Tag: Designer

Belle Grâce – A La Gala

On By ResaIn Art Gowns Events, Galas86 Comments

Robin needed a gown. It was time for ECAD, The Explorers Club Annual Dinner in New York City.

Robin emailed me via my website. She had been searching on line for an interesting gown source. The message read, “tell me more about your gowns”. Robin was enthralled by the fact they are made from: reused, repurposed, new old stock, etc. materials.

Included in the mail was her purpose, phone and other info which made it super easy to check her out. She was a valid contender to wear an Art Gown. After a personable phone conversation, we decided on Belle Grâce.

To review Belle Grâce, or see her for the first time click on her pic below.

 My judy is built for someone who is about 5’6″ & a size 6. Robin is 5’9″ and about a size 10. No worries! The Art Gowns are built in components: top, skirt, tail & often a bussell

First thing was to detach the tail. Who could walk and dance an entire evening in an Art Gowns tail?

Belle Grâce stands in a pool of handkerchief hem. The great thing about Robin’s height is the handkerchief hem was now enough off the ground that I merely had to tie overhand knots in the longest points.

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We decided she would need to wear a strapless bra, so I designed a strap across the back to cover the bra’s back. A second thin strap was added for extra support.

By the time the beautiful and vivacious Robin returned for her second fitting, I had converted Belle Grâce’s tail into a stole. Skirt hooks and bussell snaps had been repositioned. Back straps had been built and positioned. Knots were tied in the handkerchief hem.

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WHEN ROBIN PICKED UP THE GOWN I ONLY HAD TO PERFCT BAR PLACEMENTS IN THE BACK.

TADA!

Robin Brooks is an elected executive of the Canadian Chapter of The Explorers Club. She is the regional director for Ontario/Nunavit. Click on her pic below to view the page.

To check out The Explorers Club (established 1904) click on the pic below of Robin tripping the light fantastic.

Thank you, Robin! I am ecstatic.

What’s Your Fave Biker Song?

On By ResaIn Art Gowns Concerts421 Comments

Dahlings!“Get your motor running” by posting your fave biker, freedom feeling or road trip song in comments.

While you think of your fave song, here’s one of mine!

We’ve also got the AGMs on the catwalk in Biker Inspired Gowns.  Under the stage lights, her famous palazzo pants chopped, is RB, Art Director extraordinaire.

Thank you Rene! I’m lovin’ the feelin’ of freedom, and the gowns are outta sight! AGM Dale, our concert’s Maitre’d Mama, is on the runway. In a “Heavy metal thunder” gown with gauntlets, she has a message.

“Yeah darlin’ gonna make it happen”! Put your fave freedom riding song in comments. BUT, we don’t want the browser crashing.

Good to know! Oh, if you mess up, Art Gowns will fix it up!

On her way to the “Lookin’ for adventure” awards is AGM Holly. Resplendent in thigh high boots, metal studs & disparate arm bands; her dainty skull evening bag hangs on steel chain.

 In a mesh t-shirt under a skin-tight’n’tailed gown with velvet boots & accessories, we have Marina about to “Take the world in a love embrace”.

“Racing with the wind”, RR is back in a wardrobe change. Her gown’s skirt will look like a hurricane flying off the back of a motorcycle. Take it away Rene!

“I like smoke and lightning” and that’s what it was like going to the “AFA Weekend Concert Series”.

However, Frank is at the beach, but he has given the go ahead for Art Gowns to pick up the music where he left off. He reminds:

He also sent us this song.

“In whatever comes our way” AGM Gigi can kick start her ride in these hand crafted biker boots, the perfect augmentation to her bad ass gown & snake tattoo.

Shey will lure you in with her amply ruffled fish tail gown. Adorned with heavy duty zips &  decolletage trimmed with black nails, she evokes – “Born to be Wild” 

RR wears the perfect wedding dress for a club house ceremony ! Hop in her sidecar, as she “Explodes into space”. 

Dahlings … Don’t regret the ride you didn’t take! Race the rain! Leave me your song!

