It's alive!

I simply cannot believe it has been five long years since I last posted.

Steampunk Addie

Sooo, what has happened in all that time?

Plenty. And nothing.

We had a pandemic the likes of which the world hasn't seen since the Spanish Flu of 1918. (Momma made hundreds of masks and even made me a little mask.) Sadly, Grandmomma died in 2020.

Momma is still disabled, but even more so after a medical emergency in 2021. We also moved to the Superstition Mountains while Momma was in the hospital. (Momma says we are actually in Apache Junction, but I prefer to say The Sups.)

Since then we have adjusted to living the life of shut-ins. Part of that includes sorting through possessions and down-sizing. Momma and I are slowly trying to declutter, which means most of My things! My loss is your gain.

So I have opened a new shop, Steampunk Addie's Shop. However, this is My shop for 18" Vinyl Americans! You can find her human stuff at Rexphiles.etsy.com or even on eBay!

We are slowly adding faux foods for 18" Vinyl Americans that we can easily do. Doll clothing that Momma made before the fire but never got a chance to finish. And props! We shall be selling toys and props.

Momma also has dreams for these cute little Wheaton (no relation to Wil Wheaton) bottles she has collected and seen since her childhood. We hope to have monthly collections available. 

We are slowly going through the website looking for dead links, so please let me know if you find anything. Also, my Big Sister might make an appearance every now and then!

I'm usually found on Instagram these days, so I hope to see you there but I plan to post here more regularly. 

Certainly more often than every five years.

-30-

A disgrace to the forces of evil

It took awhile but Momma has finally found all of the components for her My homage to Maleficent. 

For those who have been living under a rock, Malificent was the evil fairy and self-proclaimed "Mistress of All Evil" in Walt Disney Pictures 16th animated moving picture Sleeping Beauty in 1959.

Maleficent was based upon the evil fairy godmother character in Charles Perrault's fairy tale "Sleeping Beauty," as well as the villainess who appeared in the Brothers Grimm later version of the story, "Little Briar Rose."

The character was well-named Maleficent, an adjective which means "doing evil or harm," the antonym of beneficent which means "doing good or causing good to be done."

The fire caused Maleficent-approved chaos. I think Momma found the dress she made first, but it took awhile to find Both boots, the purple dragon-scale gauntlets crocheted by Momma's friend Jen, and the Magnificent Horned Headpiece made years ago by Party With Felt. 

The headpiece had to be washed and reshaped on a soda can, but I think it looks Good as New. 

Party With Felt no longer has an Etsy shop, but check out her website, Sweet Pea Kidz, at www.spktoo.com

Doll Lust

Our newest addition is slowly revealing herself to us. Her name is Miss Pearl Sparrow and she is the librarian on my Our floating bookmobile!

Pearl (as she will be commonly known) is a combination of both Miss Sparrow, the delightful librarian in Maud Hart Lovelace's Deep Valley books, and real-life librarian Nancy Pearl. 

Nancy Pearl (born Jan. 12, 1945) is an American librarian, best-selling author, and literary critic. She achieved broader fame with Book Lust, her 2003 guide to good reading. She is also the author of a novel and a memoir.

Our Pearl is a quiet, bookish 9-year-old girl. She wears glasses (like Me!), and adores clothing that is inspired by books. You should have seen her eyes light up when she saw the two Nancy Drew dresses (with book cover aprons!) and Paddington Bear outfit that survived the fire!

Pearl's two great ambitions in life are to grow up to be a children's librarian, AND become the inspiration for a Librarian Action Figure by Archee McPhee. 

Pearl is busy dusting and cleaning Our Library. Our books suffered extensive smoke and water damage during the fire and she has plenty of work to do. 

She has Tasked Me with finding a new bookcase. Our former bookcase was an empty whiskey gift box that formerly held three bottles in a former life. It made a great bookcase when it was on its side, so Momma and I need to find another, or maybe a wooden teabag display case.

Any ideas?

Take a deep breath

The Dolls for a Cause auction is now open!

More than 20 wonderful outfits and items (including Momma's Macaron Rag Quilt) for 18" Vinyl Americans benefitting the Lung Cancer Alliance are now available on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dolls-for-a-Cause/1374284286135770

Go place a bid right now!

(Now. I'm waiting.)

I would love to hear what you think about the auction so please leave Me a comment here or email Me at steampunkaddie@gmail.com.

Happy bidding!

Bah, love bug!

