Heather Lucille

I've Moved!

2011-09-07T10:11:00.000-05:00

I am in the process of moving to a new virtual home. Please find me at my new web address: 

www.heatheratkinson.com

Come on up and see my sometime! Thank you!

Postcrossing: US1273633

2011-08-29T16:56:00.000-05:00

My second postcrossing postcard - a self portrait as the Countess Dolingen of Gratz (an obscure vampire of gothic horror literature). I printed the photo then embellished it with rubber stamps in black and silver ink. The postcard is going to a self-described 12 year old "goth princess" in Florida.

8-27-11: OCCRG "Roll Out: Snapshots of GMDG Glitter Tattoos

2011-08-29T16:35:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you just have to get dirty and do an Olde English faux glitter tattoo of your Boo's initials on your chest. (I made this stencil custom.)

Tonya TKO loves a photo bomb! Esp when it involves shamrocks!

Wild Irish Rose's with ombre shamrock glitter tatts and custom TKO stencil in Olde English - with gold and copper glitter.

Our exclusive top hand model shows a peace sign design. Pure talent.

Trio of hotti-go-potties ready fo a fun girl's night out!

How badly do you want one of the glitter tatts?

You know he's a REAL man if he allows a pink and purple dolphn sparkle pretty on his neck!

He's HARD. (as in hardened thug - not the other kind...)

Don't be skeered! It doesn't hurt!

SMOOCHIE lips on cleavage!

Wild Irish Rose shamrockin' it out!

TKO - Technical Knock OUT!

My false eyelashes look good and work well as glue dryers. *PLINK! PLINK!*

Shading a unicorn plus stars fit for a Duke is no trouble for TKO, glitter master.

SJM and I!

Pretty ladies deserve pretty, sparkly glitter tattoos!

SHA-BAM!

That is one bad ass unicorn!

Pretty lady with her pretty Hawaiin rose tattoo.

Big D's sunch gets all tingly when he's around glitter.

"SJM" cleavage, y'all!

Knoxxxy Brown knows how ro rock out with her double seahorses out!

Postcrossing: US1255759

2011-08-26T11:15:00.000-05:00

My first contribution to the Postcrossing project! My goal is to do all handmade postcards - for this postcard I chopped up one of my Hortense and Millicent prints and re-ordered it randomly to make a photo collage. This postcard went to a young lady in Minsk, Belarus.

If you love snail mail and postcards you can sign up for postcrossing here:
https://www.postcrossing.com/

Colloquialisms: Nothing Remarkable - Liner Notes

2011-08-26T11:01:00.004-05:00

Support a talented muscician and purchase Joe McNertney's new CD "Nothing Remarkable". (I did the liner notes - shown above!)
Dowmload songs or purchase the CD here:
http://www.colloquialisms.net/

8-18-11: Self Portrait

2011-08-19T12:02:00.000-05:00

8-7-11: Print-O-Phile Heaven: Part 2

2011-08-17T20:24:00.000-05:00

8-14-11: First Time Printing!

2011-08-15T15:03:00.001-05:00

Archive: Catalyst Covers: 1997 - 1998

2011-08-12T09:10:00.000-05:00

8-7-11: Print-O-Phile Heaven

2011-08-09T11:08:00.004-05:00

8-1-2011 to 8-5-2011: Luddite Vacation with Ma and Pa

2011-07-31T13:37:00.000-05:00

I am off into the wilderness for the week on a lo-tech cabin based vacation (not so low tech as we will be without indoor plumbing or air conditioning!) with my mother and father. I am only taking my Holga 120N and a bunch of expired film. I can't wait to go grocery shopping at a Piggly Wiggly ("The Pig" as the locals call it)!

7-27-11: Heat Advisory Fashion

2011-07-30T10:55:00.000-05:00

Iron Curtain Fashion Redux: Part 1

2011-07-26T18:51:00.000-05:00

Moopers lent me the most amazing fashion book: OFF THE WALL, Fashion From East Germany 1964 to 1980. Fashion from behind the Iron Curtain? YES! We both fell in love with the design shown below on the left - the white text on a red tank top. To die!

I decided to recreate the design myself so we can make our own...

Step One: Pencil sketch on graph paper.

Step Two: Ink version onto copy paper.

Step 3: Fix mistakes and check line continuity for scanning.

To Be Continued...

7-24-11: No Fuss/No Muss Self Portrait

2011-07-25T14:51:00.001-05:00

7-25-11: EYEBALLS!

2011-07-25T14:45:00.000-05:00

7-15-11: Snapshots: Pony Beads 101 with Leslie Hall: Part 2

2011-07-24T12:38:00.001-05:00

7-15-11: Snapshots: Pony Beads 101 with Leslie Hall: Part 1

2011-07-19T13:53:00.000-05:00

ZIRIYA - A Social Fun Game of the Mind

2011-07-10T19:43:00.000-05:00

From the original instruction pamphlet:

"WHAT IS ZIRIYA?

ZIRIYA is a social fun game of the mind.

