Re: Idle hands are the devil's playthings: The DIY/craft thread!

[eselle28]

In a probably ill advised move, I've decided to take up cross stitch again. By again, I mean, I was pretty okay at it before I hit my teens, so this might come with a relearning curve. The goal is to make this, quite a bit bigger:

[Guest]

If I'm ever pissed or stressed, or feel the need to paint or draw (which I tend to feel a lot, but lack motivation), I'll go ahead and force myself. Plus it's good practice. Anyway, after the painful San Diego Chargers loss I felt lost and agitated plus I had no motivation for anything.

SUDDENLY, a post on Tumblr. It was the four symbols of Led Zeppelin IV. "What is this!? Oh, it's the release of Jimmy Page's remastered version, holy shit!!"

tl;dr here's a half-assed Robert Plant painting I did.

[azazel]

I have other stuff there in links too, I definitely recommend looking at my ArtStation profile  :3

Linky plz

[Guest]

I have other stuff there in links too, I definitely recommend looking at my ArtStation profile  :3

Linky plz

Ask and you shall receive. -boom-

And yes, that is my real name. I hope to be able to get freelance work later on in the future and keep this as an online portfolio.

[Guest]

I did a new painting. :3 It's Iron Maiden's Eddie!

[reboundstudent]

Not sure if this should go in the Crafts thread or the "Rate My Style" thread. Either way, here's the Victorian dress I've been slaving over and finally finished! I am wearing it again to a ball in January, and currently the improvements are: -bring the hem of the underskirt up a bunch -fix the shoulders -Sew the bustle in place -Add another petticoat -Add a bustle pad

Any other suggestions? I'm awfully at accessorizing; any ideas?

[ChrissyOrig]

Very lovely pose. I would avoid adding anything around the neck/chest area (such as jewelry) because the lines are very flattering as is. I could see adding a solid color shawl in one of the pattern colors, resting around the back and wrapping around your arms to give length and soften the arm area. (So the shawl would wrap around ending somewhere between the elbow and wrist.)

[Enail]

Fuck, that's awesome! I second the shawl idea, but I think you could also pull off a smallish necklace that was choker length or slightly longer, something fairly delicate. A small cameo? That'd be pretty period.

[reboot]

Fuck, that's awesome! I second the shawl idea, but I think you could also pull off a smallish necklace that was choker length or slightly longer, something fairly delicate. A small cameo? That'd be pretty period.

I was thinking the same, a small cameo, perhaps on a ribbon choker?

And triple wow, RBS. That is amazing.

[reboundstudent]

Fuck, that's awesome! I second the shawl idea, but I think you could also pull off a smallish necklace that was choker length or slightly longer, something fairly delicate. A small cameo? That'd be pretty period.

I was thinking the same, a small cameo, perhaps on a ribbon choker?

And triple wow, RBS. That is amazing.

Thanks guys! I love the shawl idea, that'd be a fantastic addition. I love ribbon chokers, but I admit, I worry what they do to my chin fat. :-)

What do you guys think for gloves? Short lacy ones or long opera-style ones?

[waxingjaney]

Elbow-length fingerless lace for the gloves, and skip the jewelry and go for a head scarf.

[ChrissyOrig]

Thanks guys! I love the shawl idea, that'd be a fantastic addition. I love ribbon chokers, but I admit, I worry what they do to my chin fat. :-)

What do you guys think for gloves? Short lacy ones or long opera-style ones?

I think either type of glove could work. You'll probably have to try them on to see. If you're going to use a shawl, first get that and wrap it. The short gloves might end up segmenting the arm line--that is, there would be a section below the shawl and above the glove that might break the line and look awkward; check it to see. If you go with the long gloves, maybe consider echoing the color of the trim (looks like gold); that could tie the outfit together nicely. Green is a very good color for you, so try a green shawl to see if that works for you. Be sure to post whatever is your final look!

[reboundstudent]

I think either type of glove could work. You'll probably have to try them on to see. If you're going to use a shawl, first get that and wrap it. The short gloves might end up segmenting the arm line--that is, there would be a section below the shawl and above the glove that might break the line and look awkward; check it to see. If you go with the long gloves, maybe consider echoing the color of the trim (looks like gold); that could tie the outfit together nicely. Green is a very good color for you, so try a green shawl to see if that works for you. Be sure to post whatever is your final look!

Ooo gold opera gloves would look perfect! What do you think of http://www.greatlookz.com/item.asp?PID=8767&gclid=Cj0KEQiAzvmkBRCm3ZbV-4-hwrYBEiQAgLOw60gf3p9b63Y69L3TNcXbyZTGTkYxcFaoaH71u6tVkA8aAjvP8P8HAQ?

Do you think the shawl should be knit, or woven? Maybe a pashmina/silk would go nicely with the silk of the bodice? Like this? https://www.etsy.com/listing/180932713/solid-color-pashmina-scarf-in-emerald?ref=sr_gallery_29&ga_search_query=shawl&ga_color=0ac20a&ga_page=3&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_view_type=gallery

[OneTrueGuest]

Wow. I'm still kind of stunned that you made that. I know how you feel about compliments, and I know you want to keep learning and improving (as well you should!), but I hope it's okay that I just say that that is really beautiful dress and I am incredibly impressed that you made that.

