"The Secret Ball" Preveiw

I am very happy to announce Lily of the Valley's new line "The Secret Ball"

Inspired by the fairy tale "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" this enchanting print features Art Nouveau inspired tree frames encircling the twelve dancing princesses themselves.  Arranged around the frames are additional trees, fawns, mushrooms and other flora and fauna.

The artwork was done with watercolors with the details finished with markers.

The jsk will have a solid colored bodice (forest green, Brown, black, or maybe navy) with matching trims of the same color.  

The skirt will be the same with the waistband and trims a solid color.

The line will be available for pre-order sometime mid December when the example pieces are completed.  

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.

"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.

"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!

Bow Shirt Preview

Just a little preview of the bow shirt.   This was a test print we did before John prints the example shirt.  The example crown shirt is also set to be printed!  I'm so so happy with how this came out!

If all goes well we will have them available for order shortly after Christmas!

Preview: Neptune's Domain Vest and Skirt set.

Weigh anchors all, here comes the next items for offer from the "Neptune's Domain" Line.

Here is a bit of a preview for those in the know before I "officially" release the final pieces to the line in the next few days.

Available in a wonderful selection of jewel tones (as well as black), the vest and skirt "set" is a more mature take on the nautical theme.





Skirt and Vest set is a bit of a misnomer as each item can be ordered separably.  The skirt will of course be offered in a tea length as well as the usual knee length.

Also for order will be an updated version of my familiar tricorn hat.  It's larger now, and festooned with lace, ribbon, cord, and an anchor charm and swishy tassel!   

 
Also even though the jumperskirts have sold out; the removable sailor collars will be available for order (with a skirt) as they are an extremely versatile piece to coordinate with.

I hope you all are looking forward to the release with as much excitement as I am.  I want to thank you all for your support and patience.  I had high hopes of doing the second release for "Neptune's Domain" a few months earlier, but it had to get pushed back due to the wonderful amount of interest in the jumperskirts!

Daily Outfits: Halloween

I have to admit since fall started I have been a bit more lax about updating this blog.  I have been rather busy with "Neptune's Domain" orders and various other projects (more about that in later posts).

I have vowed to post about my Halloween outfits before Thanksgiving! 

But first an update about the Inklings/ Lily of the Valley t-shirt collab:  The two "winning" designs were the bow and crown.  I am in the process of editing them so that we can print the example shirts!

Back to coords!

I wore this for a Halloween party a few days before the actual Hallow's eve.  I decided to be a "Rosebud Fairy" because my "Fairy Formal" dress I made last spring is so very fun to dance in!  I tried to lolita-fy it up a bit with bow shoeclips, rose print socks, a petticoat, and the frilly "peasant" blouse I made for the Otakon fashion show.

This coord on lookbook.

I'm also wearing the Lalique necklace I posted about a few posts back.  I decided to suggest wings with some chiffon scarves rather then wear more traditional ones.  I can't poke peoples eyes out with these ones!

With my current line how could I not dress as a pirate for Halloween Day!  I have to admit all day I was giggling about  how the new vest and hat came out!

This coord on lookbook.

Yes this is a small preview for the next release from the "Neptune's Domain" line, it will include a skirt, vest, and tricorn hat.  

And ahem... here is another lolita look that I wore in the summer and haven't posted here yet.

I wore this for my birthday dinner with my parents.  Looking at this makes me long a bit for warm warm weather!  

This coord on lookbook

Details of the accessories.  The roses were made of some fabric scraps.  I'll have to post a tutorial for them sometime soon!

I wore this vintage cape for the chilly air conditioning!  It was one of those great thiftstore finds!

Inklings t-shirt collab designs

Here are some more t-shirt designs for the Inklings/Lily of the Valley t-shirt collab!   These are just sketches and the one(s) picked will be inked and digitally edited for the screen printing process.

Basic bow, will be printed slightly off center 

Crown: another typical lolita motif.

