The 3rd Annual Steampunk Ball of Piper's Opera House, 2013

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBm9-AqjaoSh4a-NNbuG2hUt-z-CyGNY_GybOZgkoLSNSqphq_B90-A4xbE6_jbF2B1tgmrhL0Lhh8BpCVE-MazAeybpDD-9El-UcJJuSRXOYWGYXQYPzj8XFsIjMwKSWXi59BZ4UQeGG/s1600/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%25281+of+5%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBm9-AqjaoSh4a-NNbuG2hUt-z-CyGNY_GybOZgkoLSNSqphq_B90-A4xbE6_jbF2B1tgmrhL0Lhh8BpCVE-MazAeybpDD-9El-UcJJuSRXOYWGYXQYPzj8XFsIjMwKSWXi59BZ4UQeGG/s640/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%25281+of+5%2529.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liza rockin' her Victorian tail bodice with shorts and amazing stockings</td></tr></tbody></table>This past weekend Chris and I worked our tails off at the 3rd Annual Steampunk Ball up in Virginia City, Nevada.  We did the photography room again this year, and it's quite crazy all night long, but I did get a chance to walk around a bit, and take a few snaps.  Here are a collection of photos:<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlE8rh2dEgcKXuhgA9JjqWuYtA7tLzO9Ll6z2haPf90qHgcd-YNI93-rIZ3XOokhs-6vVtbDORo4SEXEPSGreHjTZ1lIgOcaMVW6nFsDL2aHDJrJKHhdhmsHu3Yu4_Tw1PPp-ZEtdUVEVh/s1600/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%25282+of+5%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlE8rh2dEgcKXuhgA9JjqWuYtA7tLzO9Ll6z2haPf90qHgcd-YNI93-rIZ3XOokhs-6vVtbDORo4SEXEPSGreHjTZ1lIgOcaMVW6nFsDL2aHDJrJKHhdhmsHu3Yu4_Tw1PPp-ZEtdUVEVh/s640/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%25282+of+5%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People actually danced!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgC7LWtlCX41Wj43ueDlbvktJZv4WPHkiamd3ZljJU6jqeZA4_SZn_oQMqfkT4Gap3ttQiUqiMppKRys7-UoPu6fX-Hsk3uk1INrczzm3V1FLrPliXmR5P2zOGb9yu8boFgRltgkwM4O-E/s1600/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%25283+of+5%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgC7LWtlCX41Wj43ueDlbvktJZv4WPHkiamd3ZljJU6jqeZA4_SZn_oQMqfkT4Gap3ttQiUqiMppKRys7-UoPu6fX-Hsk3uk1INrczzm3V1FLrPliXmR5P2zOGb9yu8boFgRltgkwM4O-E/s640/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%25283+of+5%2529.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB59Rsu1KZxQt5n7Li-BoXH3t7OfqkSEG6avsNfvWKWKCgcClldIL77UigozunbGvsptE1xrozD4Em8a7-D9-Njrc_9L3XsF6tl729dksZwPk6TNcp3qnwaw2kg5T8GzlX4cny-uC9CZ9j/s1600/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%25284+of+5%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB59Rsu1KZxQt5n7Li-BoXH3t7OfqkSEG6avsNfvWKWKCgcClldIL77UigozunbGvsptE1xrozD4Em8a7-D9-Njrc_9L3XsF6tl729dksZwPk6TNcp3qnwaw2kg5T8GzlX4cny-uC9CZ9j/s640/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%25284+of+5%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjLNM-sAM8tx88SqWjYGlF8-qlhK749uAzkdP3wlrL1oAegqHtfr-kZE0WYAZUWyVwevKS2vNySeP7ZEEZeFA2Dq11_yKQQuQPtaSrCNy1Bh4mMjFTqXiGXgnz_A4-9K40uJLczQ1sfMU/s1600/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%25285+of+5%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjLNM-sAM8tx88SqWjYGlF8-qlhK749uAzkdP3wlrL1oAegqHtfr-kZE0WYAZUWyVwevKS2vNySeP7ZEEZeFA2Dq11_yKQQuQPtaSrCNy1Bh4mMjFTqXiGXgnz_A4-9K40uJLczQ1sfMU/s640/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%25285+of+5%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQi2g8k7CRLFycMuUvmmVWlB6ArIP0iD4TB7BXTdf9zcaASHn8rFhyphenhyphenjW1XD_YiJr3mViuiqHDlgVzDJzz6Y7thSGgk1JeWYNsihkAFy4Y3NkKzArsFf9GhRzNW8p3nTLHhyOKFvolipJqT/s1600/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%25289+of+185%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQi2g8k7CRLFycMuUvmmVWlB6ArIP0iD4TB7BXTdf9zcaASHn8rFhyphenhyphenjW1XD_YiJr3mViuiqHDlgVzDJzz6Y7thSGgk1JeWYNsihkAFy4Y3NkKzArsFf9GhRzNW8p3nTLHhyOKFvolipJqT/s640/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%25289+of+185%2529.