General Grierson days 2012

A week and half ago we, at last, had our first event of the year. We'd all been anticipating it quite alot! And were overjoyed that it was finally here. I don't think we would have survived the wait, had we not all been preoccupied the weekend before with my dear cousins wedding. (Not to worry a post about that lovely weekend will come as soon as I get my hands on satisfactory pictures. :)

This year things were a bit different. They had alittle train station or depot or whatever you'd like to call it set up in the battle field. You can just see the edge of it on the right of this picture.

This horse was so gorgeous and really caught our attention. It seemed like there was quite alot of calvary there this year. Which is fine by me. I so love being able to see horses. :)

We were in the fashion show again this year. Its becoming quite a tradition for us. I think I've been in this particular one 3 times so far. :D Its always really fun and usually quite successful. Tho this time I almost slipped on the stairs when coming off the stage. lol Thankfully I didn't cause a scene and I don't think anyone noticed. :D You have to give me some credit tho. I was wearing Robert Lands for the first time ever after all. :P

Next we had lunch. We had the brilliant idea of sitting in the gazebo...and its a very good thing we did. It started blowing and puring down rain. Thankfully it let up after a bit. And also very thankful for girls with hoop skirts to hide hats and other things that aren't supposed to get wet under. hehe

Here Sarah is trying to "shield" herself from the rain. I personally think she was just scared tho... lol

They had a Timeline side this year as well. It was quite fascinating! 

There was camps from WW I, WWII, and Korea.

I thought everything looked completely awesome and quite realistic!

And now I REALLY want to do WWII reenacting. :) Let the research begin! ;)

After a rather wild experience running across the extremely busy road with two other members of my party. We got back to the park just in time for the battle to start.

I have to say it wasn't the best battle I've seen, but that's probably just because the last one I saw was completely phenomenal and my expectations were high. :D Never the less it was still fun to watch and we had a good time.

Here's a picture of our party. Sadly our number is shrinking. Hopefully we'll find some new people to join us soon. :) From left to right: Sarah, Megan, Lauren, Michelle, Rachel, and yours truly. :)

Sarah and Michelle, the 'twins' looking as adorable as ever. :) Can't imagine my life without those girls.

Michelle's hair done up for the dance. It looks very pretty doesn't it? :)

The dance was held in a different building this year. It was slightly cramped, but we still had a ton of fun. Above Me and Rachel waltz. While Lauren and Larry try some new moves. :D

I got to waltz with Larry as well. It was one of my favorite dances of the evening. He's such a phenomenal dancer! We went so fast and were twirling and flying around the room non-stop. By the end I was quite out of breath. :P lol

And to end a wonderful evening, a photo with a wonderful couple, Larry and Shirley. Since this was Lauren's last reenactment before she gets married and moves away we all wanted to get picture together. They are such sweet people and we're very blessed to know them.

From left to right: Rachel, Sarah, Me, Shirley, Larry, Megan, Lauren, and Michelle.

I hope you enjoyed the post and check back soon, as I'm hoping to posting more regularly from here on in. Things have slowed down a bit and I'm hoping to start digging in to my list. Our next event is in 3 days and I have a billion things to get done. A hoop to resize, a dress to hem, things to iron, food to make, a stay to finish, choices to finalize about what were going to wear, a hat the need redecorated. Not to mention getting the house cleaned up for company on Sunday. :) Anyhow we're all super excited about this weekend and have alot of big plans. (BTW Sarah and Rachel can't wait to tell you about them. :D lol)

Until next time!

Love,

Brooke

Pinspiration

Recently I've been slowly, but surely exploring the joys of Pinterest! Its such an inspiring site! A priceless resource for storing all my ideas in their own categories. I have very broad interests so it suits me perfectly to find inspiration pertaining to so many different facets all in one places. I find everything from make up tutorials to wedding ideas (not that its anywhere in my near future, mind you :P) to fashion boards. My personal favorite, if you look at my boards, is definitely the fashion ideas... Not to mention the little bits of humor, uplifting words, recipes and house hold care tips. I could go on and on.. Needless to say I've passed more than a few hours on there. :D

Here's a few things I've found that I'd like to recreate.

The flounces on this are INSANE! In a wonderful way. :D

This skirt in black. Paired with a dainty 'vest' and an extremely fitted jacket. Oh yeah! 

Showin' my froofier side. ;) Which isn't very froofy. :s

Love this! Almost origami styled jacket!

I don't know why, but these ARE calling my name!!! I love em! The details around the waist are so perfect. :)

I think this is the cutest dress! Its so bright and cheery! And I love what they did with plaid on the bodice!

Which are your favorites?

If you'd like to check out the rest of my pins go here!!

Love,
Brooke

Modern blouse for Megan

I started this blouse last year for Megan's birthday. I got it part of the way done and wasn't pleased with how it was fitting. So I threw it into pile set it as side to finish some other time. The months slowly ticked by and Megan's birthday came and went again this past March. At the time I new I wanted to go a head and finish it for her, but between work and drivers ed. I didn't have any spare time. All that was left was constructing and setting the sleeves, buttons/buttonholes, and hemming the bottom. So, at last, I finished it!!

