Now it's paper dolls!

I have been revisiting a most favorite childhood past time.  Paper dolls! but these are paper dolls on steroids.  These gals are going overboard on their outfits and all because of a swap that happens at Paper Cowgirl in Waxahachie in June.  Yippee.  The teachers and their classes are awesome and the swaps are like a bonus gift.

I joined the paper doll swap and these past couple of days I have started knocking them out. Haha, well by the looks of the body parts scattered about, it does look as if I have been knocking someone over the head all over my art table.

Then you have to understand there is torture involved.  Be still you paper hand or I'll clamp you with a  clothespin.

Oh my, now what shoes for the occasion?!!!  I may need to go shopping for just the right pair.  Who carries 1" size?

Trims and tassels will be involved....OF COURSE!

One gal is dressed down to her boots.  Good shoe choice!  Comfy and ready to hit the dance floor.

I have created a rat's nest of a work area now and I still have several dolls to complete.  At this point, nearly all of my supplies are OUT and around me.  I have to be careful how I even roll my chair back and take a step because of the craziness.  It may take me a couple of days to just find my way out of my studio space so just deliver food and water for now.  I'm off to play with my dollies.

Creating a Posie

I am gardening with my sewing machine this past week.  I have joined a swap that requires a hand created bloom.  There are several prototypes in my 'garden' work table and I can't decide which direction to go.  I like this one, but am limited on the vintage pins that go in the center, so that element will require a plan B.  I have been known to resort to plan W in the past!  We may be on our way here again. 
I layered silks, chiffons, tulle netting and lace and anchored with freeform stitching.  I am going to explore a few other options....such as something I can do with my/our Cricut Expressions.  I hope I can cut fabrics with it and that will be an experiment high on my list.  This new toy needs some play time dedicated to it and my schedule isn't allowing a lot of that.  A gal has got to have her afternoon naps!!  The Sweet One got me in that habit.  Ha ha, blame it on the grandchild.  Bad grandma! 
Glad you made a quick hop over here for my quick post.  Come back again...ya hear?

Sparkley Things

I know Spring is upon us because all these flowing, sparkling dresses arrive at my doorstep for a helping hand.  Prom is around the corner and I love to see what the gals have selected for this years entrance.  Multicolor ensembles will seem to rule the evening I think and I LUV it.

This one just escaped my sewing machine this week.  Wowza, talk about needing the sunglasses while putting the rhinestones back on this one!  These gals will model these and send pics after prom, so come back for an ooh and ahh.

These little sparkleys are from my craft table.  I discovered some of these gems in a hidden drawer and I perked them up with some love of sorts.  This is my kind of spring cleaning.  I work on making a completed project as opposed to a miscellany of components.  I feel like I've cleared out stuff when in reality...NOT happening.  I just get it repurposed to display instead. 

Oh my, I think this is some form of denial..but I refuse to accept that!  haha.

Another spring cleaning item was this zipper from an old something or other...it felt like it should be a rose in it's makeover. 

I'm off to the studio to create another mess. 

And I just have a quick tidbit..don't craft with permanent inks just before church.  It ruins the manicure and looks like some incurable disease!  Just thought you'd wanna know.

Bloomers

The flowers are blooming in my studio. 

I love it even though they are organza.

A few nights ago, I revisited a craft I did almost 20 yrs ago.  It's no secret that I sew...A LOT!!  I work on special occasion dresses and I have all these scraps of organza, silks and chiffons.  I can't throw away these precious scraps because there might be the perfect craft project to use them up.  I am soooooo not one to waste anything if I can help it, hence...clutter Supplies are everywhere!

I just made a dive into a bundle of pink organza and started cutting out circles.  You don't have to be precise and just concentrate on 3 or 4 graduated sizes.  The edges of these blooms are then passed above a candle flame. 

Keep the fabric about an inch or so above the flame and keep the heat at the edges of the circle.  You need to be very careful, FIRST to NOT burn your fingers, SECOND to not burn up the fabric.  Once the heat is applied, the fabric will curl up along the edges.  This process can happen very fast.  Now is not the time to multi-task!