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asha World Dancers in their gorgeous belly dance regalia.  They performed in "Dr. Belladonna's Medicine Show" prior to the Ball.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnCmLKbp7g5Y4l71pZ8-O0M76AKsAMWPujj2p6MRwy32H8z-MIqhKlsGd4OAXCOwJgd4G8mj5OhS0Mcd3HItKxaYOtdZvlu90vYOkDiPrenYD45K6T7BKVeGulJZhLUG_99iGWwZor6Tq/s1600/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%252822+of+185%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnCmLKbp7g5Y4l71pZ8-O0M76AKsAMWPujj2p6MRwy32H8z-MIqhKlsGd4OAXCOwJgd4G8mj5OhS0Mcd3HItKxaYOtdZvlu90vYOkDiPrenYD45K6T7BKVeGulJZhLUG_99iGWwZor6Tq/s640/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%252822+of+185%2529.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no idea who this couple is, but their costumes were awesome, particularly the hats.  This was my favorite photo of the night, of the hundreds we took</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3Ptd_QOd7HztiZE1fOdOGGKiOBMrro4UmdiOQAU4Zsi_x-59ugW6BsEcpb22Mbqy5qI6WO1O1AVpHLcCis084Y45W1YnOSAYUMf7w0U9XGTC4f_0EkFhWt00bwdNKfsYUtSKRIy_4juq/s1600/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%2528119+of+185%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3Ptd_QOd7HztiZE1fOdOGGKiOBMrro4UmdiOQAU4Zsi_x-59ugW6BsEcpb22Mbqy5qI6WO1O1AVpHLcCis084Y45W1YnOSAYUMf7w0U9XGTC4f_0EkFhWt00bwdNKfsYUtSKRIy_4juq/s640/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%2528119+of+185%2529.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cindy and Corwin, always hamming it up</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1In-atmmrSBwsni1Q4vbrjeND6s_peerFgpAYnKjooMuzX6cml9siDQyImRm-71j3DfYIUfnVLqTe2x5ReNTTbylX87vWvjvidFD4cJvXuWXiPAwHD3nkt7dnpGz9BdB98gzNKyX0nBcT/s1600/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%2528134+of+185%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1In-atmmrSBwsni1Q4vbrjeND6s_peerFgpAYnKjooMuzX6cml9siDQyImRm-71j3DfYIUfnVLqTe2x5ReNTTbylX87vWvjvidFD4cJvXuWXiPAwHD3nkt7dnpGz9BdB98gzNKyX0nBcT/s640/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%2528134+of+185%2529.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRMVvrf0yG1MErrgCKO-wEaIhUwGFHw22GD9fdDKlYwOclamnzOck8dv8_srlq_WhYPRL6aNk7xCCde0K8N4I_vNaLkzJEYG9aQD31Ld4b5NNNasG8LW3fndqjKe7g5M54bHbNFlAp3Da/s1600/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%252829+of+185%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRMVvrf0yG1MErrgCKO-wEaIhUwGFHw22GD9fdDKlYwOclamnzOck8dv8_srlq_WhYPRL6aNk7xCCde0K8N4I_vNaLkzJEYG9aQD31Ld4b5NNNasG8LW3fndqjKe7g5M54bHbNFlAp3Da/s640/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%252829+of+185%2529.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz and Warren, and their creepy baby doll "Hope"</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.vintagedancer.com/victorian/a-stripey-steampunk-costume/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaQ96Xz_wq53eFT2WjQBzM5zW6RS7fOI2wMWxTQMsfKDJyifTIyw5oIgPXbX_TyNQmE4aHEkQ9_8f3HRxa4fI7fSngrdI1uMfAr1V6uGhVDAvyGOvREnTxykCz4RlAJygSzBH4FAraM8k/s640/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%252847+of+185%2529.jpg" width="424" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.vintagedancer.com/victorian/a-stripey-steampunk-costume/">Oscar and Debbie, of "Vintage Dancer." You can read more about how Debbie put her costume together by clicking on the picture.