Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Blogiversary Give Away!!


Hello and Happy New Year everyone!  

I hope that 2017 is starting out wonderfully for all of you! So far, so good here at the White house!  It has been snowing quite a bit.  I just measured the accumulation on my bird feeder and it measures 7.5".  That is snow pack from when it first started snowing before Christmas with the warm melting days and so forth... As I look out my window, it is once again snowing!  What fun and we here in the Treasure Valley need it as we have been in a drought for some years...which is nothing new for the high mountain desert known as Idaho!!

A fun thing about today!!  It is my actual 25th wedding anniversary which I think is fun because I'm choosing today to post about Beauty From Ashes' Blogiversary Give Away!  Yes, 25 years ago today, I married my sweet, Gregory Robert Martin White!  I cannot believe it's been 25 years of joy, pain, fun, hardship, happiness, contentment, irritation...all of the human emotions all rolled up into one 25 year package!  25 more years, here we come!!!  (I will post our wedding picture so you all can see what young things we were. I was 20, Greg was 19.  I totally robbed the cradle!)  This is what I wrote on Facebook...

"25 years. Silver wedding anniversary. (WHEN did that happen!!!) This to me is so beyond comprehending at times and at others "oh ya... It's been 25 yeeeeaaaaaars." There have been struggles, tears and heart break. But there has been joy, laughter, love and contentment. That's what you get when you mash two separate lives coming from two entirely different backgrounds together under the same roof, til death do you part . Marriage is hard work. It's struggle. It's human. It's having to be unselfish and giving and forgiving. It's not always the "happily ever after" of novels. 
But....it is also happiness, safety, funny, dependable, secure, accepting of flaws, peace, caring, love, comfortable, home, a blessing. Knowing that whatever crap is going on around us (or yes, between us), we will get through together and on the other side we'll still be smiling and laughing and enjoying each other's company and holding on tightly to each other, because there is another 25+ years of being together! I wouldn't want to go through it with anyone else! Happy Anniversary to you my beloved. I love you so much!! Thank you for being my safe place, my strong hero, my sound reasoning, my support and biggest fan, my irritation, the one who makes me laugh loudest and longest, and the delight of my heart!"


I'll also add on here (cause it's my sewing/costuming blog) the man who lets me be my creative self without nary a complaint or harsh word.  Who says, "It's ok!" when the hours have gotten away and dinner isn't ready and the house is a wreck (I am after all a professional house wife!).  Who let's me dress him up for when we go to a costuming event and who totally and completely supports me in all of my costuming, creating, artistic, and business endeavors.  You, my sweet, are a true blessing!! 


Ok!  On to why this post is being written!!  Waaaaay back on December 16, 2011, I wrote my very first blog post for Beauty From Ashes.  There were no pictures, just a threat about keeping up this blog for my memory and notes and ideas.  Since then, I have written 382 posts.  Some have been about ideas, some have been about completed projects, some have been Throw Back Thursday posts because I hadn't made anything because I had been involved in projects that weren't mine and I didn't want the blog to fall into misuse.  Some posts didn't have anything to do with sewing or costuming, but about antiques and cooking.  It has been a real mismash and I have enjoyed all of it!  I have gained quite a few followers and for you all, I am most grateful!  You have encouraged me and lifted my spirits with your lovely compliments and I count many, many of you as friends!

I have learned a lot during my "career" in blogging.  One of the biggest things I have learned is that not all people are alike in their preferences and "likes".  There sometimes is a huge difference between what I think is awesome and what my followers think is awesome!  That is so fun to observe.  My writing style and what I post about has changed over the years...sometimes I wax poetic and other times I just write the bare minimum.  I believe that all depends on what is going on in my life at the moment of writing and how I am doing emotionally.  Or if I am super excited about a project, of if I'm feeling just "meh" about it.  

Here are the top 10 viewed posts from #1 - #10


A very fun, educational, entertaining, emotional, satisfying time have I had writing and keeping up with this blog!  And I thank you all for joining me on this wild ride!


On to the Give Away!!

(This giveaway is open to US residents only...sorry!!!!!)

I have decided to go ahead and open this up to anyone who wants to enter...as the husband just weighted it and it is under a pound....Huzzah!!!


