Wednesday, April 14

high hopes... the sequel

it would be most true to say dearest readers
i am extremely proud of myself.
i am not saying that in a boastful way
more of a 'i can't quite believe i did it' way.

a few yards of fabric,
little more than a sketchy idea in my head
and
i created a dress.
it is a little bit crafty,
it is a little bit eclectic
and
it is a little bit Tif.
so without further a do,
may i present in all her newborn glory
a 'high hopes' frock


to some upon close inspection,
she may appear to be just a floral potato sack
with some dottie angel charm


but to me
she is filled with high hopes of things to come.
i am quietly amazed that not only did i construct a dress with nothing more than my imagination and my hands,
but it actually fits,
it is, i believe, well made


and most importantly of all,
is wearable.



she is off to meet a lady who owns a storage unit full of mid century thrifty finds ~ Tif

111 comments:

Anonymous said...

i love the dress! how clever of you. i must have a go at making myself something... and yummy sandals :)

Scented Sweetpeas said...

I so love the ribbon design on this dress - well done it is gorgeous!

Claire Mackaness said...

I love it Tiff, will you please do a tutorial or share the pattern if you can?

Joules said...

I think your new dress is perfectly lovely and very pretty! And I know it is very well constructed too.

imperfectly natural mama said...

Everything you do is so sickeningly perfect!

Vibeke said...

i LOVE your dress Tif!!:)

sylviesgarden said...

Well my dearest, you have done it again. That looks lovely. Well done, you should quite rightly be very proud of yourself.
You should give yourself a gold star at the very least...
oxo

Elaine from L.A. said...

Absolutely adorable!!!

Karla said...

...just fabulous...

Melissa said...

What an absolutely lovely dress! Well done!! And I love your shoes too! I think I need a pair, in yellow too! Who makes them? Where can I get them?

Heidi said...

I love love love that dress, Did i mention I love it!!!!!WOW thats a ME dress.

Tiffany said...

It's adorable! bravo!

Unknown said...

oh! it's just lovely. LOVELY! Can you make me one?

Ruth said...

Congratulations~You did it!!! Can't wait to see you create next.
I think it is so cute. Love how it came out.

Ruth

Laura said...

Floral potato sack?!?!? Definitely not. I love it! It's the cutest, and that print reminds me of summer. :]

Maisey's Attic said...

Hi - the dress is soo gorgeous - Hope you're thinking of doing some for your etsy shop.

After Cliff yesterday I was hoping for a bit of "High Hopes" the song - xxx

Anonymous said...

it's a beautiful dress.
I like the way you used the lace.
By the way I have the same lace.
I got it years a go from an old lady who had a store in the 60's
Have a nice evening

Anonymous said...

I love it! Can I just add that those yellow shoes are awesome, that's my exact favourite shade of yellow!

Unknown said...

what adorable shoes to go with your handcrafted dress! i quite like your canine friend, and all the lovely birds :)

chloejessica said...

Beautiful! I can't wait to see what you come up with next! :)

Margith said...

Well done, lovely dress.

Anonymous said...

Your dress is great and it looks absolutely wonderful with your skinny jeans!!!
Vivienne x

sew obsessed said...

I am not surprised your are proud of yourself it's wonderful. The fabric is really pretty and I love your attention to detail.
Wear it with pride!

Nicky said...

It is lovely! How clever you are.
xxx

Monique said...

It's lovely. Not at all potato sackish. Congrats to you and to Ms. Ethel on a job nicely done.

Nicky said...

It is lovely! How clever you are.
xxx

PixieBelle said...

That is a fabulous creation! You should be proud, I love the attention to the little details. It's what makes a clothing a piece of treasure.

Ampersand Commodities said...

ohhh WOW lady...this is wonderful! i tip my hat to you
xx

folk city said...

Well done on the dress, Miss Tif. Very pretty, indeed!

rubelin said...

oh, tif, it's just lovely! perhaps a line of Dottie Angel dresses is soon to arrive at your shop? =)

amy said...

It's sew cute! Totally makes me want to sew for myself more!

Trine said...

its simply gorgeous, tif, really!!! will the pattern be available? pretty please?

xoxo trine

imperfectly natural mama said...

I meant that in the nicest way possible!

Allison said...

this is such a pretty dress! you did a great job and i didn't think potato sack once when i looked at the pictures. i love the dottie angel details and all of that blue (especially with yellow sandals).

Bobo Bun said...

WOW. What more can I say. It's a dress of complete WOW.
x

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

Its perfection. I adore it with the turned up jeans. Its seems Olive likes it so much she has turned to wood?

Anonymous said...

Cute dress - very well done! And a storage unit full of mid-century thrifty finds? Oh my! You may be in some serious trouble...

Francesca said...

oh yes tif, it's really lovely. i like the high waisted nature of it and the detail inside. x

Unknown said...

so dottie angel-icious. nice work lady :) i really need to learn how to sew.

prettydreamer said...

