Last call, 2013!

Well, everyone, it's almost 2014!!

I apologize for not posting since the ninth- the holidays kept me busy, as I'm sure they did you!

Hw about a few notable things for me from 2013? No real order!

1. My first musical production at our local theatre
2. I watched/read LotR/The Hobbit for the first time:)
3. I started my blog, and got on Pinterest. Because my Family got hi-speed internet!
4. The Hobbit pt. 2 and Frozen came out in theatre
5. Read The Chronicles of Prydain for the first time!

Not an exhaustive list, but what comes to mind!

I just thought I'd post a few random sketches that don't need a post, but might be enjoyable!
And say Happy New Year!!!

 Elsa from Frozen

 A cute little Faun smelling a flower:)

 A Flying Donkey. Because Flying Horses are so mainstream;)

And, part of a copy I did from a old book, by Barbara Leonie Picard called 'The Faun and the Woodcutter's Daughter'

The original illustrator is Charles Stewart.

Happy Happy New Years everyone!!

Eilonwy- Travel dress, The High King

Hello! Today I am featuring another dress for Eilonwy. Be prepared, there are quite a few to come! Eilonwy is one of my favorite book heroines, and one of my dreams is to play her in a film version of Prydain:) Did I mention I love acting as well as designing?

Sorry the photos are rather poor- I don't have a scanner. I know a woman who will let me use hers- the problem is actually getting around to it. Well...

This dress is one of the few Prydain costumes I've designed without a specific sewing pattern in mind to make it by. And, I must say, this is one of my very favorite designs:) 
It is, I think, somewhat 14th century in style. I'm going by Dovers Medieval fashion coloring book by Tom Tierny to get that estimate. However, as Prydain is a fantasy realm, it gives you so much more liberty to mix eras. Generally for Prydain I try to keep the designs earlier in origin- 10-12th century. But this dress is one she has brought home from Mona, so I think its slightly later design fitting. Enough rambling- the Specifics!

The underdress is ivory muslin or linen, slightly gathered, peasant style, but with out the fullness. The over dress is a mustard-y, ochre kind of color. As for type of material... I'm not sure:/ I picture it soft, almost velvety, but sturdy, as it's a travel dress. Suggestions?? I'll keep thinking and update this post when I decide! The style is a fairly straightforward, closefitting, long dress. One of my favorite features is the lacing up the sides. Brown leather cording is used for this.  Where the lacing ends at the hip, there is a panel in the skirt to make it fuller. The neckline and sleeves are trimmed with brown. The lacing at the neck is also brown leather cording. She has a brown leather belt with a metal cap at the end and a simple buckle. It could be long or short- as you can see, my drawings vary. Her shoes are soft leather chukka style boots. Her cloak, seen in the topmost picture, is greens, gray, ochre and brown.I have a scrap of upholstery fabric that I picture it in... someday I may add it here. Her hair is braided- in a few of the pictures it is two braids, but I decided on one, more intricate braid. It's not in the pictures, but she would, as always, have her crescent necklace and fair folk ring.

Eilonwy wears this when she and the Companions are traveling in the begining of The High King. She may wear it in the battle too.

I hope you've enjoyed reading about this design! As always, comments and constructive criticism is welcome!

~The Damsel~

A lovely website!

Hello! I apologize, it's been several days since I last posted... been a bit busy.

I decided to tell you about a lovely webpage, instead of giving you a costume.

dolldivine.com !

Obviously I take no responsibility for this site, but so far I have encountered no problems with it!
It is virtual paper doll dress-up, at a whole new level! Some of the games featured here are simple, typical ones BUT-

Enter Hobbit and LOTR doll maker! It is one of the most fun things ever(that's pretty big:)! It has an incredible amount of options and customizeability- Ok not a word but I'm blanking on the word I want:)- and I've found it a great tool for costume design and also a lot of fun:) There are several other beautiful games as well- the Erte elegance is another personal favorite!

I hope you take time to check it out, if you love costume/fashion design and/or fantasy/medieval fashion. Or any other era, because there is a game for almost every one, including the present!
Here is a scene I made on this site, using The Hobbit/LOTR scene maker, linked above.

Aren't they lovely?

Again, I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY for this site or offshoots of it, BUT they say they are devoted to making a safe fun environment for all ages, and I have found this true!  Naturally the dolls are in their undergarments to start of, but that, to me, is to be expected! I hope you find this helpful and fun!
Until next time!

By the way, I may do an article on Norwegian Folk costume soon, in honour of Frozen. No promises, but...;)

~The Damsel~

Queen Teleria, #1-Greeting Party-Castle of Llyr

Hello! Here in Maine, we finally have SNOW! Promptly on the 1st of Dec. Very obliging:)

Today I am doing a gown I designed for Queen Teleria from The Castle of Llyr. Click the picture to learn more about her!

This is the first dress she wears in the book, when she comes out to greet the arrivals from Caer Dallben. In the book, she is described as plump, with straw-colored hair, and wearing fluttering white garments. So, I gave her a empire-waisted gown, with a plunging v-neck and panel in the front. It has elbow-length sleeves, with sheer pendant-type sleeves that attach at the wrist. The upper sleeve is decorated with gold trim around the edge of the upper sleeve and up the arm to the shoulder. The neckline is decorated with the same gold trim. Over the ample skirt is a sheer over-skirt. The bodice is or a patterned or brocade white silk, and the upper-sleeves and under-skirt are plain white silk. The lower sleeves and over-skirt are of white chiffon or similar fabric. Her hair is in two plaits bound with ribbon-the same as the trim. For jewelry, she has a gold crown/circlet set with jewels, a heavy doubled chain necklace with a jewel pendant, and a large ring.

I am really sorry about the poor quality of the photos; I hope to be able to upload better ones:)

I hope you've enjoyed this post! As always, comment with questions, suggestions or constructive criticism!

~The Damsel~