As part of my Blogiversary and as a way of saying thank you to my wonderful, supportive followers, I am wanting to offer you a gift!  While I was making my pocket for my 1830s cotton print dress a couple years ago, I thought "this would be a fun gift to give someone if I ever did a Blogiversary give away!"  Then, just this November as I was making one for my dear friend's birthday, I thought the same thing and hello!!  My blog's anniversary would be next (December) month and I could make one!  Huzzah!  Well, then the back went out and  all thoughts of sewing flew out the window!  Grrrrrrr...  Well, the back got better and the time for making a pocket was at hand.  It is now finished, made with silks and cottons left over from previous dress projects of mine.  This pocket along with some bits and bobs I've had in my collection/stash are what I would like to offer by way of "Thank you!!!".

Because I am so not computer savvy and because the thought of having to learn how to do Rafflecopter causes my brain to hurt, I am just going to do it the old fashioned way.  Write the names of the entrants on a piece of paper, put them in a hat, and have my Colton draw a name out!  We will video it so that you can watch us do this...the drawing out of the name part that is!  



The rules are so simple!  You can enter up to 3 times...

1.  Answer this question in the comments below:

"Why did you get into costuming?  Was it to get in touch with your ancestors?  Do you just love sewing/creating and you had to make something that made your heart sing?  Were you impressed upon by one of your friends to do what they were doing?  Or was it that fabulous dress from a movie that you just felt the urging to recreate?"  

Any answer will totally do!  I just really like knowing what drives other people to create!

2.  Post a link to this post on your blog if you have one.

3.  Share this contest on Instagram if you have an account...  tag your share with #beautyfromashesblogiversary

If you would be so kind as to let me know how many times you entered along with the answer to the question in the comments, that would be great!  I totally trust you and won't go and make sure you did what was needed!

You have until next Tuesday, January 10th at 8:33 pm Mountain Time Zone.

The winner will be announced Wednesday, January 11th!








Pocket of silk dupioni, silk taffeta, printed cotton, and cotton lining.  I will send along cotton twill tape so you can make the waist tie to your measurement!




Back...made using the cotton fabric from my 1830s cotton dress!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this fabric!




Roughly 15" long!  Nice for holding phones, gum, money, ear plugs, snacks, camera, scissors, thimble, acorns...whatever you think you'll need!




Bits and Bobs include vintage buttons, laces, two Victorian photographs, black leather gloves, three vintage handkerchiefs, a set of vintage garter clips, and a card of antique hooks and eyes.  I don't know why I have chosen these to be part...just felt they would be fun!











 Again, thank you all so very much for following along with me on this fun, crazy, entertaining and educational journey into costuming and blogging about it!!

Blessings!

g




Look at those babies!!!  Oh yes...My Mama and I made my dress!!  It's still hanging in my closet...I need to see if it still fits!!



29 comments:

  1. Hi Gina! *waves from the window of my house, which is practically on lock-down because of the snow*

    Let's see....I got into sewing because A) I was obsessed with pioneers in my childhood and can probably still quote most of the Little House books. B) My friends were part of an English Country Dance group that attended Civil War reenactments, so naturally I needed a costume. C) Well it turned out that costume wasn't good enough, so research. D) Naturally I became obsessed, and learned as hard as I could for the last 4 years off of what I could get from the internet.

    Are you interested in English Country Dance by any chance? We're having a dance practice on Thursday evening.

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    1. Hi Michaela!!
      Yay! I am so happy you have entered and yes! Isn't this snow crazy! I don't know how much you have on your part of town, but here it is so much white fluffiness!!

      I LOVE your reasons for costuming! I read the Little House books so long ago, that I don't remember hardly any of them. I think I need to re-read them! Yay for English Country Dance! I would love to take lessons and attend your practices! I don't think it will happen tonight though...I can't even get out of the driveway and husband's truck is having issues as well! But thank you for the invite! I hope next year to get out to watch the big event the Civil War people put on! Hopefully I'll see you there! And I LOVE research! Your green plaid dress was fantastic!!

      Ok, one entry for you!!

      Blessings!

      g

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    2. Yeah, the one tonight was canceled...there'll be another one in two weeks. I can add you to the Facebook page.

      I THINK I'M LOSING MY MIND I HAVEN'T LEFT MY HOUSE IN LIKE 5 DAYS. I tried to walk up to the library and was trudging (ahem, ploughing) through close to 2 feet of snow that had not been touched. Only to find the library was CLOSED. So now I'm just grumpy.

