To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. Isaiah 61:3

Saturday, January 2, 2016

All the 2015 Things!


Well, another costuming year has come and gone.  Last year, my journey took me from 1840 to 1950.  A 110 year adventure!  And what a fun, entertaining, exciting, experimental, growing, learning, stretching, out-of-my-comfort-zone time it was!!

I didn't know if I was going to do a "Year in Review" post, but after chatting with my boys about what I do and why I do it, I thought that it would be a good thing to do.  So many times when I finish a project, it is immediately onto the next one as the last project is done and I am craving the making, creating and the realizing of all the ideas that have been swirling around in my mind for the next project that has elbowed its way to the forefront of my mind!  I often times forget at the end of the year how many items I truly did make and complete in the span of the year.

So, here I go!

I started off the year with making a Natural Form Wedding Dress and 
ended the year with making a 1950s Pencil Dress that I think Mrs. Claus would have thought fun and exciting to wear!

Oh and can I just say how much I am LOVING PicMonkey!!???  It totally makes my OCD, first born, perfectionist's heart so incredibly beyond happy!!  It is another reason that I chose to do a Year in Review post...I got to be as OCD as I wanted!!
Bwahahahahahaha!!


All the Things 2015

Dresses


Link to inspiration dress:  CK Hall

Painting: Wikigallery


Extant Dress:  The Museum at FIT


Extant Dress:  Source


Skirt image:  Wearing History




Inspiration Image:  witness2fashion



Dress Inspiration:  Truly Victorian




Skirt Inspiration Image: Dress Making Research




Inspiration Dress:  The MET








Dress Inspiration:  no excus






See Above Link for blog post...



Hats, Cloches, Toques and A Tiara

Hats that were made from Inspiration


L to R

1840s Bonnet Inspiration: Museum of Fine Arts Boston 
Edwardian Hat Inspiration:  A Victorian Passage in Time
1916 Fur Hat Inspiration:  Found in Mom's Basement
1920s Cloche Inspiration:  No longer available (I haven't written a blog post about this cloche, but will in the future)
1950s Ermine Pillbox Inspiration:  N/A
1950s Black Curly Lamb Pillbox Inspiration:  eBay



Hats that were made without direct inspiration


L to R

1930s Straw:  1930s Fall Suit
1885 Flowerpot Hat:  Port Townsend Saturday day
1920s cloche:  1920s Basketball Uniform (scroll almost all the way to the bottom)
First Bustle hat:  Grape Soda Dress






The Underwear

Underwear from inspiration



T to B

1840s Corset Inspiration: The MET 
1840s Quilted Petticoat Inspiration:  The MET
1916 Petticoat Inspiration:  The MET


Underwear made without direct inspiration



L to R

First Bustle bustle
1840s Corded Petticoat:  1840s Petticoats



Bits, Bobs and Fun Things


Image on Right:  Fleaing France Tumblr







Well, there we have it!  What a fun and exciting year I had in 2015.  Not just the costuming part of it but the whole of the year in general.  Some of the events were sad, heartbreaking and hard to be in the midst of.  For the most part though, I loved every bit of it!

Here's to a fun filled, joyful, creative, prosperous, totally AWESOME 2016!!

Be Blessed my friends!

g

35 comments:

  1. wow wow wow!!!! i love it all! everything just look so professional and well done!

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    1. Thank you so much for the wonderful compliment Samantha!
      Blessings!
      g

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  2. I fell in love in all your projects! I wish my year was so productive...

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    1. Thank you so much Bella! It was a very productive year at my house!
      Blessings!
      g

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  3. I am tired just reading! Brava!! My friend! Outstanding year!!

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    1. I got kinda tired writing about it! hahahaha! Thank you so much my friend!
      Blessings!
      g

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  4. Ohmagoodness!!!!!!!!!!!! Sooooooooooo many gorgeous things! I had completely forgotten about that gorgeous wedding dress - I remember seeing it but I forgot you had made it!!
    I can't pick a favorite because they're all so scrumptious, but honorable mentions, perhaps? ;)
    Your sailor dress is....okay.
    ;)
    JUST KIDDING!
    It's just too amazing. And that 1920s dress is soooooooooo yummy.
    Congratulations on a VERY successful and productive year! I can't wait to see what you will make this year! I always love seeing your projects.
    Happy New Year, Gina! :)

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    1. Hahahah! You are so fun Esther! Thank you for all your lovely compliments! It was a very successful sewing year, I don't think I had one UFO from this year and that's always good.
      Happy New Year to you as well!
      Blessings!
      g

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  5. Wow, cousin! You are so gifted! I love all of your creations. I look forward to getting to know you better. Wish we lived closer ~
    Blessings ~Allison

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    1. Thank you so much Allison! I think it would be so fun if we did live closer and not on totally different sides of the states! It will be very fun getting to know eachother!
      Blessings!
      g

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  6. I admire your ability to keep churning out wonderful things! Are you sure you don't have a little army of magical elves in your basement? :)

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    1. Hahahaha!! No, no magical elves...just boys who don't "need" me like they used to. I look those with sweet littles and have great bouts of nostalgia. Thank you for your lovely compliments Vivien!
      Blessings!
      g

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  7. Yours is my new favorite blog! I have had so much fun combing through your archives and have been so inspired. Thank you for sharing what you do/make!