ZIRIYA is a silent computer-like MESSAGE BOARD with a MESSAGE POINTER. When the pointer glides around the Board, it points out TELEGRAM-LIKE MESSAGES CONSISTING OF ONE OR SEVERAL KEY-WRODS, LETTERS, NUMBERS AND SYMBOLS. Sometimes full sentences are obtained. The Players and Observers concentrating co-coperatively create a Mental Energy State called the HUMAN BATTERY CIRCUIT, through which ZIRIYA operates. Playing Ziriya refelcts your state of mind and often reveals your own wishful thinking."

My observations:

Ziriya loves yelling.
Ziriya is a verb and a noun.
Ziriya may be H.A.L. + SKYNET + WOPR combined. (If you, dear reader, get all of those references I, give you a mental energy salute!)
Ziriya uses our souls for energy.
Ziriya was most likely invented by H.P. Lovecraft
Ziriya is self aware.
Ziriya likes red pistachios.

7-4-11: America's Birthday Presents To Me

2011-07-06T09:36:00.000-05:00

One complete and one partial set of wooden type - best buy of the day @ $30 for a filthy old, moldy, musty shoe box full. I wasn't sure if there was a full set when I bought it, but I was elated to uncover this woody gem! This is the Holy Grail of finds! I am stoked to use these in my little tabletop press.

Art Nouveau gold locket with bat motif on front and tattered photo of young girl inside. BATS!!! I am sure there is a symbolic meaning in the bat image - most likely longevity or good luck as in Eastern culture (Art Nouveau artists borrowed liberally from Japanese artists). Look at the sweet, little bats with their wide crotches and stick legs - how could I resist?

Isn't it about time a had my own vintage rhinestone tiara? I admit that I tend to Queen around a little tidbit at times. This sweet, sweet baby shines like the night sky and may have caused a few cases of whiplash as I swanned around in it. Richard Burton's ghost came to me in a waking dream, called me "Liz" and served me an ice cold martini with three blue cheese stuffed olives.

Cut beads of turquoise on string for an as of yet undecided jewelry making project. Note: the vendor selling these had one of those terribly thick Southern accents that I absolutely cannot understand. He must have thought I was simple as I was using my digits sign language style to discern the price he quoted from his mush mouth. He MAY have been one of those swamp people you here tell about.

A little fourth of July shoegazing with a very special pedicure from Secret Nails (Shhhh!) - there are little hibiscus flowers on my big toes! I have developed a new love for nail art!

Portraits: Nikki Sixxxguns

2011-06-28T10:47:00.017-05:00

Behind the Scenes Sneak Peak:

Nikki insists on having a therapy beagle (beagle mutt in this case) on set for when he gets emotionally overwhelmed from posing and needs a cuddle break.

The Talent does not dress or adorn himself, all of this must be done be a handler (stylist). Here Tonya adds pink metallic sunnies to Nikki's face.

Glitter Mafia: Layne Rubber 55

2011-06-27T18:14:00.002-05:00

She's a ZEBRA and her word is LAW! Layne Rubber #55 (roller derby referee) in her decked out, totes customized outfit by Glitter Mafia. Layne added the cute zebra Chuck sneakers her very own self. Who knew zebras were so stylin'?

www.glittermafia.com

Glitter Mafia: Tristan "DD Bear"

2011-06-27T16:03:00.000-05:00

Photos from the Glitter Mafia product feature shoot with Tristan in her "DD Bear" customized softball team shirt. Note: the matching hot pink nails and cute as the dickens freckles!

www.glittermafia.com

IC Roaster Poster!

2011-06-23T08:11:00.000-05:00

Photo of Mr.Yale Cohn provided by yours truly! Should Yale, the host of the night, wear this look (dapper/casual/mobster) for the event? We say YES! The sunglasses, esp MAKE the look. Poster Layout & Design by Becky Nasadowski.

https://www.facebook.com/littlevillagemag

http://littlevillagemag.com/content/2011/06/03/roast-this-town-2-coming-in-july-2011/

6-19-11: Iowa City Pride Festival - Candid Snapshots

2011-06-20T11:37:00.000-05:00

Bees VS Bees

2011-06-13T11:10:00.001-05:00

Just for fun - a side-by-side of the different personalities of bees (and artists). Tonya TKO Kehoe and I are collaborating on a logo for Divine Harmony Honey. The client wanted "warm, kind, loving bees" not "evil bees", so I was called in as The Cute Closer. I happen to like the fangoria bees of Miss TKO, can't you almost feel the sting?!

My New Press "Chuck D" Arrives!

2011-06-06T23:33:00.000-05:00

6-6-11: A Drive Thru Rural Iowa (Deep River & Surrounding)

2011-06-06T23:20:00.000-05:00

The Making of a Bridal Fascinator: Final Fitting

2011-06-06T22:31:00.000-05:00

The beautiful, blushing bride Julia modeling the completed bridal fascinator in her wedding dress (a revamped vintage prom dress) on the day of our final "fitting". It was such an honor to make something unique and personalized for such a special event. Congratulations to the newlyweds!

GMDG Product Shoot: Part 3

2011-05-29T18:47:00.000-05:00

Glitter Mafia Derby Gear product photo shoot featuring local beauties with lots of sass! Check out the sparkle goodness here: http://glittermafia.com/

Brit-Brit

Heili

A Few Screws Lucy

And just for fun...

