<table style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial;">Costumes have been a big part of my life. As long as I can remember, dressing up was one of my favorite things to do. I had a huge trunk with a lovely assortment of old clothes, wigs and accessories that my mother had put together. Growing up, she often made my clothes (the explanation behind childhood photos of me in different outfits made of the same pink fabric with little white hearts on it...) and always made me my Halloween costumes. She taught me the basics of sewing at a young age and always encouraged me to do crafty things. When I was twelve, she told me I was old enough to make my own costumes, so I did. Ever since, my passion for making costumes has kept growing.</span></td> <td><img src="http://www.silverlotus.ca/avatar.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="267" align="right" border="0" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial;"> I have dabbled in many different crafts, each one somehow related to my costume-making. I like beading, and sculpting and they have become a useful skill to know. In the last few years, I have found a special interest in period clothing, namely of the 18th century. Discovering the fashions of that period has really awakened a love for it, and the desire to make my own frilly pouffy elegant feminine dresses. I have a special interest in researching each costume I endeavor, carefully choosing fabrics, colors and details. I particularly like reproducing costumes from 18th century fashion plates, it gives me a feeling of connection to the past and my ancestors.<br /> I'm glad to be able to share my passion with people all around the world. I hope the pictures you see on my site make you dream about a bygone era.</span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>