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    1. Oh what fun to be a new favorite blog! Thank you! I am so happy that it was used as an inspiration!! Laaaaaaaa!!!! And you are welcome!
      Blessings!
      g

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  8. What wonderful work! I love the presentation in those little collages you made. That really emphasises how well you manage to get the right look.
    Happy new year :)

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    1. Thank you G, for your lovely compliment! Picmonkey is so incredibly fun to work with!!! My OCD eyes love looking at how "smooth" they look! Happy New Year to you as well!
      Blessings!
      g

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  9. You are beyond talented, sweet Gina. Thank you for the immensely enjoyable recap of your stunning 2015 creations and inspiration sources. I scrolled - at a most leisurely pace - through all of these images at least five times and will go back for another round before departing.

    I adore your blog to no end and am sooo exciting to see all of the fabulous things you'll share here with us this year, too.

    Huge hugs & joyful New Year's wishes,
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thank you so much for your more than lovely compliments Jessica! I just love so much to create new and fun things to wear!! It also makes my heart happy to know you like my blog! I try to make it fun to read as well as nice to look at! And I was shocked to see in pictures all that I did make. It's easy to forget what was made between January to December...
      I hope you have a great New Year and a great 2016!
      Blessings!
      g

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  10. So many lovely outfits, Gina! I can't say which I like the most. :) They are all just great.

    By the way, I like your blog a lot and have nominated you for an award here: https://sewingempire.wordpress.com/2016/01/01/a-way-to-start-2016-blog-awards/.

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    1. Thank you so very much Nessa! I think the Grape Soda Dress was my favorite...only cause I loved the color!!!
      Thank you so much for the blog award as well! I truly appreciate it!
      Blessings!
      g

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  11. I know you're denied it, but I still don't believe that you EVER sleep! So many lovely things, and all in one year!

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    1. Thank you BT!! Hahahahahaha!!! Oh nooooo...I am a horrible person if I don't get any sleep!
      Blessings!
      g

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  12. Absolutely and positively A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! We are all so happy that you decided to compile a "year in review" post! I don't think that I could ever choose a favorite - every single creation you have made is perfection! Can't wait to see what you make in the new year, happy sewing!!
    Keep inspiring us,
    Anneliese :)

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    1. Thank you so much Anneliese! This was a fun, creative year. So far this year, I have been pulling a page out of your play book...working on a play/musical!!
      Blessings!
      g

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  13. Wow, a lot of wonderful costumes and lovely things. Simply Wow!

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  14. That certainly is a large body of work! I agree that one of the best parts about recaps is admitting how many things you've accomplished each year and taking the time to relive and appreciate them. I appreciate your activity on my blog and others and I'm looking forward to that interaction and seeing your projects in 2016! (As a side note, I think that for your mourning dress you meant to type 1840s, but typed 1940s instead.)

    Best,
    Quinn

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    1. Exactly! You tend to forget just how many things you make until you focus on all the things! I love you blog and all the lovely things you make! It is a great source of inspiration!! I will go and edit the mourning years! Thank you!
      Blessings!
      g

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  15. So many projects and each a stunner - you are really amazing, Gina, I can't wait to see all those wonderful things you'll make in 2016!

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    1. Thank you for your lovely compliments Rosa! We will see if the plans I have for 2016 come to fruition!
      Blessings!
      g

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  16. bonjour, j'ai découvert votre site il y peu, je trouve vos créations magnifique votre travail est superbe bravo
    corinne

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    1. Thank you so much Corinne! I am so happy you found my blog!
      Blessings!
      g

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  17. Oh wow Gina! You have soooo many makes for 2015 and they are all stunning! Those hats tho!! Wouldn't I just love to be able to make hats for my own outfits!!! You are seriously one crazy talented lady! ❤

    xox,
    bonita of Lavender & Twill

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    1. Thank you so much Bonita! I just have a lot of fun making my things. I think you should start making hats! I know you would do a magnificent job!
      Blessings!
      g

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  18. Thank you so much Maria!
    Blessings!
    g

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