A Few Screws Lucy, Animal Mother, GLADi8her and left 4 Deadwards

Heili, Animal Mother, Left 4 Deadwards

Back Row: Heili, GLADi8her

Middle Row: Left 4 Deadwards, Tynamite

Front Row: Animal Mother, A Few Screws Lucy

Founder, owner and Don of the Glitter Mafia, Tonya TKO Kehoe just can't stay out of a photo!

http://glittermafia.com/

GMDG Product Shoot Featuring OCCRG: Part 2

2011-05-29T18:21:00.000-05:00

Glitter Mafia Derby Gear product photo shoot featuring beautiful models from the Old Capitol City Roller Girls! Check out the sparkle goodness here: http://glittermafia.com/

Tynamite #TNT3 (Coach)

Toxic Sugar #sw33t (Coach) and the Lil Sugars

http://www.oldcapitolcityrollergirls.com

http://www.glittermafia.com

GMDG Product Shoot Featuring OCCRG: Part 1

2011-05-29T17:53:00.001-05:00

Glitter Mafia Derby Gear product photo shoot featuring beautiful models from the Old Capitol City Roller Girls! Check out the sparkle goodness here: http://glittermafia.com/

Left 4 Deadwards #333

Animal Mother #501

GLADi8her #007

http://www.oldcapitolcityrollergirls.com

http://glittermafia.com/

GSpot Hair Design "Year of the Hair": Make-up Candids

2011-05-24T11:58:00.001-05:00

NOTE: These candid snapshots were taken on-the-fly by Tonya TKO Kehoe for House of Glitter with her iPhone at the G-Spot "Year of the Hair" benefit show. Tonya did all of the high fashion, editorial make-up shown here, she did make-up on twenty plus models over ten hours! Hair art and wigs by JoAnn Larpenter-Sinclair of G-Spot Hair Design. Tonya asked me to do some light touch-ups (color-correction, exposure, etc) - within the limits of a very small photo file to showcase her make-up - finished snapshots are below:

5-9-11: Polaroid 600: Expired Color Film

2011-05-23T18:27:00.000-05:00

An expired roll of Polaroid 600 film found in a crumbling cardboard box of "camera junk" at a flea market for $5. The pictures only develop partially and have a warm orange tint with some striping. I like the effect - for me it creates a mystery. What's happening that you can't see?

(I'm wearing the real human hair vintage wig I got at the same flea market for $10.)

Tickle My Keys : Sign for the Northside Public Piano

2011-05-23T16:57:00.000-05:00

The list of local Northside businesses that donated to the project is handwritten on vintage penmanship pratice paper, the paper frame layers are made from old manila folders and a sheet music booklet titled "Boogie Is My Beat". There are five layers of paper products (all upcycled) which make up the sign. The boogaloo hands and keyboard were from the cover page of the sheet music.

Illustrations from the sheet music booklet promoting more boys playing piano and less t.v.dinners. Right?

Here is the table of contents from the "Boogie Is My Beat" sheet music booklet I used - hopefully these boogie-woogie beats will infuse the Northside with some "Mutiny on the Boogie"!

The Making a Bridal Fascinator: Putting It Together

2011-05-17T18:23:00.001-05:00

Cleaning and repairing 1940's era floral corsage spray. The flowers and leaves shown here are colored nylon stretched over wire. The single cream chrysanthemum shown below is a beautiful antique white fabric.

Arranging and attaching the tea dyed feathers - individual and spray to the base I made from felt. I am using my hat maker's cloth mannequin head which items can be pinned to very easily.

Stiffening the felt base with Sobo craft glue, covering the wires in the feather spray with felt. The wire will allow for more control over how the spray lays, curvature and height.

Close-up of a tea dyed feather spray. I hand dyed the feathers last week and the turned out a lovely variegated cream color.

Trying on the partially completed fascinator to check how the feathers fall, how the flowers sit, etc. It will be attached to a ribbon covered headband when complete.

5-9-11: Self Portrait with Human Hair Wig

2011-05-09T18:13:00.000-05:00

5-5-11: DEVIL!

2011-05-06T09:02:00.000-05:00

The Photobooth app for the iPhone is redonkulously fun and addictive. Here I am wearing a vintage devil Halloween costume mask and hood. Yes it smelled as evil as it looks.

5-1-11: TKO in Custom Jean Jacket

2011-05-02T09:11:00.000-05:00

High fashion glamour photo shoot of Tonya "TKO" Kehoe in her own customized jean jacket. Poppa, don't preach!

Haircut and color by JoAnn at GSpot, hair feathers by Christy at FeathersLuxe, make up and jacket Tonya Kehoe! (Jean jacket from Artifacts - originally debuted at the Lexicon Collective "Beyond the Hemline" fashion show.)

Get your own customized gear by Tonya of Glitter Mafia Derby Gear:

https://www.facebook.com/GlitterMafiaDerby

Get feathered by Christy of FeatherLuxe:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/FeatherLuxe-Iowa-City/202457706438379

Make an appt with JoAnn atGSpot:

https://www.facebook.com/gspot.hairdesign

Shop at Artifacts:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Artifacts/135981890505

5-1-11: Lucky

2011-05-02T08:39:00.000-05:00

Meet Lucky - she is a widdle, tiny baby sweetheart 3 month old teacup Yorkie. Violets look huge next to her! She is wearing a pink bow! If you are not squealing right now your very soul is a hard, cracked rotten bit of tar.