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    3. Ha! Ohmygosh. I am not laughing at you but am totally feeling the frustration that this heavy blanket of snow is doing in the valley! A lot of things are being cancelled thanks to the white stuff! Yes, please add me to the Facebook page! I would love that!

      That is totally stinky about the Library being closed! Truly! Colton and I walked to Albertson's yesterday to get some things and it took us forever to plow through the drifts and snow! Eeeeeek! But, it was much better that attempting to drive in my car! I hope your day goes better and that you will be able to get out and away from cabin fever!

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  2. From the time I was a teenager I loved historic costumes. My oldest sister did quite a bit of sewing - she worked at a living history museum for a time. But it wasn't till I was around 30 that a woman at my church taught me how to sew. And I've been making up for lost time since then. I do have a blog and an Instagram account, so will be entering the 3 times. Happy Anniversary!!!

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    1. Hello Mairi!

      Huzzah for that lady at your church who taught you to sew! I think that is a wonderful thing she did! Isn't it interesting that most of us costumers had that passion for historic costume and dress from a young age!? I love it!! Keep up that making up for lost time!! How fun!

      3 entries for you!

      Blessings!
      g

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  3. Happy anniversary!! I wish many more happy years for you and Greg :)

    I was going to answer anyway when I first saw this earlier in the afternoon, but now I have a shot! Woohoo!

    Why do I create?: I thiiiink it maybe started when I was a wee bobbin. My family is a big ol' pile of giant nerds, attending Star Trek fan conventions since the dawn of time (ok, the 80s). My mum made costumes for her and Dad. I remember a memorable turn as the 5th Doctor Who for my dad (complete with felt celery tucked into his coat pocket, and getting a shirt embroidered with question marks on the collar corners). I learned to sew so I could make my own costumes! (The first one I made was a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine uniform.) I hated sewing for a long time, but as I've gotten older and improved my skills, now I really love the rituals. Plus I really really love dressing up, and being able to mini-brag "thanks, I made it!"

    blog: adventuresinbiastape.blogspot.ca

    Two! Two entires ah-ah-ah!

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    1. Oh how I LOVE LOVE LOVE that your parents were into CosPlay before it was know by that name! How totally epic and a wonderful heritage for you! Your dad's Doctor Who outfit sounds epic!! Do you have any pictures of this masterpiece? And what better way to cut your teeth in the costume business than making a Star Trek uniform! I loved all the Star Trek movies and series! It has been fun following your blog!!! Keep up the fabulous work!

      1 entry for you!

      Blessings!
      g

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    2. I have the family photo collection right now, I'll see if I can find one! I definitely have pictures of him with permed hair for a 4th Doctor costume ;) The Star Trek costume was fun because I recently pulled the pattern out of our fanclub's archive to remake it (the first one was flannel - not recommended!) and the instructions are one page. There's a note that it's for experienced sewists, something I definitely wasn't at 14! Three cheers for Star Trek! Thank you kindly <3 I really enjoy reading your blog too! (I came here to look up cage crinolines, but this was the first page in my history lol)

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  4. (OK I lied, just one, I swear one of these days I will learn to read!)

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  5. I started as a theatre costumer. But it wasn't until our church did a Dickens Fair event that I became exposed to historical costuming. I had very little budget and a LOT of costumes to make, so I had to be very innovative. I turned men's suits into frock coats, 80's prom dresses into dreamy skirts, sewed tons of petticoats and mob caps, designed and sewed simple bonnets (because the stock patterns were too complex for mass production and kind of ridiculous in their scale), made capes (even altering Christmas tree skirts on occasion to cut corners and save time), sewed waistcoats, made knickers for the boys, sewed reticules for the ladies and on and on. We ended up with enough costumes for 60+ ladies, 30+ men, and dozens of boys and girls who manned the shops in our outdoor "village" and performed in various skits and musicals. It was a ton of fun but far from historically accurate (except in overall appearance and silhouette). Since then I've been following blogs and really wanting to make something historically accurate. 2017 is the year! Thank you (and all the other historical costume bloggers out there) who inspire me daily!

