Another blustery day here in the cold high desert. This is what I've been doing today along with removing glue from roses which I'm redoing in something else. This little birdhouse will be hanging in my family room I think. Looks like it would fit in there nicely. Lots of roses, birds, pink ribbon, pearls and garland.
~*~
Random Thoughts:
Who in the world came up with that leopard skin broom and mop? What kind of decor could it possibly go with: early African safari?! *
Sometimes it's the thinking of a project that sets my heart a flutter than the actual doing of it. Maybe it's the anticipation. *
I am not one to gild an offense. I think about it and pretty much let it go. Some people just baby it with mother's milk and feed it to let it grow in stature rapidly. They want it full grown as rapidly as possible. I want it to die a sudden death and not give it the power it wants. *
The reaction I get around here when I tell women I blog is quite amazing. For the most part they have no clue what I'm talking about and will usually say "What?" I'll take my camera into a place—such as the optometrist recently—and they just stare and wonder why I'm photographing things. It's really funny to watch them watching me. I just tell them I'm doing a photo shoot and they then nod and say, "Oooooh." I love doing that. :-) *
I still want to know what nutcase came up with the idea of making all of WalMart brand labels white?! It looks like institutional food on the shelves. WM, are ya listening?!?! ~*~
Chicks, I have to tell you: you do NOT want to miss tomorrow's Pink Saturday post. It's darling! Would this face lie to you?!?! Hmmmm????? ~*~
My 2nd Marie Antoinette doll was just as much fun as the first, but the final outcome was different from my vision. (Could it be that I'm a frustrated "gown designer"?!) I can't say exactly why but it just is. I'm not displeased with it. But when first I started I wanted it elegant so ended up using this "out-of-print" ribbon embroidered fabric hence I just used a small amount on the bottom. It doesn't seem to "drape" as I had thought it would. I also wanted BOLD colors and decided on red.
Originally, I had this bit of faux pearl trim around the waist but it added girth to the dress form so I took it off as you'll see in other photos. See what I mean about the waistline? It's much wider than Marie would have actually had although it looks very pretty on the form. But I wanted a tiny waist effect.
I also used ribbon for the underskirt.
See how much better it looks with the trim removed. Just a vintage seam binding ribbon and a rose.
The bottom skirt also has a feathered stitch for interest. My understanding of Marie is that she was very extravagant in her wardrobe. She would have like this.
This red fabric is one I've been waiting to use on an apron I make but decided to snip off a piece and use for the bodice. I'll be making a pretty apron out of it and other fabrics very soon.
Here she is finished. She is now displayed on my family room coffee table. Probably soon to be put on my mantel if I can find some room there. ;-)
I already have a vision for my 3rd Marie gown. ~*~
I'm also joining in with the 30 days of blessings over at this blog. Each time I post I'll state that for which I am thankful. I'm grateful for each of my children and grandchildren. They all bring joy to me and hubby each time we visit them. They are all very good to us also. I can remember when each one of them was born and the joy we felt at being able to welcome them into our family. "Children are an heritage unto the Lord." ~*~
Recently while participating in Natasha's "It's All About Me" party I thought of all the Marie Antoinette dolls and dress forms that had been froufrou-ed up and have admired them for ever so long—not Marie Antoinette especially but the decadence of the gowns. I've wanted to do one for a couple of years now but never seemed to find the time, forms(!) or the creativity in my head to do one. Since I participated in the party I then thought enough time has passed to do one and started on it recently.
As will happen in cases like this I've become addicted to making these little dress forms froufrou-y and am going to do a few more but this is the first of them.
I used some vintage lace and some Laura Ashley trellis fabric for her skirt. The bodice is pink and white polka dots and rick rack with a rose on the top. I sewed on faux pearls to the skirt, added some lovely embroidered lace around her waist and let it drape over the open skirt and topped it with a ribbon. I think Marie would be proud to wear it...maybe. I love it!