The Making of a Bridal Fascinator: Rough Draft

2011-04-30T17:41:00.000-05:00

I have the honor of making a bride's fascinator from scratch. Here is our rough draft (it doesn't look like much now - think of it as a rough sketch) on my millinery head - the colors will be different - I won't give anything away but you can watch my progress as I create this topper! Next step - building the base and dying the feathers!

4-30-11: Custom Headbands for Aurelia

2011-04-30T17:32:00.000-05:00

Aurelia is four years old and she is a little style maven! She is cute as a bug's ear and loves my bird headbands - which is quite an honor! Sadly, I was not able to find her a cardinal(the bird, not the senior ecclesiastical official or dinosaur topper... yet. With the help of her mother, she chose these birds to adorn her precious widdle head!

4-24-11: Yale Cohn - Portrait Series

2011-04-26T22:08:00.002-05:00

Custom track jacket by Tonya TKO Kehoe for Glitter Mafia Derby Gear. Modeled by local celebrity talk show host Yale Cohn of "Talking With... Yale Cohn".

https://www.facebook.com/GlitterMafiaDerby

https://www.facebook.com/talkingwith

www.talkingwithyale.com

4-15-11: Chapeau Show

2011-04-15T17:34:00.009-05:00

SX-70 Photos Misc

2011-04-14T08:56:00.000-05:00

The Ghost of Jennie Wade

2011-04-14T08:29:00.001-05:00

Though there were 51,112 soldiers killed and wounded in the battle of Gettysburg, July 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 1863, ironically only one other then military personnel met death. An attractive young lady by the name of Mary Virginia Wade. The nickname of "JENNIE" was acquired through an error in recording her death, and strangely enough, has stuck ever since. Even the monument erected in her memory is engraved "Jennie" wade! Thus she is nationally known!!!

One of five children of James Wade, a tailor by trade, "Jennie" was born May 21, 1843. Through her father and necessity, she became very artful in sewing. Too, it is recorded, she was good looking, hard working and a credit to American womanhood, in maintaining a neat, clean, well managed home. She assumed many of her mother's responsibilities. Thus was she occupied at the outbreak of the great battle.

Just a few days prior to the battle, Jennie's sister gave birth to a son. Her mother had gone to her sister's home, in the southern part of the town, and was there at the outbreak of the battle. When the noise of the battle began to the north of town, and the commotion and loud concussions suggested unsafety, the householders either sought shelter in cellars or left for points south of town. Hence, Jennie hastily picked up her younger brother and dashed for the shelter of her sister's home. (Incidentally, that home stands today, and is historically known as "THE JENNIE WADE MUSEUM"). There Jennie began performing the household chore of answering the door knocks; which usually were soldiers requesting food, or water. Pail after pail of water she carried from the well, for the soldiers. That evening, the battle-lines shifted to the South. Instead of being a house of refuge, it was a house between the lines of battle. Soldiers fell around the house and in the yard. At the risk of her own life, Jennie went out to give water to the wounded and aid to the dying. This continued for two days and nights. On the morning of the 3rd of July, a soldier knocked on the door begging for some food. Jennie said they had none left, but if he would come back a little later she'd have some biscuits baked. The delighted soldier promised to return.

It was customary for Jennie to read several passages from the Bible every morning before breakfast. After a meager breakfast she began to ready the biscuit sponge. At 8 o'clock she asked her mother to fix the fire as she proceeded to make the biscuits promised to the soldier and had just started to knead the dough when a sharpshooter's bullet accidentally struck through the north door - continuing through an inner door - hitting Jennie in the back and through the heart. She fell dead without a sound.

In her pocket was found a picture of her fiancée, who was wounded about the same time, in the battle of Carter's Woods, Virginia. Her mother tenderly wrapped her body - hands still covered with biscuit dough - in a quilt, all to be later placed just that way in a coffin and buried in her sister's back yard without benefit of embalming, prayers or music. Here the body remained till after the war. Later it was removed to a grave in the Evergreen Cemetery, over which stands a monument in her memory. Today, near the grave of Jennie Wade lies the body of her fiancée, Johnston Skelly, who died just eight days after her death, unaware that the war which was to bring about his death had already brought death to his intended bride.

-Literature accompanying the "JENNIE" WADE DOLL, N.L. Redding Co.

