Sandra Stillwell Sophisticated Lady, Pt. 3

Hang on to your hats, readers, as installment number three promises even more excitement! Friday morning was another early start as we departed for the Western Reserve Museum at Case Western University. What? Another tour? And it's included in the price of the Convention? That's right. Sandra gives you more bang for your buck. Patty Edmonson, Museum Advisory Council Curator of Costume & Textiles gave a fantabulous presentation about Elizabeth Firestone. This lady had bucks; the kind of money that banks would not accept her as a client so the family opened their own bank. And boy did she like the clothes! Mouths dropped as the intricate details of some of these outfits and gowns were paraded around the room for closer inspection.



Upon first look, this one might seem simple, but you when you look at the pleating and the bow...it's a wow!



And please remember this outfit...it plays a part in the convention at a later date.



At first glance, this may just look like a typical vintage dress:



but upon a closer look, you can see that this 1943 creation features war savings stamps as its pattern:



Afterwards, we got to see the Mad for Plaid fashion exhibit. Just one interior shot along the way:



And the fashions:





Two that were worn by Hugh Jackman in “The Greatest Showman”:



The museum also had a Carousel:



Naturally we took a spin around. Go Florie!





I managed a selfie:



Plenty of other things to see here, including a DeLorean:



A miniature of the Cleveland Terminal Tower:



and a ton-o-vintage-automobiles!







Then it was time to rush back to the Crowne Plaza to get everything ready for the Friday night dinner. Entering the ballroom, guests saw that the players had changed in front of Sue Connor's amazing Hywet Hall diorama:



More great Patsy creations at each table setting, including a faithful miniature hatbox from Halle’s Department Store:



The Centerpiece Doll was You Send Me:



Some of my favorite fashions for purchase included Good Golly:



A Fool For You:



and Cleveland Seen:



Some of the dressed dolls at the table included Kelly's Madra wearing a Chris Stoeckel original:



Gene dressed by the incomparable Wayne Nilson:



...and Wayne himself (right) with Larry (left):



Vera’s Gene was also dressed in Stoeckel:



Michael gave an excellent presentation on designer Pauline Trigère:



Our gift for the night was the outfit titled Intermezzo:



The official portrait, which shows the three limited color variations:



After a short break, we returned for The Studio Commissary Party which included a round of Let's Make a Deal.



Rock Around the Clock was available for purchase in white and pink. Ilaria in Italy had created a special wig to go with this outfit. So cute!



And then the games began. It was a battle of the Sisters (Sandy & Janice) and Linda. It all seemed so wonderful at first; Michael offering prizes!



...and then the reveal! Sandy gets Aunt Clara's bunny suit!



And Poor Linda. Wasn't sure if she should pick the small box or the large one, so she reached out to her friend Ryan.



Ryan (and Linda) learned that bigger isn't always better.



The Amazon card in the smaller hatbox. MUCH better!



Last prize. Which to choose?!?



Not learning her lesson from the previous “deal,” Janice chose the larger box. Uh oh.



It’s Lucy!!!



Michael’s big heart took over and gave her a doll dressed in one of his original fashions instead. Is Janice saying thank you, or keep Lucy away from me?



Big heart? Who is kidding who. We all knew Lucy wasn't going anywhere. Poor Chris.



Still more to come!

See more Sandra Stillwell convention photos at my website. You can order these Sandra Stillwell outfits at her website...while they last!