Black Lace and Red Satin Ballgown with Gold Bats, Plus An Announcement!

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A dramatic ballgown with a fitted bodice and overskirt made of rose-patterned black lace over white fabric. It has one shoulder strap decorated with a gold bat with red eyes, and there's four more bats evenly spaced around the scalloped edge of the overskirt. The underskirt is shiny red satin and flares out from underneath the underskirt. The skirt is bell-shaped and reaches the floor.Click for larger version (PNG); click for PDF version. Click here for the list of dolls.

How sad, it is almost the end of October and I have hardly thought about Halloween costumes… To tell you the truth, I’ve had quite a lot to think about, recently, because I’m pregnant! I’m in the second trimester, and if all goes well the baby will be arriving late April. Things are going well, I’m healthy and doing much better than I was in the first trimester, when I was exhausted and had pretty crazy morning sickness — all within the range of normal, but crazy nonetheless. (If you’re interested, I wrote about it for a new baby-centric tumblelog Brian set up: First Trimester Recap: “Hm, what does this button do?” But it is mostly a bunch of complaining about eating nothing but cereal bars and saltines, plus one of the ultrasound pictures.)

Baby news aside, it is almost Halloween, and that’s important around here, no matter how pregnant I am. It’s always the best time for paperdolling, and as it so happens I feel energetic enough that this October may not be a total waste… So check back again before the 31st!

I guess the only thing Halloween-ish about this ballgown is the “bat bling,” as Brian termed it. (They started life as albino bats, but there was too little contrast, so now they’re gold.) I don’t really know where the roses came from. But no matter, it is dramatic enough that one could acquit oneself honorably at a vampires’ ball.

43 thoughts on “Black Lace and Red Satin Ballgown with Gold Bats, Plus An Announcement!”

  4. I love the red skirt-The bats would work better for me if they were alive…
    Hey-can’t forget to thank you for the dress. I know you are feeling better when the dresses start to appear.
    Oh baby!

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  7. Congratulations!! That is wonderful news!!! I think it’s going around; I read a lot of blogs and it seems like everyone is pregnant (including me). Morning sickness is definitely the pits, so I’m glad yours has subsided enough for you to start feeling better now. Enjoy your 2nd trimester–really. This is my second baby and it’s definitely a different pregnancy. I fondly recall my first pregnancy. It was like magic, really. I am so happy for you. The dress is very Halloweeny, even with the roses. Roses can be creepy in the right context!

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  8. Congradulations!! Do you know if it’s a boy or girl?? You must be so happy!!! By the way, I love the dress, I am going to print it as soon as the snowstorm here in the northeast is over… I can’t believe we have a foot of snow in october!

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  10. OMG! Congratulations! That is wonderful, you and Brian must be so excited. The gown is beautiful, and best of luck in the future :)

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  13. Thanks everyone! I don’t know if it’s a girl or boy yet.

    Dani, you’re right — its just an up-close-and-personal look at my lace drawing technique, huh? I don’t know why, I’ll try to fix it.

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  14. AAAHHHHHHH!!! Congratulations Liana! That is so happy =) Makes sense that you were gone so long, I know I don’t feel like drawing when I feel crappy. I con only imagine how morning-sick crappy feels.

    And ya, same problem with PDF as Dani. It’s a very nice (pixelated) detail, but not what I was hoping for nontheless.

    Congratulations again! =D

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  16. Congratulations!!!!! I’m so happy for you!!! You must be so excited!!!!
    And when I first saw the dress, I thought it was kind of masquerade-y, so that fits in with Halloween just fine to me. :)

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  18. katerina said “can you give us an update on what this blog will hold in the future?” for those of you that dont speak czech :) love the dress

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  21. Oh my word that’s awesome, Liana! Love the dress and a nice long update :D Congrats on the baby! I’m sure you’re so excited! :)

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  26. Yup, that’s the one. It was my little 6 year old cousin who won that contest and she has been looking for it ever since.

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  30. Awesome! One of your best dresses in my opinion, love it so fantastic, the roses make it, if anything, more dramatic!

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  31. Awesome! Love it so fantastic, the roses make it, if anything, more dramatic! sucks about the morning sickness, but congratulations, so glad I finally was able to check the site, glad you’re back and so happy for the Halloween designs!

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  33. You’re Back!!!!!!!!! and Congratulations!!!!!! so glad i checked in today, its cold and dreary outside and your new paper dolls have cheered me up. Excellent!

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  35. Dear Liana,

    I love your blog. I am a tween with an autoimmune condition. I had to have an infusion treatment for two days and I printed your paper dolls and dresses to keep myself occupied and happy. Your blog has inspired me to start making my own paper dolls and I’ve ask for a blog for my birthday. I just wanted to thank you.

    Congratulations on your pregnancy!

    -Brynne

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  36. aw congratulations! children are so wonderful ^_^ im working on my 3rd right now haha! love your dresses- your so creative!

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  37. oh i forgot to say im also due in april! april 14. my bday is the 27th of april so maybe he/she will share my bday!

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  40. Congratulations! My, how your life is going to change! That’s very exciting! I hope all goes well in the next months.

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  42. I was just googling red ball-gowns and THIS came up. Its beauuuuutiful :’)The roses are so detailed and the colour on the skirt litteraly came to life! The bats were gleaming and added a lovely contrast to the black/ white/ red. For some reason, I keep thinking of the Hunger Games and how this would be the PERFECT thing for Katniss to don.

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  43. I feel awful stumbling onto your sight, in a good way :)
    I design gowns and hope to have a dress shop some day, and some of my design are so similar to yours – just not drawn so well (I use pencil as my only color except for footnotes about color, fabric, and textures) I hope you don’t mind it (had the drawings done several months before seeing your wonderful work. I read your copyright and reuse policy and just not sure what to do now. Any suggestions?
    I absolutely love your drawings and vibrant use of color! Some of the detail I have never even imagined! Thanks so much for contributing to the world of art and appreciation :D

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