What happens when two little cousins get matching ballerina dresses for Christmas?
Well, they are asked to pose for a picture, of course.
But soon, they just can't contain their happiness about the new outfits…
And the dancing begins!
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This is the book that I made for our Hippy Chick from all of my favorite 2010 images of her and Sugarwings.
Before I wrapped it up, Sugarwings wanted me to "read" it to her over and over. Of course, being the drama queen that she is, she loves any story that she is the star of.
And if she is a princess in the story, even better!
And combining princess crowns with fairy clothes, just about makes her giddy with happiness.
Still, I think what she liked about this book was that it was a story of her and her mommy and things they had fun doing this year.
Happy New Year! I wish for you a year filled with hugs from people that you love!
PS- to shop at 40% off in my Boutique, you need to use this link:
A couple of days before Christmas, I decided to make up photo albums as gifts. My husband came down with a horrid bug and I didn't feel like leaving the house to go over to the studio, so I worked with what I had with me in the dining room from my trip out shopping that day.
I had a stack of pictures, and a bit of sparkly glitter paper, along with a few colored pens, some Stickels glitter, and a fresh bottle of glue. So, I went through the recycling and found boxes to tear up to use as pages, and put together the base of the book from those.
I had to make a quick run to the studio to grab a stack of ephemera from my desk, but didn't take the time to go through any piles or make any plans. I gave myself a "Make it Work" challenge and went with what I had handy.
Since the albums were for my kids, I knew they'd love the idea that the books were made from trash and old things. All are big on recycling and appreciate a green project.
The main part of the books was made with what I grabbed, but the next day when my husband started to feel better, I went out to the studio to embellish some of the pages and make the cover for the book.
The dyed velvet for the cover was an old skirt that got torn up to make a purse. I saved all the scraps and used them for many different projects this season.
Like this little stuffed bird.
The bird was glued to a page with the new baby on it, since the fabric was from one of her mom's favorite skirts.
The butterfly is hand drawn in metallic inks on the white envelope the photos came in from Walgreens. I made it into a pocket to hold extra pictures.
I've added blue trim from my Great Aunt Caroline's estate to that page too. I like to mix sentimental things in with the trash as much as I can.
Not all of the pages are the same size, I think that adds a bit of interest to the book.
I like to use trim or ruffles or lace that hang down from the edge of the page, and got lucky on this one when I realized how pretty it looked on this side as well as on the other. After that, I paid more attention and did this with the ruffles on other pages on purpose. I'm glad I didn't have the boys' photos on the back of the ruffley page, it wouldn't have worked out so well when it peeked out and showed on this side!
The pictures I used were some of my favorite family photos from 2010.
While I adore digital photos to pieces, I don't like only having them stored on the computer. Its nice to have a pretty book to flip through, so that everyone can enjoy the pictures, not just me.
This album was a gift to my son, Mr. Zen and his Beloved. Its filled with all 7 kids, and photos of the two of them together too.
Plus myself, my husband and RyGuy.
I made this album and one for our little Hippy Chick as gifts this year, and I think they all liked the presents. But in a way, it was a gift to myself too. I loved taking time from all the hustle and bustle of the holidays and just look at pictures of the people I loved.
PS- to shop at 40% off in my Boutique, you need to use this link:
Was Santa good to you too?
We had the best Christmas morning ever, even though it was a couple of days after Christmas….
Sugarwings and her mommy stayed all night after the big family dinner on Sunday, and Santa came to see us that night. Apparently, he came by my house on Christmas Eve, but Sugarwings was not here, so he came back another day.
Kids are happy with any story that you tell them, as long as it ends in them getting presents.
He brought her a new art table, and lots of supplies. Plus, the little girl who sang "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" a few hundred times a day, got the game, Hungry Hungry Hippos.
I had it when I was a kid, and it is every bit as much fun now as it was then. We sat on the floor and played it for quite a while before even opening the other gifts. She was so sweet and cute with her presents. Just one would have been plenty for her. She was happy to sit and play with the first thing she opened and seemed surprised that there was more.
I think she was more fascinated by Santa's empty cookie plate than by the gifts themselves.
She also got a fairydoll that lights up with a pretty rainbow glow. It will be just perfect to play with on the airplane when we go to DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yep, that gift is for me. I get to take my Sugarwings to Disney. She is the perfect age to go, she is in her princess prime. She believes.