RR & Princess Blue Holly characters © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter – since 2019

 (except Poison, from Frank))

Visit the AGMs on their blogs – Holly – House of Heart * Gigi – Rethinking Life  *  Marina – Art Towards a Happy Day  *  Shey – Smexy Historical Romance * Dale – A Dalectable Life

Visit R.B. – Lady Budd

Motorcycle beauty shots © Timothy Price – Off Center Not Even

Join Frank on a Beachwalk

The Last Drive ~ John W. Howell

On By ResaIn Book Review198 Comments

The sequel to “Eternal Road” once again has Sam and James traveling through time in a 1956 Oldsmobile.

Sam (Samantha) is an Angel Emissary. Her current mission: Find Ryan, a recent soul and his guide, Eddie. They have gone missing. Lucifer is suspect for their disappearance.  To aide her on the mission, she wrests James from his eternal home.

DISCLAIMER:  There are no gowns in this story, per se.

Resa – John, I drew Sam as her angel self. I mean, when she’s not out on missions, she would be in her angel wear. I hope you approve of the drawing. (I don’t see wings)

John – I love Sam’s Angel self. I think it is exactly what she would wear around the cloud so to speak. She doesn’t have wings so that was a good call.
Resa – To me, Sam is the star of the 2 books. I mean, if the books were a movie, I think Sam would have top billing over James. Ryan and Eddie are co-stars. What do you think about that?

John – Yes, Sam is the star. She is the glue that holds both stories together. James could be a co-star and Eddie and Ryan featured players.

Resa – Also, now that I’m into drawing Sam, I got an itch to draw her in a mid 70’s style casino gown. Yes, I know she never wears one when they go to the Bellagio, but she could, in a time warp thing. I can’t remember if she wears one in the previous book, when they go to Vegas?

John – In the previous book she did not wear a casino gown but I know she would love one. I think if they had had the time she would have insisted on getting one. Sam can be anywhere she wants at anytime.

Resa – I like that! Sam’s main ace up her sleeve is time eternal.

Forever, Sam’s seven letter word falling across a triple word score, as she, James, Eddie and Ryan attempt to outwit their underworld opponent, the biggest cheater this side of Niflheim aka hell.

Speaking of hell; John affords no comfort as Satan tries to trick Sam, James, Eddie and Ryan, by placing them in some of the most horrific times and places man has ever known. The price of a ticket back to paradise? Ryan’s soul!

Resa – I know you worked out most of the time travel mechanics in the first book. The idea of not disturbing the “time continuum” I get. I learned that in the old Star Trek series. However, there are many other time travel issues, in both your books “Eternal Road” & The Last Drive.
Did you make a chart, when working things out?

John – I do not have a chart on the time travel rules. The basics are pretty simple. You cannot alter the future when in a different time period.

Resa – How did you figure/rationalize the logistics?
Was it all worked out in book one? Or did you have to work out some new time travel ideas & issues in this book?

John – The issues in the book were handled one at a time given the circumstance at the time. For instance if James or Ryan tried to save Karen after she was hit by a car then they would have altered the future. In the same manner if James and Ryan stayed at the scene as witnesses the same thing would happen.

On the time travel question every scene in The Last Drive was worked out on it’s own. Figuring the logistics took some thought but the rule about not disturbing the future was the guide.

For example the team considered that they should try to save the people on the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania. The rationale that the intended target (The Capital ) was never hit was used. All those lives lost had repercussions on families left behind so to save them would have altered those repercussions. This is how each was thought through.

Resa -I see you can obtain an object (ie cell phone) in one time frame, then take it to another time frame.

Could Sam obtain a piece of fabric from ancient Rome, and take that to Las Vegas? Then could she obtain a dress from Las Vegas and combine the fabric and dress into one garment? Then could she wear that garment in another different time and place? Or, even combine that with say jewelry from that third place? Could this go on ad infinitum?

John – Sam can haul anything from zone to zone as long as she can get it before the dump to a new zone. She can’t haul stuff from heaven but the zones are fair game.

Resa – John, I’d like to post this on “Art Gowns”, but need as many gowns as possible. As you can see I have drawn Sam in: an Angel gown, a Las Vegas gown, A Roman Colosseum Gladiatorette gown, a Tea Time on the Titanic gown and a 1912 Ball gown.

