003-06:00

Some scrabble tile charms I made for a swap in the "Art du Blythe" Yahoo group.

Swiss Dot Dress

2009-02-10T14:37:00.003-06:00

I found this fabric - Swiss Dots - about a month ago in a fabric stash I've been hauling around for 20 years. Seriously. Too small to make anything for full-size humans, I finally found a perfect use for it.

I think Stella looks a little "out of it" lately. She's the one I *always* have to keep my eye on...

Spring Collection part 2

2009-02-04T00:22:00.003-06:00

Spring Collection part 1

2009-01-29T01:31:00.005-06:00

HOUSE OF PINKU dress

2008-12-31T23:53:00.003-06:00

We got our very first House of Pinku dress in the mail today! Thanks Julie! Stella got to wear it first because she's the oldest.

New Project Runway Project

2008-12-29T00:58:00.004-06:00

I don't know what's up with Season 6. Last I read it was supposed to be starting next month, but I don't see any evidence of that.

So. A N Y W A Y I got a gift certificate to B&N for Christmas this year. So what did I order? PROJECT RUNWAY the ENTIRE first season on DVD! Yay!

So maybe I'll start up with the challenges/blog thing again on my own, kind of like an independent study....

Batik Babydoll 3

2008-12-23T12:06:00.001-06:00

Red Roses

2008-12-12T19:13:00.002-06:00

I fell in love with this fabric, although the scale is a little large for Blythe clothes. It really is that red.

More Mod

2008-12-11T19:08:00.002-06:00

New Additions

2008-12-10T19:05:00.004-06:00

This is the second of the vintage fabric dresses, a lot of hand-sewing on this one, and a dilemma about whether to close the back of the skirt. I opted not to, as closing the skirt "tamed" the petticoat, and I like how it looks.

This one was SO FUN to make! I am so pleased with how it turned out, especially the buttons as embellishment. She looks like she's ready for an Austin Powers set.
How could I possibly resist this fabric? Another classic party dress. I'm considering doing a "series" of black and white clothing, for some reason I've been drawn to that color palette lately.

Skull Dress

2008-12-08T02:38:00.003-06:00

Found this great print at Hancock Fabrics...

Vintage Linen Dress

2008-11-29T18:54:00.002-06:00

I finally dug into my vintage linen/lace stash to make the girls a dress. This is vintage linen, tea-dyed. I'm not sure what the original piece was, as I only had an end and a corner to work with. It is embellished by a single vintage mother-of-pearl button. I also made a petticoat to go with it, and used some vintage tape as a sash, although that got a bit bulky around the waist. It's the first of what I hope are many OOAK dresses from vintage linen/fabric.

Cupcake Hats for All

2008-11-27T21:21:00.002-06:00

I've been playing around with a crochet pattern for "cupcake hats," which I think are about the cutest things ever. I'm working towards a variation that I like, so far I favor the new girl's version (left), which I actually didn't do correctly (according to the pattern).

Root Beer Barrel Polka redux

2008-11-22T21:58:00.002-06:00

New Dress for the New Girl

2008-11-22T14:27:00.001-06:00

Blythe Scrabble Tile Pendants

2008-11-12T17:05:00.003-06:00

These were so fun to make except for getting that &$^*& bubbles out of the resin...

YouTube - Old Blythe Commercial

2008-11-02T19:51:00.002-06:00

Batik Babydoll

2008-10-31T18:07:00.003-05:00

I really like how these batik-style fabrics look when used for small dresses, the patterns become a whole new design element. I had a hard time deciding how to embellish this because the pattern is so prominent. Finally, while looking through my beads I found a tiny glass flower with a slightly blue tint. Perfect. Available on Etsy.

Circle Game

2008-10-23T22:10:00.003-05:00

Isn't Max stunning in this? I remember singing "The Circle Game" by Joni Mitchell when I was in high school. The Women's Chorale had to wear high-waisted uniforms that remind me of babydoll dresses, although they were some weird wrap-dress-huge-collar seventies thingies...

Available on Etsy :)

Back to the Shop

2008-10-21T23:39:00.003-05:00

I'm back to stocking up the Etsy shop. Here's the first two in a series of babydoll dresses. Although I altered the Skipper pattern for this dress, I'm not entirely happy with it, I just don't like this bodice. I may have to use the bodice for another dress and just shorten it to give me a better result.