Hurray...it is beautiful dress! What a wonderful way to start a project - with happy idea rolled up tight and pretty blue fabric stashed away awaiting it's day! ~Pamela

Marie-Louise said...

I looove it:-)

Seaside Siblings said...

Oh I love it! It looks amazing and fits really well. Well done you.

Serenata said...

Well done, it looks great! Comfort is most important as well as being the colour blue!

jen said...

adorable! it looks very comfy too. i also love your "props" in these photos. :)

Spire said...

I must say: I love your Dottie Angel charm, and the dress is absolutely wearable! I get so ispired, surfing around in your blogpages! Thanks!
LenaE

brinaroze said...

OMG Tif, it is SO cute! Good job! You should make more and sell them on Etsy!!

RiversideGrump said...

Looks brilliant. Good move going for sans button-holes!

Noni said...

I looovee all these "standing on stool" pictures, and this retro allure around! fantastic again.

Princess and the Pea said...

Ooooh I love it! The colour is gorgeous! I'm in love with your shoes as well... I'm thinking a similar pair may need to be added to my collection!

Well done, you were right to have high hopes! x

marisa said...

it is completely adorable!

Rubyred said...

Oh Tif it's adorable! You really have worked your magic!
I love the fabric, the pretty detail around the neck(Guipure flowers I believe)I love the belt made with 2 fabrics too!A fabulous dress indeed! They'll be no stopping you now!
Well Done!
Rachel x

wood & wool stool said...

Yay, it looks so damn pretty, you are a fashion angel! Paris here she comes :)

cheltclaire said...

lovely dress, is there no end to your talents!! i love youre yellow sandals too, makes me feel the need for some groovy new footwear to hit the streets in now the sun is here!!

claire
xx

emma said...

oh tif, it's absolutely wonderful, well done!

Valula said...

Fantastic! Aren't you clever!

I'd be well chuffed to wear a dress like that and I wouldn't even mind taking that little dog for a walk. He brought back some childhood memories :-)

Happy days!

Valula Hedgehog x

Marg said...

Congratulations, it's beautiful. You are so clever and creative, Tif.

hlimbrick said...

Oh how marvellous! I am feeling inspired.. (too bad it's nearly my bedtime).. Hx

Arthur Ransome said...

It's lovely, Tif, very impressive and beautifully finished off. Fancy making it "out of your head" as my mother used to say.

*jean* said...

sooo super cute!! clever girl!

Katiebee said...

adorable!

Tonia said...

High hopes truly fulfilled: lovely dress, well done!

kslaughter said...

You are simply amazing & incredibly inspiring~~

dottie angel said...

i am blushing with your words of kindness... you are always so good to me and for that i am thanking you most kindly :)

~ Junkyard Jennifer said...

I adore your new dress. Well done! And, your pretty summer sandals. And, the Fisher Price toy accent in your photos. (I have such a weakness for vintage Fisher Price toys and have a rather large growing collection.)

Good luck at the storage unit, sounds like fun!!

~ Jennifer

Amanda said...

It's so beautiful! Congratulations on your lovely dress.

blue corduroy said...

you are awesome!! your style kills me with inspiration- and courage to do it "dottie" style. the shoes are a great "cherry on top" of the whole ensemble. i can only hope that with a bit of practice, i too could someday be the fashionista that you are!

lili est folle said...

congratulation! it must be great to create something that was entirely imagined! I wish I could do the same thing one day!
not .... your dress does not look like a potato bag, she is sublime!

teddybearswednesday said...

It's really gorgeous that dress.

Cottage1945 said...

Pretty!

Michelle Clement said...

Oh! :) It's a lovely dress!! Well done - and the fabric you chose is just so cute and spring-y. :) Eeek!

Taylor schapiro said...

Wonderful frock. Looks so wearable.

mamas collection said...

Oh me! Oh my! positively vaporish in my admiration! Well done!!

Anonymous said...

lovely! i especially like the belt/tie detail. and it does look beautifully made.

mel @ loved handmade said...

I absolutely adore it!!! You are one clever little lady, it looks gorgeous on too...

dottie angel said...

i do believe i may be out doing 'little olive' in the number of comments received today... and that is most flattering indeedy!

Leah said...

Beautiful Tif, and in my favorite colour too! Looks great on, with your skinny leg jeans...cant believe you have four kids and look so good!

Josephine Tale Peddler said...

Super job. You are so clever and slender as well. I love the fab shoes. xx

Marcia Hamelijnck said...

The dress looks perfect to me! Great choise of fabrics! I'm experimenting with my new sewing machine and everytime I finish a project I can't believe I really did it! And I can't stop staring at it. Ha!

Jude said...

Of course..I wouldn't expect anything but perfection from you...it's wonderful!
Where did you get the dog from?? My daughter had one like that in the late 70's......

suzy said...

I have said it before and I will say it again - Tif you are so very clever!!
It looks gorgeous and I think you should sell them in your store. I would buy one in every colour.
xxx

Yeah Yeah Girl said...

it is amazingly cute, good job !

Donna -Little Tiny Stitches said...

