Forest of the Unicorn is sold out

The forest of the Unicorn line has sold out!  Thank you all so much who have ordered and help me promote it!  

I will be starting work on a new line as soon as possible.  In the mean time I'll be filling these orders!

Forest of the Unicorn

The “Forest of the Unicorn” line is now released!

This release includes all the pieces in the line: jumperskirt, skirt, accessories, and jewelry line.

"Forest of the Unicorn" is available in 3 colors: Blue, Brown, and Cream.

More Information, photos, and ordering forms can be found on the website.

Now we are getting somewhere

Progress!  Photos!  Upcoming release!

I have received the revised, revised, and reworked fabric and I am happy with it.  The example skirt has been made, and I am finishing the example jsk.  Then comes example accessories, the line illustration and the cream and navy fabric swatches arriving.

It's so close!  So here is a peek at the jsk so far.  In this photo it's pinned together

The waist "band" is actually a belt/sash/bow.  The ruffled lace neckline will be removable so that it will be more versatile; with cardigans and such.

I want to thank everyone who has been patient with me about this line, and all the support and response I've gotten on tumblr.

Revision, reworking

I do believe that this unicorn print has been reworked more then any of my other lines!

Yes it does mean it has changed again.  Hopefully for the final time!  

For a quick sum up.  The all over print has been scraped; after seeing how the fabric printed, and I am back to a hem print now.  The hem print will be the "unicorn forest" version, just larger and on the hem only (with some details on a matching waist belt/bow). 

More details and flats to follow.  I am eagerly awaiting the revised fabric!

If there has been any wonder as to why this print has taken so much longer to come out with; wonder no more.

I had the delightful duty to be my friend Autumn's Maid of Honor and seamstress!  I spent most of April, May, and June making her wedding dress.  The wedding was just lovely, and she made on of the prettiest and happiest brides I've seen.

Congratulations John and Autumn!

Before I started her dress I made the blue version of my Peasblossom jsk for a commission.  I am very happy with how it came out, I actually didn't know what color it would be until I got the chiffon in the mail from my customer.

More details about the jsk on my sew lolita post.

I've also started making some miscellaneous lolita and mori accessories, it's a nice break from the structure required by my lines.  I've posted some for sale on my etsy.  I hope to make some more things.

And last on the list, I've started a tumblr for more casual blogging, sketches, works in progress, and just things I think are pretty or neat.  I hope to post some of the historical fashion references I've gleaned over the years.

"Forest of the Unicorn"

If the wine is sour; throw it out!

                    Michelangelo - The Agony and the Ecstasy

One of my favorite quotes from this movie, as it perfectly expresses the experience had by most artisans.  

Sometimes after quite a bit of work sometimes even years of work; you realize that it just isn't working, that something needs to change.  Grit your teeth and pick up the seam ripper and take out all of those stitches, discard the pattern and start afresh, or rework a print.

It has been the case with the "The Virtuous Unicorn" design.  The colors were too jarring, the expressions on the ladies faces became simpering when they were colored, the design just didn't flow.

Something had to change.  I wrestled with it, and then found inspiration in William Morris's fabric designs.  Trees and curly flora grew up, the ladies and most of the animals fled the newly grow woods leaving it to savage lions.

Please excuse my flights of fancy, I just finished rereading Jane Eyre.

To make plain: the print has changed.  It's no longer a hem print, but rather an all-over print.  I think it is lovely and I hope you all do to (and are not to disappointed by the absence of former elements).  I'd rather delay the line then release something that doesn't meet with expectations.

Off white background

Here it is tiled so that you can see how the repeat looks

For reference the unicorns will be a little bit less the 5 inches when printed.

In addition to the off-white version, I am also in the process of editing two other versions: Navy and Brown.

Here are swatches of the additional background colors.

Navy and Brown

I am very excited to see how the motifs pop against the darker backgrounds!

"The Virtuous Unicorn" colors!

I'm one step closer to the release.  The colors are done!