I used Simplicity 2501. Its a very straight forward pattern. Very simple to use and I understood the instructions perfectly. A nice accomplishment for someone such as myself. I usually just make up my own... :S :P I love the stand up collar and ties.

The only thing I don't really like about the pattern is the fact that it has bust darts (not sure what the technical name for them is? :-/). I can never seem to get them to lay right. The fabric is a plaid-like homespun that's been laying around for years. It was actually very nice to work with and is very soft, un-like some other homespuns. Thankfully I was able to find 9 matching buttons in our button collection. lol I was surprised to see how many we'd used since I last dug threw them.

As you can see it still doesn't fit to greatly, but maybe someday she'll grow into it. ;)

The back also has 2 darts, but they actually turned out pretty nicely so the don't really show. :)

I love the sleeves. There like cute little puff ones, but only have 2 box pleats on top and 1 on the bottom instead of a bunch of gathers.
Thanks so much for visiting. I've been spending alot of time in the sewing room and I'll have some things to show you soon. So don't be a stranger. ;)

Love,
Brooke

Abounding sun bonnets

Hello!!

 I am, at last, back after my lengthy hiatus! :) I'm now off my job for the summer months. And as of an hour ago we wrapped up the elephantine project of picking up and organizing (sorta) the sewing room! Which pretty much looked like a tornado had hit it. :S So now all the fabric is sorted by color and all the small peices for quilts are separated from the more useful lengths (which to my disappointment are rather limited in both size and quantity). Box after box of knits were hauled to the basement. In every form and color you can imagine. Single knits, double knits, tricots, and well the list goes on and on. I'm now accepting ideas on how to use this mountainous collection. I have to admitt I have very little patience when it comes to the horrible heap of poly esther. lol That type of fabric basically goes against my entire idea what I should be sewing. Never the less, I'd definately like to turn over abundance into advantage. Speak now or forever hold your peace when it throw it all away. :D lol Anyway enough about that... Now that I that I can sucessfully enter my cheery little space and not have to dig threw every one of the boxes to find something specific each time I get an order. I'll be producing more things to show y'all.

 To hold y'all over...here's a few of the bonnets I've made for some of my customers. They're definately the most popular item I sell. :)

                                      

                                     

Until next time,

Brooke

Grand Dames of the 19th century

Here-in you'll find some extremely drool worthy ladies of the 19th century.

 Empress Eugenie -1860 I love the flounces on here dress the must be sooo full and out of a very crisp fabric.

 Countess Csekonics of Jimbolia and Janova -1862-65

The skirt detail is awesome! Her shawl is really cool too.

 

Duchess Marie in Bavaria -1857
by Franz Hanfstaengl

She's so adorable!

Amina Boschetti -1863
by A. Armand & C.ie, Bordeaux.
Quite the hair style. Wish I had the opportunity to wear this... :D

Empress Elisabeth of Ausria
Its interesting how all the stripes have
 a different design on them.

Empress Maria Alexandrovna of Russia -1869
Can you tell I'm quite taken by very geometric designs?

Tsarina Maria Alexandrovna, Winterhalter -1857.
Must have been very wealthy. :P And very fond of pearls. :-. lol

 Princess Royal and Princess Alice -1852
by Theodore Brunell
They look like little angels and their dresses are to die for.

Hungarian coronation dress -1867
One of my favorites... ♥

 Elisabeth dressed for the cold in a fur-trimmed paletot -1865
 by Emil Rabending
A nice little peek into fancy outer wear. I can't imagine how heavy this whole outfit must have been. Even tho velvet was probably lighter in the 1860's. There's still alot of yardage there and then add the coat which looks quite girthy... wow

Infanta Isabel, Princess of Asturias, Countess of Girgenti nicknamed "La Chata"
Is that one heck of a gown or what? lol




Duchess Sophie Charlotte of  Bavaria -1867
I'm sure most of you are thinking this is probably one of the most ugly dresses you've seen. lol But I'm draw to its angular lines. Its simple beauty is quite my style. :D



Isabel II Queen of Spain -1860

Her dress is so pretty! I'd love to make myself

a dress like that someday. :D Its so feminine. 



Duchess of Wellington

She is like ultra graceful, in my opinion.



 Princess Alexandra of Wales  -1866

Isabel Alvarez Montes, Duchess of Castro Enriquez and Marquise in Valderas -1868
I'm loving all the tulle or whatever you want to call it.  It must have been alittle nerve racking to wear, so fragile. The trim on the skirt is such a cool design as well. 



Princesses Helena and Louise -1856
by Roger Fenton
They seem really impressed by getting the dag taken don't they?! :P Their hats are really cute and I realllly like the jackets.  

Elisabeth as Queen of Hungary

This is my personal favorite. I think its probably the most beautiful 19th century ensemble I've ever seen. I'd really like to make a reproduction of it some day. *heres to one's dream*

You can find many more at the source. :) I hope they inspired y'all as much as they did me. Which ones are you favorites?

Until next time. ♥

Love,

Brooke