My goodness Tif...Not sure there's room for me to comment here :)
It looks fab, and is obviously worth a fortune as a Dottie Angel original!! (I do not jest!)
Your high hopes were well founded :)
Have a great day, and enjoy your dress ..
P.s. I love the 'Dottie' tag and the little lace one.

Urbanstems said...

Love your blog. Love your dress, sandals, post and photo! Nice work lady xo

Amy {a for effort} said...

Sooo fabulous! I'm terribly impressed.

Dajda said...

It is a truly charming dress. Well done!

dottie angel said...

i have now been blushing for nearly 24 hours... you are so kind indeed.

the 'little snoopy' fisher price doggie was spotted at freemont fleamarket on sunday by our #1, he still has his little wooden shoe and original string. she knows what i like does she not! i asked the lady what she wanted for him, thinking it would be too much for when i see them usually they are over $25. she said "a fiver". i said "okay" and felt rather happy indeedy!

the sandals were from Target several seasons ago, most comfortable considering they have a heel and yes it was the yellow that made me gasp! and shell out the $16 they were asking... places like Target must be avoided on the challenge year or else i would see such things as these sweeties begging to be bought!

i'm so delighted by your reaction to my 'high hopes' frock, truly you have been most generous!

Joy said...

I think your dress is wonderful, and you are rightfully proud of yourself for putting it together from beginning to end. I think it is an all-together fine thing to do a good job and to feel fulfilled and happy about it. Good work! Your blog, writings, and design since is so refreshing, interesting, and creative!

Sarita said...

Well done you! Thats beautiful and looks great on you...:)

I would like to join your Challenge Of The Utmost Kind, effective today...:) Thanks so much!

Unknown said...

See, what high hopes can accomplish! The dress is lovely on you. Sometimes we just have to dive in and trust our instincts. Good for you, Tiff!

Christine said...

Oh it's gorgeous! I love it and I want one :)

britt said...

it is so cute. to be honest i was a little doubtful about it from the first couple of pics. but man, it rocks on!

the mama monster said...

it is so pretty and springy! wish i had the time to whip one up right now.

Amy said...

I love it! I especially love tie detail, it's the little details like that that I adore so about anything you create. Well done! You should be happy with yourself!
Now you've made me want to go and make a dress for myself :)

Michelle said...

Oh Tif you did it!!!
I pretty little sack of the utmost...
I think you have done a amazing job...it looks wearable...it looks comfortable...and I want one!!!
Yes tif by the fabby comments above I think it's a winner...with all...
Great work...Love the colour and the little ties are just sweet!!!

nic [luzia pimpinella] said...

hi tif.. look what i found! did you know that already?

isn't that awesome?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceciliamurgel/

found some more protraits of you on her stream... ;)

happy weekend!
nic

nic [luzia pimpinella] said...

btw... LOVE your "floral potatoe sack" .... would wear ist immediately myself!

cleanlines said...

What a gorgeous frock and the shoes are fab!

andrea said...

Just perfect :)

Lars John Anderson said...

Wahoo! I love her :) I am thinking I must get down to business and make (attempt) some maternity dresses for myself.. way comfier! Prettier etc.. Thanks for sharing- you've inspired me to get busy :)

Eileen@Star'sFault said...

Really, this is just delicious, and I so get the joy of making something to wear. Don't you just feel wonderful wearing it? I love the "label" you put in the inside collar, and the different patterned facing with the neat edging. Perfect, wonderful, and you dressed it with rolled up jeans, which is totally my new favorite way to dress. Girly sweet, but practical!

Blessings Eileen @ Star's Fault

dottie angel said...

thank you again my lovelies!

and yes Nic, i did know about cecilia and her amazing pictures... i love what she does and feel most flattered that my attire inspires a few of her many pretty pictures :)

Madelief said...

Dear Tif,

Lovely dress. So you!

groetjes, Madelief

Di said...

I am sure that this is comment 103 telling you how wonderful your dress is.....it looks fab - but then you usually do! Love it with the skinny jeans and the yellow sandals!

lucinda reemi turandot said...

your things are so lovely!

luci x.

Anonymous said...

oh WOW !!!!!
i had that doggy - i just had to blog about this
www.dommie.co.uk

ADORE your blog - as you know

dommie x

kat said...

gorgeous!!! there's nothing potato sacky about it. well done!!

one photo has me giggling, & i must tell you why: at first glance it looked to me that you were pulling that dog out from your arse ;)

dottie angel said...

oh kat! you are so funny!

Justine Berry said...

Love it, it would be perfect for work as I'm an Art teacher!

Katy said...

adorable dress! I love it and am so impressed! And I have to confess that I am jealous of your shoes ;0) Blessings, Katy PS I'm greatly enjoying your blog...

Clare said...

I am seriously impressed! It is far from a potato sack and is indeed incredibly well made, with lots of attention to detail. Most importantly of all it looks great on you.
I also love the birds on your wall!

Anonymous said...

Better late than never. Absolutely fantastic dress - I love it! It looks so nice on you and like you say it fits beautifully. Well done you!