Captain Blackheart here, reporting for duty. I provide comfort to those who strongly dislike Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day, also known as St. Valentine's Day or the Feast of St. Valentine, is a celebration observed on Feb. 14 each year. It is celebrated in many countries around the world, although it is not a public holiday in most of them.

St. Valentine's Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valeninus. Several martyrdom stories were invented for the various Valentines that belonged to February 14, and added to later martyrologies.

Today, St. Valentine's Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion, as well as in the Lutheran Church. The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates St. Valentine's Day, but on July 6 and July 30. In Brazil, the Dia de São Valentim is recognized on June 12.

The day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

In Victorian England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards known as "valentines." In Europe, St. Valentine's Keys are given to lovers "as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver's heart", as well as to children, in order to ward off St. Valentine's Malady.

Valentine's Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

Sweet dreams are made of macarons

Hooray! It's time for the next Dolls for a Cause auction! This auction, scheduled for Feb. 15-22, will benefit the Lung Cancer Alliance.

Momma and I are proud to showcase this week some of the fabulous items donated for the upcoming auction. Today's spotlight is Momma's Macaron Rag Quilt!

Greta Garb-oh!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/rexphiles

Sweet Dreams are made of Macarons: American Girl of the Year 2015 Grace Thomas learns about the delight of French macarons when she goes to Paris. Grace dreams of starting her own French patisserie, including colorful macarons, when she returns to the United States. Help Grace follow her dreams with her very own macaron rag quilt!

Made from three layers of 100 percent cotton flannel, this doll-sized rag quilt is approximately 15"x21". It has been clipped and washed twice, achieving the soft, chenille edges rag quilts are known for. It will come boxed in a coordinating Parisian-inspired box for storage or gift giving.

Stay tuned for more exciting donations!

A visit from St. Addie

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that Steampunk Addie St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On Cupid! On, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/rexphiles 

Simply charming

Check out the Charming Chatelaine Momma made for me this week!

If your doll is as well read as Me, she'll want to keep her favorite books close to her heart. Momma created this chatelaine from 12 mini (non-functional!) book charms, attached to an antique brass chain with an antique lobster-claw clasp.

My chatelaine consists of:

• Alice in Wonderland
• Jack and the Beanstalk
• Jane Eyre
• King Arthur
• Little Red Riding Hood
• Little Women
• Peter Pan
• Pride and Prejudice
• Robin Hood
• Romeo and Juliet
• Snow White
• Wuthering Heights

(Momma creates these in our smoke-free, but not pet-free, home.)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/214001537/charming-chatelaine-for-well-read-18

What are little girls made of, made of?

What Folks Are Made Of?

What are little babies made of, made of?
What are little babies made of?
Diapers and crumbs and sucking their thumbs;
That's what little babies are made of.

What are little boys made of, made of?
What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails and puppy-dog tails;
That's what little boys are made of.

What are little girls made of, made of?
What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice and everything nice;
That's what little girls are made of.

What are young men made of, made of?
What are young men made of?
Sighs and leers and crocodile tears;
That's what young men are made of.

What are young women made of, made of?
What are young women made of?
Rings and jings and other fine things;
That's what young women are made of.

What are our sailors made of, made of?
What are our sailors made of?
Pitch and tar, pig-tail and scar;
That's what our sailors are made of.

What are our soldiers made of, made of?
What are our soldiers made of?
Pipeclay and drill, the foeman to kill;
That's what our soldiers are made of.

What are our nurses made of, made of?
What are our nurses made of?
Bushes and thorns and old cow's horns;
That's what our nurses are made of.

What are our fathers made of, made of?
What are our fathers made of?
Pipes and smoke and collars choke;
That's what our fathers are made of.

What are our mothers made of, made of?
What are our mothers made of?
Ribbons and laces and sweet pretty faces;
That's what our mothers are made of.

What are old men made of, made of?
What are old men made of?
Slippers that flop and a bald-headed top;
That's what old men are made of.

What are old women made of, made of?
What are old women made of?

Reels, and jeels, and old spinning wheels;
That's what old women are made of.

What are all folks made of, made of?
What are all folks made of?
Fighting a spot and loving a lot,
That's what all folks are made of.


Sugar & Spice
https://www.etsy.com/listing/213554405/sugar-spice-outfit-for-18-dolls-such-as


Not my gumdrop buttons!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/213554473/not-my-gumdrop-buttons-outfit-for-18

Feeling Thankful, Too

Momma was inspired (Inspired, I say!) to make a Thanksgiving outfit this week.

The first turned out so well it sold immediately!

"Feeling Thankful, Too" is cobbled (gobbled?) together with scraps left over from the first Thanksgiving dress - making it even more asymmetrical!