Gettysburg, PA 1959

George's Letters: 2-25-1943

2011-04-05T16:05:00.000-05:00

Dear George,

   Since there is a lull in our work right now and the Navy Insp. doesn't need his pen, I'll try and get a few lines written to you.
   How have you been? Fine, I hope! Me, well, since I got over my spell of the flu, I have been rather tired but feel real good. The nurse told me that I had "(illegible word)-Malaria fever". That is, I eat well, sleep well, but I'm too darned lazy to work. Ha! Ha! Now you know what is wrong with you! No kidding, I honestly believe I'm getting spring fever. We have had a lot of nice sunshiny days with mud and everything else mixed in with it and most of the ice and snow is gone, but the ice on the river hasn't started to go out yet or even to break up.
   Well, I'm back again. I had to get up and go talk to one of the guards. He sure is cute. Red-headed, freckles and brown eyes. About 6 ft tall and not over 21 if he is even that old. Now don't get any ideas! Jim Barnett by name. Do you know him?
   Gee, this place sure is a mess. They are moving the whole plant around and maybe by next X-mas they will be all settled. Our department will either be moved out the back door or up in the front offices. Ha! Ha! They even have to rewire the joint from one end to the other. Now they are building some more bullpens for some of the big bosses. Well, I've got to go upstairs and wash my hands for lunch, then come down and buy my lunch before the crowd gets there.
   Well, lunch is over and I'm back again. Everything is quiet out here right now. We still haven't any work to do.
   Darlene and I went up to hear Ray Pearls last night and boy was he ever good. He sounded just like Guy Lombardo. His music was very smooth, even their arrangement of "Woodchopper's Ball". There was really a very good crowd up there and even some extra men. I didn't think there was that many men left in town or even the state of Iowa but I guess there is.
   This big city of ours was invaded by 400 army air corps cadets last Tuesday afternoon so now maybe we will have somebody to dance with on Saturday and Sunday nights. Of course, that is as far as it goes with me because I don't give two hoots about having any of them on my trail all the time, and besides they are nothing but a bunch of young kids.
   Mom is on her sixth week in the hospital. She should be home sometime next week if nothing happens.
   I got me a beautiful tan and brown slack suit the other night and do I ever like it. It is real cute. I'm going to have seven or eight more made just like it only different colors to wear to work. I just had a whole mess of clothes cleaned so I guess I'll wear slacks for awhile. Then too they are so much more comfortable than dresses or skirts of any sort and really look a lot nicer on girls. I'm going to wear them all the time this summer. They are as cheap as dresses so why not. I'm going to make me another suit for Easter. It is just as cheap to make it as it is to buy it so why not. Boy, will I be dressed up. Ha! Ha! I'll have to have my pictures taken in all my new clothes so you can see what I look like. Ha! Ha! You wouldn't even know me, as if you want to?!
   Gee, I wish you could be home with me for a little while anyway. No kidding, George, there are times when I get so blue and brokenhearted I could just kill myself; but then I suppose I shouldn't get that way, but I can't help it any. Every thing has happened in such a hurry and has come all at once, that I don't even know where I'm at or where I stand. Gee whiz, I shouldn't write things like that should I? I'm just plain crazy, I guess! I've got to end this and only pray for the day when you get to come home for a few minutes as least.

Good-bye for now,
Lots of Love,
Ethella

P.S. Write honey when you can. I'll understand if it is a long time between letters.

Love and Kisses,
Ethella

4-5-11: Hunny Bunny Takes a Break

2011-04-05T09:10:00.000-05:00

Les Dames du Burlesque: Salon: Individuals Part 1

2011-04-04T16:38:00.001-05:00

Location: The Wherehouse; Iowa City, IA

Theme: Glam Rock Salon

Project: 2012 Les Dames calendar

Inspirations: "Amadeus", Marie Antoinette, David Bowie, Jem and The Holograms, lace, neon, ennui

Fine Art Photographer: Heather Atkinson

High Fashion Make-up: Tonya Kehoe for House of Glitter

Showpiece Hair: Sorayah Hamilton and Spencer Lundquist

Set Stylist/Girl Friday: Margaret Roberts

Set Props/Costumes: Artifacts/Model's Own

Models: Les Dames du Burlesque d'Iowa City (in order: Tough Kookie, Jenna Tonic, Sugar Tits, Sugah Pie, Bonita Applebum, Bunny Von Black)

Les Dames du Burlesque: 1970's Sexy Babies: Group Shots

2011-03-31T20:36:00.001-05:00

Les Dames du Burlesque: 1970's Sexy Babies: Tough Kookie

2011-03-30T08:19:00.000-05:00

Les Dames du Burlesque: 1970's Sexy Babies: Bunny Von Black

2011-03-29T11:41:00.000-05:00

George's Letters: 2-10-1943

2011-03-29T11:22:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, Eve.

Dear George,

   Hello Sweetheart! How are you? Fine, I hope. Me, well, not so good. I nearly passed out at work twice today. Boy, did I feel rotten. I feel a quite a bit better tonite though, thank goodness.
   My mom isn't home from the hospital yet.

Thursday
   Well, I started this before I went to bed last nite and I'm at now so I'll try & get it finished. I'm eating lunch at work right now so I'll write between bites.
   As I told you Mom isn't home from the hospital yet and from what the doctor says she probably won't be home for another three weeks. Gene and Donnie are both home sick in bed with "cat fever". You have probably heard of it. It is a form of the flu. Me, I feel better today, thanks. I'm not all out of it yet though.
   Say, you know what, I received the sweetest valentine from the sweetest fellow named Geo. E. Bargheart! No kidding, darling, that was the sweetest thing I have ever received, but tell me, since when have they started having card shops aboard ships?
   I haven't as yet received my teeth but then I suppose it will be Summer before I do. I can't have any impressions taken yet though because I have some (illegible word) that are coming out of my gums so I have to wait some more. Such a time. I don't see why they don't just take me out and shoot me. I'd be a lot better off and so would everybody else.
  Say, little one, pardon me for asking but did you have a brother named Clarence that was in the Navy? Just curiosity. Thanks.
   Well, this is Friday nite and so help me I'm going to finish this letter.
   I had to work until 9 last nite at the plant and didn't get home until 9:40; so when I did get home I went straight to bed. Now this evening, I've washed dished and cleaned out the icebox and sprinkled clothes and have some soaking that have to be washed and as soon as I finish this I'm going to iron. Oh, yes, I have a hem to put in my suit skirt that I got back from the cleaners today. It is now 8:30 and I'm listening to the president. Oh, I forgot, I have to wash and fix my hair yet too. I'm beginning to look like a rag picker's daughter. Ha! Ha!
   Gee, darling, I don't know what else to tell you. There isn't any news here only that my family have all improved a great deal, aren't out of bed, yet, though. It snowed this morning, now every thing is slick and clean.
   Gee, whiz, sweetheart I've got to sign off for now and have a swell valentine day. Remember you are still my valentine and I mean it too.