John – You are the best, Resa. Thank you for what will be a beautiful thing.

Resa – I listened to a podcast that featured you. It was quite good. Some asked about a sequel. I ask what about a prequel?

John – A prequel is a great idea. You’ll hear another idea on the broadcast that may have legs too.

John turned to writing as a full-time occupation after an extensive career in business.  John writes thriller fiction novels and short stories. He has written 7 books.

To read more about John’s books and awards, click on his photo.

All of John’s books are published by Keewaydin Lane Books.

Visit John on his BLOG

Click on the cover of “The Last Drive” to go to John’s Amazon Page.

Rupert Valentino Joins DracGoth & Etagloc

On By ResaIn Gowntoons, Princess Blue Holly107 Comments

When AGMs Shey, Dale and Gigi vanished into thin air, Princess Blue Holly sprang into action.

She peered into her Tangle – Heart.

It showed her an image of OtherWorld. She saw DracGoth and Etagloc, marionettes at the feet of the SheyGoth effigy.

Rupert Valentino had imprisoned AGMs Shey, Gigi and Dale in a cage. The plan was to turn DracGoth and Etagloc back into normal monsters, and divvy up the AGMs amongst themselves. PBH listened in on their conversation.

DracGoth – You idiot! Moron! Nincompoop! You left the incantation on your coffee table? You’re no 13th cousin of mine.

Rupert – Knock it off, will ya! I told ya, I’ll just slip back through “Nowhere and Nothing” to Earth, grab the incantation offa the coffee table and vavoom, I’m back here.

Etagloc – Hissss… hack, cough…. can ya pick me up some smokes before ya vavoom? COUGH… hissssss. 

Rupert – You idiot! Moron! Nincompoop! I’ll think about it.

With that, Rupert took off!

Knowing Rupert Valentino would transverse through “Nowhere and Nothing”, PBH changed outfits, and tucked 2 magic peach blossoms from AGM Dale’s magic peach tree into her bustier.

Sure enough, in the middle of “Nowhere and Nothing”, Princess Blue and Rupert Valentino (a legend in his own mind) came face to face. He accosted her with a knife.

Rupert – What’re you gonna do now, Blue Holly? Attack me with your feeble poisonous whip? This knife will be the end of it, and you.

At that moment, Blue Holly took out one magic peach blossom, placed it in the centre of her palm, and blew it at Rupert.

Rupert began going through a series of demented changes. While PBH waited for the full effect to take hold on Rupert, she slipped into a new outfit.

AGMs Marina and Holly were modelling Art Gowns from the Classic Collection.

Marina was modelling “Belle Grâce“, Timothy’s dedicated Art Gown.

Holly was modelling her very own dedicated Art Gown “Velvet Tango“.

Rebecca was thrilled how the gowns fit so perfectly.

“Girls, it’s going to be a magnificent show! Ahh, there’s nothing like the classics. RR should be here shortly to try on “Cleopatra Capriccio“. Then, as soon as Blue Holly rescues Shey, Dale and Gigi, I shall continue gown selections and try ons!

Suddenly, there was a new presence in the room. A three armed woman stood blocking the doorway. Thing is the door was gone!

Bezella – I’m here to be an Art Gowns Model!

DracGoth – What the hell is keeping Rupert? He shoulda been back by now!

Etagloc – Ahhhack – hissss He better remember my smokes! COUGH!

PBH – “Hello boys! Waiting for someone?”

Having delivered marionette Rupert to the SheyGoth effigy, Blue Holly took the second magic peach blossom from her bodice. She blew it at the caged AGMs. In a blizzard of peach blossoms, they were freed and on their way back to earth.

PBH raced through “Nowhere and Nothing” to get back on Earth, before the AGMs arrived.

Back on Earth PBH morphed back into her alter ego. Ms. Rosso threw on a simple house gown. She proceeded to the Art Gowns room, for her fitting.

Sacré bleu! The door was gone, a mirror in its stead! Now what, she thought?

