Halloweenies!

I just finished making costumes for my kids for Halloween.  They are big fans of the

  Sesame Street Yip Yip monsters...so I happily obliged!

Here is my take on the yip yip's!

Has it really been that long!

Wow...How time flies!

I didn't realize that it's been that long since I have "blogged". The summer kept me very busy. I did work on a few projects over the summer, however! I made a few necklaces to sell at a "lake gift shop". I really enjoy those projects...quick and dirty...projects that can be completed in an hour or so, unlike costumes that I can be working on for sometimes 6 weeks or more!

Here are a couple of examples of this seasons "Beach Jewellery"

Convertible Necklaces that separate into a matching bracelet and anklet!

very versatile!!!

I also completed a custom order over the summer so I wasn't just parking my butt on a beach chair and soaking up what little sun we had this summer... ok so I WAS just parking my butt on a chair...but occasionally I had a needle and thread and a pile of beads beside me!

I really loved the color combination of this costume. I was given the material for the skirt and pulled the colors from that. The fabric was a small teal colored leopard print on a beige background with turquoise sewn on sequins. The client wanted to play up the teal color rather than the turquoise but I thought a combination of a teal base with a turquoise highlight would be really pretty! The client also preferred warm tones as opposed to silver or Crystal accents for the stones which worked really well with the beige background to the fabric!

I also worked on a Fix-it type of project.

I was asked to try to come up with a solution for a "cut-out gone wrong" dress.

The dress itself was beautiful but it had a diagonal cut-out that wrapped right around the body and ended up on the booty...complete butt cheek would be exposed...yikes!

I was able to pull out the "shape" of the bead work to make some appliques that would camouflage the butt area...the dancer will still have to wear appropriate undergarments but the "butt" will be much more appropriately covered!

I am also about halfway into a new design...I was inspired by fall colors..deep greens and reds....I'll try to get some picutes up soon!

Posing for Pictures...a necessary evil

I am such a reluctant model...I hate my smile. I always seem to have a stupid look on my face and my husband usually bears the brunt of my frusteration. Unfortunately it is the only way to properly display a costume... so here goes...the reluctant model returns!

It's about time!!

I just finished the "never ending design". It's not that it was a particularly difficult one, it's just that we had such a busy spring with home renovations. I had NO time to work on it. I am the type of person who "gets lost" when I am in a creative space and it was hard to get lost in this one. Nevertheless it is complete!

I love love love the colors of this one and if I was dancing these days, I would never let this one go! I barely have time to work, let alone dance!!

Finally some progress!

This one has been torture!  I have had to stop and start the creative process so many times with this costume.  It has been very difficult to jump start it again.  The hardest part was deciding the direction.  I really wanted to emphasize the "fringy" trim...I'm lovin' the trim..and the color combination...I really don't want to "overbead" this one. 

 Here are a couple of sneak peek pics!

Here are a couple of newer pictures with some more outlining and draping of beads

The cutest little lobster ever!

The lobster is complete!!

I couldn't find any patterns for this costume much less inspiration...what's wrong with lobsters??? Doesn't every child want to be a crustacean for Halloween??
I started with a boys pajama pattern for the pants and shirt and just "winged it" for the rest.

It all came together rather quickly.
I think my favorite part is the eyes...

My Little Lobster

Some of the things that are keeping me away from Bellydance Costumes these days are "Other Dance Costumes". It is my son's first year in dance class and their recital is coming up soon. Since I am ALL ABOUT THE COSTUMES...I volunteered to make a "Lobster Costume". Yikes!!...Oh well...never backing down from a challenge, I have jumped in ...head first!
I decided to make a red shirt and pants with a lobster cape/hood...sound good??
I found a pattern for a pair of pants and t-shirt and set forth...I cut out the pattern pieces yesterday and today, I put it together....I have to say...I'm pretty proud of myself...having never actually made a t-shirt and pants (especially small size), I think I did fairly well!
I will post pics later!
I am now mulling over the hooded cape and lobster gloves....

Too bloggin' busy!

I have been far to busy with home renovations to blog,chat.twitter, facebook, surf, craft, bead, sew these days.....somethings gotta give! I'm starting to go through withdrawl and it ain't pretty!

Asra's Amethyst

Asra's costume is now complete! for more pics please see my website:

http://www.invokethegoddessdesigns.com/Asra's%20Amethyst.html

What's up??

I have been busy working on a custom order for the lovely Asra www.asra-bellydance.com ...getting close to finishing! Yay! I will be posting pics asap!