Friday, December 21, 2007

FASHION - Bratz Paris!



One particular customer was creating a Dolls Around the World scrapbook for her granddaughter. She purchased NUMEROUS gowns from me. It was during a time when I was designing for a different country every week- Italy, France, Germany, England, Mediterranean, etc... This particular gown represented Paris. I am especially fond of decorating with flora and beads!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

FASHION - Red Velvet!

Velvet gowns, and mock sleeves are always a big hit. American Model is sporting a removable Corsage.
Tyler is adorned with a generous wrap-around pearl necklace.

FASHION - Leopard Wild!



This is a two-piece skirt/top set with handbag, jewels, and sandals!

I had made myself a long skirt and had enough scraps to make my daughter a skirt and the doll this outfit.

One day my daughter and I were walking through the mall parking lot. A female security guard kept driving past us in her truck. After a moment she stopped and yelled, "excuse me miss!" I looked up and wondered what we had done wrong.

She smiled broadly and exclaimed, "I just HAD to let you know that I think you two look wonderful together in those matching skirts!"

I enjoy creating matching fashions for girls and their dolls, but rarely do I see mother's and daughters wearing matching outfits. Not sure if I enjoy the extra attention!

FASHION - Midnight Rose!



This ensemble was very easy to make. A simple skirt and halter top. I was really inspired by the sparkling confetti fabric.

FASHION - Monet American!



I'm sure this fabric would have impressed Monet himself!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

FASHION - Cissy Elegance!



Here's my Madam Alexander Cissy. She's able to share SOME clothes with the American Model. This gown is a stunning rose embroidery. This ensemble comes with gloves, belt, fully lined purse, jewelry and a removable corsage!

I very rarely use patterns on my creations, but will cut and sew as I go along. I have to remind myself to draft patterns from my ideas for another time!

FASHION - I Love Hawaii!



Of course, I couldn't resist giving Ellowyne a trip to Waikiki!

FASHION - Sophistication!



I designed for Ellowyne a sparkling black cocktail gown! Perhaps I should have modeled her against a sleek black piano, but I couldn't resist those tropical cocktails! I'd like a Mai Tai, please?

FASHION - Glam in Australia!



This picture was submitted by a customer of mine from Australia. Her beautiful Dollfie is modeling one of my sparkling red evening gowns. I just LOVE how she uses props for her dolls. We are having too much fun, aren't we?

FASHION - Boho!






This is a very retro boho ensemble I had created for American Model. Lots of beadwork and attention to detail. The shoes and the "bone" necklace were made from polymer clay.

FASHION - Tyler in Style!



This particular Tyler is one of my favorite models. She's wearing a velvet wine gown with handsewn beads and sequins. I just love how her dark complexion brings out her stunning blue eyes!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

FASHION - Ellowyne "Wild" not Wilde!



This is definitely on the wild side! Colorful and quite different. Ellowyne is fun to sew for. You can design serious, whimsical, or just plain silly.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

FASHION - Tonner Himself!


This picture was sent by a customer of mine. She had the good fortune of meeting Robert Tonner in person! I've been invited to fly to Chicago so we could visit the next doll show together!

Here's a list of dolls I have in my collection so far:

* Madam Alexander Cissy
* Tiny Kitty
* Kitty Collier
* Gene Ashton Drake
* American Model
* Ellowyne Wilde
* Fashion Royalty
* Tyler Wentworth
* Silkstone Barbie
* American Girl
* My Size Barbie
* My Scene Barbie
* Kelly
* Barbie
* Skipper
* Ken
* Bratz

WISH LIST: Dollfies of all sizes

I must confess... I'm not a typical "doll collector"... Even though I design elaborate clothing for dolls - MY dolls are standing naked!

I have received MANY a raised eyebrow by unsuspecting visitors! What gives with all these naked dolls? They must think.

Perhaps I will sit down after the holidays and finally DRESS UP my dolls...

New year's resolution for 2008!

1.) DRESS MY DOLLS!

FASHION - Cat's Meow


Retro pink and ready for the runway! Tonner's AMERICAN MODEL is one of my favorite fashion dolls! This beauty stands 22" tall.

I especially enjoy creating tiny accessories - gloves, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, beadwork, and exquisite fully-lined purses! I have 3 sewing machines, 2 sergers, and yet I MUCH prefer sewing by hand!

Saturday, December 8, 2007

FASHION - Colonial 1700


This month I've made 4 Colonial gowns and I'm working on my 5th! The dress is already cut out and ready to be sewn. By golly, I'm getting faster and faster at this. I'm my own Chinese sweat shop!

The gown pictured is the first Colonial Gown I ever made. What's lacking is a HOOP PETTICOAT! *SIGH*

FASHION - Heavenly!


Sometimes I'm inspired by the background pictures I use, before creating the designs I sell. THANK YOU Photoshop 7!!!

FASHION - Executive Chic!


This is an outfit I had designed for the Tonner fashion doll, Ellowyne Wilde. The deep vibrant colors of the fabric had inspired me to create something chic and professional.

Friday, December 7, 2007

A Day in Pearl Harbor

I wrote this several years ago in remembrance to my experience as a tour guide for the USS Arizona.

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Pearl Harbor. Today you're not only a guest of the United States Navy, but also the National Park Service."

I clutched my microphone and steadied my sea legs as the tour boat bounced and swayed. All eyes were focused on the starboard side of the boat, soaking in the beauty of the Island. Just up ahead was the USS Arizona Memorial. The arched white infrastructure loomed closer as our boat clipped and speared through the massive waves.