RR could hear the blizzard of peach blossoms bringing Shey, Gigi and Dale back. She’d have to think about what to do later. The AGMs were about to land!

Princess Blue Holly & Rene Rosso characters © Resa MeConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter – Since May 2019

Music selections by Holly Rene Hunter

Visit the AGMs on their blogs! Holly – Dale – Shey – Marina – Gigi

Nature Pics © & courtesy of Timothy Price. Visit Tim at Off Center Not Even

Visit Rebecca on Lady Budd & link to her other blogs from there.

In case you missed the first episode of their most recent adventure:

Glamour – 1940’s Movie Star Style

The Necromancer’s Daughter – by: D. Wallace Peach

On By ResaIn Book Review344 Comments

Monarchy, religion, culture and love collide in ancient China’s warring society. All come to rest upon the shoulders of Aster, a gentle soul content in her life. At the start of this tale, her dead infant body is stolen from her mother, the  Queen of Verdane. Aster is brought back to life by Barus. Barus becomes her father, the only one she knows & loves.

Resa – Why &/or how did you come up withe the name Aster?

Peach – That’s an easy one.  She’s so pale that she reminded Barus of the white asters that grew in the meadows around his home. I imagined that when in bloom the flowers almost looked like snow.

Resa – I just have to ask, ” When did you discover the idea of “necromancy” … that it could bring people back to life?

Peach – Great question! Necromancy is (or was) a real thing, and the earliest records date back to the 3rd century, AD. Christian priests and scholars were some of the first to record attempts to “reanimate dead people or foretell the future by communicating with them.” So, it’s been around a long time, and I’m willing to swear that the desire to communicate with the dead continues today. Ouija Boards are a modern example, and some people make a very good living channeling departed souls.

Peach – In modern fantasy, most necromancers are evil and scary, involved in black magic and creating monsters. My mother didn’t want to read the book because she thought it was about cannibals. Lol. It’s a stereotype that I flipped on its head with Barus and Aster.

Resa – Did you make up the ritual? The mixing of herbs… the incanting…. the bleeding? Or did you read about it somewhere? Are there aster flowers in the potion?

Peach – The ritual was my own fabrication though I incorporated pieces of rituals that I found on the internet. It’s amazing what you can research there!
The herbs used in necromancy don’t include asters. The ones in the book are real poisons. The toxins have medical uses, but can easily be lethal. It’s another instance of that fine line between good and bad. It’s all about intention, isn’t it?

Resa – Above is an outfit I think the Queen of Blackrock could dress Aster in, when she is a guest there. However, I’m jumping ahead. Aster must get there first, and it’s a difficult journey fraught with perils.

Fortunately, she has the help of Joreh, then Teko. Oh, and I love all the hair on the men. Okay, not so much the beards, but all that long hair be it snarled, in a ponytail, braid or grey. I confess I have a huge crush on Teko.

Peach – I like long hair on men too. Ha ha. And not beards so much either, but it’s not like these guys get a chance to shave, so beards it is.  And Teko is a fan favorite, Resa. He was so fun to write – a barbarian imbued with honor, misleading simplicity, and astute wisdom. He was full of surprises even as I wrote him.

Resa – There is a black & silver Dragon, who has bonded with Aster. It seems like a simple bonding, until the final legs of the journey to claim her birthright. What gave you the idea to use dragons?

Peach – In the Chinese legend of Kwan-Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, there’s a dragon. She encounters it on the road while carrying water, and she isn’t afraid. The dragon admires her goodness and kindness and gives her a gift of a well so she won’t have to carry water anymore.  Just the mention of a dragon was enough for me to include them in the retelling of her story. ❤

Resa – On her journey, Aster encounters “Nightlings”. Are these like fire flies? Or are they little birds? I’d read a small portion of the book when they were encountered. In my mind I saw them as a sort of flashlight, leading Aster through darkness.

Peach – Ha ha ha.  I saw them in my mind’s eye as insects actually but large ones, the size of hummingbirds. They’re like dragonflies but they light up during dusk. I think Joreh mentions in the beginning that they’re insects, but I mostly leave it up to the reader’s imagination. Your question intrigued me.