Lots of Love
Ethella

Les Dames du Burlesque: 1970's Sexy Babies: Jenna Tonic

2011-03-28T10:01:00.000-05:00

George's Letters: 2-3-1943

2011-03-28T09:50:00.000-05:00

Feb 3, 1943
10:00 P.M.

Darling George,

   Well, now that I have the scrubbing done, and the house cleaned up, and the clothes sprinkled, and a story in a magazine finished, and two candy bars ate, and the supper dishes all done and put away, I guess I can take time out to answer your last letter. Oh yes, I forgot, I had to put the two small boys to bed and answer the telephone a dozen times and burn the waste paper. Gee, whiz, I'm not at all busy, or am I? No wonder I haven't written to you.
   I believe I wrote and told you that they took Mom to the hospital and operated on her. Well, she is coming along fine and will be home in about a week if nothing further occurs.
   Believe it or not, I'm the boss now, and what I say goes, by golly. I get up about 5:30 or 6:30 in the morning and get myself all ready to get to work and breakfast for five of us and dad off to work and the two small boys started on the process of getting their small chores done and ready to leave for school by 8:30. Then I work all day from 8:00 til 4:30, then I get home about 5:00 and help dad get supper, then I have to do all the work there is to do when you try to keep house and work all at the same time. I get up and do the washing and clean house real good on Sunday.
   However, I don't mind doing it as long as I know that my mom is going to come home all well.
   Well, it was 10:15 P.M. when I went to bed, so here I am again. This is Sunday, Feb.7 afternoon about 6:10 and before I get started to clean up to go to a show with my girlfriend. I have accomplished a lot today. I've washed, done all the ironing, cleaned house, washed and fixed my hair and got three meals. So you see I go at an awful high rate of speed. There isn't any news outside of the fact that they have rationed shoes here in the states. We are having Spring thaws right now. My mom is much better but don't know when she will be home. I've got to sign off now & get over to the hospital to see her. Good - by for now, my darling. With all my love to the sweetest guy.

Ethella

Les Dames du Burlesque: 1970's Sexy Babies: Sugar Tits

2011-03-27T09:55:00.000-05:00

Les Dames du Burlesque: 1970's Sexy Babies: Bonita Applebum

2011-03-26T18:33:00.001-05:00

Leading up to our BIG Les Dames calendar reveal on March 31st, I will be posting images from my photo sessions with the gorgeous Les Dames du Burlesque de Iowa City.

3-25-11: SP (New Wig)

2011-03-26T15:08:00.003-05:00

3-9-11: Test Shots with Nelle

2011-03-10T07:55:00.000-06:00

Test shots for the Les Dames 1970's themed playground photo shoot at Happy Hollow Park. Model: Nelle Dunlap

George's Letters: 1-21-1943

2011-03-06T21:11:00.001-06:00

Geo. E. Barghart, S 1/C U.S.N.R.
U.S.S. Token
c/o Postmaster
New York, New York

Jan. 21, 1943

My darling George,
   Well, sweet, I don't feel very well, but I don't suppose I should complain. I went up to the dentist after work tonite and had the last six teeth pulled. One wisdom tooth and the five lower front ones. I only yelled and bawled but no kiddin' darling, that really hurt. My jaws still hurt and now I'm absolutely toothless. Really, darling, when you come home you won't even know me. I'll be all fixed up and just like new. I probably won't even look like myself. Gee, darling, I'll send you a picture of my new teeth! Ha! Ha!
   They took my mother to the hospital this evening about 6:15 to be operated on tomorrow morning at 10:00 A.M. They are going to operate on her for another gallstone that they didn't know was there until the other operation that she had for the same thing was all healed up. Any how, she is going to come out all right.
   I'm on days this month so now I get quite a bit done in the evening, but now I'll have to work harder than ever, but I guess
I can stand a little of it providing my mother gets well. (I don't even get to go anywhere but who cares I don't)
   Gee, honey, the company is having their midwinter party Saturday nite at the (illegible word), and I don't know yet whether or not I'll go. I sure would like too! I certainly wish you were here to go with me. Gee, would we have fun, but darling, I'll just pray that this is all over very soon and that you will be home very soon and then maybe, as you said once before, I can persuaded to be a bad girl. But I don't know. It all depends on how I feel then but I certainly know I won't feel any different then than I do now. Say, darling, my face hurts like mad and my eyes hurt and I'm just about asleep. Besides, I don't know any more news only the fact that I still love you and certainly wish you were here instead of there and that I'll be waiting and writing until you are.
   I've got to go now and hope to hear from you soon. Lots of Good Luck on your adventures, darling.

