Thursday, October 28, 2021

Rainy Foray in Florals; Gold Wing Dress, Part II

My Thursdays off are to be treasured - Mom and I didn't meet up today as she got over-enthusiastic with putting up her Hallowe'en decorations (I want pictures!) and needed to rest. I treated myself to a quiet day of catching up on comments, working on my Gold Wing Dress for my mental health, and then meeting up with my colleague/mentor/friend/budding fashionista Simona for coffee. 
I had to dress for the weather, first and foremost, as we are experiencing an "atmospheric river" pattern of 30+ cm of rain. Good times! However, practical doesn't have to be boring! 

  • Tuxedo blouse - thrifted; last worn here in November 2020 under pink mohair
  • Dress - InWear; last seen here (and Flashbacked) in February with paisley
  • Boots - Doc Martens, consignment; last worn here (3rd outfit) in February 2020 to meet up with an old friend
  • Coat (below) - Avoca; last seen here in April


I had a lovely view of the Castle this afternoon.
The Garry oak leaves are all rusty-coloured. 

I had to match everything to my floral Doc Martens - aside from my white floral Docs, these are the best shoes I own for Major Weather. I also like to travel in these - they've been to Italy!
I alternate my Docs walking to and from work in the fall/winter/early spring, so these get worn 2-3 times a week, even though you never see them. I last wear wore them on the blog in March 2020, but I actually last wore them on Monday. 

The dress is actually leather - you can enjoy a Flashback of it at the link above. 
The stretch silk blouse was just right as it doesn't cling to the lining of my coat. I also have a camisole on underneath. 

Outerwear and masked up briefly. My coat of choice was this waterproof raincoat that I've had for several years. 
I don't wear it that often, but when I want a cool raincoat I have it. The pattern is rainy pansies! 

I love that shape, and the elastic high up on the back. 
It gives me movement without completely concealing my shape. 

Hood up! 
And a hands-free bag. 

I didn't deploy the hood, though. 
I have a fantastic new umbrella! If there had been wind, I would have had to skip the brolly. Phew!

Accoutrements: 
I am not really a bag person - I tend to use one bag over and over and over - but I do have a small collection. 

  • Purse - Roots, thrifted
  • Silk/cashmere scarf - gift from Mom, Italy
  • Gloves - Parkhurst
  • Mask - by Mom

The stuff: 
No boots in the picture - Vizzini is a monster about the laces, so I have to stash them in a closet immediately. 

  • Belt - thrifted; purchased here for $6.95
  • Poe cuffs - Jezebel Charms, gifts from L
  • Anatomical heart locket - Defy, gift from L
  • Amber ring - c. 1996
  • Feather ring - Fossil, thrifted
  • Earrings - thrifted

First wearing of this new-to-me belt - loved it. 

Simona and I chatted and caught up on the past 20 months for two hours. So lovely to see her! 


Art Project: Gold Wings Dress, Part II

Before I met up with her, I sat on the couch with Hallowe'en baking shows on (great background) and Vizzini sleeping on my lap under a blanket, while I worked some more on my dress. 
I started adding some detail to the feathers, using a fine-tip liquid gold pen. I am working on the same layers straight across, although I learned to work left to right so that my fingers wouldn't pick up the still-sticky gold ink as much. 

Drawing on a dark background with a "light" colour forced me to look at the negative space. I'm drawing everything that isn't a feather. Tricky! 
This looks better from a distance - I got better and more consistent as I went along and worked out a pattern. It's not about being perfect, she reminded herself. 

See? It looks much lacier and delicate. I'm excited and happy with how it's progressing. 
I can only do a couple of rows at a time before I start smudging the gold ink. This is about two hours of work. 

How's your week going? 

30 comments:

  1. Great progress on the wings, Sheila. Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. I appreciate the encouragement, Cynthia - it's daunting!

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  2. Sounds like a wonderful day despite not getting to see your mum. The feathers look great and remind me of your magnificent crocheted collar.

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    1. It was relaxing me-time, and really needed. My work stress has ramped up again.

      Good catch! I do like gold!

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  3. The gold wings dress is a fabulous project. Great idea, skillfully executed. I hope you're enjoying the process as much as the future end-result. I want to do many such projects in the future (after I retire next year and create a space for pursuing them).

