Friday, January 19, 2018

Winter Ball (+ random things)

Two weeks ago, I attended a Winter Ball, and it was the most glorious dance I've ever been to. 

I began making my ballgown the day after I found out about it, and here is the result:


The bodice is designed to echo 18th century French styles

While the skirt is meant to be more modern to keep it from being a completely period piece.

I designed it myself, with the aid of a pattern for sizing and things like that for the bodice, and for the skirt I copied (to a point) a gown I saw on Pinterest. 


The ball itself was wonderful. Ladies, they had dance cards. Isn't that splendid?


I also met some charming gentleman, one of whom friended me on Facebook afterwards, hehe. :D


 This one is one of my favorite pictures:

(My younger brother took pictures for me the next day, when we got some snow! I was thrilled with the results. He did an amazing job.)

It was a marvellous night! 

Now, it's been a while since I've been active in the blogging world, yikes. The last time I posted was over a month ago, and I haven't commented on y'all's posts for a while! My apologies if I don't get to all of them!

Another thing that's been keeping me busy (besides and after I made the dress, which took about twenty hours) is starting a homeschool choir! Where we moved to has a huge homeschooling community, and we have 41 kids aged 8-18 in our choir! It's exciting, and it's been a lot of work, as I made an agreement with my mother: I'll do all the organizing, communicating, etc., if she directs the choir. So it's kept me busy! 

Other updates on my life, which is really rather boring:

-This new place is turning out to be rather nice, really. It's growing on me. One thing I love, that I briefly mentioned before, is the homeschooling community. I've made so many friends who are homeschooled; way more in the past few months than all the years where I lived before! 

-With that, yes, I'm making friends here--miracle of miracles! It's such a blessing and answer to prayers.

-I sing tenor in our homeschool choir, which I love. I can sing soprano, alto, or tenor, and as the tenor section was smallest of those (unsurprisingly), I chose tenor. The other tenors are lads aged 10-14 and it's fun to sing with them! 
(The bass section is, also unsurprisingly, the only section smaller than tenor and I, sadly, cannot sing bass. :D)

-I started re-reading Pride and Prejudice yesterday, and I declare it gets funnier every time I read it! It is a masterpiece of literary comedy. 
("The astonishment of the ladies [upon finding out Mr. Bennet had visited Mr. Bingley] was just what he wished; that of Mrs. Bennet perhaps surpassing the rest; though when the first tumult of joy was over, she began to declare that it was what she had expected all the while.
'... But I knew I should persuade you at last...'"
"You mistake me, my dear. I have I high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.")
Gold.

-I am truly enjoying my year off from school. I decided not to start school this winter semester either and I have no regrets. I feel like I've been so busy with schoolwork for the past so many years that I haven't had time to be busy with anything else. Now I get to keep busy with all kinds of different things! I plan to go to college this fall, but for now, I'm loving it. 

-This was a looong while ago, but my sister and I went to see "The Man Who Invented Christmas" the day after Christmas, and it was brilliant.
Seriously. It was beautiful and amazing and really, the word that kept coming to mind was brilliant. It had an amazing storyline and the production was gorgeous and it had all the emotions; funny, sad, excited, frustrated, happy, joyous, awed. 
Did anyone else see it? If not, if you get an opportunity, watch it.
(It's very family friendly, too. We came home and I immediately recommended it to the rest of my family and they went the next day. There are a couple "minor" swear-words but they're honestly pretty easy to miss, too. It's rated PG.)

I hope you all are having a lovely new year! To those of you starting back up with school, good luck! How are you all doing?

Love to you all! 

25 comments:

  1. LE GASP!!!!!

    YOUR GOWN IS SO SO SO BEAUTIFUL!!!! AND YOU MADE IT YOURSELF!!! IT IS SO GORGEOUS!!!!

    It pops so well against the snow, and it looks so pretty on you!!!! The hair and the pearls were the perfect touches. *sighs with happiness*

    Dear me, that is a big choir!! I can imagine how busy you are - being a communicator person myself, that's a biiiiggg job.

    Rrrggh, I wanted to see The Man Who Invented Christmas, but they stopped showing it at my theater before I could! I did get to see The Greatest Showman though...that was an awesome movie, I highly recommend it.

    Awesome post, Rae! Glad to see you're back!!

    Catherine
    catherinesrebellingmuse.blogspot.com

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    1. AAHHH THANK YOU!!!