With all my love to my darling sweetheart, George Sailor , first class.

Ethella

It was only 22 degrees before the other morning when I went to work and it stayed that way for a couple of days. It is warmer now though.

P.S. I love you, darling

HISTORICAL NOTES:
The U.S.S. Token was commissioned on Dec 31, 1942 (placed into active service) and moved from Alabama to New York. The address change above is where George's letters are addressed until otherwise noted.

Sketchbook: Ideas for Les Dames du Burlesque// de Iowa City Photo Shoot

2011-03-06T17:38:00.000-06:00

A sneak peak into my sketchbook ideas for the Les Dames du Burlesque de Iowa City photo shoot! We have three looks planned: 1970's Asphalt Jungle Playground Sexy Babies, Rock Me Amadeus Mozart/Bowie Sexy Salon, WWII War Bride at the Train Depot.

The talented team:
Dawn Frary of Dewey Street Photo Company - Photographer
Tonya Kehoe of Glitter Mafia - Styling, Make-up
Sorayah Hamilton - Hair
Spencer Lundquist - Hair, Pocket Gay
Me - Photographer (tentative: playground, schedules and weather permitting), Styling, Make-up

George's Letters: 1-4-1943

2011-03-06T16:29:00.000-06:00

Jan 4, 1943

Darling George! Happy New Year!
   Well, it seems to me as though I owe you a letter. But you should know by this time just about how hard it is for me to get one written. I'm in a defense plant as you know all ready, Collins Radio Company to be exact. All we've done out here all evening is sit and talk and write letters. Boy, have we been busy! It is just one hour until we can all go home and get to bed. Oh, happy day! I'm in the shipping dept. and for some unknown reason we haven't had a thing to do tonight. I'm on the shift from 5 till one in the morning. It is swell to work those hours as we can keep our minds off those things that would generally bother us if we were home all evening. It keeps me from getting lonesome for you. Of course, I am any how, but I suppose I will just have to wait until this is all over before I can call you my own, then I suppose I'll have to fight a war all by myself to keep you all my own. I'll be so darned glad when I can kiss you again and be in your arms that I will probably faint or pass out on you when I am.
   I haven't been doing any thing of interest lately only working and sleeping. I don't get home from work until 1:30 A.M. and by the time I read the paper and get to bed it is two o'clock and then I go right to sleep and sleep through until any time between 9 and 12 noon. Then I'm up all afternoon and have to get all of my work done between the time I get up and three o'clock, so you see I really don't have very many spare minutes. I'm off from 1 A.M. Saturday till five o'clock Sunday afternoon and the only thing I accomplished this weekend was getting my washing and sewing done.
   Well, I'm home now and it is 1:40 A.M. and before I go to bed I am going to finish this letter so that it will get mailed tomorrow. At the same time I'm finishing up the bottom layer of a box of cherrie chocolates. Boy, are they good! Sure wish you were here to help me eat them.

   I spent a very dull and boring New Year's Eve, but I couldn't help it any. All of the kids that I ever went with are gone or else had dates so I went up to danceland as I usually do by myself and met a whole gang of girls and a bunch of kids from Collins. I just about bawled when midnight got here and there was nobody kissing me. Honestly sweetheart you will never know how I felt. To tell you the truth, I just don't care to go any where any more at all because I don't have any fun. I know I shouldn't talk or feel that way but it is the truth. I suppose you had a very wonderful evening. What did you do? Write and tell me about it. It is snowing and blizzarding and has been all day yesterday and is right now. Dad tried to teach mother to ice skate on the river the other day, but for some unknown reason she couldn't stand up. Boy, did I laugh at them. Dad got released from the doctor Saturday afternoon so tomorrow he goes to work all day, and the kids go back to school so I'll get to sleep without so many interruptions. (All I have to do now is hit Grandma in the head & keep her & the radio quiet and the neighbors out and the telephone from ringing then I can sleep in peace!) Ha! Ha!
   I went up and had my eyes tested and Dr.Stansbury told me I was missing out on half of my life so he sent me & a prescription over to Pigg's (could be Rigg's?) Optical Company and now I wear glasses all the time. They have pinkish colored rims and are tinted and non-breakable. They are very nice, only for the fact that they get awfully dirty.
   Well, my sweet little darling, I'm awfully tired and my hand aches and Mom just hollered at me to come to bed, so I guess I had better tell you how much I do miss you and how much I do love you and finish this for tonite. I miss you so much that I could just bawl at times because you aren't here. And you will never know how much I do love you until you get back here. I'll even be "persuaded", as you put it, to be a bad girl then, but not until then.
   Well, sweetheart, good-night for now, and good-luck to you on your journey and don't give up the ship, remember, I'll always be here waiting for you.

With all my love to the swellest guy on earth.
Lots of Love and Kisses,
Ethella

Excuse the pencil, my pen is out of ink and the factory doesn't have any.

P.S. When is your birthday and how old will you be? Don't forget to answer this as I want to know & it is very important that I find out!
E.M.