I want to remind you all to visit Beverly's site How Sweet the Sound and visit all the women who participate in Pink Saturday. You'll love all the PINK! ~*~
A shabby and chic little crown. Not just any crown, my sweet cherubs, but a PRINCESS CHICK CROWN. Yesssssss!!! It isn't very big either - only about 4" across and 5" tall. See my little chick? Hah.... It is painted and glitter sprinkled to look almost like a snow crown. It has roses.....squeeeeeeeeal(!)......and feathers and pearls and rhinestones and tissue paper garland and tulle netting in which the little pink chick rests........oh it's so froufrou-y!
Oh, and if anyone would like to buy it, get in contact with me through my Profile Page here on the blog. My email is listed there. I just try to make it a teensy bit harder for the spammers, chickadees! *Wink*.......... Ooooooh, and nuuuuuuuu, you can't wear it around the house; it's only for show on your shelves. Hah!!
Now on to other things on this glorious saturday morning, my sweet cherubs. ~*~
Some sweet ephemera valentines I received recently. It truly does remind me of when I was a child. These were the kind of valentines we sent and received. Aren't they quite adorable?
~*~
My latest shabby romantic little cottage birdhouse. Ain't she cute?
First of all, let me show you one of my favorite prints by artist, Chuck DeHaan. I think I've shown it before but didn't get a good photo of it because of where it was hanging and I was too lazy to take it down. Well, since we've repainted the walls pink I haven't put it back up yet so I got a pretty good shot of it today in my living room entry.
Most people express surprise because it's more western art than shabby romantic roses cottage but when I see or buy art it has to speak to my heart. Yes, this spoke to my heart when I found it in a little antique shop in Niles area of Fremont, Calif. when we lived there.
I see the Indian looking lovingly and reverently down at the little blue bird in the bottom right corner. It simply tugged at my heart and it has found its place in my home. And I love snow scenes! I hope you enlarge the photo to see it best.
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Why is it that everyone on the road has to be first? They'll whiz by me and I'll see them at the stop light. I call it "hurry up and wait" because that driver has wasted more gas but didn't save one second of time since we're both sitting there waiting for it to change. I try to never hurry while driving. I just let all the nuts and zanies in front of me. That way they won't rear end me. Works for me. ~*~
I heard the other day a famous actor comment on how he and his wife have been married for 30 years and are still together because they don't speak the same language. Literally don't speak the same language. He only speaks english and she only speaks french. I guess they sort of understand each other. How sad. First that he didn't learn her language and second that she didn't learn his language. Sounds prideful to me, not to mention rude and not at all like it should be.
Love Bunny and I have lasted for almost 48 years because we DO speak the same language: love for each other. A novel approach perhaps or a truly humble couple??? Hmmmm........ ~*~
There is definitely such a thing as an emergency run to the donut shop or to Michaels or Joanns. Trust me on this one.......please! ~*~
Nagging never seems to work very well for me. I think I should give it up and just deal with hubby doing it on his time frame and save myself the stress of nagging. It doesn't accomplish anything. And if after 40 years you see no progress then maybe it doesn't work like they told me it would. Ahhhhhhhhh, I feel less stressful already........ ~*~
My friend called me the other day with this opening line: Wicked witch, how may I torture you. A very novel line I thought. But then she knows me quite well and knew I'd probably need a laugh about that time of day. Plus she needs me; I'm helping to raise her teenagers with my words of wisdom........well, I think they are since my kids are 45 and 46 and doing quite well!! ~*~
I saw a couple waiting at the doctor's office the other day with a baby in a camouflaged baby carrier. Now, can anyone tell me why a teensy baby would need to be in a camouflaged carrier?! I doubt there were any deer or moose lurking at the medical center. But ya never know, right?! ~*~