"Ladies and gentlemen, what actually hit and sank the Arizona was a 1,760 pound armored piercing delayed action bomb that lodged in the aviation fuel storage area, causing such a tremendous chain of explosions that the ship sank in less than 9 minutes!”

I watched the reaction of the civilians as they absorbed this information. Some of my passengers were war veterans, nodding their heads and drinking in the sights. The creases on their foreheads marking the fifty-odd years that spanned since their battles. Pools of memories reflecting from their eyes and the pride from the corners of their mouths as Old Glory swished and swayed from the stern of the boat.

All eyes were upon me as I announced that fateful day when the Arizona sank. The entombment of all those brave men, the fathers, sons, and brothers. I had probably done hundreds of those tours for the Navy, yet I had never come to grips with the realization that I was walking on a grave of a thousand souls.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if you will please remain seated until the boat is secure..."

A short man at the back of the boat was snapping pictures rapidly from his camera. I watched his jet-black hair fan against the wind, and I fought back the prejudice that rose from my throat. How I wanted to reprimand him for stepping foot on MY boat. To ride free on our American tax paid dollars to what? Gloat? What irony it was for him to be allowed to even SEE the Arizona. After all, it was the Japanese that sank our ship, shattering so many dreams and wounding our servicemen and pride. Just the other day, we had to haul off some Japanese tourists that were mocking our flag.

I escorted my passengers onto the dock and watched as they entered the memorial. Cameras began clicking. It was a motley crew of a group. Men in straw hats and Hawaiian floral shirts, probably their first visit to the islands. There were women and cranky children, anxious to stretch their legs and to run for the open space. There were sweet old ladies who wanted to touch my uniform with their hands and to exclaim about how unique it was, that there were women in the Navy. I smiled politely and repositioned my beret.

One lady was in total awe. With amazement her eyes scanned upward at the 184-foot memorial structure and said, “WOW! What part of the ship is this?”

A teenager asked, “Where are the glass elevators that lead to the bottom?”

"Yes sir, the ship is still leaking oil." I confirmed the man's inquiry as we both peered intently over the rail. The rainbow swirls and geometrical patterns floated and bobbed as the waves rocked the pier.

I directed my finger at the ship's tubular mast. A group of passengers were huddling closer as I pointed out the shapes that were casting shadows from below.

One passenger was asking about the beach area. "You are looking at Ford Island." I replied.

It was time to go and I ushered the passengers out of the memorial. Some were still scattered and hesitant to go. I watched the strays that were standing at the wall, reading the names of the dead aloud...searching. The Japanese couple were standing at the railing and peering out at the sea. The man turned and faced me. I stared in wonder at the tears on his cheeks. His wife smiled meekly as they paused at my side. I glanced down at his shirt,
USS Oklahoma, and recognized the name of his ship. I was standing in front of a bona fide American. This Japanese-American man looked into my eyes-unashamedly, his hands extended for mine. I shook his firm grasp and then his wife's. He wanted to talk about the war and the friend's that he had lost. His final trip to pay his respects. He had cancer.

I stared out at the ocean, swallowing the lump in my throat.

Our boat pulled away from the pier and we headed back for the visitor center. I clutched my microphone. I could already see a swarm of people, gathering at the parking lot of the Arizona Memorial. I braced myself for another tour and another walk on the grave. I lifted my face into the wind, closing my eyes and drinking in its heavenly scents. The salt...the wind, carrying voices from its past. I could hear Old Glory, flapping in the wind... with promises for another day.

Remembering Pearl Harbor


What better way to start this blog rolling than to pay tribute to PEARL HARBOR!

It’s been over 20 years since I’ve shook the hands of a Pearl Harbor veteran. Each year these returning veterans are dwindling in numbers… One of these days no more handshakes…

How can I ever forget their eyes, their hugs, their tears…

I was being trained to drive President Hoover’s private yacht. A charming wooden boat similar in size to the 50-foot gray boats I had been driving in Ford Island. My earlier job was transporting military personnel from island to island. Back in the 1980’s there were no bridges to connect the islands, so my job consisted of radio dispatching from the boathouse, training personnel, and transporting passengers night and day, rain or shine, storm or gale. Other than dependency on boats to get around, the only other option was to hop the ferry at the end of the island.

I loved driving the President’s yacht and transporting 50 passengers at a time to the memorial. I had been upgraded from the dusty boathouse and blue dungarees, to full military dress whites, shiny black shoes, and black beret. What an honor and privilege. Before long, the Navy upgraded Hoover’s yacht to two shiny white 75-foot twin engine tour boats enabling us to transport 200 passengers at a time.

But, my heart yearned for the boathouse again… I missed getting my hands dirty, waving at the passing submarines, radioing incoming ships, and saluting the officers. I was meant to wear my blues… I loved the rare times when my boat was empty and I was racing across the harbor. Those quiet moments on the bow as my partner manned the helm. I felt like I was on the Titanic, looking over the waves, feeling on top of the world. Every so often, catching sight of a sea turtle, the wind blowing against my face and the scent of nearby palms… how heavenly the islands smelt!

I’d catch a glimpse of the white tour boats as they transported the visitors to the memorial… How I loved Pearl Harbor…

To this day, I cannot smell diesel fuel, or taste the sea on my lips, without remembering the boats… the veterans, or the history…

Within a year or so, I will be returning to the islands with my own family. My own memories creased upon my forehead, the pride as I watch Old Glory swishing over the stern.

I don’t like changes. With sadness I will gaze over Ford Island. The new bridges, the housing, the landmarks gone… The only thing unchanged is the Arizona. Still embalmed, still intact… A grave reminder of our past.


Water Transportation - Boathouse - Ford Island






From the airplane