12/28/2025

A Year in Her Life

 

Hello to everyone who has read this blog over time.  The last three years have been challenging with health and Hurricane Helene.  But this year I tried to do something I loved while working on those things that were trying every ounce of me.  And here we are all happy and accomplished. 

 

Today I am discussing my little fave of A Cathy Hansen Bru.  She is discussed more fully here:  Time for a Project

Her undergarments here: A Show and Tell Today

I had a head start in getting her dressed.  The riding habit by the late Susan Sirkis is where I began.  She was a wonderful pattern maker and doll costumer.  I have never gone wrong with her work.  I was confused about the construction of the jacket for this and thus have three of them.  One was a test for the fabric and lining, one second idea for the lining and a third with yet another way to line the tails.  I felt challenged by them, but like all three jackets.  I did the skirt but due to the weight of my fabric, (a fine wool crepe), that I made a hem facing of a lighter fabric. Also, the lining fabric was used on one set of tails for the jacket.  The garment fit so very well.  I made a riding hat for her and another fancy hat of the same fabric.

 

Riding Habit and Extra Hat

I wanted to make her an 1860s style dress, and was really inspired by a gown found on Pinterest.  I had a pretty miniature Royal Stewart plaid in navy and thought it would be great to use.  I only had 1/4 yard and had to think through the project.

And her beginnings of her costume and sewing here: Sewing for Marie Louise

 The more I worked the more I wanted.  I made her a jacket and a Spanish jacket of red with black beading. I leaned some new things and wish I had known before starting but am pleased with her all the same.  I was inspired by a French Fashion that had a wardrobe of blouses, and since I was in the using up scraps mode, created three white blouses and a blue checked blouse for her.  

 

Skirt and Extras

 Not to be outdone, she needed a bodice for a ball.  Ladies of the era often had a walking costume that had a matching jacket and a ball bodice made as well giving more usefulness of the skirts.  I did this and made some dancing slippers and a pretty floral headdress to go with it.  She has fans as well but I haven’t made one of enamel yet.  That will be a lovely project when I get to it. 

Today I am ending with a complete picture of her wardrobe and belongings that has taken me this full year to work, make and enjoy!  I do hope you have enjoyed seeing her and have plans to create more your doll, too!

In the meantime,

Have Fun, Kathi

 

Costume Fun in Miniature, Mignonette Style

 

October 31, 2024

                                                    

About two years ago a couple of mu internet dolly friends and I decided we would like to copy (sort 0f) a mignonette box we had seen at Carmel Doll Museum.  Since there were three of us, we thought each of us could use the Mignonette Book as our inspiration.  We each had the book and could make selections from it. 

Mignonette: Her History, Wardrobe & Miniature World, 1878-1917

By Mathilde and Samy Odin Heritier

https://www.amazon.com/Mignonnette-History-Wardrobe-Miniature-1878-1917/dp/2913684068

 

Every third month we picked an outfit to make.  Once picked we would each do that pattern to fit our mignonettes, all about 5.5 inches, with our own fabrics and interpretations.  I had every intention of using up some small pieces of fabric. 

About August, I began to think about my October decision and decided I would use the picture from “When Dreams Come True” as I had seen on Pinterest and saved to my Board. 

The original Doll is 14.5 inches tall.  A Bebe from Delcroix from the description.  https://www.trocadero.com/stores/whendreamscometrue/items/1339844

                                                            

I knew I would have to redesign as close as possible for my 5.5” mignonette. Mine is a Jumeau reproduction made for me by Sophie Pearson.

Using the picture noted above, I began working out the scale and changes or items needed to recreate this costume.  A very sweet party outfit described on a male doll.  However, my doll was a little girl.  I didn’t care.  My doll, my choice.  

I started with the skirt, which was the easiest thing to do.   All there is to do is a length of gathered fabric into a waistband and a closure.  The edging was serendipity and the black pom poms can be found at hobby stores. 

                                                        

The jacket took a bit more fitting and ingenuity.  Sometimes components are hard to get, make, or imagine how to complete.  I was lucky enough to have a small stash of ¼” velvet ribbon.  Sometimes you just make it work.  But I feel I was as close as I was going to get to the real thing. 

                                                            

Soon, I created and sent off the directions to my friends.  We have collected quite a wardrobe for out little ladies.  If you are a member of the Mignonettes group on IO, the directions are in the files there if you want to give this a go. Finished side and back photos.  

