Save the Date!

This arrived in the mail last week.

I can't get over how adorable it is. And I don't use the term "adorable" very often. It was designed and printed by the groom, Doug LaRocca, a very talented designer of party product packaging by day and printmaker by night. Here's his website. I love his whimsical style and use of color. He sells his prints at galleries in L.A., New York and Chicago. And on his website.

Both Sarah and Doug are dinosaur nuts. Sarah's dino name is TriSarahtops. Doug came up with DiploDouglas at her insistence if he wanted to keep on seeing her. I think that's how the story went.

And I'm beading along. Finished the first of the side backs and ready to start the second.

 

The cuteness is almost unbearable! But, I'm a mom, so I can handle it!

4 Months and Counting

 I am making progress! I recently finished beading the two back backs. Here they are in their sparkling glory.                                                                                                                                              

The bodice has seven pieces,
1 front
2 side fronts
2 side backs
2 backs.
So, these are 2 of seven. And the smallest, I might note.

Here's one where you can see the detail. It's the second, and I feel the quality is much better than the first.

The blank space will be completed when I connect this with the side back. It's a dino's long neck.

This next photo is the first side back.

I used a product called Mark-B-Gone to trace the basic shape. It's works like sewing tracing paper. I put it between the pattern and the fabric and trace the pattern using pressure so the marks transfer. Then the marks disappear over time. It says within 72 hours, but sometimes it takes longer. No problem. As long as they go away. I also have a marker I use for detail shapes.

I've been using nylon thread to sew the beads on. It's like very fine fishing line and took many frustrating days learning to use it. I like that it's invisible on the front (also a point of difficulty in use) and that it's strong and doesn't fray in the needle. It does tend to slip out of the needle...but I manage.

So, just four months. I better get beading!