End Stories

Here are some pics of finished projects doing what they were meant to do. First is the Christening gown worn by baby Cecelia who is being held by her Mother Felecia who actually wore it first - when it was a wedding gown. Beautiful baby and beautiful mother.

Next is the heart quilt that was an EGA project. It was donated to the Deborah Hospital in Browns Mills, NJ. Unfortunately, I couldn't attend the handover, but I plan on driving down to see it in its new home in the lobby when the remodeling is completed. The framing was done by Carol Martin of U-Frame It in Matawan, NJ. She sewed the quilt to the backing. The hospital required it to be encased to prevent any dust. I think it looks wonderful and I am so glad it has a good home and will bring some joy and beauty to those who see it.

I also received back my Hoffman Challenge doll, Morning Serenade. She came back in perfect condition and she is already sold. I just need to refasten her feet to the base and off she goes. She was purchased by the owner of the bead store, The Birds and the Beads, I frequent. How fitting! One last pic.

More Cards

I finished all my Christmas cards! Yeah! I tend to save the cards I get in the mail and this year tried to recycle them into my new cards (the ribbons, ornaments, stars, flowers, Noel words). I used my Sizzix and also my Cricut to cut the shapes. Love those two toys! I didn't make these as dimensional as last year as I had to smoosh them so I didn't have to pay extra postage. These pics are samples of the basic designs. I made about 70 cards. I also made a few sets of Thank You cards but didn't get the thank yous lined up perfectly so I may add something to them to cover the crooked words. These sets go together quickly once I pick the papers. The paper lace was cut with punches by Martha Stewart and EK Success. Love these!

New Cards

This has been an eventful few months - two weddings, a milestone birthday and anniversary, and a christening so I have been making cards. Unfortunately, I didn't take pics of the wedding cards, but here are pics of the others. My parents' 65th Anniversary, my mother's 90th birthday, my grandson's christening and some thank you notes. For the thank you notes, I created the background paper in Word and printed it out in brown ink on ivory and black ink on white for the combos. The heart, butterflie and lacy border are Martha Stewart Punches. Very cool!

Latest Doings

I have been working on creating a christening outfit from a Wedding gown for a lovely new baby girl Cecelia was born late September. Mother Felecia is a very petite and so is her gown but I love a challenge! Her lovely gown was silk satin - probably not the best fabric as it has a lot of body. Felecia also wanted a "convertible" outfit which I found very interesting. It is rompers (for a boy) with a button on overskirt (for a girl). I was amazed I was able to get all the pieces out of the dress because there really wasn't that much fabric to the fitted and flared gown, but I did it and here are the results. First the gown (was she trusting or what!) Felecia was sent my way by my SIL Nancy. I made a christening gown for my nephew Brian (now 28 and just married last weekend!) from her wedding gown. I didn't even remember doing that! LOL The skirt has an attached sash which can be tied in front or back. I embroidered the baby's name on a piece of ribbon and attached it inside the skirt bottom. Lots of room for other names. Final pic is of the gown with the skirt attached and the sash tied in the back. I couldn't use the ribbon sash from her gown because the ribbon was too wide and too heavy. I did use all the buttons from her gown. For the back, I used vintage pearl buttons. The Bodice is lined with a fine cotton voile.

Halloween

Yesterday was Halloween and look who was out trick or treating? My 6 mo old grandson, Jake dressed as a monkey with his little monkey pal. What a cutie pie!

I was going to post my latest witch but after looking at her, I felt she needed some spiders. I had shopped for them but couldn't find any I liked so I made some out of beads and wire. Here she is, the Ghost Witch. I was going to call her Ghastlea, but I think Arachnia better suits her. Her skirt was misted with Gold Perfect pearls in water and then the webs were outlined with Gold, Silver, and Crystal Stickles. I also used perfect pearls on her hair to add a little glimmer but applied it with Perfect Medium. Her jacket is white velvet that was colored with Alcohol inks. Love how they don't change the hand of the fabric. She has three underskirts on, first one of glitter tulle, then a slip of feathers, and another one of glitter tulle. I had to make her legs twice - I used a halographic lame that turned out to be more fragile than I thought it would be so I remade them with an iron on interfacing backing. Don't you love that little skull and bones charm at her neck? I didn't even know I had it until I started looking for a spider! Her head is recycled cloth over clay over cloth and then I put messy mix (see Deanna's blog here First time I tried it and not sure I will do it again - too much sanding! but interesting.