Ring Con, here I come!

Well, last night my mom got home from a "business" trip in Denver (where she got quite a few beautiful pictures). I put business in quotations simply because I don't know if a really really big Pampered Chef meeting counts as a business trip, but, that's waay beside the point. The point is, when she got back she had a few presents for the family. Sweets! My dad got a shot glass and some hot sauce, and my train-loving nephew a train whistle and beaded belt (his pants are always too big, no matter what size). Me, on the other hand, was at first handed a geode. Which is really cool, 'cause I love rocks and crystals, and a geode is both in one, and I don't have any geodes in my collection. But, just as I was about to rush off to find a hammer to break open my geode with, out from her suitcase my mom pulls out this gorgeous(!!!!!!) dress! And I mean beautiful! I don't think I can describe it adequately. At first, I thought it was for her, but then I realized that it was at least a size too small for her, so I tried it on (very happily!) and had a few pics taken.

Isn't it amazing! I'm perfectly ready for the next Ring Con! Well... almost. I noticed that there's a few adjustments to be made first, tough I'm not sure My mom will take to it kindly.
First off, as seen to the right side the sleeves are a little too loose, especially around the shoulder, for my liking, but that can be easily fixed (without waiting for the sewing machine!). I think that I will very carefully detach them from the dress, make them a bit smaller up top, where they're really too wide for my arm, then attatch them to an under shirt or dress. I would prefer a dress, but I may well just attatch them to a sleeveless shirt I already have that matches the dress perfectly. This way, I'll also be able to switch out the under shirt/dress with another one that has white sleeves, my own variation of Eowyn's sheildmaiden gown, one dress off my wish list!
I also want to adjust the ropes on the sleeves. Currently, they allow you to sinch up the petals on the sleeves, not a good look! What I want to do is make them run around my arm just below the elbow, which I think would look much nicer!

But, other than those two adjustments, the dress is perfect! I'm so ready for the next Ring Con!