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    1. WOW!!! You know Colleen, after costuming shows ("Our Town", "Guys and Dolls", and "Oklahoma") for a local University (NNU), I have a whole new respect for those who do this full time or full/part time! There is so much creativity and artistry that goes into turning something that is existing into a new creation. All those things you did for the Dickens Fair event...that is a LOT! I so admire that ability. I struggled with it when I did the shows, as I am used to taking raw materials and following a pattern...this making something different from an existing... I am sure you make the production look fabulous!! I can't wait to see the things you create when you start doing historically accurate things! I hope you share with the world!!

      1 entry for you!

      Blessings!
      g

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  6. I am sharing a comment because I came to costuming in a funny way- but it is ok to leave my name out of the hat because a) I am that super lucky friend who has a birthday pocket - and I loves it precious! b) I just want to support my friend and make this post a most read for the next five years of awesome blogging!
    I came to costuming during the year I lived in NE while Matthew was stationed in Korea. My MIL was working at a living history fort in Ord and frankly watching little girls walk around in flip flops and bad elastic 1860s made my teeth itch two seconds after reading about the fort's late 1870s early 1880s timeline. Who knew this bug was in me?!? I started making more accurate dresses for children, and my MIL and loved it. Many moves, adventures and years later I'm still making historical costumes and I still love it.

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    1. Hello my friend!! Yay for pocketesses for birthday gifts! I had such fun making yours!! I am going to enter you anyway, cause you did the thing! And you know, you have Connie and Emily!! Or you can keep it for yourself! Thank you for supporting this contest and me...like you always do! I love you! I can just see you as you watched the flip flops and elastic at the fort...hahahahah! I would have loved to have been there to witness that hot mess! And I am so overjoyed that costuming was what brought you and me together and that we discovered that we had more in common that just that! Do you have any pictures from your day at the fort? I'd love to see them!

      1 entry for you!

      Blessings!
      g

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  7. Just wanted to say happy anniversary. I enjoy your blog so much. My husband and I celebrated our 25 on the same day as you and your husband. :-)

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    1. Hi Stephanie and thank you so much! It always warms my heart when I hear that people enjoy this little blog! And Happy Anniversary to you and your husband! Another Silver Anniversary and on the same day! Wonderful!!
      Blessings!
      g

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  8. Happy (both) anniversaries!

    I got into costuming by accident. One holiday weekend I had nothing to do and my friend took me to a WWII reenacting event as a photographer. The girls gave me an outfit and I got hooked. It wasn't until later that I started to learn to sew - modern stuff because I was irritated that I couldn't find clothes that would suit my figure. It didn't occur to me at first that I could actually sew my historical outfits myself, but once it did I started loving it. Since I do 1914-1950s, a lot of people I know buy real vintage for events. Although it seems appealing to own original pieces, I really enjoy the process of creating everything from scratch.

    One entry :)

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    1. Hi Gemma!
      Thank you for entering and for telling me your story! What wonderful eras to be involved in with your costuming! I myself like both the old mixed with then new, but I love collecting antiques, so that makes it easy! What a lovely thing your friend did dragging you along to her reenactment! That is the best way to get others involved in our wonderful world!!

      1 entry for you!

      Blessings!
      g

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  9. I got into historical costuming almost 30 years ago when we became docents at Sutter's Fort. I have been sewing regularly since Jr. High some 40+ years ago. I love to create. I sew for myself, my husband, and many friends. I love fabric and have more than I will be able to use in this lifetime but it doesn't stop me. I have met many like-minded folks through sewing and reenactments. Some folks think I'm crazy when I say this, but sewing relaxes me. I love making things completely by hand (no machine) and showing the visitors we get at the Fort that clothing can be made without a machine.

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    1. Hi Geri!

      I am so happy that you love to sew! You make such beautiful things to wear and gifts for others! I had such a time when we visited while you were here! You need to do that again! I agree with you about sewing relaxing you. Although it is my least favorite part of costuming, I can shut my brain off to whatever is going on and just concentrate on making something beautiful! Can't wait to see your future creations!

      1 entry for you!

      Blessings!
      g

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  10. Congratulations on the anniversary! I'm a little behind you, we hit 18 years last year, though we've been together for 24.

