LBD + 1 Silkstone Barbie Challenge

My first Journal entry for the Little Black Dress plus one Challenge:

#3 Silkstone BARBIE Challenge
Day 1 (Wednesday)

Opened my email re: the Barbie Challenge around noon today...
After reading the criteria... I decided immediately on Tan as my 'colour' ...
I was feeling good about what I was going to create... Classic and Timeless!

I rec'd another e-mail from Ted which came a few hours later, and in this message he told us that we could not use 'neutrals' such as beige or grey as our 'colour'... ?
What I find a little frustrating, is that the 'rules' change along the way...
I would have been much happier if this would have been stated in the initial 'Challenge' message.
Also, these so called 'neutrals' are colours as well... and frankly, I don't think that they are that easy to incorporate into a successful design as Ted suggested. Just MHO

I headed out to the Fabric store and spent an hour or so searching out colours...
I decided on a gorgeous 'Granny Smith' Green for my accent colour. It seems logical to use Hot Pink, or Red, but I am hoping my choice will be a unique one.
I have a fairly good idea of how my design will look and plan to get going on it right away. I will look through my supply of 'Black' fabrics and hope to make that decision tonight.

Ellowyne Challenge final Journal entries

I purchased some 'amethyst' chiffon, as well as satin, and some black satin...

I made a tiered skirt from the chiffon and I was almost 2 hrs trying to get the proper tension on my serger for the hem... pulled an all nighter and got the skirt put together as well as the crushed velvet jacket...

11 am (Saturday) still haven't been to bed...


Day 4 (Saturday)

Today, (once I get up from a nap) I will be concentrating on her corset and lace top.

Did the finishing touches on the Crushed Velvet Jacket... Just have to hand sew a few things.
Cut out and made her little corset... not much work to this, as she is pretty much straight through her midriff section. Fits like a glove.

Day 5 (Sunday)
Well today is finishing up day... snaps, hand sewing and hope to make something for her head... that will be my 5th piece, and can be switched from Hat to Headband.

This challenge has been a little stressful for me, as I just could not decide on fabrics and design... but I am pleased with how this little outfit came out in the end.

I should be able to take my pictures tomorrow, pack it up and send it out... a day early!

Day 6 (Monday)

Everything is completed and I'll be taking my pictures today...

Had a horrible time with my camera... out of 80 shots I have only about 6 or 8 that turned out alright... so shipping won't be a day early after all!
All items are sewn onto a card and ready to ship...
Glad this one is over!

Ellowyne Day 2

ELLOWYNE Challenge
Day 2 (Thursday)
Noon

Well, I thought I had made my fabric selection before I went to bed... but... I've changed my mind... I am a little confused, as I want to create a moody outfit for Nevermore, but at the same time don't want to be boring... ? I am thinking Crushed Velvet... Grey Plaid... textured stockings... head wear of some kind...

Midnight:
Just finished her pleated skirt...
I think it is what I wanted... but I won't know until l make up her jacket and top and then I'll see the whole picture.
I have the other pieces all cut out and ready to put together except for her 'corset' as I'm still not sure what fabric I'm using for it.

Day3 (Friday)
I am having a heck of a time with this challenge... not inspired... I think the email from Ted that said he didn't want all 'black' outfits threw me off a bit... being creative, for me, means doing what I think is best... not that I was doing all black anyway, but if I feel that black is right then I should use it... no?
I went out for the day... wandered around my 2 favourite fabric shops...
Came up with a new idea! The gorgeous pleated skirt I made isn't going to be used now...

CHALLENGE #2

Ellowyne Wilde the CLIENT Challenge
Wed May 2nd/07
Day 1 (Wednesday)
Wow, a five piece outfit....... this should be interesting!
I am pretty sure I'm using Nevermore, and am going through fabric to see what I have that suits this challenge... I have a few ideas for her outfit, but have so many prints that I'd like to use and can't because of production issues... :( I think prints are perfect for her!

I am also thinking about using 'Red White and Very Blue' as she has a neutral hair colour and and that may make it a little easier to choose my fabric.

5 pm:
Decided on using 'Nevermore'... she has that dramatic Red/Orange hair colour and I love her in pictures!

Debbie's Project Dollway Journal

This Blog has been set up to share my experiences during Project Dollway...
I am keeping a Journal and these are the entries that I've made during each Challenge.