                    

                

In the meantime,

Have Fun, Kathi

 

 

 

 

Bridal Challenge - The Dress and Veil

 

Wow, this was challenging!  There were several iterations for the bodice, first in paper, then muslin, and then muslin again.  I should have made a fourth, but I was too lazy.  After the third, I marked a place to make an adjustment on the pattern and then went with it.  According to Mr. Burbidge’s article in Doll Reader, his reproduction dress was of bridal satin of silk/rayon in antique ivory.  The bodice had two layers of lining, one of organdy and one of cotton gauze. 

 

For my doll, I had selected silk/satin or charmeuse.  Charmeuse is not a particularly easy fabric with which to work.  I also selected beaded and sequined netting as I did not really want to do all the beading and embroidery of the original dress or the reproduction dress. Once I had all the pattern pieces for the bodice and skirt drafted and ready to cut, I started second-guessing all my decisions.  Yes, ALL of them!  I was afraid the silk for the slip would tear, I was afraid I couldn’t do the sewing on the charmeuse as it is a tricky fabric, and I didn’t know if the beaded net would be too much and look all wrong.  I was at a dead stop.  

Two weeks had passed since I wrote the above paragraph. Here is where I am, I used the charmeuse, yes, I did.  I would not suggest it unless one has superior sewing skills.  I am not that person, but I had to soldier on.  I went back to the article to see what Mr. Burgess used and decided to ADD the extra layer of cotton for the bodice.  I thought the scale of it would not work, but even in a smaller doll, this is a good idea, using Swiss Batiste, Silk organdy, and silk charmeuse.  The pieces were basted together and treated each as one section of the bodice then sewn together on the machine. 

 

I made the skirt in three pieces as well only joining them at the end at the waistline. 

 

The veil is lace with attached silk netting.  It, too, will be, or maybe embellished with beads, sequins, and crystals.

Today, as of this writing.  I have not yet completed this dress.  It has lain packed away for a few years. The truth is that Mr. Burbidge has died but was able to send him pictures of the dress this far.   I have lost all verve for this project.  However, the train is completed as a separate piece, if I pick it up again, will be attached via hooks and loops at the center back.  And then all that is left is beading, sequins, crystals, and whatever else I want to make it fussier and a real wedding dress. 

 

Remember my doll is a doll of the period of the late 1800s, so it is out of context in this 20^th century dress.  But the project was fun, and I was thrilled to be able to work with my sewing idol.  He was one of the highlights of my sewing career. 

 

A special note.  I may be off the blog for a few weeks as I complete two projects, impossibly with the same deadline. I appreciate your patience.  Hope and joy to all.  Happy Thanksgiving to you, too. 

Bridal Challenge

 

I have a project I would like to tell you about, but it is anachronistic and I do not want my purist friends to go crazy.  I mean I would not do this unless there was a real reason for the project and there is a reason.  This is a story of six degrees of separation.  A friend of mine, Nancy, is a friend of someone I idolize, the late Mr. John Burbidge.  (Les Petites Dames des Modes see previous post:

http://creativedoll.blogspot.com/2008/02/who-is-john-burbidge.html)  

I talked and talked about him when we had a chance.  One day she let the bomb drop.  I know him, you know.  My jaw dropped.  I asked her a billion questions.   My friend Nancy was the hairdresser for his Little Ladies.  She wigged and styled each one.  I was flabbergasted but fascinated as well.  How had I not known about this?  We had known each other for years.  

      One day I answered the phone and Mr. Burbidge was on the other line.  He said, “Hi, Kathi, this is John Burbidge, I understand you like my work!”  My response?  “Oh! Hi!  Uh, wait a minute, I have to sit down!”  Well, we had the best conversation in the whole world.  It was wonderful.  We talked about pattern making, methods of making them, design and interpretation and so many other things.  30 minutes later, I was out of the house on my way to an appointment and calling my husband.  I think I was hyperventilating.     

      Well a few days later, a package arrived in the mail and he had sent me a kind note and a copy of a pattern he created for Doll Reader magazine in 1987.  He made a replica of Sarah Ferguson’s wedding gown worn for her marriage to Prince Andrew.  In our conversation, I wondered if I could execute one of his patterns knowing adjustments for size and scale could be difficult.  That was my challenge; make the dress, anyway I wanted on a smaller scale than his 30” mannequins, and to make it not the same, that is to say, to use the basics and create something different.  

