Halloween & Hamiltons

At the moment, I'm racing toward two objectives: completing Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Hamilton in time for the Art Doll Quarterly deadline for the next gallery section and getting some Halloween dolls finished. The cats are done, but dagnabit, we didn't get them photographed this weekend! Maybe tomorrow. I decided to redress the pumpkin king tonight, so he's getting a more tailored costume. Hubby Dan is going to make some stands to order for them that will suspend them in the air and allow them to minuet together. Should be an interesting challenge.

I ran across a site called Spooky Time Jingles and asked the owner if I could participate. If you love Halloween creations (and who doesn't?) you'll love the collection of artists represented at Spooky Time Jingles. Check it out! They also feature whimsical Christmas figures!

Wish I had some pictures to share, but alas ... no such luck. Mrs. Hamilton got a major wardrobe overhaul today. Her petticoat (the underskirt, not the slip) was white shantung silk, which I had very carefully cartridge pleated in the period style -- but it was plain and the pleats didn't hang right. So everytime I tried to add embellishments, it looked wrong, wrong, wrong. I tore out half and repleated it this morning, gather some pinked ruffles ... still nothing looked right. So, in frustration and defeat, I ripped it off and tossed it aside. Now Mrs. Hamilton has a new blue petticoat with an embroidered ruffle and rusched antique lace. Much better. The Hamiltons were mounted on stands last night (they needed the stability) that Dan made for me. I painted them to look like Mahogany. They're a very pretty pair! Mr. Hamilton dons a gentleman's cap which took me an entire day to make! His coat took two days (and that's with my sewing machine working again). Oy.
The period illustration shows examples of banyans and caps, which gentlemen (especially the intellectual/scientific sort) wore around the house, even when entertaining. The caps were popular for covering the shaved head required for period wigs when at home. Banyans, very Eastern and kimono-like, were worn at home over a shirt and waistcoat. It was thought that deep-thinking was hindered by tight-fitting clothes.
Pictures soon, I promise!!

Nina