Resa – I gotta tell you, I was wearing a thick, oversized lumberjack shirt while reading about the snow, the cold, the freezing, the deprivations of winter beyond winter. A couple of nights ago, when I put the story down for dinner, my hands were so cold my fingers were icicles. I’m chalking it up to that you are such a great writer that you can describe me into being cold.
❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️
Peach – LOL, Resa.  I probably was wearing a coat when I wrote the book… last winter.  Our cabin is hard to heat when it gets especially chilly outside. 🙂 I’m so sorry about the cold fingers though! 

Resa – I have a question about Aster’s raiment once she has reached Blackrock. Aster is cleaned up and dressed in rose, cream and violet silk with a blue sash sleeveless blue robe/w dragons on the hem. Her hair is in a tall knot. This description is not as brightly colourful as the citizens are dressed.  Am I correct in summing up that her outfit in Blackrock is a less richly hued  than the one she wears at the Gates of Whitehall?

Peach – I can so tell that you’re a wardrobe and gown designer! Your questions are wonderful. Generally, the queen of BlackRock has selected pastels for Aster, in Blackrock and at the gates of Whitehall. The queen thinks she’s too deathly pale for anything the least vivid. She also doesn’t trust Aster’s fashion sense, so everything coordinates regardless of how Aster puts the layers together.
The gowns are similar to the Hanfu style of Chinese clothing, lots of layers of silk and long flowing sleeves. There are wonderful images on the internet and lots of variation. The tall hairstyles were typical of Chinese royalty back in the day.
Resa – I imagined I was the Queen of Blackrock’s designer, so I had access to all silk, threads and jewels. I designed an outfit with Aster. There is an aster pattern down one side of her sleeveless kimono, and she wears fresh asters in her hair.
❄️
Peach – Love it! Wow. Resa, that’s beautiful!  And I just ADORE the idea of you as the designer producing Aster’s dress for the queen. How fun to have you in the story!
❄️
Resa – OH! You never described a headdress. Would I be out of order to include one?
❄️
Peach – Isn’t that funny? Lol. Please do whatever you want with a headdress. You’re the designer. ❤❤❤
 Resa – I would have loved to draw Aster on her horse, but that could have added MONTHS to the drawing.
Inside the Gates of Whitehall, Aster is weak as a kitten, yet regal. I saw her using something to hold onto. I came up with obsidian cat statues. There are the wild cats mentioned throughout the journey, so I thought even though you never described these statues, it’s not totally out of context.

Peach – The drawing is beautiful. And the cat statues look great the way they frame her. I totally defer to your artistic impulses.
❄️
Resa – You are not just gracious, you are a true fan of the creative nature.
❄️
Peach – And your reviews are just amazing!  I LOVE them. I can’t wait to see it all come to life. Thank you so much for reading my work and for your wonderful drawings.
❄️
Resa – My pleasure!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

A long-time reader, best-selling author D. Wallace Peach started writing later in life after the kids were grown and a move left her with hours to fill. Years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books, and when she started writing, she was instantly hooked.

In addition to fantasy books, Peach’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of the arts in her local community, organizing and publishing annual anthologies of Oregon prose, poetry, and photography.

Peach lives in a log cabin amongst the tall evergreens and emerald moss of Oregon’s rainforest with her husband, two owls, a horde of bats, and the occasional family of coyotes.

Visit Diana on her blog!

You can buy D. Wallace Peach’s books on:

Amazon US~~~Amazon UK~~~Kobo

All pics of street art taken by Resa – 2019 – 2022

Toronto, Canada

This is one fabulous story!

Outtakes

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Dragon (manipulated) – from a mural by Allan Bender John Nobrega & Stacey Kinder

All other street artists unknown

Glamour – 1940’s Movie Star Style

On By ResaIn Gowntoons, Tribute156 Comments

Dahlings, it was the 1940’s. For half the decade the world was at war and then it was recovery time. Days were hard, but Hollywood kept us entertained with escapist Movie Star Glamour.

Whether a promotion for an actor or a movie, the studios spared nothing.  Katherine Hepburn made wearing wide leg pants éclat. Here, in Hepburn style palazzos, is Art Director Rebecca!