As for the questions at hand: I love the gloves, but if you are going for those gloves then I definitely think something more pashmina/silky makes sense. You're going for a more formal look if those are the gloves of choice (which I really think ought to be). I'm almost thinking a gold pashmina to match the gloves might be nice, but that also might be too matchy matchy . . . The green is great too!

[reboundstudent]

Wow.  I'm still kind of stunned that you made that.  I know how you feel about compliments, and I know you want to keep learning and improving (as well you should!), but I hope it's okay that I just say that that is really beautiful dress and I am incredibly impressed that you made that.  

As for the questions at hand:  I love the gloves, but if you are going for those gloves then I definitely think something more pashmina/silky makes sense.  You're going for a more formal look if those are the gloves of choice (which I really think ought to be).  I'm almost thinking a gold pashmina to match the gloves might be nice, but that also might be too matchy matchy . . . The green is great too!

Compliments that are 1) on the Internet and 2) the result of me putting myself out there (aka, I posted the picture) are a-okay with me, so thank you very much. :-) I think for the ball, opera gloves are going to look the best; I'm really kind of fixated on the idea of a pashmina wrap!

Just wait until I do the whole thing again next year, this time in velvet. :-D

[OneTrueGuest]

Well in that case you are very welcome .

And I agree, for a ball opera gloves and the pashmina are the way to go.

And velvet?? So cool! What colour are you thinking?

(can I also say that your version of Victorian/Steampunk is so much cooler than mine. I usually just go buy a couple things off the rack and add my goggles and Steampunk jewelry - which I also purchased, but at least those I guess are from independent Steampunk artisans I guess. Ooh! This is a particular favourite shop of mine: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TempusLuna )

[kath]

AAAAH that is SO GORGEOUS. I may be coming to you for advice about my next sewing project (and only won't if I can't get it together to ask coherently, which is usually how I roll).

Do you usually do your hair in a victorian style when you wear it to events?

[Gentleman Johnny]

It looks great and its a good match for the owner. I'd suggest a steampunky pendant instead of a scarf but that will tend to draw attention. . .er. . .down. If you're going for short gloves, have a little clutch or whatever to go with it. Not sure why but those two things go together in my mind. You can't go wrong with a brassed Nerf in a thigh holster.

[reboundstudent]

AAAAH that is SO GORGEOUS. I may be coming to you for advice about my next sewing project (and only won't if I can't get it together to ask coherently, which is usually how I roll).

Do you usually do your hair in a victorian style when you wear it to events?

I do! I told my hair dresser to expect me in about a month for a Victorian up-do, and she is super excited/terrified (she's somewhat new to cosmetology, so should be a fun learning experience!) I'll also happily give any tips/advice I can on sewing. Now if only I could knit...

[eselle28]

So I finished my friend's Justice League pillow, which got good reviews, and also finished a redshirts thingie to hang in a corner of my office in a subversive way. I'm now making something for my niece. If it turns out well, it may be something this beginner feels comfortable photographing.

I'm kind of liking being into a sewing-related discipline, which is odd for me. My mother tried to get both of her daughters into sewing type things. We both resisted, and I resisted the most. It felt forced and not like me. Oddly, when I try it now, it kind of feels nice to connect to something that's traditionally feminine and that can make nice gifts for people that will make them happy, which is also a highly feminine sort of thing. I'm not sure if the change is age or just it being my idea. Or maybe it's just a change in circumstances and my wanting something to do with my hands while I watch television other than checking my phone incessantly. My sister caught the bug long ago and knits and quilts, so maybe I'm just the last one to catch on.

[UristMcBunny]

I've been doing very little crafting lately, due to a sudden lack of time (hopefully that'll improve over the next month or so as my current temp gig doesn't have a massive commute attached like the last one).

But I HAVE been putting some hard work into my sketchbook.  I want to finally get some actual skills in working with colour and shadow.  Slow-going so far, but I've finally started producing stuff that I feel shows improvement. (Apologies for size)






Also some attempts to get better at sketching from life QUICKLY, as I have a bad habit of spending way too long on every single sketch.




I'm planning on picking up a big sketch pad - something A3 or A2 size, ideally, since all of this is being done in a tiny, cramped A5 sketchbook, which limits the level of detail I can achieve with chunky graphite and fingers covered in pencil dust.

[Guest]

That's awesome, Bunny! I especially like second and third ones.

I'm starting up my plans to draw something everyday after work today. I got one of those Surface Pro 3 tablets and it's much more intuitive to use than my Wacom, even if I love that thing. I'm not all that good, but drawing something everyday should help that, I hope.

[UristMcBunny]

That's what I've been trying to do, myself! Draw something every day, even if it's just a silly little cartoon creature, and actively work on things I am not currently good at. For reference, a year ago my attempts to work with shadow looked like this:

[Guest]

You've definitely improved over the year, that's for sure.

I've really just started so drawing anything is good for me at this point. To many random character design ides that need out of my head.

[eselle28]

Obviously I'm very much a beginner and this is far from perfect, but this is really substantial progress from not being able to hold the hook a couple days ago, so I'm sort of proud of myself.

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