Back from the dead or in other words: Summer vaccation

No.

I have not died.

Really.

It may have seemed like it, but in fact I am not dead but quite alive and running around like CRAZY!

Also, I'm not a summer person. Give me Fall or Winter, please!

SO.... in order to make up for my lack of posting all summer long despite my grand intentions I have a wonderful treat for you. I have finished my dog print dresses! (Does a little happy dance!)

I seriously have had my dress on the dress form all summer as my brain, most lazily, decided how to fix my front button placket. The idea stemmed from Modcloth. Although, I do believe that this particular dress is no longer sold there it was my motivation for my Gone to the Dogs Days Dress. What can I say, Modcloth inspired me to make kooky names as well as dresses!

Meow-ily We Go Dress

A close-up of the Modcloth Dress.

Then as I pondered and wandered at my favorite thrift store: 

Arc Value Village  http://www.arcsvaluevillage.org/  Seriously awesome place, if you are in the Minneapolis Metro area give it a try. 

I found a pattern for Thing 3!  

It wasn't vintage, but I could see it working with my dress and two more complementary fabrics.  

I love the detail options this dress offers with an asymmetrical collar, bow in front and puffy sleeves!  

Many hours were spent hand stitching details PLUS the "help" my Thing 3 decided to give me with a little pair of scissors when I wasn't looking.

(I will show that picture as soon as I find it)

Now for the grand finally; here are the pictures you have been so patient for all summer long!

Here is my lovely Thing 3, wearing my glasses, a like-fabric-covered head band and being her silly self. We are very lucky for this picture as she decided to play shy for the rest of the photo shoot, courtesy of my neighbor.

 Here we are as my Thing 3 tries to lift up my skirt!

Like my pose? Personally, I feel like a linebacker with my arms out like that. However, it does display my outfit rather nicely. Can you see the dog bone buttons?

The sweater was a find at Arc Value Village where it had sequence sewn in the collar and cuff edges. A simple seam ripper and some free time took care of that. 

The socks were purchased at Target in the girls section. I should have never told my partner that as he believes (bless his heart) that I have tiny feet. It doesn't matter that they were the largest size there only that I was able to find socks in the Girls section at my local Target and they fit... Hence proving his point. *sigh* Anyways, I love the frilly edges!!!

The head band is extra fabric made to be a hand-tie headband/scarf versus a metal or plastic preformed piece like Thing 3 has. 

My partner treated me in my shoes. They are a brand new Dansko Ainsley black Mary Janes that are adorable! As I am going on where I got things, I purchased them at Schuler Shoes at The Miracle Mile in St. Louis Park (takes in a big breath). I know, a lot to say, right?

http://www.schulershoes.com/

Here is a store pic of them. Sweet!

My belt is a simple black satin ribbon and I seriously need jewelry to complete the look.

I've been looking around for a rhinestone dog pin for where the collar meets in the center and a simple rhinestone dog bone earrings to complete the look.

We shall see where it goes. In the mean time I already have my eyes on the next dress, fabric already purchased and the next..

BUT, until I finish my Magical neighbor's vest for his Spook-tacular show at Valleyscare! 

https://www.valleyfair.com/haunt/ride/Mick-Manglers-Madness-Mayhem-Show/cat/Shows

Well, it will have to wait...a week!

~Me