I chose three dolls that were in miniature scales and from those three I would choose one for which to make this dress.  

      Dear purist friends this is where we might part ways, but I will go back to era-correct soon.  I promise.  The figure is an antique reproduction created by Alice Leverett called the Ultimate Fashion Doll™, (www.justalice.com) my favorite doll and my “play doll”.  She is the doll for which I create just for me. 

(Note: Ultimate Fashion Dolls are no longer in production) 

      I am following the patterns (there are no construction directions) and creating a different “modern” wedding gown based on the pattern, but having to think about things such as pattern design, fitting, scale, fabrics, etc.  My hope is to share this project with you as I go along.  

      Please forgive me using my wonderful antique reproduction as a modern gown mannequin, but I have not another doll this size.  (Emilie Claire is off with Ian, doing who knows what, but never mind she is a reproduction, too.)  

My three choices were a Franklin Mint wedding doll.  (At least I think it was Franklin Mint.  She is quite pretty, and I play with her a bit.) She is however meant to be either a 1980s doll when the Peter Fox wedding boot was popular or more of a Belle Epoch bride doll.  She has a pretty face and body, lots of potential with her.  The middle doll is the Alice Leverette Ultimate Fashion doll.  And the far right is a Robert Tonner Tiny Kitty.  Though she is more contemporary in style and appearance I felt I could better use the size and scale of the 12” Ultimate Fashion Doll.  I may yet make one for Tiny Kitty as well.  I do not know. 

Coming up:  We will see her contemporary undergarments, progression on the dress, and maybe an accessory or two.  

As always, 

Have Fun!

Kathi

1/12th Scale Patterns for Static Display

Good Morning!  The entry today is to discuss a static display in your room box or vignette.  Oftentimes, the patterns and dresses that fit dolls are not suitable for fro room displays.  They do not always hang well on a hanger, though some do, nor do they manipulate well for laying across a bed or scrunched into a chair. 

The 2000 category of La Petite Belle Patterns is made just for this purpose.  The design of the garments is there without all the girth of the dress to fit a doll.  These patterns for you today do NOT fit onto a doll.  But if you wanted them too, you would have to do some extra fabric cut on the sides to make them work.  If you like the pattern for a project, do give it a try, you never know what you will achieve. 

Before I moved, I wrote a bit for AIM magazine.  It is a FREE e-zine completed by the Artisans that are shown in the periodical.  This is their blog address, and it is a great resource.  http://www.artisansinminiature.com/  Do visit the archives.  The magazines are through SCRIBD, which is also a Free to join enterprise for publishing books and periodicals.  This link will take you to the most recent issue, but there is plenty to see there.  https://www.scribd.com/document/423776008/AIM-IMag-Issue-71

I did a monthly for a jet setting woman of the 1950s and completed 12 articles for them.  Today I am providing you three of those patterns.  They are large PDF’s and printing is laden with color, so if you want to save them it is fine, be warned about printing them.

Today I have included some undergarments, always pretty to display.  I understand one of the products I used, Fairy Lace, has been discontinued, but I have some suggestions for if you would like to make this set.  If you cannot get the Fairy Lace, you can use any 2mm ribbon, or even cut the header off of heirloom lace and use it.  Thin pieces of fabric and even braided thread will work as well.  For Fairly Lace, please visit:

http://www.dragonflyintl.com/shop/contents/en-us/d56.html

The links for the patterns are under the picture, they are clickable. 

The dress and hat are meant to go together, pick some fun and contrasting fabrics to make a perfect ensemble.  The fabrics in the 1950s were colorful and fun.  Also, can be made in a sheer fabric a la Grace Kelly. 

Courtesy- https://www.theweddingsecret.co.uk/magazine/iconic-wedding-dresses-in-film-high-society/

I hope you use these patterns and have great fun with the fabric interpretations.   

 

https://www.minidolls.com/images/03SewRetroMarch.pdf

https://www.minidolls.com/images/04SewRetroDress.pdf

https://www.minidolls.com/images/PurpleHat.pdf

Have Fun!

