Pin-up Photo Shoot - Part 2

This is Part 2 to the pin-up photo shoot series.

Here are the links to Part 1 (list of patterns used) and Part 3 (finished product.)

Before makeup or wardrobe I had to sit down with the photographer, the amazing Christine Moody at Trimood Photography. Here is just a taste of what she can do.

 

<SOURCE> 

We had to go over all the lighting, background, and poses.  Really I just showed her pictures I liked and she figured all the rest out.  Here is all my compiled pictures on Pintrest.

Next was hair and make-up.  All I had to do was show Shiree Collier this photo and she made it happen.  See what else she can do here.

She brings an arsenal of make-up and hair supplies.

First she does the hair.  Here is a picture of both my mom and I getting our hair curled.

 

While my hair was still in pin curls, Shiree did my pin-up make-up.  This is pre lips.

This took about 45 minutes to turn me into a pin-up model.

Next was the photo shoot.  I don't have photos of this since my mom was getting her hair completed and make-up applied (and it would spoil Part 3 of the series).

What I can tell you is making your body look like the pin-up photos is not easy.  I feel like I did 3 hours of intense yoga.  There's a lot of sucking in your stomach while twisting every body part.

I have a new found respect for models.  I was sore for a good 2 days after the shoot.

My mom and I got bacon covered cheesy bread and wine at The Rock afterward to celebrate a fun afternoon.  I highly recommend walking around with full hair and make-up if you want some attention!

If you want to see all the patterns I used please read Pin-up Photo Shoot - Part 1.

If you want to see the final results click Pin-up Photo Shoot - Part 3.

DSW Commercial - I'm in love

Are you as obsessed with the new DSW commercial "Let's Dance" by Chris Montez as I am?

If you don't know which one I'm talking about here it is via YouTube.

 

The only problem is, I'm not in love with the shoes.  I am in super LOVE with the clothes!!!

I have done a lot of searching and found similar clothing for your viewing pleasure.

The plaid suit is from Zara and no longer avaliable.

 

<SOURCE>

It's a little difficult finding a plaid suit in the spring and summer.  I found a very slim fit stylish plaid suit from Club Monaco.

<SOURCE> 

As for the 60's style tiered ruffle dress it's from Azzaro's Fall 2011 Ready-to-wear Collection.

<SOURCE>

Since it's sold out online I have found a few options.  This one is a modern version of the white ruffle with black trim.

 

<SOURCE>

or a solid black vintage version:

 
<SOURCE>
Or you could do what I think I'm going to do and make one yourself.  It looks pretty simple and I found the sweet chiffon trim on Etsy.

<SOURCE>

As for the two swing dresses:

The first is a 1950's strapless prom dress in white with subtle light blue accents.  There are tons of these style of dresses on Etsy. Here is a solid white one that could easily look adorable with a light blue petticoat or sash.

<SOURCE>

Then there's the red lace version (I die!)  You can once again search Etsy for the perfect vintage match (just search 50s red lace prom dress) or if you're lucky you can find this Erdem Margot lace dress circa 2011 (also wore buy Michelle Williams.)

<SOURCE>

Put a Bird on It

What a great Easter weekend here in the Northwest!  All this sun makes me want to paint something with a bird on it.  

I was at a 12 hour craft retreat on Saturday and even though I should have napped kid-free the entire time....I crafted, went on a quick shopping trip, sewed the bodice to a dress, and did my taxes.  It's insane what you can get done without a couple children begging you to put the glue gun down.

First I started with a 16" x 20" blank canvas.  Here is the pack of 2 I bought and had shipped directly to my house (thank you Amazon!)

Then I painted the entire canvas with a mustard yellow acrylic.  I put down 3 coats, waiting until each previous layer of paint was dry (if you don't, when you paint over the wet spots the paint stroke will remove the wet paint).
This is after only 1 coat.

Now to start the fun part.  I found these awesome Martha Stewart stencils.

 First I carefully cut out the portion of the stencil I wanted to use.  I took a blob of white acrylic paint and added my mustard until I liked the color.  Then I took a stencil sponge and just dabbed a little paint onto it (if you add too much it will smear the detail of the stencil).  I did not tape the stencil down since I would be constantly moving it along the canvas.

I placed the stencil in the upper left hand corner and held with my non-stencil dabbing hand.  Next I gently tapped the sponge vertically into all the design holes, reloading the sponge when needed.  After all the holes were painted I carefully pulled the stencil away from the canvas.  Then I just moved the stencil down to the next location.  For the second row I started in the center and centered my stencil with 2 from the first line. I continued from there trying to just eyeball the placement.

It sure was pretty, but I felt it needed more.  Since I was in the spring mood I felt a bird on a branch should be added.

First I just free handed with light pencil strokes a branch outline.  Then I went over those lines with a cobblestone gray acrylic paint, increasing the thickness of the branch at the right side of the canvas.  I only needed 2 coats of this paint.  Don't stress, these are branches, even in nature they're not perfect.

Now to put the bird on it.  Since I was at a retreat I had access to a Cricut. I used the bird from this cartridge and increased the size to 6". 

<SOURCE>

If you don't have a Cricut you could just Google Image search for a bird silhouette.  Print out the image you like to a large scale.  Cut out the bird and trace with a pencil where you want it to sit.  Then fill in the image with a nice contrasting color.  

 I just used Elmer's glue on the back of the heavy cardstock and glued it on one of the branches.

 

The 80's are BACK!

Thanks to my good friend Stacey, my husband and I were invited to The Best 80's Party Ever, so far.

I did a more modern 80's outfit with radical 80's hair and make-up. I used a mixture of citrus colors which are more modern than the 80's neons.

I found this great high/low coral wrap dress at Forever21.  It's the Love 21 brand which runs a little bigger.  The deep V was a little too deep for me.  I wore a lacey camisole from Target in a similar shade of coral.