      It is huge! I absolutely love it. You too? How cool!

      Yeah, I watched it at the 4-dollar theatre in town after Christmas. Now I'm waiting for them to start showing The Greatest Showman!

      Thanks so much for your comment, Catherine!!

      Delete
  2. I LOVE LOVE the skirt on your dress! I'm going to have to file this idea away for future reference; its so elegant and unique.

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  3. Your dress is beautiful!!! You are so lucky to have gone to a ball like that. I want more details on this thing! (Please.) ;D

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    1. Thank you!! I consider myself hugely lucky to have had the opportunity. More details? So, my friend came over before and we did hair and makeup which was fun, then we went to an old train station that's been converted into an open venue. We ate a fancy supper and then there was dancing! As I mentioned, they had dance cards which was super cool, and everyone signed everyone else's dance card so you danced with everyone, and then there were a few dances for gentlemen's choice and ladies' choice! There was a lot of big band music, and a guy taught me how to do the cha-cha, and I in turn tried to teach it to someone else. :D It was super fun! I got to hang out with my friends, and we ended up staying until almost 11 pm just chatting and having fun!
      Hahaha, you asked. :D There you go, Elanor and anyone else who's reading this too! :D

      Thanks for commenting, Elanor!!

      Delete
    2. That sounds like so much fun! Thanks for sharing. :)

      Delete
  4. Lovely dress! That is a good job. :)
    Also, I love P&P! I need to re-read that one. :)

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  5. Your skills as a seamstress are incredible!! I can't believe you just designed and made up that dress. Like, who does that?! (Not Cordy!) That's fantastic!! And as for the ball!!!! WHAT FUN!! :D :D *clapping* I'm so glad you had a good time!

    That's great that you're taking the time off school to do some fun things. I hope you continue to enjoy yourself!!

    ~Cordy

    P.S. And do you like said befriended Facebook gentleman? Naturally, he would like you, but do you like him?

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    1. Ahh, thank you!!! The ball was SO much fun!!!

      It's been so great! Thank you!

      Haha, yes, I do like him... He's joined our choir and we're friends. He's got his mission call for this May! :D

      Delete
  6. AAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That DRESS THO!!!!!!!! So gorgeous!!!! I am in awe of your sewing skills, m'dear. Like, CAN YOU MAKE ALL MY CLOTHES?? XD
    Don't worry, I'm joking.
    ... mostly.

    but AAGH!!!! Also, if you ever attend this ball thing again, I NEED TO VISIT YOU JUST SO I CAN GO. I MEAN, DANCE CARDS?????? I am insanely jealous right now. Also SOOO happy that at least YOU got to go!!!! That is wonderful. Just the name, Winter Ball.... UGH.

    Oh that last picture tho YES. YES. Also the second to last is BEAUTIFUL with the way your skirt is twirling. YES.

    OOOh your choir sounds fabulous!!!! Sometime you should record some songs (with everyone's permission of course) for us!!! You wouldn't even have to video it, or just not everyone's faces or whatever. Of course, if you don't want to, or they don't want you to, or anything like that I WILL FORGIVE YOU EVENTUALLY. So don't worry ;)

    Oooh I need to read Pride and Prejudice again!! I've only read it once (don't shoot me, plEASE) and it's been far too long at that.

    OOOH I shall have to see about watching that!!

    I hope you are having a lovely new year as well, dearest. As I (sort of) outlined in my latest email, I'm doing well. I mean, JACK THORNTON CAN YOU NOT. (also please keep on, you're adorable)

    *realizes that whoever happens to read my comment will be like who the heck??*
    *doesn't really care*
    *flashes cheeky grin at the little snoop who is still reading this*
    hi there.

    Sorry Rae, I have no idea why I wrote all that. But hopefully it made you smile at least????

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    1. THANK YOU ESTHER!!!!!

      YES YOU KNOW WHAT WHEN YOU COME VISIT I'LL PLAN ONE JUST FOR YOU

      Okay, so I agree with you that the name Winter Ball sounds enchanting. Which is why I used it here and on my social media posts. But it was called a "New Year's Gala" which is okay too. Haha. :D

      YES I LOVE HOW THE PICTURES TURNED OUT.