Yay! Leanne Wins!

2008-10-15T22:26:00.002-05:00

I was totally cheering for Leanne over the past few weeks!

To be perfectly honest, I wasn't too impressed with her work during the first few challenges. But she won me over during the course of the season, and when she was announced as the winner of season 5 I got a little choked up. I think she is remarkable for her personality (as being rather subdued, serious, and not egomaniacal) as well as for her designs.

And she has an Etsy shop! Leanimal. Even though I'm sure she won't need Etsy as a venue any longer, I hope she keeps it up and running at least a little, the Etsy community deserves to have its "star."

So, I didn't finish the season on time here at Project Blythe, but I will continue to work on the challenges until I do, just because I want to. I am currently working on challenge number 11 - design a look inspired by a musical genre. Max's genre is Gothic Bluegrass. ;)

Challenge 10 results!

2008-10-13T19:38:00.005-05:00

Here is my outfit for Project Runway challenge 10, in which the designers were asked to design professional looks for young college graduates.

One of my favorite "work" outfits is a two-piece suit from Chico's with frayed edges on the jacket. So I decided to do a "frayed edge" outfit -- the top is a two-layer crumpled silk blouse with the neck and hemline frayed with pinking shears, the neckline is asymmetrical and intentionally "messy" looking. The vest/tunic also has frayed edges and the seams are on the outside. I stayed conservative (hems) with the gingham checked flared pants.

Full size photos available for viewing at my Flickr account.

Granny Dresses

2008-10-11T16:21:00.003-05:00

Since I've been into the "Blythe" thing, I've noticed a lot of party dresses and current looks, but I haven't seen many of the "Granny" or "Peasant" style dresses that I see most often as the 1972 Kenner dolls' original clothes.

So I thought I'd play around with a vintage Skipper pattern to develop a good Blythe "granny dress." Here are the results. I've tweaked the neckline, the size of the bodice, and lengthened the skirt. I also designed a neckline facing to avoid having to do one of those tiny hems (I'll never been good at 1/4" neckline hems, ugh).

Project Runway Episode 10 Challenge!

2008-09-28T23:04:00.003-05:00

Challenge number ten is to create a professional look for a recent college graduate. I'm looking forward to this as I have been wanting to dress Stella and Max is more current clothing, a departure from the Skipper vintage party dress pattern :).

Challenge 9 Results!

2008-09-28T21:28:00.006-05:00

Well here's Max as an Avante Garde Aries. Really, I don't think the look is Avante Garde, but the fabric is hideous, and in this proportion to the model, is waaay out there. The rolled collar is a nod to rams' horns, and the fire element is self-evident. I bought the fabric precisely because it is so wacky, I don't really even like it. This was also frustrating fabric to work with, and I finished it wondering how many PR looks go down the runway held together with safety pins....

As always, click on the photos to see the full size images on Flickr.

Project Runway Episode 9 Challenge!

2008-09-25T22:45:00.002-05:00

OK, so I don't have a kicked-off designer to pair with, which is OK. I'm going to make an Avante-Garde look for Max based on the zodiac sign Aries, which is my sign. Stella's a Taurus and Max is a Cancer, (both about which I know a little) but I'm going to express fire and curly horns for this one. Stay tuned, I've started it already and it's going to be hot. Well OK maybe just bizarre.

Maybe while I finish it I can pretend I'm arguing with Michael Kors about what's Avante Garde and what's not....a girl can dream...

Challenge 8 Results!

2008-09-25T18:54:00.008-05:00

So I am seriously messed up and behind on these challenges, which is OK because NOBODY READS THIS BLOG! Seriously! I could say anything here.

Anyway, here is the result of the DVF challenge. I decided to depart from her "look" and add some color. I LOVE her work but it is mostly neutral in hue. I have to admit, if I had more time I would've fussed with embellishments, but I didn't.

And I will add that, concerning last night's episode (Sept 24), I am a bit peeved that Kenley didn't get the boot. I think she is so obnoxious, which is probably why the producers keep her. After all, PR is not a personality contest; if it were, half the finalists from previous seasons wouldn't have made it....