Challenge #1
GENE Red Carpet Challenge
Wed Apr 18/07

Day 1 (Wednesday)
Rec'd our first Challenge this morning... The Gene Challenge
Red Carpet EVENT ... Who is she wearing?
Thinking Black & White... Lace, Beading and sequins... Classic and timeless
oh.... wait... I have these fabulous teeny tortoise sequins... hmmmmmmmm
Maybe Chocolate and Cream... ?
Ack........ they will be impossible to find for production!

Day 2 (Thursday)
10 am:
Didn't sleep much... TOO many ideas!
3 pm:
OK... I've made my Fabric and Colour selection!
Only after I re-read the challenge and recalled that this is really about 'ME'...
and what I feel is appropriate for the red carpet! It appears we are making a 'SIGNATURE' piece... 'french dressing' will be WHO they are wearing!
Ivory & Black!
Ivory Dupioni Silk and Black lace overlay embellished with teeny black sequins, sparkly black beads and teeny ivory pearls.

Design: This full length gown will have a touch of vintage flair, but certainly be updated. Very Feminine and Sexy but not too revealing or trashy...
I'm striving for Classy and Elegant.

9:45 pm:
Just changed my mind about the Dupioni Silk... It will be too stiff for the flowy look I'm trying to achieve... So I've opted for Ivory Crepe... :)
Pattern is half done, should be finished before bedtime!

12:30 am:
I have finished drafting my pattern and have my pieces cut out, marked and ready to put together... May wait till tomorrow... or may go back at it after a break.

9 am:
Haven't been to bed! I've pulled an all-nighter... mainly because I was inspired, and my gown is now in progress.
Started to hand sew the sequins on lace portion of the skirt, just to see if that's what I want. The bodice is complete aside from the beading. I love the fit!

Heading for a nap~

Day 3 (Friday)
Noon:
Looked over what I did last night and am quite pleased!
Today I'll be sewing the glass beads and black sequins on the bodice and finishing the sequins on the skirt.

4:30 am
ACK... got carried away again... but, I finished the beadwork and beaded some co-ordinating shoes! I decided against using the ivory tiny pearls... just didn't work!
I should be able to put the gown together later today when I get up! :)
G'nite... LOL

Day 4 (Saturday)
Busy day here as 3 of my Grandkids were visiting and Maddi (13) brought a friend... They were great though and were all quite interested in what I was doing... They'd pop into my sewing room from time to time to check on the progress... :)

8 pm
Finished sewing my beads on the bodice and along the hemline...
Put the dress together and basted... Looking good!

Midnight
Just finished sewing my gown together... It is a snug fit, as that is how I feel this gown should be worn.

5 am
finished up most of my hand sewing... snaps etc.
8 am
Still sitting here mulling over sash ideas... Better get to bed! LOL

Day 5 (Sunday)
Spent they day beading and putting the gown together... Lot's of hand sewing... I don't make a lot of gowns, so this has been quite an experience for me!
Although it is tedious, I find it quite satisfying.
I don't sew for Gene either, so I've really had to work at this! LOL
I decided on a short 'train' idea for the back instead of a sash... I've hand beaded around the entire edge of it... I feel it adds just that touch of interest that it needed.

Went to bed at 5 am!

Day 6 (Monday)
Today a little panic set in... I am second guessing myself! ACK!
Made up a little 'CHANEL' style silver quilted clutch purse...
Most Celebs carry a clutch, and many have vintage ones... So this is a 'Vintage CHANEL envelope clutch” :)

I also made up some jewels... I used delicate sterling chain, and teeny black swarovski crystals... I love the look of the gown without a necklace as well, but decided that with most Red Carpet events the jewelry is quite important, so she will be wearing 'Harry Winston'! LOL

Just sewed on my tag... almost forgot that! I am getting everything ready to package up tonight to send out tomorrow.

Day 7 (Tuesday)
noon:
No sleep last night... Took some pictures and made up a collage to send with the gown. It's all packed and ready to go! WHEW!!! Can't believe it's done... I think having so many days made me do more than I would normally do... which is a good thing! It gave me an opportunity to embellish this gown with hundreds of beads and sequins.
Package was sent out to Ted by XPRESSPOST at 3:30 today.

This has been quite an experience... not knowing who won and who is let go (unless it's me) will be a little frustrating... LOL
Glad to have a break before the next challenge!

Sunday April 29th /07
Just sent off my High Res pics to Pat Henry at FDQ and my Q/A page to Ted...
I feel like I'm 'in the groove' now, and am anxious for our next challenge on Wednesday!
Ellowyne should be a Fun one, as I just rec'd my first one, Nevermore...
Joined the Yahoo Group tonight, and will check around to see what I can find out about her.