</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.ladycarolyn.com/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa2rz3K3-jfK0VNSEuTeN8e9aW_g0yCC18EtgwkXWQvCZuIsDmEphGz-cXlB0hj6d4G1MHvNkAtgWTKCNvIS6sWuZHyGR8NGb630mrU4EoUtUxDRI_7KhEzo0GlB2rcPemRwiWqQhNzgd/s640/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%252854+of+185%2529.jpg" width="424" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ladycarolyn.com/">Lady Carolyn and her husband Scott - check out Carolyn's blog by clicking</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ue2mjG8Et6T9BFLLNbt-d05wSSIoVS6AgeTf-TJAJ6ZAgTNYx52ZiHM4ckey-MNQk1sXLr6gVi9XSmPpgx_aMYVxvJ8GomXLh3y9DfUinJoEI_7mKQEbN4JLUrcmVs6yDCWOPG25kz3u/s1600/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%252879+of+185%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ue2mjG8Et6T9BFLLNbt-d05wSSIoVS6AgeTf-TJAJ6ZAgTNYx52ZiHM4ckey-MNQk1sXLr6gVi9XSmPpgx_aMYVxvJ8GomXLh3y9DfUinJoEI_7mKQEbN4JLUrcmVs6yDCWOPG25kz3u/s640/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%252879+of+185%2529.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4of2mHfX0WwGZu7X0p-6fLEetlx3R5GVs6a1qajlAwsDC4reHmijmxkuzHfwgP4GEo2bPOk95QRtL8TEchz__shSUtQbOCxcuduhxeJLI9lUYnKiKw4FDRyu0ACX4jXqjo2stYtWRYr9M/s1600/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%252885+of+185%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4of2mHfX0WwGZu7X0p-6fLEetlx3R5GVs6a1qajlAwsDC4reHmijmxkuzHfwgP4GEo2bPOk95QRtL8TEchz__shSUtQbOCxcuduhxeJLI9lUYnKiKw4FDRyu0ACX4jXqjo2stYtWRYr9M/s640/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%252885+of+185%2529.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liza, her daughter Anna (right), and their lovely exchange student from Italy, who must've have thought we were all completely mad.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_qedQZZ1Sl1JSX1riHSj3xHNELdsTelZM6yj2GWJm2JnombdIih4jbgyn3vWniS4e0n95z7XmbV04gjMTBLVgMrW3OUXSx25MXg-_TJoh7kX_1W-FN2XJIlkz6iVlvWMCKgsGlGfO1SF/s1600/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%252891+of+185%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_qedQZZ1Sl1JSX1riHSj3xHNELdsTelZM6yj2GWJm2JnombdIih4jbgyn3vWniS4e0n95z7XmbV04gjMTBLVgMrW3OUXSx25MXg-_TJoh7kX_1W-FN2XJIlkz6iVlvWMCKgsGlGfO1SF/s640/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%252891+of+185%2529.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tina and her family, with their exchange student from Taiwan, who also must've thought we were all completely mad.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/edwardian-victorian-shoes-boots/tavistock-victorian-button-boot"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBAbqS_E-i6RSerDVI_r_0vHBUUc2uLN30TMn2b1CA9_lkDb7HS6PYiEIVLeZEV8VXe-bucCxq7OP_QR5QShcx3gGkXeK5bjxJSvzYL8vk-lTdZsEjLvTjA9fU21UriC-LoTu6vJDoj-C/s640/Steampunk+Ball+2013+%2528151+of+185%2529.jpg" width="424" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/edwardian-victorian-shoes-boots/tavistock-victorian-button-boot">Esther, of Polyesther's Costume Boutique, such a riot.  She's wearing Tavistock button boots with her killer Steampunk outfit.</a></td></tr></tbody></table>I wore the big green bustle dress, and had a grand time dragging it around the dirty streets of Virginia City, and the dusty corners of Piper's Opera House.  It's not *particularly* Steampunk, but I like to wear quite <a href="http://americanduchess.blogspot.com/2013/09/real-late-victorian-steampunk-fashions.html">historical outfits that also happen to fit the bill</a>, as I find I get more use out of them.  Now...what to make for next year?!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvqGxmoggzyCPbcKKJuXVVzmBRjeTqUaegsWxvDDidrsd833gAaETiBTtLTc1Ir9SOoTXysQgJ-R_28djSg6zVHDJFeCvLb_sMsCsqMupQnnlIfJhYCq_goTNTwrkOUxz7jRvRqQELdgJ/s1600/Steampunk+Ball+2013+(1+of+1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1880 bustle gown" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvqGxmoggzyCPbcKKJuXVVzmBRjeTqUaegsWxvDDidrsd833gAaETiBTtLTc1Ir9SOoTXysQgJ-R_28djSg6zVHDJFeCvLb_sMsCsqMupQnnlIfJhYCq_goTNTwrkOUxz7jRvRqQELdgJ/s1600/Steampunk+Ball+2013+(1+of+1).jpg" title="" /></a></div><br />