Thank you Rene! Although, in the only actual copy of a gown here today, you give Ava Gardner in “The Killers” a run for her money. Now, let’s get on with it! First out on the catwalk is AGM Gigi.

Inspired by Betty Grable, Gigi is bewitching in this Art Gowns original.

There’s no mistaking the influences of Marlene Dietrich & Rita Hayworth in Marina’s one of a kind design. Such vintage beauty!

AGM Dale is dazzling in her rendition of a Carmen Miranda gown.

Veronica Lake broke many a heart when she covered one eye with her hair. AGM Holly is also a heartbreaker in this gold lame gown.

Last out on the runway, in the spirit of Loretta Young –  Shey surrounds and spellbinds us wth romantic glory.

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Meanwhile, in the dark back of the theatre, lusted Rupert Valentino. A wanna be Matinee Idol (no relation to Rudolph), sent by DracGoth (13th cousin) to abscond with SheyGoth to Erebos. There a diabolic plan to free DracGoth & Etagloc from the SheyGoth effigy was being hatched.

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As a bonus for all the film buffs here today, I’ve prepared a slide show of our inspirations.

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…. aaand finally I present Ms. Rosso in an Art Gowns creation influenced by Vivian Leigh in the movie “That Hamilton Woman”, with undertows of Rita Hayworth in “Gilda”

You are all so wonderful for being here. Please enjoy this song and video by Christina Aguilera! Written in tribute to The Andrews Sisters’ 1941 song “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”. 

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Unable to control his greed, Rupert Valentino sent AGMs Dale and Gigi along with Shey. No one saw backstage, as the 3 faded into the darkness of Erebos.

Not being the sharpest spoon in the drawer, Rupert unknowingly also sent a past memory of Resa’s tree into Erebos. Resa’s tree instantly sent a message to RR & PBH’s Tangle-Heart

Princess Blue Holly & Rene Rosso characters © Resa MeConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter – Since May 2019

Music selections by Holly Rene Hunter

Visit the Art Gowns Models on their blogs!

Gigi – Shey– Marina – Dale & Holly

All Magic Trees & flowers © Timothy Price from Off Center Not Even

Visit Rebecca’s Podcast where you can also find links to her other blogs!

This gown, inspired by Tim’s Irises & Rita Hayworth, is perfect for my special announcement.

“Sheridan Art and Design has published a well deserved tribute and informative interview with their accomplished alumni, our very own amazing designer extraordinaire, Resa McConaghy. 
 
To discover Resa’s philosophy about design,  to view many of her beautiful gowns and discover the secrets to her success in the competitive field of haute couture; Click on the header below!”

”I never lose sight of the fact that just being is fun.” -Katherine Hepburn

Some Great News To Share

On By ResaIn Reblogs, Tribute2 Comments

My favourite Soprano in the whole world is not merely a fabulous singer, but a wonderful person. In the past, she has brought Opera to children who are deaf &/or  hard of hearing.

Charlotte – “For several years now, I have had a deep desire to create an Opera Production which can be enjoyed across the full hearing spectrum. The idea for the Opera is developed from my album “Down The Rabbit Hole”.”

She has worked diligently for several years, and has now received a grant.

Charlotte – “Two weeks ago, I got the news that they were willing to provide key funding for my project if I could raise the rest.  So before I could share the news with you, I had to hit the phones, write emails and send off applications to try and raise the shortfall.”

Charlotte has raised the shortfall. She will do a small tour of primary schools next Spring, which will include both D/Deaf specialist schools and primary schools from socially deprived areas.

Charlotte – “If I can raise an extra £600.00 it will give me enough money to print a learning aid booklet for each of the 800 children we perform for. If I can raise an additional £3000.00 it will allow me to add the two schools that I have as reserves so that none of the children miss out.”

If you live in the U.K., there is a way to help Charlotte raise the money by simply shopping.

Click on this and go to Charlotte’s page

OR

Visit Charlotte’s Blog, where there is a button to donate to this project on the side bar. I just donated £ 10.00 with PayPal!