After there is a good assortment of petals, layer 3+ graduated sizes on top of each other to create a flower.  Use a fine needle with coordinating thread and take a couple of stitches in the center to join the layers.  Tie a knot...VOILA!!  You have a bloom.  Add pearls, brooches, jewels (or whatever makes your heart skip) to the center with some glue and you have a awesome addition to your embellishment stash.

I will also share a quick project I did a while back.  I used my grandmother's "ear bobs" to hang a photo.  I left the clip-on earring intact and tied a ribbon at the hinge area.  The hanging ribbon is one single length.  I added the bow at the top with a seperate length of ribbon.  If you find that your earring clip is a bit loose and the pic falls out, use the little foam 'comfort' pads you find in the earring dept.  These work and don't harm the photo.

I have several of these and they also look cute hung from the finial of your lamp or furniture knobs...just adjust the length of ribbon to fit the current use.

There were also lots of earrings that had lost their mate in my stash of jewelry.  I removed the clip backs with pliers and side cutters.  The final step I glued a tack to the back with an appropriate heavy duty glue.

These are a lot more glamorous to look at and use than plain ole push pins. 

This is my glimpse in the studio for the day. 

 The lineup for tomorrow is a quilt festival for some inspiration and motivation.  I hope to get a new post about my zipper roses done and another sewing project that just escaped from my sewing machine!

More stitchin projects

I took a break from sewing to sew.  That just sounds warped!  But, that is the state of things.....warped. 

The deadline for the Sweet One's Easter dress is drawing near.

This year called for something simple and sweet.  I opted for a yellow satin with a chiffon overlay.  She has a darling little cotton sweater with crochet blooms that will coordinate beautifully. 

I worked up the little flower with a scrap of the chiffon cut on the bias and ran a gathering stitch and curled it up into a little bloom and laid it over the same in the yellow satin which didn't show itself from this angle.

 The hem was done with another bias strip just ruffled up.  It worked great for me and covered the not so perfect rolled hem.  I dread rolled hems on chiffon so why is it that is what I chose?!!...Another warped moment to say the least.  A simple solution and just the right touch for the Sweet One's dress. 

Now for the perfect shoe.  That may not be so easy.

Another project recently completed.....

A friend commissioned these for her business and they turned out so cute. 

 They have appliques on the front and rear pocket. 

Then we have coordinating fun bags.  These are the perfect size to sling over your shoulder and tote your necessities of the moment.  The interior size is also perfect to carry baby items.  Throw in a couple of diapers, wipees and a sippie cup and you are good to go.

Each bag has an exterior pocket for your cell phone or just your 'pocket' change. 

haha, I couldn't resist it, so sorry.

All bags are lined from repurposed fabrics, so each creation is unique. 

If you're lucky to be in Phoenix, AZ check out "GIrlS NiGHt OUt" at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Resort 2pm -9pm on Saturday.  You can snag some cool fashion items from the Cracker Jack Gals booth. 

Tell em..Terri sent ya!

I don't know if that will get you any extra points, but they'll enjoy knowing where their FREE advertising dollars are going.

I'll post more pics of current projects very soon, so y'all come back!

Garage Sale Goodies

Spring has finally sprung, if you can catch it on the right day.  The other days still have snow.  The official arrival of our warmer weather is a day full of garage sales.  WooHoo.  Happy dance happening.  My neighbor and I took off toward the big city at 7 a.m. and were rewarded for our early a.m. jaunt. 

The Sweet One got a couple of items to play with around here. 

I scored on these 2 items for.........(imagine a loooonnng commercial break here, cause that's how the tv shows do it!).......ok, recap and the grand total was...$5.00.  Yeppers.  Awesome AND in mint condition for both of them!!

Then we hit a sale with nothin special, but then I spied a couple of sexy legs hiding under the sheets.  haha, NOW you're really interested?  Gals, NEVER ever hesitate to ask if something is for sale!! 