"Feeling Thankful, Too" has an attached pocket/purse fastened with a mini copper safety pin that contains a wee holiday surprise! Three working buttons fasten the bodice back. It comes with a coordinating (exposed) Flint corn (AKA Indian corn or calico corn) fabric-trimmed petticoat, and a copper pumpkin necklace.

Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/rexphiles

Inspiring imagination

Momma and I are proud to reveal Momma's contribution for the upcoming Dolls for a Cause auction benefitting Kids Need to Read.  

(Please forgive the quality of the photographs, but Momma was in a terrible rush.)

Founded by Nathan Fillion, Kids Need to Read works to create a culture of reading for children by providing inspiring books to underfunded schools, libraries, and literacy programs across the United States, especially those serving disadvantaged children.

The inspiration for Momma's donation came from one of Momma's favorite books. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a children's novel written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow. Originally published on May 17, 1900, it has been described as the original American fairy tale.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has since been reprinted many times, most often under the name The Wizard of Oz, which is the name of the well-known 1939 moving picture.

"Dorothy had only one other dress, but that happened to be clean and was hanging on a peg beside her bed. It was gingham, with checks of white and blue; and although the blue was somewhat faded with many washings, it was still a pretty frock. The girl washed herself carefully, dressed herself in the clean gingham, and tied her pink sunbonnet on her head. She took a little basket and filled it with bread from the cupboard, laying a white cloth over the top. Then she looked down at her feet and noticed how old and worn her shoes were. 

"At that moment Dorothy saw lying on the table the silver shoes that had belonged to the Witch of the East. 

"She took off her old leather shoes and tried on the silver ones, which fitted her as well as if they had been made for her."

Based upon the original book description and illustrations, this auction includes:

• Dorothy's faded blue gingham dress
• white petticoat
• pink sunbonnet
• silver shoes  (purchased)
• mini basket and and a white cloth
• loaf of bread (by Pippaloo)
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz paperback (purchased)
• miniature copy of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by American Girl
• Susan Winget red poppies storage box (purchased)
• Toto, too!
• buttons and bookmarks from Kids Need to Read

A pair of ruby shoes (purchased) is also included to honor the 75th anniversary of the epic 1939 movie!

Everything will be carefully packed in a collectable red poppy box before being packed inside another box for mailing.

The auction starts on Nov. 9, 2014 and ends Nov. 16, 2014.

Happy bidding!

Graveyard fiesta

Greta Garb-oh!

Momma is happily buying fabric and sewing right now with so many lovely Day of the Dead fabrics to choose from.

This morning she made three papel picado skirts, each one trimmed with pink, aqua, or orange Cluny lace.

The images on this fabric are papel picado, a Mexican folk art. Commonly cut from tissue paper using a guide and small chisels, papel picado can also be made by folding tissue paper and using small, sharp scissors. Common themes includes birds, floral designs, and skeletons.

They are frequently displayed for both secular and religious occasions, such as Easter, Christmas, Día de Muertos, as well as during weddings, quinceañeras, baptisms, and christenings. In Mexico, papel picado are incorporated into altars during the Day of the Dead. 

Isn't Josefina pretty in her camisa and skirt?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/202281293/papel-picado-skirt-for-18-dolls

Project Runaway

Hmm....

To help debut the new clothing line, American Girl is partnering with Lifetime's Emmy®-nominated "Project Runway" for a BeForever-inspired designer challenge that will air on Sept. 18 at 9 p.m. EST/8p.m. CST. And, to extend the Project Runway experience for fans, a selection of the actual designs created for the BeForever-themed episode will be showcased at American Girl retail stores nationwide this fall.

And to think neither Heidi nor Tim has contacted us yet.

Harumph.

We might not be ready for prime time, but Momma has the sewing skills and I have runaway runway experience.

If I Only Had a Brain

Honestly, I waited ALL YEAR to write my special The Wizard of Oz anniversary post for Aug. 25, 2014.

And I forgot.

(That was Yesterday ... in case you didn't notice.)

The Wizard of Oz, a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, opened nationally on Aug. 25, 1939. It is the most well-known adaptation of L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. 

The film starred Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale; Ray Bolger as Hunk/Scarecrow; Jack Haley as Hickory/Tin Man; Bert Lahr as Zeke/Cowardly Lion; Frank Morgan as Professor Marvel/The Wizard/Doorman/Cabbie/Guard; Billie Burke as Glinda the Good Witch of the North; and (My Personal Favorite), Margaret Hamilton as Miss Almira Gulch/The Wicked Witch of the West. 