      I actually will, I think! We're learning an Italian song right now that my mom wants me to record, so at the very least I'll email it to you. :D

      I won't shoot you, but it should go on your re-read list for sure. :D

      It was SO good. :D

      YES JACK THORNTON AAAHHH.

      It totally, definitely, did make me smile. :D

      THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENT!!!

      Delete
    2. Well. I was blog browsing while waiting for my batch of cinnamon rolls for St Patrick's Day to bake, and I came to the comments to say that YOU DID AN AMAZING JOB ON THAT DRESS, I LOVE IT!!!!, but then I happened upon this comment thread, and I saw Jack Thornton's name and ahshdhdksvdb?!?!? I am two weeks behind. So I desperately want to know what is going on, but I also already know more than I wanted to before I watched it (obviously he's back?!), so don't tell me... hahaha! But I see very few Hearties in the blogdom, which I find sad, so, hello girls!!! Haha ;).
      Blessings in Christ,
      Bri from www.forget-not-his-benefits.blogspot.com

      Delete
    3. Hello Bri!!! Goodness, I am terribly late getting to your comment!

      I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY OF SEASON 5 OF WCTH YET AND I'M DYING TO. I'VE SEEN TOO MANY SPOILERS AND IT'S KILLING MEEEE.

      (Oh and thank you!!! Welcome to my blog!)

      BACK TO WCTH

      In this case, Esther was watching for the first time so we were discussing it (I wonder how far you are now, Esther?)

      SO HAVE YOU FINISHED SEASON 5? DID YOU SEE THE FINALE? ARE WE ALL GOING TO DIE?!? Don't give me any spoilers unless--no, no spoilers.

      Anyway, YOU ARE WELCOME HERE AT MY BLOG ANYTIME. Thanks for your comment!!! I love meeting other hearties. :D

      Delete
  7. What a beautiful dress Rae! Love it!

    A winter ball?! Never been to one, it seems amazing. :D

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    1. Thank you, Rachel!!
      It was glorious!
      Thanks for your comment!!

      Delete
  8. GIRL, that dress is beautiful! You look like a princess. :-)
    Ah, so glad you're feeling at peace at your new home. Making friends is so important and I'm so glad you have found good friends! Praise God for answer of prayer!

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    1. Thank you!!!

      Yes! Thank you! I've been so blessed.

      Thanks for your comment, Naomi!! <3

      Delete
  9. RAAAAAAE!! YOUR NEW HEADER!! IT'S GORGEOUS!! WHAT EVEN. It's soooo pretty! I love how it has a frame around it. :D Nice job!!

    Now to the post.

    YOUR DRESS IS BEAUTIFUL!!!! And the pictures are lovely! <3

    I'm so glad you've made friends in your new home! (Have I said that to you before? Haha. ;)) Well I don't think I've said it on your blog so...

    41 kids?! Wow. I'm impressed. That must keep you pretty busy! :)

    You saw The Man Who Invented Christmas, too? Cordy was telling me about that. I really want to see it now. It sounds quite intriguing. And so nice to hear it's family friendly. :D

    That's great that you get to have a year off of school. Especially with all the recent changes in your life, you probably need it.

    Have a marvelous rest of your week, my friend! Love you!

    ~Miss March

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    1. AHH THANK YOU!!! I love it myself, I confess. It fits the best with the "drop of golden sun" part of my name of any of my headers.

      Thank you!!!

      Haha, I don't know--but thank you!

      It is busy, but I love it!!

      You really must see it sometime. It was fabulous.

      Yes! It's been so good.

      You have a lovely week yourself, Miss March! Love you!!

      Delete
  10. Oh my gosh, Rae, this dress is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! The color, the draping on the skirt, just everything--I love it! You are such a talented seamstress! <3

    That's so neat that you've started a homeschool choir, and that there's such a large homeschooling community where you live!

    Oh, I need to reread Pride and Prejudice again sometime soon. I like to read it over the summer, but I didn't get around to it last year; it's been too long! Also, I love how the pictures you included of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet perfectly capture their personalities. ;P

    Glad you're enjoying your break from school!

    Your new springy blog look is gorgeous, by the way! :)

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    1. THANK you!!!

      It is awesome! I love it.

      P&P is THE BEST. :D Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are priceless.

      Thank you!!!

      Thanks for your comment, Molly!!

      Delete
  11. I'm so glad things went well!! and oh my stars your dress!! I love it!! :D

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