Unlike my previous printed lines (Victorian Cookbook and Sweet Matryoshka) I used watercolors rather then markers to do the colors.  I like the softer look it gives.

I took some (dark) photos of the print.  I'm going to take some proper scans of it, and get some photocopies done so that I can do the brown and dark blue background colors.  Then comes the editing and getting the actual fabric printed!

Yes I plan on starting the art for my next line much much sooner then I did this one!

Prudence

Justice

Temperance

Fortitude

Flora: Violet, Rose, Forget-me-not, Daisy
Lily of the Valley, Thistle, Poppy, Bluebell

Fauna: Mink, Hare, Lamb, Cockerel
Greyhound, Cat, Dove, Squirrel

I'm very excited to see how the print comes together once it's scanned and with the alternate background colors.

Next I'll preview the (current) design for the jsk, skirt, jewelry line, and accessories!  I'm really appreciating all the lovely comments I've gotten about this line so far; they really get me excited and motivated about the line.

Daily Outfits: February and March

First an update about the "Virtuous Unicorn" line!  I've been working coloring the sketches.  The animals and flowers are done (and look great!), and the maidens and unicorns are almost done.  I was stymied on the maiden's dresses; designing a dress to go on a dress was a bit meta for me, but it seems to have worked out.

So look for some more previews soon and the actual line after that!

Other then dabbing watercolors onto paper, I've worn some clothes and taken some photos.

Worn on St. Valentine's day, and posted to the egl community for the Red theme.

This coord on lookbook

Jsk: Handmade

Cutsew: Thrifted and altered

Collar: Vintage

Pin: Vintage

Earrings: Gift

Corsage: handmade

Purse: Thrifted

Belt: Thrifted

Cuffs: Handmade

Hair Bows: Handmade

Socks: Innocent World

Shoes: Easy Spirit with handmade bow clips

Worn to a Valentine's day party.  I went for a sort hime look.  Not sure what I think about the high bun with my face.  Bit of an experiment. 

This coord on lookbook

Jsk: Handmade
Blouse: Ebay
Mink Stole: Antique's Mall
Tiara: Gift
Necklaces: Handmade
Shoes: Thrift store
Bow Clips: handmade

Striped dress again.  I went for a more mori style this time.  I wore this to drop off my Mother's and my "jewelry" entry for the Philadelphia flower show.   I tried out pinning my sandal shoe clips to my boots but they went a bit wonky and one fell off while I was taking photos.

This coord on lookbook

Jsk: Handmade
Blouse: Forever 21
Cardigan: Burlington Coat Factory
Belt: thrifted
boots: Steve Madden
Shoe Clips: handmade
Sweater Clip: Antiques store
Pin: Thrifted
Tatted Headband: Handmade

And I wore this to the Member's preview of the Philadelphia flower show.  My newest dress, which I can't seem to stop wearing!

A little view of how long my hair has gotten.  I've since gotten a few inches trimmed.  

This coord on lookbook.

Jsk: Handmade
Turtleneck: outlet store
Cardigan: Burlington Coat Factory
Corsage: handmade
Shoes: Thrift store
Bow Clips: handmade
Sweater Clip: Antiques store
Pearls: Gift 
Hat: Hats in the Belfry

And for those interested here is our entry.  The catagory was "Hair Comb" and the theme this year was Hawaii.  Other then the paint it is made entirely of botanical materials (calabash, lentels, mustard seeds, poppy seeds, orange peel ect.)  We won second place; which was great because last year we only got an honorable mention!

"The Virtuous Unicorn" design preveiw

As the "Neptune's Domain" line has been retired, it's only fitting to post some previews from my newest line in the making!  The Virtuous Unicorn.

This line is inspired by the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries as well as botanical illustrations and heraldic animals. The 4 main motifs are vignettes of the 4 cardinal virtues.  Here are some of the sketches

Prudence

Fortitude

Temperance

Justice

Accenting these in a repeated "brick" pattern will be alternating botanicals and animals (8 each).

left to right: Violet, Thistle, Rose, Lily of the Valley
Daisy, Forget-me-not, Poppy, Blue Belle

Hare, Greyhound, Ermine, Dove
(other four animals to be forthcoming: Rooster,  Lamb, Cat, Squirrel).