The 3rd Annual Steampunk Ball of Piper's Opera House, 2013

Liza rockin' her Victorian tail bodice with shorts and amazing stockings This past weekend Chris and I worked our tails off at the 3rd A...

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2013 Costume College, Pt. 3 - The Gala

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIpv1fERlywX2CkhD4AQ2fg6vjdxMohMmltuwS_5Uugnb7RM1bYiSxFZXcp1JhGmTqV9yV6gRQkN2FGWsC_cOo3LI0ZDhw5MtpntzhQujQEHUALJXNE1onKuSXxrR7eMimmQqaGItNRb3/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+(1+of+28).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIpv1fERlywX2CkhD4AQ2fg6vjdxMohMmltuwS_5Uugnb7RM1bYiSxFZXcp1JhGmTqV9yV6gRQkN2FGWsC_cOo3LI0ZDhw5MtpntzhQujQEHUALJXNE1onKuSXxrR7eMimmQqaGItNRb3/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+(1+of+28).jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merja's Baroque gown OMG.  This wasn't her Gala dress, but I needed to include a photo of it anyway.</td></tr></tbody></table>Ready for the last set of pics from Costume College?  Well, I took quite a few, but the camera tends to get in the way, so I stowed it in my room, and thus did not capture the bulk of the Gala evening.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEPj4Kprps83aMdpSDmFFxbEUnbs2ArQqC3kRGulu9Yjv84n0gKya1oOBwfjI9NzYWnT3fj1ffAbmhZwCVAMn968gnqDfRoHOHbUhaIjYMazcSHSicm4nR4HWiIiYY6RB_qqR8f9N0p9N/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%25289+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEPj4Kprps83aMdpSDmFFxbEUnbs2ArQqC3kRGulu9Yjv84n0gKya1oOBwfjI9NzYWnT3fj1ffAbmhZwCVAMn968gnqDfRoHOHbUhaIjYMazcSHSicm4nR4HWiIiYY6RB_qqR8f9N0p9N/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%25289+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cait of Curse Words & Crinolines, with her beau</td></tr></tbody></table>The Gala is quite wonderful.  It starts with a "red carpet" amble down to the dining room, where one is then served quite a meal, followed by dancing, and lots of socializing.  It's the main event to which to wear your most fantastical, craziest, biggest, most beautiful creation.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANcBXXNPYldljr3O70aygSez3DWPtDd3yBZA3fhHhwncFRuUVUE80alz80aH-0o7YKeChqukmF7zIMl5gkMjUvG5UHnT97JTx0JJ_9xuTY0hfXqHoKdTnuZWKRJKQLaFWSjaO5xCtrwln/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%25284+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANcBXXNPYldljr3O70aygSez3DWPtDd3yBZA3fhHhwncFRuUVUE80alz80aH-0o7YKeChqukmF7zIMl5gkMjUvG5UHnT97JTx0JJ_9xuTY0hfXqHoKdTnuZWKRJKQLaFWSjaO5xCtrwln/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%25284+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxGtuf69n4FiQ_fPdevlAoEhBa6XJeNCgoagLpdL5CV7TMhkRgeEX4kDN0CMt9SbznTPBsTZsaq3PCAU_I7n-DtQsCPxw82CV0d1RJGP2yEY7c0p173wmg7qrlEJLLvjA4B94jYAua8nc/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%25285+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxGtuf69n4FiQ_fPdevlAoEhBa6XJeNCgoagLpdL5CV7TMhkRgeEX4kDN0CMt9SbznTPBsTZsaq3PCAU_I7n-DtQsCPxw82CV0d1RJGP2yEY7c0p173wmg7qrlEJLLvjA4B94jYAua8nc/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%25285+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9yfRrSSnOqxtPnjk2zZdOAyVvagZAHv42e4H6BnMCUWx9O8pRMKV1hAvCIGxe5mo_uxbTzt1x9b1aH4QytssDqdAoy3Is2ukLwsgV8bfaHGgOf-_ujJ6GbLGQ66NaT4WLA_-r8t9EoEU/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%25286+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9yfRrSSnOqxtPnjk2zZdOAyVvagZAHv42e4H6BnMCUWx9O8pRMKV1hAvCIGxe5mo_uxbTzt1x9b1aH4QytssDqdAoy3Is2ukLwsgV8bfaHGgOf-_ujJ6GbLGQ66NaT4WLA_-r8t9EoEU/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%25286+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4DpBrQWBbJd8lYo_NcRVqJ4_4iGXieFmwFc5oW_oVTLm_2IuZBgZbqwrDh_Z9djmFZeyr0Rcve7beiM5pd5YlxYoxJx9xCLCzey2sKMiU1iUDb2fQ0_9DWFrWpp6YSs6amgsB13poWQj/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%25287+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4DpBrQWBbJd8lYo_NcRVqJ4_4iGXieFmwFc5oW_oVTLm_2IuZBgZbqwrDh_Z9djmFZeyr0Rcve7beiM5pd5YlxYoxJx9xCLCzey2sKMiU1iUDb2fQ0_9DWFrWpp6YSs6amgsB13poWQj/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%25287+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWf9SRf0-_T12bzIKtHy2JKPPGFLs7B1l6vCLBxd_3CulrANRRFv0M0brU46swVqoth4T1IBwycmUhMdtUn-0s7jXtY7lj6obTfJKYmcxty8SPbSZGXR7oHTZNRGWaA8Z88JD8iIm0GIAZ/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%25288+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWf9SRf0-_T12bzIKtHy2JKPPGFLs7B1l6vCLBxd_3CulrANRRFv0M0brU46swVqoth4T1IBwycmUhMdtUn-0s7jXtY7lj6obTfJKYmcxty8SPbSZGXR7oHTZNRGWaA8Z88JD8iIm0GIAZ/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%25288+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />Each year, there is a Costume College theme - this year it was "Baroque With a Touch of Pirate," so a great many of the Gala costumes were 17th century.  There are no rules to the Gala, though, so we saw gowns of all centuries and realms, including two fantastic Alien and Predator creations (of course, I didn't get a photo, boo).