Saturday, May 25, 2013

Looove Dressforms and Mannequins

 


What is it with me and dressforms? I just can't pass one up! Remember My paper decoupaged mannequin? 
 
A few weeks ago, I bid on this bust online, but lost out to another buyer. The seller was sweet enough to offer me an identical one for the same price as my final bid. Maybe she could sense my mannequin fetish!:)
 
I went to 'shop' my junk pile for a stand and base. I found a wooden hat stand, but didn't like the square shaped pole. Then I picked an old, metal plant stand with scrolly base...whoop, whoop. Thank heavens for buying 'junk' even though THEN you had no idea why you bought it! 
I asked my neighbour to cut the pole to size. He then also inserted the pole into the cavity underneath the bust and used body filler to fix the bust to the pole. Body filler is used to repair dents in your car. My neighbour is an auto body repairman....lucky me!
 
I refreshed the stand with spray primer and a coat of cream spray paint!
Now...what to do with the big gash at the top of her neck?
BINGO!!! A BALL jar lid of course! I spray painted it the same color as the stand, drilled a hole in the middle and screwed the dowel of a finial into the hole. I spray painted the finial as well. I set the lid and the finial aside to glue on later, then I started to decoupage the mannequin.
 
I used calico fabric and ripped it into pieces...Oh, how therapeutic to rip through fabric!!!!
I tea stained each fabric scrap and hung it out to dry...lots of them!
This is the back of the mannequin to see the effect of the fabric scraps!
I used this stuff to fix the fabric to the body:
Cold Glue
Its a wood glue, but it works brilliantly and you save on podge. After the body was covered with the fabric, I applied several layers of podge. I sanded with 1000 water paper inbetween layers to get a smooth finish.
Then I just played with lace and other fabric scraps. Did you notice my French image? The image is from The Graphics Fairy and printed on fabric.
 
I also printed the year 1902 on fabric and attached it, and a scrap of hand stamped ribbon..I love the message!
I love this flower and diamond shaped lace!


I dyed the silk flower with acrylic paint mixed with water!
 
 
The backdrop of the pics is as a result of my half-finished kitchen extension. We removed an awkward window to make place for the roof of the extension which is on the other side of this wall.
Yawn!!! Its past 12 0' clock!
Follow your Heart
Inspiration will Find you
Find your Heart
Be Yourself
 
You can often find me at these fabulous parties:









Redoux Friday Link Party
Funky Junk Interiors - Friday Junk Party
Life on Lakeshore Drive - Boquet of Talent Sunday Link Party
Homespun Happenings - Rustic Restoration Weekend link Party
 
 
 

37 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I am so happy with the way it turned out Debbi. Thanks for stopping buy and have a lovely week!:)

      xo
      Sumaya

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  2. Sumaya Your lady is gorgeous, the lace is incredible, really makes the piece. You should be very proud of the job you did on her. Does she have a name? You have a great blog and I always enjoy your posts. Glad I found you. Have a great weekend, enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello there, strangely I just can't come up with a name for her!:) Glad you stopped by again. I missed your visits and its great to hear from you!:)


      xo
      Sumaya

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  3. I love your vintage looking mannequin. So creative with that scrollwork metal base and all the lovely lace and flower decor. I love all the lacy, vintage dress forms I'm seeing in blog land. I'll have to start looking for one. Yours is beautiful!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Diane, She just evolved as I was working on her and I am very happy with the way she turned out!:)

      xo

      Sumaya

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  4. Sumaya, you truly are amazing. I'm surprised some New York designer hasn't honed in on your talent. Your dress form looks like a work of art. Blessings to you and yours, Trisha

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    Replies
    1. No-one can wipe the smile off my face right now Trisha. Thank you so much for making my day!:)

      Blessings to you and yours too.

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  5. Hi Sumaya, I love how pretty the mannequin turned out! You did a great job! Julie from julieslifestyle.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for visiting Julie. I love my comments, they are so precious to me!:)

      xx
      Sumaya

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  6. This is absolutely wonderful! I love the graphics and the little lace corner. You can colour silk flowers with acrylic? I have to look into that! Thank you for visiting my blog and thank you for the caption suggestion, lol!

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    Replies
    1. Hi there, I used about half a teaspoon of acrylic paint to 4 cups of water. If you want your color more intense, just add more acrylic. I swished the flower in the 'dye' and then left it to dry on paper towel. Your pet is adorable and HUGE...lol

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  7. Oh this is so pretty, what a great job of dressing her. Love it. Hugs, Marty

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Marty. I had fun dressing her!:)

      Hugs
      Sumaya

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  8. Beautiful! I wish I could find a good source for one of these!!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Suzan, I can't afford the price of a true vintage or antique mannequin, so I try to recreate it:) Glad you thinks its a beauty!:)

      Hugs
      S

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  9. Wow -- I would have NEVER thought to buy just a plain mannequin like that and do what you did with it! What a work of art!

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  10. That is amazing...how do you come up with this stuff! You make me realize I have no imagination!!!!

    -andi

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    Replies
    1. Hi Andi, I often have some idea of where I want to be at the end but somewhere along the journey I make several detours...lol. Thanks for stopping by!:)

      xx
      S

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  11. You are so talented, Sumaya! What a creative and lovely transformation. Just beautiful!

    Jeanette

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by my blog Jeanette. I appreciate your lovely comment!:)

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  12. I love old dressforms and mannequins too!!! You did a great job with this transformation! You never cease to amaze me! Love it! Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof

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  13. Hello Sumaya!
    You are so talented! This project was such a transformation, you really made it lovely.
    I found you on the Give Me The Goods linky party, I'm now following you on GFC...
    So nice to meet you!

    Andrea @ Cloud Nine Chic
    http://www.cloudninechic.blogspot.com

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  14. Hello Andrea. Lovely meeting you too. Thanks for stopping by. I am coming over to visit and follow you!:)

    Love making new friends!:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is gorgeous! I love everything about it and I am featuring it on the Pink Hippo Party on Monday. I am also following you via Bloglovin~
    xoxo
    Amie @ Pinkapotamus

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whooopeee! Thanks from the bottom of my heart Amie!:)

      xoxo
      Sumaya

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  16. What a great project! Love it when the stuff you have on hand is waiting for just such a project. This turned out so sweet!
    LIz

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your sweet comment Liz. Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?!:)

      xoxo
      Sumaya

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  17. Wow, you did an amazing job!! Thanks so much for sharing at Give Me The Goods Monday!
    Jamie @ Better With Age

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  18. Now that's what I call 'good junk'!! Great job!!
    Susan

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  19. This is just so cool. I love dress forms and you did such a beautiful, and really unique job on it! Sharing at my party tomorrow. -K

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  20. I love it! I've done two and they're posted on my blog: http://twocreativewomen.blogspot.com. They are a lot of fun and you did a beautiful job!

    Susan

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    Replies
    1. Hi Susan, I checked out your other mannequin and I love that one too. I hope you find a stand for her soon. What do you think of adding a chicken wire 'skirt' like the antique mannequins? I was toying with that idea, but then realised that I could'nt fit the wire because I placed the fabric flowers too low down.

      Thanks for stopping by my blog:)

      xoxo
      Sumaya

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