I have problems with throwing parties. I don't know why, really. I think it may have to do with the fact that I once threw a party when I was about 16 and only one person showed up...The Mary Kay Cosmetics Representative.
The other reason I have problems with parties is because I once had a well-meaning boyfriend who wanted to throw me a surprise birthday party but he filched the wrong address book. You know how it is: sometimes you get an address book, get excited and start filling it with addresses and phone numbers--using your fancy glitter pen--of people you don't know very well. You just need some names and numbers to keep yourself busy writing stuff in your nifty new book. Anyway, he found that particular address book that never really ripened, and made some calls. I'll never forget the horrific two hours I endured at my surprise party. I didn't remember the names of the guests and we all just sort of sat there in a circle with sick looks on our faces. It was such a nightmare that I bet you they are still whispering about it to their friends and family and whomever will listen.
Come to think of it, there was another bad party. I think I was turning 12 and my sister was just born. I had a sleep-over and we weren't supposed to talk for fear of waking the baby. Worse, my parents wouldn't run the air conditioner (for fear of waking the baby) and all nine of us sweated it out in my tiny room with a record player we couldn't play and one of the gals hooked up to her asthma machine. Next thing I knew, she was crying to go home and a couple of the other girls called their moms, too.
But this blogging thing. I like my new friends, you people who read and comment. And believe me, I read what you say and do take your advice.
Like this here "dress form." I wanted one on a hunch and wrote about it. But you regular-thinking people warned me against the expensive dress forms and many of you suggested that I create my own. I did! I did! I did! I love it.
This is how I did it:
- Called HWWV and asked him to pick up two spools of duct tape on his way home from work
- Got a cocktail ready
- Dressed myself in an old t-shirt and pants that can be cut-off if in a pinch
- Placed some plastic around my neck
- Asked him to start wrapping me up, making sure not to add too much around the middle and a little extra in the chest area, whilst doing some cross-your-heart-bra action
- Asked for a refill, but this time with a straw
- Advised him to layer at least three layers of tape, except on the hips
- Asked him to cut me out of the form, up the back side
- Inserted a sturdy hanger, and taped up the seam
- Stuffed it lightly with fiberfill of some sort
- Taped up the holes
Voila!
Looking at it, I'm not sure that it's really me. One hip is sort of higher than the other and my chest seems smaller than I thought. My middle section is slouchier than I thought, too. But hey, at least she can wear that beaded Koigu scarf I never wear. Maybe I can get creative. Just wish she had feet. If she did, the old Gucci's and the Escada's would definitely get some action.
(And HWWV: He's from somewhere in Southeast Asia...but that's all I'm going to tell.)
That is a fabulous idea! I've been reading your blog for a few weeks now and I just love it. Thank you for sharing with us. You rock!
Posted by: Elizabeth K | July 17, 2005 at 07:18 PM
Soo...I need to know where your gym is.. I *do* have a ballerina-girl complex I need to conquer before my upcoming class reunion.
How about some pics of that corset? I have been drooling over that pattern. May have to put it on the to-do list. Great blog!!
Posted by: Sharon | July 17, 2005 at 07:24 PM
You're crazy! I love it. My DH did a cast of my prego bellies for me...much fun for all!
Posted by: Carolyn | July 17, 2005 at 08:06 PM
Your creativity is outstanding. I love your dress form! Will you name her?
Posted by: Allison | July 17, 2005 at 08:12 PM
Well, come to think of it, shouldn't her name be the same as mine? Or should I snazz it up a bit?
Posted by: wendy | July 17, 2005 at 08:20 PM
Oh man, a duct tape double! I did one of those many years ago using brown paper packaging tape (it's pinnable and won't shift when you stuff it - but it doesn't need stuffing unless you want to put it on a stand). I hope HWWV used bandage scissors to cut you out of it!
Posted by: June | July 17, 2005 at 08:23 PM
You have my favorite blog; it's always so interesting! I always look forward to reading it.
Is that HWWV in the mirror of the first picture?
Posted by: Jadine | July 17, 2005 at 08:27 PM
Way to be creative!!
And, is that him I spy in the mirror reflection?!?
Posted by: LisaB | July 17, 2005 at 08:30 PM
Rocking! That's awesome that you made your own dress form. I am way impressed.
Posted by: Diana | July 17, 2005 at 08:30 PM
Ooh shoot, I should have read Jadine's comment first!! Sorry to double!
Posted by: LisaB | July 17, 2005 at 08:31 PM
Ok, friends. Use your Photoshop or whatever program and magnify the picture. That is HIM. (or my photographer)
Posted by: wendy | July 17, 2005 at 08:33 PM
Did you get the jade bracelet from your mother-in-law then? Because the only time I see them is on my asian relatives. I wondered.
Posted by: Josie | July 17, 2005 at 08:48 PM
Yup. Jade bracelets, all of them, from MIL...(and they are to die for)
Posted by: wendy | July 17, 2005 at 08:57 PM
Yeah, I love them.
Posted by: Josie | July 17, 2005 at 09:01 PM
Way too cool!
Posted by: Eilene | July 17, 2005 at 09:04 PM
You get a dress form, and we get a HWWV pic. Nice all around.
Posted by: Lauren | July 17, 2005 at 09:11 PM
Other people had the same reaction as me - you rock! I love that you are so motivated to do new things, in knitting and in... body wrapping (fun for DHs too). Thanks for the how to, which makes me and I'm sure other people feel like that's something I can do too!
Posted by: Michele | July 17, 2005 at 09:38 PM
very cool dress form!
Posted by: eyeleen | July 17, 2005 at 10:01 PM
OK, who had more fun, you or HWWV? I don't need to blow up the pic to see him laughing. ;)
Posted by: KatieLiz | July 17, 2005 at 10:35 PM
Awesome, I'd wondered if you made it to Joanne's or not. Here's the answer. After reading your blog and the comments, I've decided to ask my dear hubby to tape me up as well. Oh and by the way, was HWWV picture an accident, or did you think your loyal blog readers wouldn't spot him?
Posted by: Shar | July 17, 2005 at 10:36 PM
Shar, the pic of HWWV was an accident until it was posted and I decided I should leave it. He is such a doll and even though I know he wants to be behind the scenes, I think he can handle this much exposure.
He is a star, really. And his tape job was a real good one, let me tell you.
Posted by: wendy | July 17, 2005 at 11:02 PM
glam! here's little something i know from my upbrining (judging from the soaps back then): there is like well-defined family hierarchy for some culture. And truth be told, it's only quite fixed for those who wants to make use of it. Anyhow. This is how I understand it, mother-in-laws are supposed to make daughter-in-laws sweat a bit. Or a lot. But it's their job. The meeky daughter-in-laws will one day harden and by then they will be old enough to be mother-in-laws themselves and the cycle carries on if they so choose.
Posted by: jing | July 17, 2005 at 11:13 PM
Jing, I know what you say because I have been told by some nice people what MIL is up to! It is all such a mystery to me. If only my mom were here to contrast the situation. She loved HWWV and let him know it, every step of the way. I guess I don't know anything else and wonder why his mom doesn't love me too.
Posted by: wendy | July 17, 2005 at 11:35 PM
ohhh...this is like where's waldo...
we want to see a real pic of HWWV!
Great duct tape form. Think I may have to try that out as well!
Posted by: jill | July 18, 2005 at 12:32 AM
The dress form is such a fantastic idea!! I was thinking recently how useful it would be to have something like that so I think I might do the same. Thanks for sharing this fabulous idea. :)
Posted by: Iris | July 18, 2005 at 01:18 AM