Lawanda's Blush Bolero

There is a huge trend right now of wedding gowns with unfinished organza ruffles or layers. Like so....
This one happens to be from Vera Wang's White Collection at David's Bridal.

    Lawanda fell in love with it, but wanted a little something to cover her shoulders with. Sadly, they only had boleros in white or ivory. Nothing in that pretty blush shade that she fell in love with. I knew that it would be tough to find an organza in that shade and I really didn't want to get her hopes up before I made any promises. It was 11 days before I'd found the perfect organza for her.
   In the meantime, Lawanda asked that I make a fascinator and veil as well. So I started on those first.

I wanted the bolero to have many of the same qualities that the gown did without it looking like some strange bird. This is what I settled on. 

A few days later she wrote me this, "I got my bolero, veil and fascinator today...I am in love...I cried when I saw it..I can't believe you took so much time and made it just like my dress..everything is so awesome!!! Thank you so much for everything! I will send you pictures of the big day!!!"

Lawanda's Big Day

This design is now available in my shop.

Tea Party in the Meadow

   This is a photo shoot a small group of  wedding professionals helped me arrange in Yuma, AZ. We set everything up while the girls were getting their hair and make-up done. When they finally arrived, this is what awaited them....

To say the least, they were VERY excited!

All the flower arrangements were made by FORTUNA FLORAL.

The beautiful cake and cupcakes by Yuma Couture Cakes.

Bab's Giddygappers made all the cute labels, straws, and ribbon wands.

The dresses were by me.

The beautiful Kanzashi barrette and sash were made by Empress Barrettes.

Nic's Button Buds made the cutest button wand.  All and all it was a great day! 

To see more pictures from this shoot, click here, or here.

Thanks to:

 Events by Chelsea for the setup.

Jayson Simmons of No Box Photography

Laurie Brown Photography

and Courtney Fisher Sellers (Photographer and model mom) for the great pictures.

Amanda's Gown

My client found a dress that she really liked, but it needed a few adjustments........

This is what it looked like by the time I got it. Yeah, it needs some work....

47 roses, 14 yards of silk and 3 revisions later....

In the end the finished dress(with petticoat) weighed 20 lbs!

Big THANKS!!! to Sison Photography for the use of their beautiful images.

My First Photo Shoot

I friend of mine in Australia is doing a Rockabilly/Pinup photo shoot and I've whipped up a lemony yellow version of my Roxy design for the occasion! 

   I made it with white organza and a lemony yellow cotton. It has a SUPER full skirt, complete with a built-in petticoat of organza and a big satin bow.

  The gals dressed it up with additional colorful petticoats from Spunkerella Pettiskirts.....

and gorgeous necklaces from Addicted to Buttons.......


I built the dress on a corset base to help with that annoying slipping feeling that is so common in strapless dresses.
















Big Thanks! to Andrew Sharp Photography





and to Nic's Button Bud's for inviting me to join in. 

For the rest of the shoot click here.

My 50's Rockabilly Inspired Design

I'm crazy about the 40's and 50's. The fashions for women were both sexy and stylish, proven by the fact the they are still loved and sought after today.  I have been wanting to have a line of vintage inspired dresses for a long time. I would watch all the old movies studying the dresses and scribbling ideas in my notebook. I wanted the first dress I introduced to show the sheer enthusiasm for life that went with the era that grew up on fast cars, rock n roll, and swing dancing. At the same time it needed to be classy so that librarian types with a hidden rebel in them could still feel comfortable while letting their hair down. Introducing Roxy.

A classic, strapless, tea length dress. Break out the Vinyls, dancing will not be a problem with it's super full skirt and red polka dotted petticoat. Little red satin buttons down the back hide the zippered opening and the whole thing is finished off with a big red bow.

This dress screams, "I'm young and ready for FUN!"

Here's my inspiration board for this design.

Victorian Ensemble

Like with all my creations I got to imagining what my bride would choose to wear as accessories on her big day. 

I found these amber and pearl earrings by LittleWhiteChapel that I thought were subtle with just a spark of excitement. This charming necklace by UmbrellaLaboratory is sure to keep you punctual. The red color and intricate design make it a perfect fit with a Victorian themed bride. ArtsyButterfly makes this lovely fabric and lace bouquet that will not wilt and makes a great heirloom after the wedding. This hand crocheted garter by MoesCrochet makes a perfect toss garter that has a great vintage look to it. PoshBridalCouture's rolled rose garter is sure to make his day. The pleated fan perfectly mirrors the bolero collar. Just lovely! And check out those spats. How adorable are they? These little cuties  slip on over your pumps wisking you away to a bygone era. To top it all off, I found this rolled rose headband by BeSomethingNew. It finishes the look off nicely don't you think? 

Carlena Designs

Once I got to looking I found so many great wedding items that fit the wedding theme. Like these sparrow earrings. They would make lovely bridesmaid's gifts. 

RagTrader

These working compass cufflinks are fitting for the groom. A great way to hint that he can't lose his way. 

Secret Safe Books

I love this hollow book for the ring bearer's duties. It's made out of a copy of  I LOVE YOU BECAUSE by Beverly Clark. And it's small for tiny hands. 

Crafty Pagan

Crafty Pagan

Then there are the paper goods. There are so many talented artists out there that it was difficult to limit myself to one selection. I can't get enough of the hot air balloon table numbers by CraftyPagan.  Then there are their EAT ME and DRINK ME tags. I can see them tied to wine bottles and tucked under these mini chocolate bar wrappers by ElizabethAO. They are ready to go on the chocolates of your choice, complete with the bride and groom's names and wedding date.

ElizabethAO

Queen of Cups

TheQueenofCups makes these little gift tags that would work as escort cards, place cards or any card need you may have. She even has one with a blue bird on them. 

LaceyClaireDesigns

I did say I was having a difficult time choosing just one didn't I? 


I found this beautiful card/money box by LaceyClaireDesigns. How fitting to have a hatbox when the Victorian era was all about the beautiful hats that the ladies would wear.    

Victorian Taffeta

 Images courtesy of Ken Cox Photography
 For full sized images check out my Etsy shop.