Surprise! Macaron Dress sets are ready!
Have a great weekend!
❥ Maggie
Macaron Batches!
Happy New Year Lovelies!
It brings me great pleasure to announce the Macaron Dress commission list is complete!
If you were not on the commission list, there will be a shop update with four different colors of Macaron dresses very soon!
Enormous thanks to each and every one of my customers and supporters. I hope you all love your dresses as much as I have enjoyed making them for you!
What’s up next for Parasol Doll?
My next sewing project will be a blue/green/silver version of the psychedelic rainbow design that debuted at BlytheCon Seattle. The first batch will be for a shop update.
Then, I will be opening up a small commission list for each colorway.
My plan is to keep smaller commission lists for each design I am working on so customers are not left waiting for months and I can open them up more often.
❥ Maggie
BCEU Paris 2015
Hooray! I was chosen as a vendor for BlytheCon Europe 2015 in Paris!
I can’t wait to see all my friends, meet new people and enjoy summertime in France. HelloMiss.Quito and I are already planning our visit to Versailles!
Will I see you there?
❥ Maggie
The Lovely Citron Macaron
Hi hi doll faces!
Long time, no sew!*
I’m currently putting the finishing touches on a batch of Macaron Dresses in the loveliest, happy making Citron color! These dresses are as warm and bright as the unseasonably sunshiney autumn days we’ve been enjoying here in Portland.
I will be fulfilling the commissioned orders for the Macaron list, but I will have a few of these lovelies up for grabs in my shop this week. I’ll announce the update tout de suite!
*In August, I was hospitalized with Meningitis (inflammation of the membranes (meninges) surrounding your brain and spinal cord). I was diagnosed with the viral, not bacterial variety, but I had a bad reaction to the antibiotics given to me just in case it was bacterial. This lengthened my recovery time and since my immune system was exhausted, I caught every little cold and sickness possible for months afterwards. I am incredibly grateful to be fully recovered and for the medical care that saved my life.
I will be finishing up the last few commissions on the Macaron List and then I will open up a list for the psychedelic rainbow dresses. Thank you all for your continued enthusiasm!
❥ Maggie
Design & Contrast
I fell in love with this fabric and knew I needed to make a dress out of it. After three prototypes where I tried to match contrasting fabrics to the myriad of colors in the print, I realized that I had to approach this dress differently.
The background is a pale dove grey, not the normal white or off-white. When I used a coordinating fabric as a collar, sleeve or panel on the skirt, it would make the print look muddy and put too much emphasis on that color family. Sometimes the solutions are what is not right in front of your face – I needed to add what was missing.
After trying out my idea as a gift for a dear friend, I knew I had found the right balance. Since then, I have shortened the skirt a little and sewed the lace into a peter pan collar with gold bead accents. A little gold belt and a fluffy crinoline finish the piece.
The Parasol Doll ‘Doll Hearts’ Dress – Bold and sweet!
I will be spending the next 1.5 days trying to finish a batch for BlytheCon US in Seattle. *fingers crossed*
Since I’m waiting on lace from France before I can continue work on Macaron dresses, I’ll be making some for the shop soon! I also have a blue color way that I will accent with silver.
Hope you overcome a little challenge today too!
❥ Maggie
BlytheCon Europe 2014!
I simply can not rave enough about the amazing event that is BlytheCon Europe! I have been super lucky (and very determined) to attend/vend all three years of its existence and every year, the organizers do a fantastic job. This year, Joelle and Filipa knocked our socks off!
Sadly, I forgot to take a photo of my own table, but luckily, Linda took one! ♥
A giant hug to everyone who stopped by my table! Seeing good friends, meeting new faces, creating and playing together are the reasons I make in person doll events a priority. I leave them full on crazy in-love-with-life. You are all adorable and extraordinary!
BlytheCon Europe 2014 also ushered in the debut of JOHNNDO!
Johnndo is a spectacular spectacle and the king of inspired selfies!
It all came about when our good friend, John, had to cancel his trip to BCEU.
I met John at the first BCEU in Berlin and this year was supposed to be his first time vending. Kismet interrupted.
That would not do, so I devised a plan with Monica to bring John with us, if only in spirit. It was decided that Monica’s Wataru, Mondo, would wear a John mask to the event and the Recalcitrant Johnndo was born!
The adventures don’t stop there – I’ll be in Seattle for BCUS in less than two weeks!
Let us hope that a worm hole is not created by John and Johnndo being in the same room together. I hope to see you all there!
❥ Maggie
Framboise Macaron Dress
The first batch of Framboise Macaron dresses are complete! The next batch is cut and ready to be sewn. I will have a few of this color available at BCEU in Amsterdam this summer.
Up next is the sunny yellow, Citron (D) color way!
Interested in a Macaron Dress of your own? The Macaron Dress list will reopen in August.
I hope to have some for sale at BCEU Amsterdam and BCUS Seattle!
Melodies for the Dollhouse
When I am designing and sewing doll clothing, I like to become completely preoccupied and immersed in my tasks. In order to maintain focus and avoid becoming distracted by things happening around me, I must keep the back of my brain busy by listening to music, podcasts and documentaries. I definitely study better in a loud cafe than a quiet library!
I refer to my inner world as my dollhouse. This is where I go when I am truly creating. I originally created this playlist for myself, but decided to share it when I joined Spotify. It is often danceable to keep my energy up, a little soft, very atmospheric and all female vocalists. It’s a work in progress, always evolving. I would love to hear what you think or suggestions for new-to-me music of a similar style!
The Extraordinary Mango Macaron!
The first batch of Macaron Dress Sets in Mango are complete! This warm, vibrant color has been a joy to sew with between the spring showers and glorious spring sunshine.
I like big bows and I can not lie! *giggle*
I have a few more of these to sew up, then it will be on to Raspberry (color E)!
❥ Maggie
Blythe Springtime Tea Party • Portland, OR
I am co-hosting the Blythe Springtime Tea Party with HelloMiss.Quito!
If you are in the Portland, OR area, I hope to see you there!
❥ Maggie
