Batik Babydoll

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

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

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!

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!

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

(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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

(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!

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

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!

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

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!

***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!

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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!

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

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.