Anyway, click on the images to see their full size at Flickr.

Project Runway Episode 8 Challenge!

2008-09-09T23:09:00.002-05:00

The 8th Project Runway challenge this season is to design a "look" for Diane von Furstenberg's fall collection. It's about Marlene Dietrich, Shanghai, Berlin, travelers and international spies. For a look at von Furstenberg's 2008 fall collection, go here: Diane von Furstenberg Collection.

Challenge 7 results!

2008-09-09T22:40:00.004-05:00

Shaggy Chic

Well this challenge called for adjusting the parameters a bit. Rather than actually getting car parts for this challenge, I widened the allowed materials to include things that you use on a car, and things that would be in a car in Stella's ideal world. That is: dusty rose (faux) suede (Stella's choice for upholstery) and a wash mitt. A PREMIUM CHENILLE WASH MITT. With a super-shaggy pile. From Target.

Project Runway Episode 7 Challenge!

2008-09-03T07:14:00.000-05:00

The challenge for episode 7 is to create a "look" using materials from a Saturn car.

Thinking on this, I had to adjust the parameters. My first thought was to go to an auto supply store and just buy stuff. But car stuff is expensive, and I didn't feel like spending money on a whole seat cover or sun shade or whatever just to use up about 1/8 yard of material.

So I expanded the criteria to include things that you *use* on or in a car, which helped. The results should be along soon. I think the outfit is going to be really cool.

Challenge 6 Results!

2008-09-01T12:10:00.003-05:00

G.I. Joe as a drag queen. The "dress" was relatively simple, it was the hair, make-up and pedicure that was challenging :).

Labor Day Weekend

2008-08-31T16:55:00.002-05:00

(click on the photo for more views)

Well, I took some time off from turning GI Joe into a drag queen and made a couple of dresses for the Project Blythe Etsy shop...here's one of them, I call it Pistachio Salad.

G.I. Drag Queen is coming along nicely, but the manicure and pedicure nearly did me in.

Project Runway Episode 6 Challenge!

2008-08-23T23:19:00.000-05:00

Make an outfit for a drag queen! Yaaay! Neither Stella nor Max could pass for a drag queen, but I am lucky in that I bought a G.I. Joe at the thrift store a few months ago....

Challenge 5 Results!

2008-08-23T22:30:00.001-05:00

I did my research on Lipstick Jungle and thought OH YEAH. That's just what we need. ANOTHER television show about the erotic angst of white upper class women! But that's a rant for another blog.

So, I tried a shot at what Blayne did for this challenge and constructed some "shorts" for a day to evening look. I even chose the gray palette to make it "classy."(To see more shots of this outfit, click on either of the pictures )I actually like this outfit, and had fun dreaming it up. For fabric, I used coordinating swatches of drapery fabric samples. The jacket is made from an oversized plaid, so you can't detect the pattern, only see a blocking of color. The shorts are made from a micro-version of the same plaid. My only regret is that I didn't have high-heels for Stella to wear, that would've been a better look. But she loves her boots and is happy in spite of me.

Project Runway Episode 5 Challenge!

2008-08-19T06:33:00.000-05:00

The episode 5 challenge is to create a day to night look for Brooke Shield's character on "Lipstick Jungle."

Ummm. I haven't watched it. So I will do a little research and come back with it....

Challenge 4 Results!

2008-08-18T09:06:00.000-05:00

Here's Max wearing my version of the U.S. Olympic team outfit for the opening ceremonies. I was having a hard time with this until I put the bodice on backwards and turned it up to make little points.

Project Runway Episode 4 Challenge!

2008-08-18T08:31:00.000-05:00

Challenge number 4 is for the designers to create a "look" for U.S. athletes at the opening ceremony of the Olympics in China. I have to admit that this particular challenge doesn't trip my trigger -- I'm not much interested in sports, and the red, white & blue color combination is one of my least favorite. But I'll give it a go.

Challenge 3 Results!

2008-08-17T16:09:00.001-05:00

I chose to do two looks for challenge 3, because the first look I did was inspired by something in the day time. On watching the episode again, I realized that I needed a night time shot and a night out look. Plus, I got a new girl so now I have two models.

