Patsy’s not mad at me anymore… in fact, I caught her smiling just a little while ago. But now she’s worn out… We had our photo session this evening and after 86 pictures, she is ready for bed. I was still working on this around the time I usually list things on Ebay, so I’ll do my best to get it ready for Wednesday evening…
I ended up being able to take my pictures indoors and you’re going to laugh when you see how I did it. Susette gets half the credit because she sent me an email explaining the benefits of a light box. (It was supposed to cut down on the glare when you used your lights so close to your subject matter…or in my case…Patsy.) It was pretty simple how to make one from the directions… but I didn’t have time… I needed something quick… like right now! So this is what I did instead… I took my 2 Ott lights and put them on either side of Patsy. Then I used an emery board on one side and a pencil on the other (hey, it’s all I could think of on the spur of the moment) holding them to the lights with a rubber band. I tore a piece of tissue paper and pierced it with the pencil and emery board and let them dangle about 2 inches from the light bulb. It was just enough to cut down on the harsh lighting that I usually get when my lights are so close to my dolls. It was at night when I took Patsy’s pictures, so I’ll have to see how it works in the daytime… But anyway, Susette gets an A+ for that piece of advice for me! Thanks!
This is what my lights looked like…silly, I know, but it worked.
If you click on any picture it will enlarge.
Now, here are a few “behind the scenes” pictures…
I thought her sleeve caps looked a bit droopy, so I added some sleeve headers made from tulle, to the inside top of the sleeves.
I also made a pre-tied double bow in the back and it just fastens together with a snap…
Today, while my hubby was getting treatment, I sat in my chair and stitched up a storm… I mean a bodice! :o)
You might notice I changed my mind on her sash at the waist. I thought this lavender one was softer and picked up the colors in her hat better. It is stitched at the sides, so you don’t have to worry about losing it.
Okay, Patsy, let’s turn around and let everyone see your dress from head to toe!
I wasn’t joking when I told you she was ready for bed…
I am too…so I’ll see you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
I think your lighting looks great. You’ll have to explain more about light boxes tomorrow or some other day. I love the way the light falls on Patsy’s skirt and sleeve tops. After a day at the spa, you probably feel just like she does. You got so much done, and George’s white blood count was good enough for chemo again, which is great. It was probably the salmon and shrimp pasta and the puzzles and all the good feelings.
My goddaughter emailed me for help with grammar this afternoon. My mom spent hours teaching me grammar in junior high (Catholic school — no science back then, but grammar was cheap and has helped me forever), and I’m sure she’d be very happy seeing me still passing it on.
A good day was had by all — or at least I hope it was.
Hi Marilyn,
I’m pretty happy with how my pictures turned out last night. It’s a far cry from what they were before. With the hat on my dolls heads, it makes their faces too dark, so some kind of light HAS to be used to brighten them up. This worked well…at least for now…
Georges numbers were right on the line, but since he missed last week, but felt good, they decided to go ahead with treatment. He’s feeling good this morning too.. thanks…
Oh boy, grammar… I bet sometimes you read my posts and cringe. I write and revise and edit my posts…sometimes 10-15 times, catching little mistakes and errors, but I’m sure you catch a lot more. I used a writing curriculum for the kids, when we home schooled them , called The Institute for Excellence in Writing, by Andrew Pudewa, and loved it. He taught me so much! But I’m sure I could use a refresher course! :o)
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Most importantly, I’m glad things went okay for George. Next, the filters on your Ott lights did a good job of diffusing the light. No more harsh shadows. Now on to Patsy’s dress — it is just beautiful. You have such a good eye for what is needed and what would be too much. The bodice is perfect, and I’m totally in love with the double bow in the back.
I hope you have a good day.
Take care.
HI Charlotte,
Yes, the lights worked very well, at least this time. I may try and move the lights around and see if different papers in front of the lights make any difference…maybe even try a white cotton sheer fabric.
Thanks so much for your sweet compliments on Patsy’s dress. She’s happy so I’m happy!
Blessings to you Charlotte,
~ Jeanne
Your imagination never fails to amaze me! What a wonderful temporary adaptation. So glad you got it to work. For Marilyn: Enter “Light Box” in Search and many suggestions for how to make ones of different sizes will come up, the easiest using several cheap picture frames covered with a lightweight fabric with the lights placed behind the frames. But Jeanne’s adaptation takes the cake if the lights don’t run too hot. Now I need some Ott lights if I’m going to continue taking photos of my dolls.
The dress is just beautiful, every little detail adding so much to the whole. What a wonderful addition to a collector’s wardrobe for her dolls.