If you have never had the delight of hearing Charlotte sing, click on the image below and visit her YouTube Channel.

I have Charlotte’s permission to reblog. However, as there is no reblog button on her blog, I have made this semi-repost.

To visit the full original post, click on the pic below.

I’ve decided to close comments. Many of you might want to say something to Charlotte, however Akismet won’t allow her to comment on this blog. Crazy! We communicate through comments on her blog. So, go visit!

 Announcement: An Art Gown for Charlotte. A few years ago, I was gifted some sequin fabric left over from a TV production. This was the beginning. It will be sent to Charlotte, with help from ❦ Timothy Price ❦

Princess Blue Holly vs Chainelle

On By ResaIn Gowntoons, Princess Blue Holly172 Comments

“Dahlings! I’m sick with worry about the AGMs.”

“I look into my Tangle-Heart, and it’s dark, save a guiding moon.”

“Chainelle was quite riled by the AGM mermaids fashion show. True, it worked to bring her to the surface of her black underwater cave in the Gulf of Mexico.”

“However, instead of coming out of the black, she sucked the Art Gowns Models  into it. Dale, Holly, Gigi, Marina and Shey are sticking together, but they are not sure what to do next.”

“The last thing I can see is Blue Holly diving into the black and Rebecca Budd – Art Director, tumbling past her.”

Blue Holly watched as R.B. spun down, down, down and further into the dark. PBH couldn’t see anything anymore, so she used her iridescence  power.

Although PBH could see better, she did not see another iridescent light sneaking up behind her.

It was Chainelle, about to attack from the rear!

Suddenly, MerSin appeared out of the black. “Princess Blue, flee with the AGMs! l’ll take care of Chainelle! You spared me once, and now I repay my debt to you.”

“You thrashed me with dragons, then let me live. I’ll threaten to gnash Chainelle with a thousand claws. In the end, I will spare her. I became a more benevolent sea monster due to your kindness. I believe Chainelle will also find power in love and mercy!”

Blue Holly swam using her hydraulic speed power. The AGMs & RB were clinging to her strong red hair, all the while.

“Dahlings, the Tangle-Heart is sending a hopeful message! The AGMs and RB are headed home.”

“I’m sending a song to help guide their way!”

“It seems there is one last issue. When Chainelle whorled Rebecca into her black cave, she caused RB’s magic Bamboo to freeze over. You walked through the Bamboo to turn into mermaids. How will you turn back?”

“Swim into the Rio Grande, and channel your Magic Trees!”

As the AGMs channeled their trees, they returned to their normal human selves, the frost on Rebecca’s Bamboo melted and all was well again.

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There’s nothing like a beautiful sunset to top off a happy ending. Resa’s tree was content knowing that all were safe, and a new fashion show would be in the planning tomorrow.

Princess Blue Holly & Rene Rosso characters © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter

All music selections by Holly Rene Hunter

Visit Dale – Holly – Gigi – Marina – Shey

All tree and nature pics © Timothy Price from Off Center Not Even

Visit Rebecca! 

Jade

On By ResaIn Romance182 Comments

Have you ever walked away from love?

Yes!? Then you know its bittersweet taste.

Jade has been called by Chinese poets “the concentrated essence of love”.

Well, all that sounds like a Historical Romance novel to me, and Shehanne Moore writes the best .

Art Gown, Jade, is lovingly dedicated to Shehanne.

If anyone knows the twists and turns of romance, it is she.

It all began with 2 vintage decorator pillow shams. My friend, Kat, found them in Wiarton’s Goodwill – 220 km. north of Toronto. She sent them to me.

I wasted no time pinning one onto Judy. It was a natural. Last year Kat sent me 40 pounds of fabrics, much of it stored for up to 25 years. In the poundage was a generous yardage of 60″ wide green polyester faux silk.

That was cut on bias and hung for 2 weeks. I harvested miles of ribbon from an old gown. It was marked with needle holes, so I gathered it to hide the flaws.

The faux silk had been cut without blunting the bottom for a hem. The points were picked up, and attached onto the bodice. This meant no fabric was wasted, and I sewed (by hand)  420 inches of seams & 660 inches of hem.