I asked, they sold, it's mine.....

I already had it moved into my closet for extra storage before I remembered to take this pic.  The paint job not so good, but the general condition is terrific for this old dresser and you get a glimpse of the sexy legs I was spying under the sheet that was covering this beauty.

OK, the going price was $20.  Yippee for me!

and lastly I scored a couple of silver trays and spoons.  I can't pass up the silver, must be a magpie at heart.  The cutie pie little purse will hold lots of smalls for the Sweet One.

There was also a brass tray and a wooden lazy susan thingy that I have already put to work in the sweat shop/crafting space.  I'll snag a pic of those when there is better light.

Sigh, alas, I spy happy days ahead with more sales on the horizon and wildflowers in the fields.

Happy wishing o' the GREEN

May your neighbors respect you,

Troubles neglect you,

The angels protect you,

And Heaven accept you.

Postcards from my personal collection. 

Click on pic to enlarge and copy for your own use.

I think this one makes a terrific background piece. 

I enhanced the color in all of these a wee bit with PS.

May your blessings outnumber

The shamrocks that grow,

And may trouble avoid you,

Wherever you go.

Enjoy the day and don't forget the wearin' o' the GREEN!

Oscars...Move over!!

I am overwhelmed...Thank you, thank you.  I want to say especially that Sharon at My Vintage Studio is da bomb!!  Forget a gold Oscar gals,  I received my goody box from her from a recent giveaway.  Holy Cow!  I wish I could be calm about getting such a box of coolness and remember to take pics BEFORE I rip all the adorable packaging details apart like a 3 year old.   But, alas you get to see all the goodies in the AFTER pics.  The beautiful tin was tied up in a ribbon that speaks to my heart..all pink and vintage.  The box was lined with an awesome linen napkin with rose cross stitch. 

  Need I say there is chocolate involved?  And gold...that beats Mr. Oscar any day.  2 beautiful silver spoons that I couldn't get a clear pic of their awesomeness.  Buttons, lace, and papers, Oh My, then throw in rhinestones and game pieces. 

This beautiful pin cushion just nearly killed me over.  It is exactly like the one my dear grandmother had many years in her bathroom hanging by the mirror.  Now, it is back in my life for reals.  Luv it.

And that's not all y'all.  More goodness with the wonderful tags she stuffed in there also.  The creativity here is beautiful.  Can you hug a tag?  Yep.  I'd love to be hugging you Sharon!  The lady holding the bouquet is actually the most adorable small book.  Be still my heart.  This was an awesome gift and has made my day.

Oh yeah, I know you are dying to know what I was wearing at this event on my own carpet.  Begin with the classic blue denim pants and topped with a deep navy t-shirt and layered with a soft and warm grey sweater of my grandmother's.  The shoes are all the rage...cross-trainers with a pink accent.  The hair...uhh....how do we describe it....Casual, brushing the shoulders with a slightly disheveled appeal.  Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Cyber space Coolness

I am throwing in a quick post about a terrific giveaway.  The Creative Connection has a blog up and going and they are offering a terrific bedding set from Mary Jane Butters.  Yumminess is all over the place with this one, so don't miss out.  You can click the button to the right also to git ya there lickety split.

Cheetah Gals, no Cougars here!

Hanging out here with THE award show and chit-chatting with my BFF, Heather.  What's a girl to do with all the glamour on the tv going on?  We make our own when we pull out body parts from the back of her truck.  Has that got you going yet?   haha. You mean you don't have mannequins in your closet to paint?

You haven't painted until you've painted these babies, ur uh.....boobies.  Good job girlfriend.

These gals are now ready for some serious stylin'.  They'll be showing off their other looks in Phoenix, AZ at the Girls Night Out event.  Be sure to check out the Cracker Jack Gals booth.  Cheetah gals have so many looks to choose from.

Now that you see what these Award shows inspire.  Y'all get to it and see what you can dig up to slap some paint onto and fill your couple of hours with a little extra glam.