    Onto the costuming. I started after reading The Dreamstress's blog, have no idea how I ended up there, but I had to start after that. I've always had an interest in costumes, but that solidified it. I've stopped for a bit, but that's mostly because I can't comfortably wear the corsetry at the moment. Hoping that'll be fixed over the next year as I want to expand my 18th century wardrobe.
    I actually started in 1913 and then moved to 1775 after my husband admired a Simplicity pattern I had (I didn't use that, I used Janet Arnold) and I also dipped a toe into 1810. I want to go back to 1775 and 1745 since I already have the foundations for that and then I want to go Victorian. I think I need more storage space, possibly more sewing will leave me some room in the wardrobe store all the clothes!

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    1. Hi there Rachelle!

      Thank you! It is such a weird thing getting to this anniversary... Congratulations on you 18/24 years!
      Isn't it interesting how we get to where we are! I am happy you happened upon the Dreamstresses blog, because now you are costuming! Huzzah! I love the teen years and admire the 1770s...probably won't ever go there myself, but I love seeing what other people create! I love that you already have the foundations for those years! But yes! Go Victorian! It's my favorite HUGE era by far, because there are so many mini eras in that one long era!! I'll cheer you on!

      1 entry for you!

      Blessings!
      g

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  11. I love history!!! My dream is to be a historian. I love learning how people used to live. I don't know how to sew but my mom is teaching me.

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    1. Hello Choocka!
      It is so fun to hear that you love history and want to be a historian! Yay for mom teaching you to sew!! I wait in anticipation to see where that takes you!

      1 entry for you!

      Blessings!
      g

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  12. Hello and congratulations!

    My name is Erica-Anne. I have been an amateur historical costumer for the past 5 or so years. I have always been an extremely artistically-minded person. I am the only child of a former opera singer and an actor/ writer so my creativity was fostered and greatly encouraged.

    One of our family traditions was going to the PA Renaissance faire. When I was a teenager, I began making my family's (and later my fiancé's) costumes. I also often ended up creating my own wardrobe for my high school theatrical productions when the costume department's choices left much to be desired lol I have always been a stickler for at least SOME historical accuracy even in a lowly high school musical production haha.

    I was a double major in Musical Theatre and English Literature in college. I have always treasured the ability to travel to any time and place through my role in a show or just reading a good book. As the great-granddaughter of a beautiful Victorian lady, I have often found myself engrossed in the pictures of my great-grandparents and their friends and family. I loved the attention to detail, the beautiful tailoring, and the uniqueness of the way they dressed. I recently began to delve into making my own Victorian gowns. I completed my first elliptical-hoop style ball gown for a Masquerade at the beautiful Cairnwood estate in Bryn Athyn, PA. I am now working on a bustle era gown in my spare time. :)

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    1. Hello Erica-Anne!
      Oooh! What a fun ancestor you had! Isn't it so much fun when you have photographs of your Greats! I love seeing how those who came before me look! I totally get the need to have those theater costumes look somewhat historically correct. It just adds that much more to the experience! Good job for seeing that through! And what an exciting life to be the daughter of opera and actor! I'll bet you learned a lot about theater and costuming through that season of your life! I pray you much success in the bustle era gown! That is one of my favorite eras...ok all the Victorian era is one of my favorite eras...but bustles, they are extra special aren't they!!

      1 entry for you!

      Blessings!
      g

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  13. Dear Gina,

    Warmest wishes to you both on your 25th wedding anniversary!! May there be more laughter, more joy, more love in the years to come - Happy anniversary!!

    Congratulations on the Blogiversary as well!! How exciting! I can’t wait for the next 382+ posts filled with all of your fantastic sewing adventures…Here’s to the next year of blogging!

    As for the entry…Why did I get into costuming? For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved the fashions of the past, dress up, period dramas and all things artistic. But “costuming” was introduced to me by the beginning of high school when I decided that my favorite place in the theatre was the costume room. Then I discovered sewing blogs…yours actually was one of the first that I *obsessed* over, I mean followed haha…and the rest is history! Thanks for hosting this neat give away :)

    Keep inspiring us,
    Anneliese :)

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    1. Hi Sweet Anneliese!

      Thank you for your lovely wishes! It's been a crazy quarter century to be sure, but I wouldn't change it for anything!

      And ya...5 years writing crazy about my sewing! I have so appreciated and loved your posts and how you always are cheering for me! Thank you!

      I remember reading about your taking a prom dress and changing into a beautiful Edwardian gown and the bonnets you made from sun hats! You have a most fabulous eye for detail and it's been fun to watch you grow and get beyond fabulous!!

      1 entry for you!

      Blessings!
      g

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