<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhol2_akvDsmkszfomADSrtzITXyb1pu9ffWIb6flQwTKsqwfDZKp2pflNtskLrCo0BMYFwhf1OZXAOFsR13RQmTLw_byxJ16Kh2E-6v7aWuDHSnK-DTOAfFGv9AOFlsb-F7njAALwhT5U6/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252810+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhol2_akvDsmkszfomADSrtzITXyb1pu9ffWIb6flQwTKsqwfDZKp2pflNtskLrCo0BMYFwhf1OZXAOFsR13RQmTLw_byxJ16Kh2E-6v7aWuDHSnK-DTOAfFGv9AOFlsb-F7njAALwhT5U6/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252810+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail on Cait's Robe Battante</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rQ-WCTLFjnuHjiL2kC3lXu08lIET3IuHI8mG7-PuB0B-8_V4WUhudG6syS7HdDz-wkWORln9jwQu0MYCA5ghjzCpfH2Pfas2MJykUQmPpWyyAtPrechdeGCf308izCbPnq4fg2tCFIdw/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252812+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rQ-WCTLFjnuHjiL2kC3lXu08lIET3IuHI8mG7-PuB0B-8_V4WUhudG6syS7HdDz-wkWORln9jwQu0MYCA5ghjzCpfH2Pfas2MJykUQmPpWyyAtPrechdeGCf308izCbPnq4fg2tCFIdw/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252812+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alyxx in a "goldfish" fancy dress costume</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2yAaaxsBm-jk95N7AFKgpGH2YdkjNN-pIUfuqhYDO2pF7WdwvlQ3WnXdZRegsUA45A9DUrW_G7qloCXZweCmhwKwjfXCJ-2Z-JnniRjlVz9-N8vD6hqPzC7gxkwWwhD6RWGiv5q54Ecl/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252813+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2yAaaxsBm-jk95N7AFKgpGH2YdkjNN-pIUfuqhYDO2pF7WdwvlQ3WnXdZRegsUA45A9DUrW_G7qloCXZweCmhwKwjfXCJ-2Z-JnniRjlVz9-N8vD6hqPzC7gxkwWwhD6RWGiv5q54Ecl/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252813+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJl0u16tU2S8dXXKgrDwbgdEjMjj4KVOHSgYMf9lS4EfLrBPdgFlUrxAARqqbdKHCUFdFpgj2qdGZgR6BdYEDa4okrSsGm2bfj2ch2Cg6Co2sTN2HLZwnx3Oq36WOK9jQn6Pqji-UEnqUS/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252814+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJl0u16tU2S8dXXKgrDwbgdEjMjj4KVOHSgYMf9lS4EfLrBPdgFlUrxAARqqbdKHCUFdFpgj2qdGZgR6BdYEDa4okrSsGm2bfj2ch2Cg6Co2sTN2HLZwnx3Oq36WOK9jQn6Pqji-UEnqUS/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252814+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebecca's utterly stunning 17th c.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAn_FPCwqfFhS72XoAMkWAGHKml3RV2Nb9q33vmAT4UzwZs9ohvaVJtgsQACokRrLWeZ_O_HWQHWicUcK3LwcYOMwYH3TyJiCOSnTc6mVzJZEUf1ImlRlT66FGdYWot3ZqLEJBSIb60dE9/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252815+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAn_FPCwqfFhS72XoAMkWAGHKml3RV2Nb9q33vmAT4UzwZs9ohvaVJtgsQACokRrLWeZ_O_HWQHWicUcK3LwcYOMwYH3TyJiCOSnTc6mVzJZEUf1ImlRlT66FGdYWot3ZqLEJBSIb60dE9/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252815+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdqnckj2KzAZUnh8_QHbV5abRXC4cgQ0Eies6s0bwsuynL0AQlSM8A-mVPTL2RgQnNTozFLp9x06jNrHi0swuYb8ZdEGa7tCn5tF6sJLRviclkTJpaJihnR5BiN8bb0T4LaiEbCu0YA0z/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252818+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdqnckj2KzAZUnh8_QHbV5abRXC4cgQ0Eies6s0bwsuynL0AQlSM8A-mVPTL2RgQnNTozFLp9x06jNrHi0swuYb8ZdEGa7tCn5tF6sJLRviclkTJpaJihnR5BiN8bb0T4LaiEbCu0YA0z/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252818+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathy re-created one of my favorite gowns from "Costume in Detail," a 1908 dinner gown</td></tr></tbody></table>In addition to the Costume College theme, many groups like to create their own themes.  Last year the <a href="http://americanduchess.blogspot.com/2012/08/v218-costume-college-2012-time.html">Northern Nevada ladies all dressed in silver and blue</a>.  This year, there was a group of gorgeously attired nymphs and goddesses, as well as a collection of Natural Form beauties.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZcQeoQjUI4sfxZtdutFN64IYOihRGSlenlvDXwIXuAKAPAEQju9vg2C-OKbtUeNx2pf8rZbvgcAC7wUfLG_ni-rMnQIwI9zNaXd9pGba_vxP7QBSwIV8S_OQPdErrNu0E7Lb6zqrY6OE/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252819+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZcQeoQjUI4sfxZtdutFN64IYOihRGSlenlvDXwIXuAKAPAEQju9vg2C-OKbtUeNx2pf8rZbvgcAC7wUfLG_ni-rMnQIwI9zNaXd9pGba_vxP7QBSwIV8S_OQPdErrNu0E7Lb6zqrY6OE/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252819+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail on Cathy's 1908 gown</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43JHcnME-T6RLqAnsctW_DJ8i6lY_by-7kMd8YZ7jn62ApvWZq6YKciTVb5TawLrumRNpk92xu7xGBgUbdH-mxqKLaedidi5XRf1AqSrhN_l6t4LBJlFpIQeO70tFdk-R7TD3D8sqh0x1/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252821+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43JHcnME-T6RLqAnsctW_DJ8i6lY_by-7kMd8YZ7jn62ApvWZq6YKciTVb5TawLrumRNpk92xu7xGBgUbdH-mxqKLaedidi5XRf1AqSrhN_l6t4LBJlFpIQeO70tFdk-R7TD3D8sqh0x1/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252821+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim and Claudia's daughter