Kathi

Dior Room Complete

 

Last week we looked at a basic room box and basics to complete a fun vignette.  A simple box like that can be the jumping-off point for many a miniature collection.  And this was for us as well.  

Let’s jump right into the details.  After completing the room, we wanted to press home that it was a collector’s room, so we added some finishing details to the room.  Many things can be done with a basic box.  Our collector collected vintage clothing.  We borrowed a picture from the internet (picture was not sold) and made a frame for it.  Under that, a Demilune table of my design and added a (sold out) floral arrangement.  Debbie made a mirror to fit the vanity space, and a pouf was added for sitting.  A lady must have a place for her make-up and perfumes.  Plus, a beautiful box that comes in many colors is carried by Debbie at Minikitz.com to keep treasures locked away.  I chose black.  We had special shoes and hat boxes cut, as well as shopping bags.

The room with the basics is really starting to say something and we are getting a picture that this is really a closet or dressing room. 

Now all we need is to add the fancy things. 

Her we find our lady has saved her cake topper and shoes from her wedding.  I am sure there are other keepsakes inside the box.  As her veil tails along the top shelf she has added other special boxes and keepsakes.  Her shoes, hats and purses peek out on the shelves. 

What fancy and sparkly boxes and bags for mementos.  Wow those have to be special shoes to come in a shoe box that is glittered. 

 

Candy has received a box of roses.  What a special day!  And more shopping bags to be filled.  Lingerie, perhaps?

And finally, a completed room.  So much added.  Enjoy the details.  Click on the pictures and they enlarge.  Coco, the poodle, is as excited as Candy. 

I hope you have enjoyed this look at a long-term project.  It was so much fun bringing this idea to fruition. 

Have Fun!

Kathi

The Dior Project or Candy's Room

 

Late last year my friends Debbie Jones of Kitz! and Dana Burton and I got together on the MiniDollList forum and created a project for our group. 

https://groups.io/g/minidollLIST (Click to join the forum.)

https://www.danaburton.com/  Dana made the doll named Candy, there are no more kits available. She is our inhabitant.  Dressed for a special night on the town. 

https://www.minikitz.com/ Debbie sells many miniature kits at great prices for the DIY crowd.  Also, if you want a miniature doll she has contacts for some really talented miniature doll makers. 

It was great fun and wonderful confab! 

We started with the idea of a 50’s Closet, Dior, Chanel, and other designers of the 50s.  We wanted something that could be contemporary but perhaps a woman who collected period clothing and the ideas flowed freely from there.  We had a lot of fun doing it and our group participated in all the best ways, and like Japan month, everyone contributed. 

Each of us had our function; Dana created the doll and doll kits; I did the design and Debbie did everything else.  She did a lot! LOL!   

Today I am going to show you the room I designed, and Debbie’s husband Charles cut for us on a laser.  We spent some time on the design, fitting, and building of the closet.  building designing and building the closet.  We all decided on a black and white base theme as it was to be a closet or dressing room, and we wanted all our participants to be able to put their own personalities into them. 

The entire closet fits into an 8” X 10” picture frame and fits together using foam core board walls and floor.  The closet structure fits within the walls of the frame.  This closet is so expertly cut, it just slides into the space once it is assembled and painted.  The white color allows for all the accessories to pop. 

The Closet.

We looked for this closet to function as any real dressing area might, concentrating on display.  There is plenty of space for hanging clothes, a vanity, and cute little pouf for a tuffet (every girl needs one) finally drawers and shelves.  Filling and imagining what all will go into it is such fun! 

The Basics

We planned for the demilune table with a picture and accessories such as a perfume tray, nail polish, a floral display, or whatever someone wanted there.  Kitz! Got it all together in one place for people to pick and choose what they wanted.  No small feat!  The picture borrowed from the internet reinforced the display theme. (the picture was not sold it is a copyrighted item) however a set of frames were developed, and one could use anything available or their imagination.   

If you would like to take on this project, please see what is available here:

https://www.minikitz.com/ZenStoreP1/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=134_236

There are two pages.  Click through if you would like to make some of these items or have ideas of your own. 

In the next two weeks, we will look at more of the items prepared for this project, free tutorials, and some free patterns as well. 

Until more surprises next week,

Have Fun! 

Kathi

Notes for Sewing Room Outside

 

I began with a box that had been created for us in a club situation.  One of our members Pate Steele’s husband created them for us.   I bought a few of them.  (Many mini and doll projects were calling.)