A person once accused me (lightheartedly) of flattery. I told her I never ever flatter; I only speak truth. If someone is pretty I let them know. I always tell children how gorgeous they are because THEY ARE. (Kid in my house ripping it apart while mum sits idly by is the exception. They are never invited back. That's a firm rule in my home.) But it almost suggests I'm lying. Now, why in the world would I lie by saying you're lovely, gorgeous, pretty or beautiful. I get nothing out of letting someone know they look better than me. Nooooo, I don't flatter, I speak truth when that person is beautiful, lovely, pretty or gorgeous. ~*~
The concept of growing old has never really taken hold with me. Just ask anyone who knows me or chats with me on the phone and hasn't ever met me in person. I'm a 20 year old at heart.......okay, maybe 25, but that's the absolute oldest I'll go! I am the poster chick for "I'm never gonna grow old"! ~*~
I think a study should be done on the effect of testosterone in the presence of power tools. ~*~
Love Bunny and I were chatting one morning and I asked him if he thought there would be food in heaven. He thought not, but wasn't sure. If there is no chocolate, truffles, oriental chicken salad, fish, shrimp, beans and coleslaw, cornbread, french bread with butter or Pepsi, then I'm not sure I'd wanna go. ~*~
Last sunday in Relief Society at church they were doing a "good news" moment. Everyone who has good news just shouts it out. I thought of raising my hand and saying, "I think my anti-wrinkle cream is working finally" but thought better of it. They'd probably throw me out because of either my levity or I'm starting to look pretty darn good, chicks. Hah......... ~*~
Now, if you want to see how truly blessed you are in this life, watch this video below. But you'd better have some tissues ready. This man is astounding and shows the true humility of man and the power of God. He is a blessing to be here on this earth and I praise his loving parents for not aborting him. He has a zest for life I don't see in many people! I, also, love life and never ask "why me?" or "if only" or "what if", I go on and make my happiness the best way I know how. I lead a charmed and blessed life.
A decorating group I belong to decided to have a May Day swap. We all love roses and decorating our homes and there is much talent in this group of women! Anyway, my partner sent me the items picture below. She has truly out done herself! I was astounded opening the box!! So let's go look............
First of all this little box. Shirl covered it in a pink and white toile - just gorgeous! Then she added gimp, lace, roses, ribbon and pearls. Stunning.
Now you see the top of the box.
This is the inside of the box - more roses paper.
The "box" came in a big box and inside the BIG box was this: chocolate chip chunk cookies, white chocolate with flakes of coconut and teas.
Every chickadee needs tags, sheet music, darling little note papers, cards with velvet ribbon, lace and embroidered ribbon.
Then, oh my, look at the sachet of ribbon embroidery on its front, a bag of lavender and a pink shimmery bag.
Ephemera, vintage cards, lovely note paper, pretty prints to hang.
A scrap of lovely roses fabric.
Ribbons - blue ribbon, pink ribbon and pretty polka dot ribbon on a small spool, blue rick rack, pink ribbon with hearts, pink crepe paper and embroidery floss!
Two little vintage ballerinas and a tag with a porcelain rose on it. Oooooh my!!
A bouquet of little spring posies.
Little note cards and a darling little hang tag.
A teddy bear card, some lovely papers with women on them and some with cherubs and fairies on them.
Some more little note cards with blue and yellow and another cute hang tag with another porcelain rose. I'm sooooo impressed!
And then this little card of buttons......looking like little pink sparkly diamonds.
Okay, I'm off to finish off the cookies and white coconut chocolate. Trust me, it won't last long!! LOL
I am so honored to know this lady - Shirl. She is a sweetheart and more than generous with her talent. Thank you, my sweet friend!
Someone recently wanted to see my birdhouses and I just didn't feel like doing it but today I do. I'm not sure these are all of them; I might have one or two missing that I gave away but this is pretty much it. I love doing these more than anything in the world, but they didn't sell well for me. Maybe this will spark some interest! Who knows? But I'll continue to make them with the fabulous roses fabrics. I love the ones with icing the most I think. But it is the fabrics that make them so pretty. Only one has my painted roses on it. But they have rhinestones, pearls, ribbons, porcelain roses also, ribbon roses, "frosting or icing on some, silk flowers, lace, mica on the roof of one of them, german glass glitter on one or two and, of course, little birds in their nests.
~*~