540 inches of ruffled salvaged ribbon was sewn onto the hem. The decals from the 2nd pillow sham were cut out, and positioned strategically onto the gown. Then began the fun of designing the bustle.

Jade is a dream to drape. That polyester faux silk is like fabric butter. However, it does not biodegrade like butter.

Front lit or backlit, she shines.

OUTTAKES

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I’m a huge fan of Shehanne’s books. I’ve read all but one, so far. These are just 5 of her titles. Click on the banner to go to her Amazon page!

D. Wallace Peach – Myths of the Mirror has just read “Loving Lady Lazuli”. Her review will appear in her next books review.

However, you can read it NOW! Just click on the book cover!

I read if you hit a piece of jade, it rings like a bell. Whether for pleasant listening or for ritual practices, chimes, xylophones, and gongs have been created from melodically resonant jade.

I kept hearing this song while doing the post. Maybe because Sade looks like Jade, but an “s” instead of a “j”. When I learned about jade being resonant, I put it in.

On top of it all, Timothy Price – Off Center Not Even sent me a gift of LED lights with 4 filters: red, orange, yellow and blue. Jade is the first Art Gown learning lesson. I experimented in night, and day.

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As Jade retires to the plant room, I’m mini Jade here to say thank you for popping by & come again!

A Tangle of Music

On By ResaIn Tribute124 Comments

Dahlings, do you just love my hair done as red sails? I feel like I could fly. It makes me think of songs like: Sailing by Christoper Cross, Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin & Come Sail Away by Styx. This brings me to the theme of our Tribute today, Music!

Take it away, Rebecca!

Thank you Rene! We’ve decided to have a bit of fun with “A Tangle of Music”. Each AGM is presented with 2 or 3 bars of 12, that are the instrumental opening to a famous song. There are other clues, as well.

There is an obvious theme running though each AGM’s gown, that pertains to the opening lyrics. Also, as you can see, I am surrounded by the chords in the song. Note: I am holding an A minor in my right hand.

First out on the Catwalk, with the first 2 bars, is AGM Marina in a stunning 1 shoulder, ultra fitted gown with a fish tail hem.

In order to make sure our presentation is sound, we consulted with Trent, & sent him the pic of Marina.

Trent’s reply: “My piano is way off to the side, and I was trying to play it off of the dress, which has the left hand (on the right side) and the right hand (on the left side) with a woman in between. It took a minute.”

Trent’s advice: “It is easier to see if the two parts (called staves) are together. If you can have the line and bracket joining them, a player knows they are played at the same time.”

As you can see AGM Shey holds the next 2 bars, with the staves joined, in one hand. She shows off the full skirt of the drop waist slip style gown in her other hand.

AGigiM is brilliant in pinch tucked trim accentuating a deep v décolletage. Off the shoulder ruffles make for an innocent (don’t be fooled) effect, while a generous side seam insert of pleats adds drama to her every move. Her right gloved hand holds the 5th, 6th & 7th bars.

Dale, our AGM of Thunder feels easy and breezy, as she leans on a fence of the 8th & 9th bars. Inspired by a gypsy’s dance, her gown is full of romance.

Avant Garde is the term for AGM Holly’s asymmetric gown. She stands nonchalantly by the last 3 bars to the intro.

The theme running through the gowns is  gold. “There’s a lady who’s sure
All that glitters is gold”.

This is an historic tribute performance of the answer!

Now, back to Rene!

Thank you, Rebecca! This is the gown that started it all. It’s a scribble gown, drawn to live music from under Resa’s bed.

Okay, the fun isn’t over yet! Someone’s past boyfriend found them online & sent her the song he wrote for her back when. Perhaps you can guess who? The answer will be on Holly’s blog.

Finally we have many blog pals who make great music. What would a great Tangle be without throwing a few into the snarl!

Click on the cards to visit their Youtube channels!

Check out the music of MK-O – Marina Kanavaki & Oannes (click on above)

Visit them on their blogs!

Holly, Gigi, Shey, Dale, Marina

& Art Director – Rebecca Budd

Rene Rosso character © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter

Since 2019