Derby Day

Watching the Kentucky Derby with an Eagle eye! What an exciting race!

Trying out a Bucket Hat

Gus pairs his new bold red bucket-hat with an over-sized geometric sweater. It's the perfect combo for a chilly spring day with a chance of showers. 

A bold hat can add so much character to the simplest of outfits.

Hats by the Bucket

Bucket hats have been appearing everywhere in menswear runway shows for both the Spring/Summer 2019 and the Fall/Winter 19/20 seasons. I haven't seen many on the street...yet, but if the trend sticks, Gus will be prepared. I've devised a pattern, which I will be posting here soon, and I've cut out enough pieces for five more bucket hats. Gus will have one for every look.   

Designing.

Thinking up some new patterns...

Pretty in Pink

Here is a springy pastel ensamble, inspired by a look from the Junya Watanabe Spring/Summer 2019 menswear show. I like that the outfit includes a beanie, and a light jacket. Perfect for early in the season, when the weather is still cool. 

 

Patterns in the shop!

After weeks of work, testing designs and creating instructions, my first three doll clothes patterns are finished and ready to be shared with other hand-sewing and 12" doll enthusiasts! Digital patterns for the shorts, pants, button-down shirts, and  overcoat that Gus wears, are now available on Etsy. Check them out here!

Barbie's 60th Anniversary

60 years ago, today, a little 1:6 scale fashion model named Barbie, began her iconic career. Here is Gus, celebrating this important day in his doll family's history. To his right, is a mini art canvas with my own illustration of the 1959 Barbie Commuter suit on it. 

A Greenhouse

Gus is escaping the winter weather with some hot-house flowers. 

Snow Day

Spring is coming. I can hear a cardinal claiming his territory outside my window, and some of my houseplants are blooming, but for now, we have lots of snow. 

Gus is prepared for a walk in the winter weather, with his Burberry inspired duffle coat, herringbone flannel pants, and a warm plaid scarf. Sinatra wears a matching jacket and red collar.   

Herringbone

I wanted to make a big, roomy overcoat for Gus, and I liked the look of the charcoal gray one below, from the Stella McCartney 2018 Fall/Winter collection. I found a beautiful gray cotton herringbone flannel, at the local quilting shop, and did my best to produce a warm overcoat in a similar style. I love the texture of the cotton flannel, and the depth that the weave adds to the piece. 

Patches & Polo Ralph Lauren

I just completed what for me, was a really ambitious little project! When I was watching a video of the Ralph Lauren 50th Anniversary Fall Winter 2018/19 show, I saw the really fun, preppy looking jacket on the right, and wanted to make a tiny one, like it, for Gus to wear. 

I found some blue knit and olive green cotton in my scrap collection. It took me a while to figure out how to make the patches, but in the end I decided to paint them on to a piece of cotton, cut them out, and then applique them onto the jacket. Just for fun, I switched up the motifs to reflect Gus' character. I added some equestrian patches, a beagle seal, my state flag, a bee for industry, and I changed the P to a big G.

Here is the finished jacket, with the patches on. Of course, it's not an exact replica, but I'm very pleased with how it turned out. 

To complete the outfit, I quickly sewed a pair of pants out of some gray herringbone flannel. The fabric is quite thick, so they look very warm and cozy. I didn't have the courage to attempt the shirt ant tie, so Gus is wearing his black T underneath. 

Here is everything, together:

Just Chilling

Gus, patiently waiting for his next look to be finished.

A Touch-up

After riding to and from shooting locations in a shoe-box, and falling on his nose a few times, Gus's makeup needed a little TLC. I touched up the old eye-liner, and while I was at it, I also added some definition to the sculpted detail on his lip. For both paint jobs, I worked with both acrylic paints, and a mixture of clear acrylic and guache.  

After his moment in the make-up chair, Gus was back his photo-ready self. I photographed his new look with some exciting new pieces of scrapbook paper that just arrived in the mail!