Below is one of the first shots I took for the challenge, a building in downtown Lincoln. I love the architecture and the color palette.
The second shot I took is from standing under the lit dome at the Sunken Gardens at twilight. I love how the blue sort of "glows" behind the structure. The lace-like work of the dome depicts trees and landmarks of Lincoln around the bottom edge. Around the inside of the bottom of the dome is some text, some of which reads "the most beautiful place in the city." And, although I live only several blocks from the garden, I'd never before visited them at twilight. There is certainly an air of magic there at that time.
So here are my girls, Stella (blonde) and Max (blue) wearing their Challenge 3 dresses. I do have to admit that they, and I, are not entirely pleased with the results. As Laura Bennett of Season 4 would say, "there's a whole lot of ugly going on in that room."
Stella says, "good thing my hair is longer than this dress, at least something is covering up my ass!" (Yes that girl swears like a sailor!)Max, on the other hand, is slightly less peeved than Stella, although the dress itself is a tad short, and the lace is M.O.B., she likes that the dress matches her fabulous blue hair.

Project Runway Episode 3 Challenge!

2008-07-30T22:51:00.000-05:00

In challenge number three, the designers were taken on a double-decker bus ride, given cameras, and told to find their inspiration on the night-time streets of New York City, and create a look suitable for a night on the town.

So, my interpretation of that is to take pictures of inspiring images/things in my immediate environment and create a "look" of my choice - in Lincoln Nebraska! I promise - no party dresses made from prairie grass...or buffalo hide...

Challenge 2 Results

2008-07-30T19:41:00.000-05:00

(Click on the photo to see more.)

Just in time to watch Challenge 3, here's what I came up with for Challenge 2: to create a cocktail dress for my model using eco-friendly materials.

The dress is made of a "jersey knit" bamboo fabric and embellished with glass beads. The fabric was a bit of a challenge to work with. Not to mention that my girl is not old enough to be going to cocktail parties much less wear a chic cocktail dress.

Challenge 2 - Pink Bamboo!

2008-07-27T19:53:00.000-05:00

My girl is sitting on the fabric she picked out for Challenge 2. What could be more eco-friendly and Blythe-worthy than PINK BAMBOO FABRIC? (She also convinced me to buy some pink zebra-striped flannel backed satin...it was on sale...ooOOOooooo!)

Organic Anything

2008-07-25T16:45:00.000-05:00

So, I stopped into a fabric store today (Calico something), and asked if they had organic anything. The lady showed me some bamboo batting. Hmmmm, maybe I could make my girl a cocktail dress that makes her look like a stuffed animal....I ended up buying a half yard of raw silk ("raw" is good, right?), but I'm not sure it's right for my girl....

Project Runway Episode 2 Challenge!

2008-07-23T21:10:00.000-05:00

And...the second challenge is....to create a look for your model as a client using "green" (eco-friendly) materials. And your girl gets to pick her own fabric and notions!

Since Tim Gunn won't be here to supervise the shopping, we'll have to take our girls ourselves.

So...somebody tell me...what is "eco-friendly" fabric? All natural materials? Organic dyes? How about un-bleached muslin (yawn).

What will the fabric-ladies at JoAnne's say when I ask them for eco-friendly fabrics? This could be interesting, but I'm always up for a fabric shopping challenge...

Challege 1 results

2008-07-20T16:37:00.000-05:00

Project Blythe's look, made from cupcake cups, Sharpie pen, and cake decorations: (click on the image to see more):

Project Runway Episode 1 Challenge!

2008-07-16T21:01:00.001-05:00

***ANYONE IS WELCOME TO PLAY!***

The challenge for this week is to construct a "look" for your Blythe doll using only materials that you would buy in a grocery store. I think going to SuperTarget would be cheating but that's just me!!

If you watched the show you saw the designers use everything from thumbtacks, produce, and oven mitts to garbage bags and rubber gloves. (The garbage bag lady was almost thrown out! Pun intended...sorry.)

Now think of the possibilities in terms of scale with Blythe! A whole other realm of materials are available just because of her small size.

So, over the next week, make your "look" then post a comment to this post with a link to a photo. I'll compile the links into a "results" post as they come in. No time limit or budget limit for this, just have fun.