They looked like this:

I painted the box black and filled the interior with the Itsy Bitsy Mini wallpaper in fashion design.   I could not locate my specific pattern, but there are many from which to choose and personalize your room box. 

When that was complete, I decided to then paper the box, though I had already painted it.  So, I began to choose from some shelf papers in a French Toile pattern. 

After covering the lower portion of the box with the toile, I tried to think of something different for the top portion.  The box sat for a little while.  (I played with the interior a bit, to be honest.)   I thought and thought, and came upon the idea that this was a pattern box.  It was a sewing room or shop after all.  Placing a number of patterns in a basket, I took pictures from the top, bottom, right, left, back, and then printed, and cropped until I got the right picture for the top edges of the room box.  That was fun, however; it took a great deal more time than I thought. 

A little braid trim to hide the seam line and it was time for the fun stuff!!! 

And here is the fun stuff again! 

Use your imagination, and Have Fun!

Kathi

Sewing Box, Redefined!

Welcome to August. This week we look at a finished project.  I had a lovely box, a trifold box, just waiting for a doll and her wardrobe.  But for some reason, I wondered if this couldn’t be something else.  And look, it could!  

I wanted to do something with the myriad sewing supplies I had made and collected in miniature.  Some things were from round tables, Ann Vanture Paper Minis, baskets as gifts, small prizes won, door prizes, gift bags, and other collectibles from many artists.  They were all within the theme of sewing. 

(http://www.paperminis.com/gateway-to-dollhouse-scale.htm  Look for other scales as well.  A wonderful place to fill out just what you need and have a little craft time, too.)  

This week the finished project, and next week a few tricks of how I pulled it together as a “Sewing Box”.  

The overall finished box was a trifold box, finished with paper and latches. 

 The Center of the box, partially opened, contained the sewing room itself.  The Victorian Armoire with children’s dresses I had made, a crocheted purse by Lajuana Whitwell, a little porcelain pincushion.  The Wallpaper from Itty Bitty purchased at Miniature Cottage in Nashville, TN.  The gown created by Mary Carl Robertson.  All my friends from the Nashville Miniature Club.  Paper mini-posters and boxes and some of the all-around items by Ann Vanture.  Miscellaneous bits of ribbons and laces. 

(Miniature Cottage, Nashville, TN.  https://miniaturecottage.com/shop/  Be sure to stop in for all sorts of delights.) 

On the left side of “the room” are mannequins, books, more clothing, and hats.  A shelf made from a kit purchased at Suzanne Andres Miniature shop in Nashville.  (No longer there.) Bolts of fabrics and more sewing baskets.  A shoe as a bookend and an outsized pair of scissors.  Just fun stuff. 

 To the right is a cabinet with bolts of fabric, also Ann Vanture Paperminis, a little glass bird on more shelves, a lamp for the late nights meeting deadlines.  More books, more laces, more ribbons. 

 And finally, the whole box insides for a room box to delight.  How else to spread out and take up less room at the same time.  One can surely corral any number of disparate things to have a wonderful display. 

 I think next week I will tell you how I accomplished a few things with this project and perhaps one thing could inspire you to a new room, too!

Until next week.  

Have Fun!

Kathi 

Grace of Colonial Williamsburg

Earlier this year my husband I went to Williamsburg, VA to visit his sister.  While there we went to Colonial Williamsburg a couple times during the weekend.  (Lots of walking, go when it is cool.) We did have a marvelous time.  (when I wasn’t complaining about the heat) I remember when we went last, a few decades ago, and one parked at the fence-line and walked straight in.  Like any little town it has grown into quite the little business center.  There is an entire welcome center and a hotel and more.  If you do go, decide to eat there, the food is wonderful.  And do not miss the museum!  Besides being air conditioned, still complaining about the heat, the additions have been completed. You would never know you were underground!  I stopped at one point to rest and listen to the pianoforte.  I fell in love with the different sounds. You will, too! 

 In the textile room, I took more pictures than probably allowed of the needlework and clothing. 

The following day I went back to Mary Dickinson’s store. I had Grace in mind and was hoping to find fabrics to make her a dress.  In the shop were fabrics that are original reproductions of designs from Colonial Williamsburg.  The dyes and the printing are by direct specifications.  I bought one fabric I thought would possibly have use for a period garment for Grace.    The other fabrics I purchased were from the internet.  It was true serendipity as the fabrics look so well together. 

