Long time No Post - But I have been productive!

Mike and Michelle's wedding was beautiful. They loved the house and I must admit it did look good sitting there. I also discovered I need a purse to go with my dress which was a soft muted grey-purple. I have been playing with making roses out of paper so I got the idea to make one to put on the front of my purse. The body is purple lame with black burnout velvet over it. The color of the flower matches my dress perfectly. The center of the flower is a vintage rhinestone button from my collection. I am really pleased with how it turned out. Got lots of compliments too!

A friend Mary and I went galavanting a few weeks ago and stopped at a quilt shop. They had a purse made up that caught my eye - I like the design. Looked like it was made from only 2 pattern pieces that formed the bottom and sides. It was cute but a little too large for me but I thought I could design my own to suit my needs. I had a lot of upolstery pieces given to me so thought I would play. Here are the results. I made the flowers from pieces of leather from old belts and other sources. The pink flowers are construction paper fabric! Love the stuff. It's a fun purse to carry. I think I am going to make another from some cotton fabrics that have been waiting for just the right project. I am going to incorporate the flap into the back so it won't be a separate piece.

Yesterday was my grandson Jake's Christening. It was a wonderful ceremony and a fun family dinner followed. I really wanted to make his outfit but wound up buying one - size 9-12 mos that JUST fit. He is 27" long and almost 20 lbs already - and just 5 months old. He is going to be tall like his father. I'll have some pics later. Here is the card I made for him using my Cricut and the shoe files created by Nancy, here is a link. She makes beautiful cards. The scalloped background I created. It was embossed with a Cuttlebug folder and colored with Adirondack ink pads.

Card House is Done!

Here it is - done. In case you don't notice, I remade the garage side wider so I could get the two garage doors there. I think it's a fairly accurate image of their house - as accurate as you can get with foam-core, ribbon, and silk. I added a little sparkle to the roof and flowers. I purchase those deep purple mums months ago and when I was ready to add them, I couldn't find them! Of course they were where they belonged - in a large vase in my MILs room I keep all my future use flowers in (and also buys I couldn't pass up!) Here are side views. I think the gable roofs came out OK. The ivy leaves around the base were lightly sprayed with gold and silver metallic paint. The vines are the same ones I used on Katie's house. They started life as a wreath from AC Moore's Clearance Aisle. I'm glad I bought 2!

Back in Wedding Mode

The dolls were shipped via Global Priority to Australia where they arrived (only took about 1 week!) safe and sound to a great home. Thanks so much to all who shared their creation with me and all the wonderful comments. I felt like I was sending off a rainbow!

Now, I am finally making the gift card house for my nephew Mike and Michele's wedding which is Sept 25th. I wanted to make it look similar to their home but I did take some artistic liberties. Here is their lovely house. Here is how I am building the gift Card House. first I start with a wooden frame made by 1"x1" wood (my DH cut down some 1" x 2" for me). Next I skin the frame with foamcore and cut out the windows and door. The roof, which is made from machine embroidered purple silk, is put together with an opening in the center and then laid on top. The roof is also trimmed with french lace I dyed to match. It actually will be attached in the front only so it can be lifted up in the back and the house emptied of it's contents. I wrapped the house in felt. To imitate siding, I next wrapped the house in overlaping rows of beige satin ribbon and cut out the doors and windows. I also attached the house to the base before I added the siding. Now I am working on the front creating the gables. When I finish them and the door and windows which will be off white satin with white satin ribbon sashing and beaded trim, I'll attach the gables and add their roofs, then the little porch over the front door and roof over the garage. Final embellishments with be foliage around the base and more white trim to define the roof lines. Right now, this pic has the gables pinned in place. Sorry guys, I had to eliminate one of your garages! I wanted to emphasize the front door a bit more.

Tomorrow is Labor Day and we plan to spend it with family. Hope you enjoy too!

Early Halloween - Excuse me while I put on my face

Cloth Doll Artistry is having a Halloween Blog Hop. It actually started yesterday, but I wanted to post something "new". In the newest issue of Cloth Paper Scissors, Michael DeMenge decontructed dolls and skeletons and made quite an interesting doll so I thought, after a trip to the dollar store, I would play too. I bought a Barbie look alike, some rubber creepy crawleys and a bag of skulls - the vase I had. There is a rat in the bottom of the vase though it is hard to see. I think she needs a pet crow or two or maybe a bat. I also bought a full skeleton and have an idea for that!

Pink and her new do

The other hairstyle was OK. But she is going to the Ballet so I just had to step it up a notch. Today they will be packed so I can ship them tomorrow. Here are finished pics front and back.

I also updated my etsy site with some dolls for sale. I will be posting more in a few days too.

I also want to thank everyone who has been on this creative journey with me. I am sad to see it end, but happy to send them off to their new home where I know they will be appreciated.

Finally - Pink has Hair!

Here she is, done. I may change her hairdo though. She started with pig-tails but I wasn't sure I liked them. Not sure I like it tied back either. Hmm. I'm up for suggestions.

I was also fortunate to attend the 5th Annual Day With Doll. I put the pics I took of the display dolls on my website Wonderful eyecandy!

The Blues are done

Dark blue's apron is made from vintage embroidered batiste fabric. I think I will shorten it - need more of the dress showing especially the pretty daisy scallop lace around the bottom.

Light blue has an apron made to coordinate by incorporating a band of the check. I first tried the bow trim but it was too much. The apron fabric has hearts in the print so I think the venice lace hearts go well.

Now to Pink some hair!