Vivienne</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKB14ClilsDq32XX6YO8cKalY5xcjocRaHXUkDexY0ZD31cA6YCF2x-2tBUntPZjeMnPjPd_cDTNOELlcBrBz_pMQa5nmD3RjisIROqCeiB1eEFn7mygA9i6jGGaZoxOP2DL0s0h1GHnlq/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252822+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKB14ClilsDq32XX6YO8cKalY5xcjocRaHXUkDexY0ZD31cA6YCF2x-2tBUntPZjeMnPjPd_cDTNOELlcBrBz_pMQa5nmD3RjisIROqCeiB1eEFn7mygA9i6jGGaZoxOP2DL0s0h1GHnlq/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252822+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUR_AFd4PUu1U4eWepE8frcIeu22lFiAWGF9uzstRNPujWvDuWK0ljy3Ib317qIPB9E0dtpbglenSMzQ1aA8faKUv_GBhj8yUZu9Vnm9rt_ocOvFI5x32EhyphenhyphenW2wdHpqtnc11ayQAusNBBA/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252823+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUR_AFd4PUu1U4eWepE8frcIeu22lFiAWGF9uzstRNPujWvDuWK0ljy3Ib317qIPB9E0dtpbglenSMzQ1aA8faKUv_GBhj8yUZu9Vnm9rt_ocOvFI5x32EhyphenhyphenW2wdHpqtnc11ayQAusNBBA/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252823+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger's incredibly 17th c. court gown.  Utter perfection, with unexpected details.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaY7-Hc6-BQGhRCNfFZZbeVvltM4zAhAtjh4J3cKa5OqYLAFG2DZI9TXDJnn3nAOclQrKh3KqWqknUHQNYmOvuRm_zrlbJWqywdOTLinVCYd5pIRySi-MHBPD-txybo39Q8bpVjTfAM6d/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252824+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaY7-Hc6-BQGhRCNfFZZbeVvltM4zAhAtjh4J3cKa5OqYLAFG2DZI9TXDJnn3nAOclQrKh3KqWqknUHQNYmOvuRm_zrlbJWqywdOTLinVCYd5pIRySi-MHBPD-txybo39Q8bpVjTfAM6d/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252824+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren M's late 18th c. zone gown, inspired by one in KCI</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObEBueujrJ0-qqPs3hGB1NN2mPdtAKK98REv-4hx4M4XO7Dcf5busSg1_ojGTw19a_q2e_7qu-EKdtIGjAv_MJ_2le1sohlO2iXjTn6ykeWnIkt68pK6IKMhAuD5uTb2MKPhYRkKVAZaa/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252827+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObEBueujrJ0-qqPs3hGB1NN2mPdtAKK98REv-4hx4M4XO7Dcf5busSg1_ojGTw19a_q2e_7qu-EKdtIGjAv_MJ_2le1sohlO2iXjTn6ykeWnIkt68pK6IKMhAuD5uTb2MKPhYRkKVAZaa/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252827+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth's 17th c. gown was gorgeous, with metallic lace and pearls over gold.  Plus the mask is just awesome.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuX2PUF_p_tg65JWl-B3PdmXWib6g6P44x1AQMjJ_Ch4yStHXbO_sSGzXlufS4hgNTsJduMG2tRB8AjwhP6j3-d9kd1Gwt1tc20RsitypmGpXvJF6ND6cvWSHzVc7oUq9T_ok7ae9-6CfK/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252828+of+28%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuX2PUF_p_tg65JWl-B3PdmXWib6g6P44x1AQMjJ_Ch4yStHXbO_sSGzXlufS4hgNTsJduMG2tRB8AjwhP6j3-d9kd1Gwt1tc20RsitypmGpXvJF6ND6cvWSHzVc7oUq9T_ok7ae9-6CfK/s1600/CoCo13+Gala+%252828+of+28%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalie's beautiful "Gibson Girl" dress, with all those handmade ribbon flowers, and, of course, her perfect Edwardian figure.</td></tr></tbody></table>My Gala gown for this year was the <a href="http://americanduchess.blogspot.com/search/label/1880%20Green%20Acres%20Gown">Green Acres bustle gown</a>.  It qualified as my "biggest, craziest, and best," plus it was something I didn't have to feverishly finish just before the trip.  I had a fun time dragging the train around, and feeling generally quite fluffy.  I fiddled my hair up based on <a href="http://pinterest.com/americanduchess/victorian-hair-1870-1880/">various images I pinned</a>, though all my hair pieces are different colors, lol, and I finally got to wear the vintage Prince of Wales plume I purchased on Etsy last year.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFvPFEPAfPu2ShZITQvgYu_kTcxWbdmzkpqH6sol8dgQCYz6aH7H0prryVreUvjqMSPrHbPFxwdw1uIW0p81l4PMDAFiIHBG7U0RDubn5iduGe3c7KQnKeScaVvQoFQwPIlDhQdUIy-tT/s1600/Lauren+by+Andrew+Schmidt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFvPFEPAfPu2ShZITQvgYu_kTcxWbdmzkpqH6sol8dgQCYz6aH7H0prryVreUvjqMSPrHbPFxwdw1uIW0p81l4PMDAFiIHBG7U0RDubn5iduGe3c7KQnKeScaVvQoFQwPIlDhQdUIy-tT/s1600/Lauren+by+Andrew+Schmidt.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My one "official" Costume College photo</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJm05HzDkSRixESyZtRI2vmbD6ZiF1MQMyrWG_Ojar3x6p2PfmfVnmRqdLG3NvVEof11TK3FngCKaBaeKiWViT7fGL6SwyKfBvYgnu0k9dhBFIsRazM-E5lI4xe4n9gwKjvxfVZYI955Z7/s1600/Lauren+by+Roger+Weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJm05HzDkSRixESyZtRI2vmbD6ZiF1MQMyrWG_Ojar3x6p2PfmfVnmRqdLG3NvVEof11TK3FngCKaBaeKiWViT7fGL6SwyKfBvYgnu0k9dhBFIsRazM-E5lI4xe4n9gwKjvxfVZYI955Z7/s1600/Lauren+by+Roger+Weeks.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(c) Roger Weeks</td></tr></tbody></table>Well, that does it for Costume College 2013! Next year....? But of course!  Who knows who will wear what (or what I will wear, too), but there's a whole year of costuming ahead of us.  Onward!<br /><i><br /></i><i>If you'd like to learn more about Costume College, please visit the website - <a href="http://www.costumecollege.net/index.html">CostumeCollege.org</a> - for information on next year's event.</i><br /><br />