Thanks again Susette,
I had to figure out something if I was ever going to get these pictures taken and when I remembered your email… I started working on might work… thank goodness it did!
My tissue paper was far enough away from the light bulb and I was standing right beside them so I didn’t worry too much about it getting too hot. I left some space between the end of the light shade and the tissue. It worked…that’s what counts at 10:00 at night!
Thank you for your sweet comments Susette… I haven’t forgotten about the “miniature” pictures you sent me… :o)
Thanks again,
Blessings, Jeanne
Ingenious!! Love the embroidery on the Swiss eyelet:) prety, pretty outfit!
Why Thank you Shara,
I’m glad you liked today’s post and I’m so glad it worked so I could get Patsy’s pictures taken… just between you and me…(and everyone else reading this comment), I probably should have scooted my lace over so the scallop in the middle was straddled and the design could have been symmetrical… the scallops are in the middle, but the embroidery isn’t.
Oh well, it is what it is…
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Love your lighting solution. Always inventive Jeanne.
Patsy’s beautiful new outfit is so lovely to see this morning. That hat as well as the embroidery just makes the outfit bounce. Patsy is definitely smiling on this one. Come on Easter.
Thanks Joy,
I’m glad you like Patsy’s dress…it’s finally finished and I’m ready to move on to the next dress. I was hoping someone would say something today that would help me with a title..and you did.. It’s going to be called Come On Easter!
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Patsy, you are a charmer in your new ensemble…please give Jeanne a hug for me to let her know how wonderfully she’s dressed you!
Blessings.
HI Becky,
I’ll take that hug from Patsy…when she wakes up… She’s still sleeping! :o)
Thanks so much!
Blessings, Jeanne
Come on, Easter! That’s perfect. Joy said it and you caught on immediately that that was the right title for that dress on that doll. Congratulations to you both.
Thanks Marilyn,
I’m glad you liked the title… You never know what you say on here might be used elsewhere.
Blessings, Jeanne
So glad George was feeling well enough today to continue with treatments. Good to hear he
feels well this morning also.
The light box solution is great. You’re rigged up idea gives Patsy’s face and dress a soft look.
She is so pretty in that dress and I like the embroidery off center because it gives a trailing garland look. Her slip is adorable also with the little Easter egg dots running all over it.
The double bow sash is a unique idea. To me, ALL little girl dresses require flowers, puffed sleeves and a bow sash in the back. You nailed all three with this one.
If you are making one more Easter dress, might I suggest a Victorian/Edwardian one?
Easter was BIG deal in that era. Rebecca could model and be invited to attend the White House Easter Egg Roll. Just an idea. 🙂
HI Laura,
Thanks for your comments today… I am most intrigued with your suggestion of a Victorian/Edwardian Easter story… I think I’ll do that… I can use some of the vintage lace that my sister sent me… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Vintage lace would be lovely. I’ve seen vintage lace and antique velvet ribbon recently at my antique store. I think I should go back there tomorrow and see if it’s still there. The one seller has a booth filled with vintage sewing stuff.
I just caught my grammatical error. It should be “Your rigged up idea…”
HI Laura,
I sent you an email too…just wanted to make sure you saw it…
~ Jeanne
Good afternoon, Jeanne! So glad to hear that spa day and its follow-up went well. And oh my goodness, what an “Egg-stra Special Easter” ensemble this is! I have just caught up with a week of your blog after visiting with a friend I haven’t seen in 23 years, and I am so glad I didn’t miss this perfect post of little Patsy. Your revisions were “eggs-actly” what was needed, your jelly-bean slip is “eggs-ellent,” and the final reveal, from head-to-toe, is just “eggs-emplary.” From the embroidered bodice (front and back!), to the cap sleeves, to the double-bow sash, everything is so “egg-citing,” I just love it. Easter’s on its way, for sure!
HI Anne,
Oh my, aren’t we the clever one… I kept reading to see what “egg” was coming next.. What a great set of compliments from your “egg-straordinary” use of eggs! I loved it and hope you had an “egg-ceedingly” nice time with your dear friend, but weren’t too “egg-hausted” to catch up on my blog posts!
Sorry, Anne, I thought I’d “egg-tend” your humor just a little bit too! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne!
I am “egg-stremely” “eggs-hausted” from my “egg-stended” visit, but in an “egg-ceedingly” good way! “Egg-ceptionally” glad to be caught up on your blog, Jeanne. You ARE the “egg-spert!”! ;o)
HI Anne,
This could go on and on in an “egg-haustive” way…and I’m not “egg-aggerating!”
Thanks for the smiles Anne,
blessings, Jeanne