HISTORICAL NOTE: The reference to George's "journey" refers to the ship he was stationed on , the U.S.S. Token, being commissioned on Dec 31, 1942. From the Wikipedia page:

"USS Token (AM-126) was an Auk-class minesweeper acquired by the United States Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.

Token was laid down on 21 July 1941 at Chickasaw, Alabama, by the Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation; launched on 28 March 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Charles Hunt Ross; and commissioned on 31 December 1942, with Lt. Comdr. William H. Harrison, USNR, in command."

Here is a link to the full Wiki page for the U.S.S. Token:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Token_(AM-126)

3-4-11: Etsy Listing: Hortense & Millicent - Meet the Spider

2011-03-04T17:01:00.000-06:00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69354542/hortense-and-millicent-unframed-photo

George's Letters: 12-24,25-1942

2011-03-04T10:26:00.000-06:00

December 24, 1942

Dear George!

Merry Xmas! Sweetheart! This may be the day before Xmas but by the time you get it, it will probably be New Year's day.

For heaven's sake, why haven't you written to me. I've just about went "Frantic"!!! waiting for a letter from you. Everyday when the mail man comes around I'm right there to see if I got a letter from you. Did you get the package I sent to you? If so, how did you like them and were they in good condition? I certainly hope so.

I have some very good news for you. I started to work last Monday night at Collins Radio Company. I work from 5 til one o'clock in the morning. I'm in the shipping dept. and we aren't very busy right now. We just finished an order for spare parts for radios for the navy. These things go all the way to Africa. Any how, the five girls in that dept. work so fast that they can't keep up with us. Well, so much for that! Now, you know what I do all evening. I don't have to work Xmas nite so I guess I'll go to danceland for a change. I don't have to work New Year's eve, either.I don't know what I'll do then. Any how that is too far ahead for me to say just what I'm going to do just yet.

Well, I'm going to have to finish this later, as this little war worker has to get ready to go to work. See you later!

Behave yourself at that U.S.O. dance tonite, and leave those southern babes alone? Do you hear?!

December 25th, 1942 3:00pm

Merry X-mas! For sure this time my dear sweetheart! I got the most wonderful Xmas present of all by getting your letter when I got home this morning. After I read it I went to be and bawled myself to sleep because I wanted to be near you so badly during the holidays. I couldn't hardly stand it while the girls on the assembly line were singing carols last nite. You will never know just how much I do miss you and I do love you until we get to see each other again. I'm glad that the package arrived o.k. and that you liked them. I don't know that it is just a good thing that you are not here. Boy, if you were here would I be the happiest girl on earth. No kiddin' either! Yes, darling, I hadn't had a letter from you for two weeks until this one I got last nite. I was afraid that you had all ready been shipped out and I was just petrified every time I thought of it. Boy, you sure have it easy, sitting around in the lounge like that are you (illegible word). How was your Xmas dinner? Fine I hope. Have you still got your negro to guard.

Yes, my darling I knew what you meant by being persuaded but I was just curios as to know what you would say about it. Maybe I wouldn't be bad or at least not mind ii (being bad) if you were here to receive me for being bad. (How about it kid?) No, I don't imagine I look any different than most women when they haven't any clothes on. Maybe you do know and just are bashful and won't say anything about it. Oh ya! If I had you here, I sure would paddle you for opening that box. Ha! Ha! Darling, I enjoy your not getting me any thing for Xmas, because what you did do with your money was a lot more sense! I was more thrilled to think that you bought those two $100 war bonds. Darling, I'd have been very disappointed if I had received any thing from you then found out later that you were going to spend the money for war bonds, besides, they'll do both of us a lot more good.

Well, now for what the old (illegible word) got me. I got two prs of the most beautiful pink silk pajamas and I proceeded to put one on and I'm going to save the other pair, to wear when I get to go on my trip. In case you are still in the U.S. or even home, I'll wear them when I come to see you! Oh joy! I can hardly wait to wear them. I got a lovely yellow moonstone ring from the lady I used to work for. A small wooden pin, a wooden bracelet, a bottle of "Tweed" perfume. Boy, does it smell. I put some on this letter so you can smell it. (arrow) The perfume is here. Have a whiff so you will know what I smell like. A gold soft chain necklace, a teddy bear pin, and a corsage of red white & blue flowers, nail polish and polish remover, and a real fancy sachet for my closet. Any how I didn't get the compact or the bracelet, so I guess I'll just have to buy them myself.

Well, darling, I'm very much relieved that I heard from you, but I do wish that you were here with me. My sweet. I've got to end this now and go up stairs and get dressed, it is now 4:30 and I should be asleep. Any how, my smallest brother got an airplane that runs in water so me & the two boys are going up and play in the bath tub in the water with the airplane. Got to go now and please don't wait so long the next time to write.

Good-bye for now, my dear darling, and I really mean it too. With all the love that any girl could possibly give to the fellow she loves. See you later. Sweetheart!

All my love from the bottom of my heart. If I had you here I would kiss you and love you to pieces. Lots of love,

Ethella

(written in margin at bottom of page)

The Xmas card was very cute and the picture was very good & sweet too.

3-2-11: Cabaret Maus

2011-03-02T21:37:00.000-06:00