2013 Costume College, Pt. 3 - The Gala

Merja's Baroque gown OMG.  This wasn't her Gala dress, but I needed to include a photo of it anyway. Ready for the last set of pics ...

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Tavistock Button Boots Steampunk Photoshoot at the Sparks Museum

It's been *ages* since Chris, Angie, and I did this Victorian / Steampunk photo shoot for <a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/edwardian-victorian-shoes-boots">Tavistock</a>, featuring the <a href="http://americanduchess.blogspot.com/search/label/1880%20Green%20Acres%20Gown">"Green Acres" gown</a>, and, of course, our new black button boots.  I've been aching to share the pictures with you, and indeed you've probably seen banners and whatnot on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/americanduchess">Facebook</a> and the <a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/">website</a>, but just in case you missed the festivities, here are some more...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_xEdMPOFZ-iYAfZiptZKepPWIlBsKiQn0dtEqrDEaWp3hQqHzGnVCpkf8jd5uhNnGCGvCkHSfXySsAC9bleaQLNxcTjcgJQY-Uj8swr_ej0KiTtfpX4skXCNgc5p5lE1MZQf-PK4T9SY/s640/AD-tavistock-button-boots-banner1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of two banners for the website (my favorite one) and a good view of Angie in The Dress</td></tr></tbody></table>Thought the Green Acres dress is historical, we went with a distinctly Steampunk theme for this shoot, with some excellent accessories from couple Etsy sellers (see below), and, of course, the beautiful V&T train in Victorian Square, Sparks, NV.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrsZE8I9LPBWODVvX-2QWkviA1BQroIiOu2VXd3c4bRw5mfQTcJ0Hca1ksUiNgqJ_h3x2Tn3H09jYazEjnjY54_4_iFkxFV3c8QV2UZxb-GSOM_zEupTH5aPTYA7QSVQaNgI028B2V4mh/s1600/Tav-poster-lg-600.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite shot of the day - Steampunk in the engine room of the antique locomotive</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuREnvZyISIqDL4OGYgsrK8wILlOWL7rYI3iNmfpi7O4aAvNZb9I-nBdETvpcwJ9lX3ZhcZCBKvMG3TinYSoG-LYKDoQJFFzFT9BD5xSbEeFlDSwDjJPfqwXiyIlbK3NU4R-UgAEjl4qR/s1600/AD-steampunk-comp-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuREnvZyISIqDL4OGYgsrK8wILlOWL7rYI3iNmfpi7O4aAvNZb9I-nBdETvpcwJ9lX3ZhcZCBKvMG3TinYSoG-LYKDoQJFFzFT9BD5xSbEeFlDSwDjJPfqwXiyIlbK3NU4R-UgAEjl4qR/s1600/AD-steampunk-comp-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That "Watch Your Step" stenciled text was serendipity</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulfkyhcQIN6WNgqpIPxg3nAM6N11WzH1qhGV2ef-MF6OypAS7aWAsA8vErdeh-c95lULcy1rs9s3hcBAwZ3PNWzOHuCG5X3iOMTNekzXspeVaXdgEcSydXd6UMIxpUiRFI9CJK1WqOA7M/s1600/AD-steampunk-comp-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulfkyhcQIN6WNgqpIPxg3nAM6N11WzH1qhGV2ef-MF6OypAS7aWAsA8vErdeh-c95lULcy1rs9s3hcBAwZ3PNWzOHuCG5X3iOMTNekzXspeVaXdgEcSydXd6UMIxpUiRFI9CJK1WqOA7M/s1600/AD-steampunk-comp-2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><i>Model: Angelica Diaz</i><br /><i>Photography: Chris Stowell</i><br /><i>Dress: Lauren (that's me!)</i><br /><i>Shoes: <a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/edwardian-victorian-shoes-boots">"Tavistock" by American Duchess</a></i><br /><i>Hat: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/people/MsPurdy">MsPurdy on Etsy</a></i><br /><i>Necklace: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/people/linceys">Arthlin on Etsy</a></i><br /><i>Shot on Location on Victorian Square, Sparks, NV</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvVSJU3NWas4xY3G9Cba_SJ-Uo9wYDJSgBWzux0QuOFOLC4EN4KUMMSmWpojl680l_tDRBJjDiPKk8YNC_EzM34O0aK0XbWFXuNezfz4tTUS9VvslGob3nsOucTe_r16u0Br0JSS_us2Z/s1600/Tav-poster1.jpg" /></a></div><br />Now for some fresh-squeezed news: "Tavistock" is now available to Pre-Order in dyeable Ivory!  This is a <b>LIMITED</b> PRE-ORDER - I've already ordered these boots, they'll be here at the end of May, and the stock numbers are set, so if you want to get in on these, place your order now (you also get a nice discount for being so cool).  Last time, we ran out of black Tavistocks in many sizes before they even arrived! <a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/edwardian-victorian-shoes-boots/tavistock-victorian-button-boot-ivory">Click Here</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/edwardian-victorian-shoes-boots/tavistock-victorian-button-boot-ivory"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfmA3cFMFMcPMEZ2ZQ7wRLCv891nAtii66a-wU3d0IEPbM3hzC1J1S7N4ZpsMHjRj9O63A5F-CPstjOFsEKyOvmszw19jm40nJm29ClLOiedI-xmvadny39Gb3RGJA9OQkkC6RytYETmr/s1600/Tavi-white-poster.jpg" /></a></div><br />

Tavistock Button Boots Steampunk Photoshoot at the Sparks Museum

It's been *ages* since Chris, Angie, and I did this Victorian / Steampunk photo shoot for Tavistock , featuring the "Green Acres...

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1880s Green Acres Gown: Steampunkin' Photo Shoot Preview