I can't wait to see what you all come up with! Any questions, post a comment or email me at projectblythe@aol.com

"Neon Whimsy" in Australia!

2008-07-16T20:00:00.000-05:00

Project Blythe's Etsy shop had its very first sale from Australia. Above is a photo of "Neon Whimsy" on Jaffacakejo's Flickr photo stream. Isn't she lovely? Click on the photo to see more of Jo's wonderful Blythe photos.

Project Runway Preview

2008-07-14T14:47:00.001-05:00

I just found out that Bravo has posted summaries of the challenges and the guest judges for all of the upcoming episodes here: Project Runway Season 5 Episodes. There's also a video preview of some of the designers with Tim in the work room.

Carry on!

Her Sunday Best

2008-07-13T14:37:00.001-05:00

Only THREE DAYS until season 5 of Project Runway! Whoohoo! I can't believe I actually have a conflict that night and will have to record it to watch it when I get home. But I will be posting a summary of the challenge to this blog that night after I watch it, for those who don't get Bravo TV.

I couldn't sleep last night so I made another dress. I've been wanting to combine these two fabrics for a while, and I think it turned out pretty well. It's meant to be a babydoll but the bodice might be too long to call it such.

Textual Treasure

2008-07-12T19:57:00.000-05:00

I just love this dress. It is based on an altered vintage Skipper pattern and made with three coordinating fabrics. The sash is completely removable and can be worn crossed in the front or the back. The top of the dress is lined, the bottom and sides of the skirt are hand-hemmed-I just didn't like how the machine stitching looked on this. It closes in the back with three snaps, and the sash closes with a snap as well. It is available on Etsy, there are links to the right of this post.

If you look closely at the photo below, you will see stitches in black thread from both the hand-hemming and from the lowest snap. I am thinking of re-doing both in gray thread rather than in black. Anybody have an opinion?

Update: I did re-do the hem in gray, and moved the third snap up to where I could attach it to the seam connecting the top and the bottom. Much better!

One week and counting....plus Nite Nite Kitty

2008-07-09T15:27:00.000-05:00

My own pink kitty jammies are my favorites. The light flannel is literally disintegrating but I refuse to give them up. So of course, "Blythe" needs a pair of pink kitty pjs too, or in this case a nightgown. I may need to go back to Hobby Lobby for more "Hello Kitty" fabric and make myself a new pair of pj pants. These are available, of course, on Etsy.

More Blythe Fashions

2008-07-08T19:59:00.000-05:00

Project Runway 5 begins a week from tomorrow! I can't wait until I can post about more than miscellaneous outfits. In the meantime, here are two more: "Paisley Jane" and "Lil Miss Sunshine." Both are available on Etsy.

"Lil Miss Sunshine" was my first attempt to crochet for Blythe, and I think it's pretty good. I'm going to try combining crochet and fabric into one-piece outfits next.

I think the sundresses that are in style now (at least the ones I saw in Younkers) are cute with the crocheted tops and fabric "skirts", I don't know what else to call them, they are babydoll/halter dresses.

Two new outfits on Etsy...

2008-07-02T15:59:00.001-05:00

Chocolate Mint Swirl 2-pcBubblegum and Licorice 2-pc

See my other blog, http://kimtedrow.blogspot.com to view a couple of altered Barbies, which I promise not to do to Blythe....

Project Runway Countdown - whoohoo!

2008-07-01T19:30:00.000-05:00

Just fifteen days to the start of the 5th season of Project Runway. I am going to do something really fun this season: I will take on the challenges and create fashions for my as-yet-unnamed Blythe doll, and post them here. Anyone care to join me? Here's a link to the show's Web site at Bravo TV: http://www.bravotv.com/Project_Runway/index.php

New Items on Etsy

2008-07-01T19:21:00.000-05:00

I've been working on my photography skills a bit, and can see a little progress. Funny how I've had this kick-ass camera for five years, and am still learning what it can do.

Bubblegum & Licorice

2008-06-27T11:16:00.000-05:00

Anna Bandana

2008-06-26T11:54:00.000-05:00

A new outfit for my as-yet-unnamed Blythe doll.

Coming soon...

2008-06-23T11:13:00.001-05:00

Frou-Frou Seizure