When I got an invitation to my niece's surprise 50th birthday party in Indiana, I couldn't say no. As soon as I finagled the kiddo watching schedule and made sure my turn was covered, I cashed in frequent flyer miles and packed my bag.
My niece, Shelli, has always loved mermaids, so I made this one as a gift for her. It's the same pipe cleaner and wool roving as the fairies we will be making in Birdsong, but with shells and a tail instead of clothes and legs. A little more complicated, but not much. And harder to sit up, so I packed a sea shell in the gift bag too, now the little mermaid has a seat.
This mermaid is holding a heart shaped coral from the Maui beach and her seahorse wand is a cocktail pick from our dinner cruise there. And my family wonders why I fill my pockets with "junk" sometimes, it's not junk, it's supplies!
My flight arrived in time for a lunch out with my sisses and the birthday girl. She didn't realize there was more in-store for her birthday the next day and had no idea I was there just for her. She thought that the lunch was the celebration itself, along with dinner out with her husband and kids that night.
So, the evening after her birthday, when everyone surprised her at the party, she was looking over her shoulder trying to figure out whose shindig this was.
It was cute to see her face when she realized everyone was there just for her.
My sisses and I were able to fit in a little antiquing the first day, just enough to score 3 floral hats and a few other tidbits, not a lot, but it scratched my junking itch.
Mostly I was there for family time, and glad to have it.
Our cousin even drove all the way down from Northern Indiana in the snow to join us for craft day.
Everyone consented to be my guinea pig students for the Birdsong fairies. This is Sissy's Valentine fairy, I'll have more to show later.
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ps- have you seen the Facebook movies that have sprung up over night? At first I wondered what the heck they were, then thought they were hokey, and soon after got sucked in to looking at them all.
Some are off a bit, like showing exes from years ago, or odd pictures. But some are golden. I even got a little teary eyed at a couple, including my own. Yep, I went along like a lemming and posted one.
They are fun to look at, but it's also creepy to see how fast they spread. In one day, it seemed like every other post was a fb movie. Like a zombie epidemic.
Beautiful projects Karla. What shops did you go to here in indiana? Looks like so much fun and what a nice surprise for the birthday girl.
We shopped at the Carmel antique mall and one in Noblesville. I usually find something good at that two story place in Carmel.
I like the sweet faces on the fairies! Loved the valentine fairy and the mermaid!! Can’t wait to play!
Oh, I hope we have the mermaid option at Birdsong. She is beautiful! Glad you got to spend time with family, although it probably wasn’t any warmer there than at home, darn it!
Id be happy to tell anyone how to make the mermaids for later, or even twist up a wire armature for them to take, but we will most likely just work on fairies that day. Im trying to figure out a cute display for them too.
I love how you take craft day wherever you go! What a treasure for your niece. I must try to experiment to see if I can come up with a mermaid or fairy sometime. they are enchanting!
What a fun birthday celebration! I love the mermaid doll you made for her. Can’t wait to see more Birdsong treats. Happy weekend ~ Heidi
What wonderful memories you made with your niece. She looks so much like you, too!
I think she looks a lot like my mom. She and I are a lot alike too, though. Thanks, I take that as a big compliment!
We are in for some fun! What a great visit with your family, you lucky gals.