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEv9UcW-btfHiLg7ETGoXBs-V1bdSGMTQ4PNCs4KqN4vSLYHjLABSxAuYzOZeq9HAezyJpvnYsR9TtzCBHbpSHfxnuj_YVDMJGutMDM1vb0wvHyuBRGnt96VqKNnbMViPufas-rhCrMb5/s1600/Angie+Green+Dress+%25282+of+3%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEv9UcW-btfHiLg7ETGoXBs-V1bdSGMTQ4PNCs4KqN4vSLYHjLABSxAuYzOZeq9HAezyJpvnYsR9TtzCBHbpSHfxnuj_YVDMJGutMDM1vb0wvHyuBRGnt96VqKNnbMViPufas-rhCrMb5/s1600/Angie+Green+Dress+%25282+of+3%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />Happy Easter!<br /><br />Yesterday was photo shoot day with one of my favorite girls, Angie, wearing one of my favorite gowns, the 1880s giant green bustle dress.  I can't wait to share the "official" photos with you, showcasing <a href="http://www.american-duchess.com/edwardian-victorian-shoes-boots/tavistock-victorian-button-boot">Tavistock Victorian Button Boots</a>, but for now, here are a couple behind-the-scenes preview shots:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QxEQ3PlMRLzpghVpZ1Mz_O3zGu-K4L_Uj4iVxHx1fI_RFtZUfcEhwCOdism3Gsphbbb7LLdX3iurlWzNXBOvuW2fOODQe5S-wKwDF6gS6zhcs-HwcWQ7FLFWQ43NXNxkaMK8lzo208xp/s1600/Angie+Green+Dress+(3+of+3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QxEQ3PlMRLzpghVpZ1Mz_O3zGu-K4L_Uj4iVxHx1fI_RFtZUfcEhwCOdism3Gsphbbb7LLdX3iurlWzNXBOvuW2fOODQe5S-wKwDF6gS6zhcs-HwcWQ7FLFWQ43NXNxkaMK8lzo208xp/s1600/Angie+Green+Dress+(3+of+3).jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />We shot at the Sparks Museum's antique train, on Victorian Square, here on our home turf.  We decided on a Steampunk styling, to go with all the nitty-gritty gears and goodness of the old locomotive.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjVGVT94YVmdfDjb-HUhavbYDtm_1mjpSd_qLt6v2y76IUbNz4P7iLchZMqXRc1jBC7c8AoTBoFnchK-GjLu9tGkQ3kNQU3SeFDrkoYxnU9BMrsUbHphkowJoXLGYkFSzifvLRI4PDcSx/s1600/Angie+Green+Dress+%25281+of+3%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjVGVT94YVmdfDjb-HUhavbYDtm_1mjpSd_qLt6v2y76IUbNz4P7iLchZMqXRc1jBC7c8AoTBoFnchK-GjLu9tGkQ3kNQU3SeFDrkoYxnU9BMrsUbHphkowJoXLGYkFSzifvLRI4PDcSx/s1600/Angie+Green+Dress+%25281+of+3%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />More to come, promise!

1880s Green Acres Gown: Steampunkin' Photo Shoot Preview

Happy Easter! Yesterday was photo shoot day with one of my favorite girls, Angie, wearing one of my favorite gowns, the 1880s giant green bu...

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V363: Semi-Finished Project: The "Green Acres" Bustle Gown

I've been a bad blogger, but only because I've been *really* busy trying to get the <a href="http://americanduchess.blogspot.com/search/label/1880%20Green%20Acres%20Gown">Green Acres gown</a> done for a local Victorian ball, this past Saturday.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygn9Tuuq-tfCj0K7PpR9MSAKEe5zFfC3lzuKuQOXWFmIs7xQQkvzGqxSmLOe2p9yBxaI31lt_yPVI6ia7mc-BzGmyBWWvIfqVVGvrorHHPc6uxJ-734XWrili_GMgv7VEk37Lvlq7_qlG/s1600/green+dress+vic+ball+feb13+(1+of+3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygn9Tuuq-tfCj0K7PpR9MSAKEe5zFfC3lzuKuQOXWFmIs7xQQkvzGqxSmLOe2p9yBxaI31lt_yPVI6ia7mc-BzGmyBWWvIfqVVGvrorHHPc6uxJ-734XWrili_GMgv7VEk37Lvlq7_qlG/s640/green+dress+vic+ball+feb13+(1+of+3).jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />I suppose this is "Completion Stage 1," because I have yet to make the apron for this gown, another large parcel of green silk to add even more ruffles, fluffles, and puffles to my buffle.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkxamoUdhQNhzHANs_h3mCl8Cnkuab8E_n0oqdhAp7joyfUNfDUU6kXrj12ILkjG7iDGCgoXp-dy5buaUz_eDQ6Kawxi-GReJ0pAuRboEUB1-9dTHuYVuofz-tXYQaijMi1cxJhr5V9Jt/s1600/green+dress+vic+ball+feb13+%25283+of+3%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkxamoUdhQNhzHANs_h3mCl8Cnkuab8E_n0oqdhAp7joyfUNfDUU6kXrj12ILkjG7iDGCgoXp-dy5buaUz_eDQ6Kawxi-GReJ0pAuRboEUB1-9dTHuYVuofz-tXYQaijMi1cxJhr5V9Jt/s640/green+dress+vic+ball+feb13+%25283+of+3%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />This was a godd shakedown/first-wear for the gown.  There were no major problems, nothing broke or busted, though a couple things had to be pinned.  I pulled the skirt up with a ribbon loop attached at the lower side-back, and that did pretty well for the Virginia Reel.<br /><br />I'm really happy with this gown.  It's the most complicated and heavy garment I've yet made, and I'm chuffed that it actually fits, yay!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghC3UqcSXsNd2tUEvE4fpwlNZx7QD_N2OBiRweWD3haoglPmC5AN-4Cw0LDr7HuisVFWceEMS8KEGYhM4nX4zRjKaXIul2DZMqtqI33ZO7Ra2BGfqy1lP9vOfEm_qFedpr_Vs8a4ennZZ/s1600/green+dress+vic+ball+feb13+%25282+of+3%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghC3UqcSXsNd2tUEvE4fpwlNZx7QD_N2OBiRweWD3haoglPmC5AN-4Cw0LDr7HuisVFWceEMS8KEGYhM4nX4zRjKaXIul2DZMqtqI33ZO7Ra2BGfqy1lP9vOfEm_qFedpr_Vs8a4ennZZ/s640/green+dress+vic+ball+feb13+%25282+of+3%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />

V363: Semi-Finished Project: The "Green Acres" Bustle Gown

I've been a bad blogger, but only because I've been *really* busy trying to get the Green Acres gown done for a local Victorian bal...

Read more »