Notable for its use of Technicolor and elaborate use of make-up and special effects, the film's first sneak preview was held in San Bernardino, California. The film was previewed in three test markets: on Aug. 11, 1939, at Kenosha, Wisconsin and Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and at the Strand Theatre in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin on Aug. 12.

The Hollywood premiere was on Aug. 15, 1939 at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The New York City premiere was held at Loew's Capitol Theatre on Aug. 17, 1939.

Amazingly, it was not a box office success on its initial release, earning only $3,017,000 on a $2,777,000 budget.

Can I click my heels three times and yesterday over?

Bad Apple outfit by Greta Garb-Oh!

Ruby boots by Welcome to Neverland

The Adventures of Nellie Bligh

Momma has finally decided upon her own steampunk ensemble!

Using Simplicity Pattern #1558 as a basis, she plans to make the blouse with Tea-Dyed Muslin, and the skirt with two Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements fabrics: Stamps Neutral (using the reverse side) and Photo Card Multi. The blouse and skirt will both be 100 percent cotton which will make them both cool and washable.

How disgustingly practical!

Her character? Captain Nellie Bligh - a composite of both Nellie Bly and Captain Bligh.

What do you think?

Not all heroes wear capes!

Momma and I are proud to be part of the four newest Dolls for a Cause auctions on eBay. All four auctions run through Sunday, June 22 and 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit Fisher House Foundation. 

Today I focus on My Personal Favorite, the Steampunk Batman and Robin collection that Momma contributed to.

How do you define a Hero? This is what we asked ourselves as we went to work on a collection to honor our veterans. In these auctions you will find an amazing assortment of superheroes and real heroes. These are our true super heroes! They are selflessly our protectors. I would like to thank all of our service men and women for your service to our country. You are my superhero. You are Batman without his cape.

These amazing collections will be sold as 100 percent donation to Fisher House Foundation. We did some research to find a veterans charity that spends the money wisely where we could feel confident that your donations will be put to very good use.

A Fisher House is “a home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. There are 63 Fisher Houses located on 23 military installations and 24 VA medical centers. Many more houses are under construction or in design.

Since 1990

• Families served: More than 180,000
• Number of lodging days offered: Over 4.7 million
• Saved families more than $200 million in lodging and transportation costs

Not all Heroes wear capes - Steam Punk Batman and Robin collection

We decided to take Batman and Robin and change them into something new and different yet still touches us as the true Batman and Robin always have. Batman and Robin are classic superheroes we all know and love, and we are so happy to present them to you as a tribute to our veterans.

Donated by Dacia of Mini Me Dolly Divas on Etsy
Steampunk Batman

Skirt - bustle skirt pattern by Thimbles and Acorns, black fabric, with batman print bustle, edged in yellow beaded trim, and closes with a snap

Shirt -pattern by MHD designs - gray with Batman fabric trim has pleated neckline, this shirt is fully lined, it has little snaps on the sleeve cuffs for a nice snug fit but will still easily go over your doll's hands, and it closes in the back with snaps

Corset -pattern by MHD designs- black fabric with machine embroidered Batman patch fully lined, has a ribbon strap closure in the back

Cape - Modified Melody Valerie Couture pattern is black with Batman fabric lining, fully lined and closes in the front with a snap

Steampunk Robin

Skirt - Thimbles and Acorns bustle dress pattern modified. I modified this pattern making a short underskirt for fun. It is made in green and red fabrics with yellow bead trim and closes in the back with a snap, and has whimsical machine embroidered patches

Jacket -Thimbles and Acorns bustle dress pattern - this jacket is fully lined and closes in the front with snaps.

Hat - Bonjour Teaspoon pattern available at Pixiefaire, hat is fully lined.

T-shirt- Trendy tee pattern by Liberty Jane Clothing, green embroidered T-shirt closes in the back with velcro. This T-shirt is my nod to service men and women, our heroes without capes.

Donated by Greta Huls of Rexphiles on Etsy
Additional Steampunk Accessories

Lobstertail bustles to properly outfit the steampunk dresses made with the Thimbles & Acorns pattern 1870-02. Bustles became popular after the Civil War when travel by train became popular. Large hoopskirts didn't fit through narrow train aisles so the bustle became popular.

Batman's bustle is made with licensed Batman fabric, and ties with coordinating grosgrain ribbon. A small surprise is hidden from view - Bam!

Robin's bustle is made in green and red fabrics with yellow bead trim, and ties with yellow grosgrain ribbon. A small surprise is hidden from view - Pow!