IIt seems I always make a mistake! The fabrics in the center and on the RIGHT are from Past Crafts.  

Since I always say, ‘I have no original ideas’, I decided to check my books and, of course, the internet to find inspiration for this large pattern.  Grace is an 8” tall doll, the fabrics could overwhelm her easily.  Finally, searching through Pinterest I found an inspiration dress and more or less, set to work. 

I used the wonderful patterns created for this doll by Sheryl Williams. (They were on the CD that came with our digital journal.)  You can never go wrong with anything from Sheryl.  I sing her praises each time I get to take a class or use her patterns.  Simply the best.  For this project I did modify the bodice a little.  I did not use the skirt front panel and I cut the overdress length to create the shorter jacket style. 

Modification of an old Marie Antoinette Fichu pattern was the final addition to her dress.  The entire costume is quite busy and yet it still seems to be balanced. 

I did not feel the rendering complete without a hat, and also found a sample of a period hat from the Metropolitan Museum.  I have a sweet piece of fabric from Urban Gardens Fabrics that had the look of the antique and created the pattern from scratch.  I love it, but think there could be some modifications.  Sometimes one just dives in.  (Since starting this post, I have found an old pattern to create the hat.  Perhaps next time?) 

What would our young miss be doing in her simple costume?  I figured she could be out for a simple walk, and collecting flowers? I like that idea and have a basket for her and am creating a bunch of flowers from a kit.  Maybe another post about Grace will come as her wardrobe and accessories grow. 

Kathi

PS.  I have been asked about patterns for these dolls I create, and have not yet thought about making them available for purchase.  If you are interested, please leave me a note and I will get back to you on this 

Second Fitting

Hi, all,

      Just a quick note to let you know that alterations were made to Tiny Kitty’s undergarments.  I have made a small digital layout for you to know the changes I made. (Elements are from Scrapgirls, LLC)  The new pictures will show the better fit for her slip and explain the changes I made.  She is so much happier with her garments. 

      I will be away for a couple weeks before continuing to work on Miss Kitty’s Edwardian clothes.  Until I return, I will be taking a class, and taking a small vacation to visit friends.  While I am busy with these things, I will also be working on the pattern for the inspiration dress.  I keep reinterpreting the assembly process.  I do want to try for a new pair of shoes, too!  It will be a challenge. 

Until, then, have a wonderful Labor Day Holiday!

Kathi 

A new Slip for Kitty Collier

It never pays to rush things.  I got a late start on tiny Kitty’s slip this week.  Sunday was my first opportunity to continue her undergarments.  I am afraid it shows.  A couple of errors in the hurrying up for the blog, and then I realized I do not really need to hurry, do I? 

I totally forgot about the adjustment to make in the hip area of the corset, which made my slip just a tiny bit, maybe one seam allowance, tight.  I hate ripping seams after so much work.  At the last minute I decided to sew up the back seam, (I was going to leave it open, but who wants to sit on buttons?) The corset strings create a bit of a bump as well.  I can fix it.    

My original intention was to have a princess styled silhouette, but the more information I had it became apparent a narrower shape would be required.  I narrowed the panels, added lace, and cut off the excess slip fabric from the bodice and the hem.  I added lace straps instead. 

The pictures below show the working out of the pattern and the changing the silhouette. 

Kathi 

I chose this picture as an inspiration. 

Pattern made and sample slip tested.  Ready to cut out and sew. 

Advice for succession sewing.  Lay out the pieces in the order for which they are assembled, pick one up and sew, then to the next, and on and on.  I leave the center back open.

First fitting with primary seam completed for French seaming.  The original intentions was to leave the back open and close the length.  

When adding laces, interview the laces you have.  Do scallops go with geometric designs?  Does one lace and width llook well with another?   

As you can see here, I did not use any of the others and opted to add a simple edging with a beading lace accent.  In other words I kept it simple more or less with my inspiration.  

Here are the laces sewn on, and the slip portions cut away from the laces.  

Completed Slip Front

Completed Slip Back

 (I wonder if I should take this next week to fix the slip and show you the repaired items, re-lace the corset, etc.  At least, the very least, Kitty is more covered and she is becoming more comfortable with the camera. )