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    1. I'm enjoying it - it gives me calm and joy to work on it. It's ALL about the process - I really like being in the moment with it and letting my brain go. I'm so glad you're planning stuff like this, Ally - it's so great for mental health. *hug*

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  4. Quite like your outfit - the dress, the top, the tights, the boots (!), the raincoat that goes so well with the boots, and YAY you are using your new umbrella! Great way to let the rain know who is in charge. :-)

    As for the angel wings, reading how you progressed through this session actually had me relaxing at the thought of the baking shows playing in the background, Vizzini on your lap, and you being engrossed in the process of inking the outlines. I fill now always think of these wings as peaceful wings. :-)

    Hugs to your Mom and kudos to her for listening to her body and taking a rest when she's overdone it so that she doesn't doubly overdo it! And a Happy Halloween to you all!

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    1. Thanks, Laurie! I know, cool boots, right? I highly recommend Doc Martens for the kickass woman - they are comfy (I have inserts in mine too) and weatherproof. It wasn't windy, so I was safe to use the new brolly.

      I really just get in the moment when I'm working on my art. It was just what I needed. They will be peaceful wings with all the peace I imbue into them!

      Aw, she'll appreciate that, thank you! She loves Hallowe'en! Thanks, you too!

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  5. Those floral Doc Martens are just the thing for the weather you're having and so is your raincoat. They both match the rest of your outfit perfectly. I'm loving the leather InWear dress layered over that silk blouse, and how funky is that belt!
    Days off are indeed to be treasured, and you certainly made the most of this one by meeting up with your friend and making progress on the gold wing dress!
    I've finished work for the week, enjoying my Friday off, and Monday is a holiday here in Belgium, so it's an even longer weekend for me! xxx

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    1. Aren't they spiffy? Highly-recommended for Women Who Walk! I have worn the jacket and boots together before - I always do a solid mix underneath. I knew you'd like the belt - and it's elastic! I really did treasure this day - it makes my Friday more bearable.

      I'm so glad you have an extra-long weekend! Enjoy!

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  6. Wings are looking good. You’ve made real progress.

    Love the Doc Martens, very funky with the floral jacket. x

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    1. Thanks, Phyl! It looks deceptively simple but takes time.

      I have worn them together before - they are a match made in heaven.

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  7. The wings look amazing, that's such beautiful progress! :)

    I like the colours of your outfit too - so perfect for autumn and even the jacket coordinates with it nicely! It's good you got time to catch up with your friend :)

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    1. Thank you, Mica! I'm getting into a good groove on it.

      I have enjoyed really doing an autumnal palette this month - I like the added pink to it. It was so good to see Simona, I'd really missed her.

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  8. Those must surely be amongst the most beautiful Docs ever created. I madly adore their design point blank, as well as how perfectly their palette suits both fall and spring. Just the perfect thing to slip on as we trudge through this very rainy spell.

    Oodles of hugs & the absolute happiest of Halloween weekend wishes!

    Autumn Zenith 🎃 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. They make them with a black background as well as brown, but I like this warm pinky/green palette. Highly-recommended, Autumn - they are the best weather shoes I've ever had, both pairs.

      Thank you, and happy Samhain!

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  9. You look like you are ready for anything! I love your confident pose. Your artwork is progressing beautifully!

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  10. Sounds like a good relaxed day. What a joy it must be to see that castle every day, when there is no fog. Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. It was a really nice way to spend my day, Nancy! I do love to see the Castle as I go about my days. Thank you!

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  11. I love how your Dr. Martens match with the bright colours of the raincoat. Great styling.
    I see that the golden wings art fashion project is progressing nicely.Lovely!

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    1. I have worn them together before, shockingly. :)

      Thank you!

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  12. My goodness, the wings are amazing! You are such an artist! I struggle with smudging too- you seem to have avoided that!
    I love your outfit, so smart- the shirt underneath is so nice and I am swoooooooooooooooooning about the DMs! I do love Docs! The raincoat goes so well with them too!x

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    1. I figured it out, Kezzie - you have to work left to right and not go back.

      Thank you! I love my Docs - I've had these for over 10 years, I think.

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  13. Those wings prove you are a true artist. Sooo good.
    Greetje

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  14. I love that raincoat and the Docs! I have never owned a pair of Doc Martens...may be time to rectify that situation! You are just so talented...roses, wings...what's next?

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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  15. Lovely outfit, totally support the idea of 'comfy&cool' outfits, particularly if they're good for a rainy day. Love that you create this ensemble around your floral Martens (they rock!) and love the red-burgundy colour in your blouse and tights!.
    Looking fab in your raincoat!
    And I'm admiring your art work in progress!
    besos

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  16. Your Wing-Dress is coming along beautifully. You have inspired me to start drawing on clothes again and am in the process of doing a Snoopy and Woodstock themed white dress shirt. It certainly doesn't require the patience or skill that you have invested in your pieces though. I love that raincoat, and the colours are gorgeous with the leather dress.

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