If any of you followed my brand's livejournal before I switched over to here you might remember the early sketches of the maidens and unicorns.  I've been working on this for some time now.  It's a much more ambitious project art wise then my previous lines.  The flower sketches went very quickly while the animal ones are coming along slower.  Then come the colors!

Here is a quick mock-up of the fabric layout: 

This is a very loose arrangement, and it's likely things will be moved about in the final design.  All 8 animals will be represented as well rather then the repeated 4.  

It will be offered with a cream, navy, or brown background.  

Here is an early version of the jsk design: 

I've changed my mind since I sketched this, and the bodice will be made with the repeating animals/ botanicals  fabric rather then the solid  color cotton.  The sash and ruffle underskirt will be done in a solid (accent) color chiffon and will be removable.  I'm also considering making the eyelet lace collar removable.   Please let me know what you think.

A skirt will also be offered, and perhaps a solid color lace up bodice.  Both the skirt and jsk will be available in a longer length

I am also so very excited about the accompanying jewelry line, it should be extremely versatile!

Wardrobe Post

My poor blog has been quite neglected lately, which doesn't seem right since my blog's first anniversary is coming up!  This calls for more updates!

So I am recycling an egl theme post!  My wardrobe!

Christmas Reflections

First a reminder: This Saturday is the deadline for ordering the lolita t-shirts!  Please help us make this a success!

Also coincidentally, the "Neptune's Domain" line is being retired being retired on Saturday as well. 

Originally I had planned to do a post about Christmas during the 12 days of CHRISTMAS!!  I was apparently too busy messing about with presents and enjoying delicious goodies.  

Sooo each day of procrastinating makes this post that more silly.  That said, it's not Lent yet, so victory there!

Here's some pretties from this year's Christmas:

This was the first Christmas my family celebrated since I inherited my great grandmother's china and green stemmed crystal.   They were usually used for Christmas dinner when my Mom was young so I was very excited and nostalgic to be able to use them.  

They are so elegant and pretty.  The set is Floreal made by Noritake and is proably from the twenties.  I'm going to keep my eye out for more pieces; I have tons of saucers but sadly few tea cups!  

An artsy photo taken at the Hagley estate on St. Stephen's day (Boxing Day).  One of my presents was a very surprising DSLR camera from my parents.  I'm making an effort to make the transition from a basic point and shoot to understanding all the new advantages of the DSLR.  I'm very excited for taking photos of my future lines with it!

Of course the stark and very functional black/white/red strap the camera came with is not at all too my tastes. I'm in the midst of tatting a new one with some very sturdy cream cotton yarn.   The pattern you see will be mirrored when I'm done.

And finally some photos of a Coord I wore to a Christmas party.  I just love dancing in this dress!

This look on Lookbook

The Headpeice is actually the vintage Linser necklace that I got for my birthday this summer!  

I hope You all had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying a good New Year so far!

Lolita T-shirts are a go!

I am so excited!  The Inklings/Lily of the Valley Collab shirts are now available for order!

You can order them Here!

Here are the two designs with some quick co ordinations I put together.

Crown:

Bow:

The shirts are available in many colors and several styles!  I hope you all like them very much.

I think that they could be a rather versatile addition to one's lolita wardrobe, or a nice way to show your taste when wearing jeans and a tee.


We would love to have been able to offer puffed sleeve shirts, but they seem few and far between.  Because of this I have drawn up some tutorials for altering your shirts:
Basics
Fitting
Puffed Sleeves 1 (the puffed sleeves could be really cute with a matching eyelet fabric or chiffon)
Puffed Sleeves 2
Ruffled Hem

If you would like to order a shirt and don't have a LJ account you can e-mail me directly.

Please feel free to reblog this as much as you want!  In-fact I would very much appreciate it!