Colleen's Column

Last week at work I was asked to come up with a poster for the campus art exhibit in May.  They said they would put it up on the website, but I was surprised to see it up the same day I submitted the final version!  Top of poster visible at middle right It switches out with another announcement, so I noticed it when it moved.  Here's the full version, which you get when you click on the poster on the website:  The original is 11" by 17,"  with an antique paper background overlaid with burlap.  All the butterflies are public domain photos - aren't they pretty?  I know I've seen the same species as the largest one at the Detroit Zoo butterfly house.  I also like the slightly darker blue ones with the white fans at the edges of their wings. I'll probably end up submitting something to the exhibit, just don't know what yet.  Maybe a dress on a dress form?  I don't know if I can survive without it for a week!  I'll have to see....

Congratulations to Liz and Jimmy Buckley, who were married last month!  I can't believe it's been that long already!  Here are some pictures from the ceremony and reception - and the prep: Christina hard at work Christina and I went early to help the girls get ready - 3 bridesmaids, 2 moms, an aunt, the bride, and the 2 of us running around with curling irons and bobby pins.  It was a lot of fun.  We also had to put together the bouquets, which were Queen Anne's Lace with some burgundy mums, purple sparkle sprays, and baling twine for Liz.  Very pretty. I actually missed the entry into the church because Becca Buckley and I were tying off the last bouquets, and I suddenly realized I was still wearing my snow boots....so I snuck in as soon as Mr. & Mrs. Harvey and Liz were far enough up the aisle.  Here comes the bride!  Liz wore her Mom's veil, which has a lace headpiece and a double layer veil.  It has changed color slightly with ...

This is a full page poster-style advertisement that I will be sending to various churches and organizations over my Christmas break from school.  There are matching 1/4 page pieces that go with it.  The stained glass window is an excerpt from a historic church in Iowa.  The closeup of the beading is from a different wedding dress I made.  There have also been some updates to the website - you can now find info on pricing, measurements, and ordering there, plus it is linked to this blog so if you can't remember how to get to the blog, just go to the website:  www.colleensmodestfashions.com .  It also works to google "Colleen Eldracher." Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Our church has a golf outing every year and they always look for businesses to sponsor holes.  I've never been able to go to the outing before myself due to work/other commitments/lack of transportation but this year I ended up taking my younger brother and sister and going golfing.  I haven't golfed in close to 10 years so I was pretty lousy at it....and we didn't hit any geese...but it was fun.  However I was rather sore the next couple of days... I originally wasn't going to be able to make it, so I sponsored a hole instead.  Here's me by Hole #12 with the sign at the tee-off place.  It took us a couple holes to figure out that there was a separate tee for men and ladies.  Then Christina and I decided we were going to definitely use whatever handicap we could get.  Vincent managed to get in some practice time prior to the day, so he could actually hit the ball pretty well...except it kept going into the trees.  Vincent posing by ...

Pictures from Francis and Fairly's wedding on May 19th.  Her dress was strapless; I converted it to what it is in the pictures.  I did not make the veil - it was ordered by her family and custom made in the Philippines.  It was a beautiful day! The dress is ecru chiffon with diagonal rusching on the bodice and a heavily beaded neckline.  It laces up the back (also with beading!) and has short, two-layer sleeves.  We got really lucky on the fabric because we found a chiffon shawl we could buy to match it.  We had JUST enough fabric to squeak by and finish the sleeves!  Then the funny thing was, I caught the tossing bouquet at the reception....but nothing's come of it yet.  :)

Just some new advertisements I've been playing with... By the way, my website is now working much better and you should be able to visit it!  The URL is: www.colleensmodestfashions.com I need to do more with some of these.  Part of it is finding the time to spend on Photoshop to doodle with them.  If any of you have ideas, they're welcome any time!

Modesty in the Modern World How many of you have ever felt a conflict when you’re out shopping – you see this REALLY cute outfit that is really stylish and fun, BUT…. The skirt is just above your knees, it doesn’t have sleeves, and the neckline is a bit too much.   We’ve all experienced it.   We’ve all seen it.   But does that make it right? Well, here’s some maybe not-so-surprising news.   The media and most clothing corporations today are pushing sleezy, “sexy” outfits at such young ages that it’s hard to find anything nice even in the children’s section anymore.   Companies are even making bikini bathing suits and skimpy underwear for girls ages 6 on up!   Do they need these things?   NO.   Even adults don’t need these things.   Advertising in general is becoming more and more inappropriate. A school in Canada wanted to do a test.   They showed two advertisement images to a group of parents and girl teens and tweens.   ...