<SOURCE>

This sweet Member's Only style crop jacket was a find I literally took off the mannequin at Goodwill.  The brand is Vanity and I could't find online anywhere.  But here is a cheap alternative from Forever21.

<SOURCE>

As for the accessories I wore my new Stella and Dot crescent gold necklace.  As well as my lime green beaded bracelets and Carlos Santana sandals I bought 7 years ago.

Here's a close up of my make-up and hair.

Sweet 80's Glamor Shots pose for ya!

All I did was crimp my hair by braiding into about 10 strands and then flat ironing them.  I then back combed the crown of my head and right at the sides.  I accomplished the bangs by back combing the back of my bangs then letting them fall to the side.  I used heavy duty pump action hair spray (the cheaper the better).  Then spray everything.  Fluff and spray again and again.  Doesn't hurt that I have an ombre hair color treatment.

My make-up was actually simple.  I used my favorite red lipstick on my lips, checks, and outside portion of my brows.  The inner and lid part of my eyes are a cover girl silver shadow.  I wore black liquid liner and fake eyelashes.

If you have an 80's party to attend just remember to scan the local thrift store and work with what you have.  Accessories and hair can make your costume stand out.

Creamy Jalapeno Ranch Dressing

I might not have grown up in Texas, but I lived there most of my life.  For the past 2 years I've been in the Seattle area and boy do I miss Tex-Mex.  I'm not really a big cook, but I have perfected the Chuy's creamy jalapeno ranch dressing.  I will share my recipe with you in today's blog post.

First off here's a list of ingredients. (I will warn you, I'm southern and exact measurements are not my style...but I'll try my best).  Please note: this is a half batch.

Uncle Dan's Ranch mix - half package which is 3 tsp of mix

Real Mayonnaise - 1 cup

Sour Cream - 1 cup

Handful of cilantro (take off the big steams)

Regular Jalapenos - 2 Tbs, chopped

Pickled Jalapenos - 2 Tbs, sliced

Pickled Jalapeno Juice - 1 Tbs

Add the mayo, sour cream, and ranch mix to a bowl and mix well.

Chop the cilantro as best you can...really just make sure the steams and larger leaves are chopped.

Add ranch mixture, cilantro, and all jalapenos and juice to a good mixer.

Liquify until there are no chunks of jalapenos left (unless you want them).

Pour over your salad, dip your veggies or chips, or simply dip a cracker.  I will warn you, this will not last long!

Pin-up Photo Shoot - Part 1

For the past few months I have been sewing 40's pin-up style clothing.  Why you ask, so I could model for a pin-up photo shoot...of coarse!  It just so happened my mom would be in town all the way from Florida and we could do this together. 

The wonderful and talented Shiree Collier would do our hair and make-up. She is amazing.  You can follow her on Facebook.  If you're not on Facebook, here is her website.

There is only one person I would trust to take my photo and make me look like a real model, Christine Moody from Trimood Photography.  Follow her on Facebook (you won't be disappointed).  I have worked with her on several photo shoots as well as my own family photo session.  She is absolutely one of the best out there.

Now for all the clothing fun.  In Part 1 I am only discussing what patterns I used.  Part 2 will have behind the scenes and Part 3 will have photos of my modeling debut.

First up was a pair of super short and high waisted sailor shorts.  I made several different shorts from various patterns (and modified patterns) and only one was exactly what I was looking for.  I am very long waisted.  To get the true high waisted effect I should have added 2" to the inseam (I didn't have time to remake, but the look was still cute).  The actual pattern on Burdastyle was for pants.  The only modifications I had to make were to shorten and take in to make super tight.  I used a blind hem.

<SOURCE>

To go with the shorts I wanted a perfectly fitted bustier top.  Through Craftsy I found this bombshell  dress.  I splurged and bought the class which comes with the pattern.  Gretchen, the lady that teaches the class, was easy to follow and great at explaining new techniques.  The class was set-up with lots of segments and places to write notes and ask questions.  I only made the top.  But I did not hem the bottom or add the lining and boning.  Therefore, I could easily add the skirt from the pattern and have a totally different look.

<SOURCE>

My mom wore a dress I already had from my sister's drag queen baby shower.  I made this dress using Butterick B6582.  I pretty much followed the pattern exactly.  I did have to take it in a good 3-4".  I created a cute belt with a bow.  To get that full skirt I wore a tea-length petticoat.

<SOURCE>

As for my fitted wiggle dress I wanted something like this Bettie Page Clothing Dress.  I found a simple dress pattern that I could sew a white facing into and just have the zipper start lower on my back and leave the flap open.  I used New Look 6123 View C without the flutter sleeve.  Since I used a matte jersey I was able to make the dress skin tight.  I added a matching simple flat belt to cover the waist seam.

 <SOURCE>

My third and final look was the most difficult yet.  I made a vintage style swimsuit.  This pattern is from Burdastyle.  I added 3 inches to the torso length, fully lined, swimsuit bra cups, and faux skirt on the front.  I crisscrossed the straps and attached them at the bust line.  

  <SOURCE>

Next week I will have all the behind the scenes photos and all the work that goes into a pin-up photo shoot in Pin-up Photo Shoot - Part 2. Wanna see the final product and all the fabrics I used, you will have to wait for Pin-up Photo Shoot - Part 3.

 

Wine Hammock...Yes Please

A few months back I went on a craft retreat.  As a gift I made all my friends wine glass holder necklaces, a hammock for your wine glass.

Now we could craft with both our hands while drinking our wine.  No more forgetting which wine glass is yours because its always around your neck!

I have finally began to offer these great items in my shop.  Check them out.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/126794446/wine-glass-necklacehammock-riley-blake