Goggles/masks - inspired and modified from Simplicity® Pattern 1392: Doll Accessories. Both are made with soft black or dark green and dark red vinyls, coordinating ribbon ties, and yellow plastic lenses. I sewed everything making it sturdier and eliminating the need for glue. "Your identity is your most valuable possession. Protect it."

* Sorry dolls and shoes are NOT included in this listing*

Thank you for admiring our collection. This is one of four amazing collections to support this charity presented by Dolls for a Cause. Please look for our other auctions, and find us on Facebook.

I shall spotlight the other auctions this week!

 

The Nancy Drew Philes

Greta Garb-oh!

Momma, my BCF (Best Chum Forever) Clementine, and I are proud to present Momma's latest collection, inspired by the famous girl detective herself: Nancy Drew.
 
More than 170 Nancy Drew books have been written since The Secret of the Old Clock was first published in 1930. The publisher began revising the books in 1959 to make the books more modern and to eliminate racist overtones.

(How did they eliminate the racism? By eliminating all non-white characters!)

Anyway, the covers of six of the original 56 books were used for a now discontinued fabric panel. Momma created six aprons from one fabric panel. (Five of the six are for sale. I shall keep the apron and dress that does not sell.)

The six available bookcover aprons are:

• 1) The Secret of the Old Clock
• 2) The Hidden Staircase
• 4) The Mystery at Lilac Inn
• 5) The Secret of Shadow Ranch
• 25) The Ghost of Blackwood Hall
• 26) The Clue of the Leaning Chimney

Remembering the yellow bookspines of her childhood, each dress is made from licensed yellow and blue Nancy Drew fabric with yellow cotton accents and rickrack. These dresses are sized to fit 18 inch dolls and will fit both the plumper, older Pleasant Company dolls (think Bess) as well as the slimmer, modern (George!) American Girl dolls.

Each auction includes one fashionable '50s frock and (Hannah Gruen approved) apron only. Clementine and I, Peggy (Momma's dressmaker mannequin), our boots, and other accessories are not included! 

 

Get a Clue with Nancy Drew

Greta Garb-oh!

Grandpoppa is having heart surgery today, but Momma wanted to share this before she left.

Isn't Clementine adorable?

Momma will have five similar Nancy Drew dresses and matching (different!) bookcover aprons this week in her Etsy store. 

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Momma was busy sewing for my Big Sister and her cousins last week (matching Peeps dresses!) but she finally remembered Me.

Knowing I wanted to visit Felicity in the 18th Century, Momma made a steampunk version of a 1770s Sacque Back Gown and Caraco Jacket, by Thimbles and Acorns:

The Sacque-Back Gown, as it was commonly known in England and the American Colonies, originated in France as the robe à la française as an undress fashion. Undress meant that they were informal articles of clothing that were presentable enough to wear inside one’s home while entertaining, but not something one would wear in public. It’s most notable feature was the box pleats which fell loose from the shoulder to the hem. At its most informal, this gown was unfitted in both the front and back and called a contouche, or robe battante. The style was not limited to gowns, but also carried over into shortened jacket forms that were called caracos or pet en l’air. The jackets were originally knee length, but shortened to just above the hips as the century progressed. Toward the middle of the 18th century, the Sacque-Back had emerged as one of the most fashionable gowns, and by the 1770s, it was second only to court dress in its formality. As these gowns gained popularity, the artist Antoine Watteau captured their elegance in many of his paintings which later led to them being referred to as Watteau Gowns.

Momma knew immediately what to make when she spotted the black-and-white version of this Midnight Pastoral Skeleton Toile. Toile, or "Toile de Jouy," is a type of fabric with a white or off-white background with a repeated single-color pattern (usually black, dark red, or blue) depicting a pastoral scene such as a couple having a picnic or an arrangement of flowers.

Momma completed My Look with her newly designed Summer Corset. Her childhood spent at the Gulf of Mexico collecting fossilized teeth convinnced her teeth and bones were black. Hence my black "Addie's Rib" summer corset.


A version of this should be available in Momma's Etsy shop within a week.

She Died (of Embarrassment) with Her Boots On

© 2014 Greta Huls and Greta Garb-oh!

I have never been so Mortified in my entire life: Past, Present, or Future!

(Now I know how King David felt.)

Momma saw a photograph a few weeks ago from the Victoria & Albert Museum of a Lady's Summer Corset.

Genius has burned since then and Today she created her prototype.

Little did I know she was going to photograph Me in It and Publish the Photograph.

I am Certain this is in Violation of the Mann Act.