Cute cake as requested by Charlotte.  Please excuse the "fading" of the doily on the bottom

"Fawnasol" with removed horns as requested.  I've also shaded in the parts that are likely to be solid.

Art Nouveau mermaid, this one is the least obviously lolita.

The chosen design will be printed in Either white or black on a women's fitted tee.   This is the tee shirt I am looking to use:

The tee comes in many colors like:

• white
• black
• pink
• bright pink 
• red
• royal blue
• baby blue
• sky blue
• green
• grass green
• purple
• lilac
• navy
• light brown

We haven't worked out the specifics of the pricing yet, but I'm thinking about $20

So please let me know if you are interested in the t-shirts and which designs you like!

Preview: Inklings t-shirt collaboration

While the first "official" line from Lily of the Valley was "Excerpts from a Victorian Cookbook",  the REAL first line was "Keys to the Kingdom".  Released years ago, it was simple box pleated skirt adorned with castles screen printed by my good friend Melanie.

Melanie has since handed over the screen printing business to her son John, who is also a close friend of mine.  It is now Inklings, home to Baa the adventurous sheep illustrated by Melanie and some amusingly clever and sometimes quite smart ass shirts thought up by John.

John is engaged to the delightful Autumn (who some Philly lolitas are sure to have met!) and they are planning their nuptials for this coming spring!  

As their Maid of Honor I've taken on the task to help them finance the wedding in addition to making the dress (of course!).  

In short, John's company Inklings and my lolita brand are collaborating on one or two t-shirt designs with lolitas in mind!  

I've come up with a few designs but I also would like your help and suggestions.  Here are a few of mine so far!

A basic bow, this is my favorite idea so far.  Cute but also not too busy.  It would be printed a bit off center.

Fawnasol!  Combine two popular lolita motifs  = win?  

Familiar?

Other ideas I've had would be castles, or an art nouveau style mermaid sitting in a shell.

Please let me know what t-shirt designs you would like to see.

Keep in mind that they will be printed in EITHER white or black ink on a "baby tee" style shirt.  The shirt style comes in lots of colors, which is nice.

In other news I've been working on "Neptune's Domain" orders and handsewing an Italian style Renaissance dress in my "off" hours.   The example pieces for the second release are next on my list to make!

Otakon Lolita Fashion show: preveiws

If you have been wondering about the sudden quiet in this corner of the nets; wonder no more.  

For the last few weeks I have been working diligently (and sometimes more then diligently) on 3 looks for the Otakon fashion show run by my lovely friend Carla.  

Here are some little teasing snippets of the pieces:

Peasblossom Jumperskirt

Neptune's Domain Jumperskirt

Garden of Eden Dress

As you can see, one of the pieces is from my newest line "Neptune's Domain" and will be the first release from it, hopefully sometime early next week. 

Sadly I myself will not be able to be at the fashion show personally.  I hope all of you who go enjoy it to it's fullest!

Lines: Neptune's Domain

The Sweet Matryoshka line and Sweet Acorn Jewlery line are now officially retired.

Which means I really need to get to work on my next line: Neptune's Domain!

The art for the line is completed, I just need to digitize it and make up the samples.

Here's a cobbled together sneak preview:

I will be embroidering these with my machine onto the skirts, one "motif" to either side of the front of the skirt.

The first release will be a skirt and/or vest done in a solid color in a very similar style to the Admiral Pirate set.

The embroidery and trimmings will be done in white or off white.  I've already picked navy, black, and brown as color choices.  What other colors seem right for the design?

Sneak Preveiws: Sweet Matryoshka and Unnamed Nautical Line

A little preview.  As you can see the Sweet Matryoshka skirts will be available in in a tea length as well as standard lolita length.  This is a mock-up of how one will look.  I'll be releasing the skirts for sale as soon as I can finish the prototypes.

I've also been working on my next line, which will be nautical themed!  Here are some sketches of the proposed  monochrome embroidery.    Open them for a full veiw.