Her parents are very anti-commercialism, but love me and indulged my whim to take her there. They know that I love princesses and fairies as much as their little girl does.
We are staying at the park itself for two nights, and I can hardly wait. I've told Sugarwings that we are going, but she doesn't really get it. She does like the idea of taking an airplane trip with us. When I went to DC, she was heartbroken to be left behind. And being 4 years old, plus very dramatic, when she says her heart is broken, she MEANS it.
So, this time, we are cashing in the Southwest airline points and taking her along. One of the great things about SW Airlines is that you can fly into one city, rent a car, travel around and fly home from another city for no extra cost. So, we are hop scotching our way across the South.
We're going to Atlanta first to meet up with friends, then driving to Savanah for cupcakes on our way to stay at Hilton Head for a night. Then on to my baby brother and his husband's house in Jacksonville before our couple of nights in Orlando. Lots of driving time for a 4 year old, but she travels well with us.
Sugarwings is not a low key type kid, but when she gets one on one time, she is a joy to be around. Now, if I try to do something that doesn't involve her, things can get complicated.
We are meeting up with Jenn and her fairy Vivie. I'm hoping that our little Tasmanian Devil won't scare that sweet little Southern Belle away…. We are having lunch with them and with my pal Suzanne who lives in Atlanta too. And my husband has given up a round of golf to come along and help with Sugarwings so I can chat with my friends who I rarely see.
She is a wonderful, sweet, loving, caring child, but she can be a handful. There is just way too much personality to fit in that tiny little body of hers, so sometimes we have to do tag team child care with her. One person can't always manage alone in public. She has a way of going off into a land that only she can see and doesn't hear anything that is said to her.
Sugarwings and I are so close because I understand her and can find her when she goes off into her make believe world. But if I am distracted, she has trouble dealing with it. So, bringing my husband along will help.
A week is a long time to be away from my other babies, all the grand kids and the dorkies. I have a feeling I'll be homesick about half way through the trip. But then, we'll hit Disney World and that will get me over it!
Not only did I get a trip to Disney for Christmas, I also got this pretty pillow/wall hanging.
Beth made it for me. Look at the detail in the embroidery!
My oldest son gave me some candles, which is his standard gift. He keeps me supplied for every holiday and has it timed just right, so that I run out just as the next occasion arrives.
Mr. Zen, Sugarwing's Daddy, found me an old fashioned pop corn popper along with some organic coconut oil and local popcorn for it. I tried some of the corn he makes with his and have not had microwave popcorn once since then. YUM I was thrilled with his gift!
Yep, my family and friends know me well and spoiled me rotten. I know I say it a lot, but its true, I am very lucky!
My talented son, made wire wrapped charms for all the kids in the family, this one went to his brother RyGuy. There was a lot of hand made and heart felt gifting going on around here, the best kind of presents! I hope your Christmas was a jolly one too, with gifts from the heart and lots of family time.
Cute, huh? She is a serious one so far. She just watches and listens and takes all the commotion around her in with no fussing. On Christmas Day, she went with us to a movie (True Grit- REAL good!!) and dinner (sushi- really, really good!) and I don't think we heard a peep from her all day.
After so many parties this season, it was so pleasant to spend Christmas Day itself at the theater and out to eat while Sugarwings went with her Hippy Chick mommy to their family.Having a 'day off' to rest up got me ready to host the big dinner party on Sunday night. Both girls stayed all night with us after the party and had Santa visit lMonday morning, so we got to extend our celebrating even more.
Mayara's favorite Christmas present was a blanket that my grandma made for my son 31 years ago. It was a night of handmade goodness and thrift store finds. An excellent way to do gifts!
Christmas Eve was a quiet one around here. Just Sugarwings and her sister, Daddy, and his Beloved plus my husband and I. We had rainbow trout, fresh brussel sprouts, and garlic fingerling potatoes, and waited to open gifts when my oldest son, Ryan got off of work.
(by the way, the nickname for our littlest fairy didn't stick. No Star Brite for her. I found out that is Rainbow Brite's horse's name. Not that I am anti-pony, I love horses, but I'd rather not name my grand daughter after one)
Poor Ry Guy had to work till 9 or so on Christmas Eve, but we were happy to wait up for him for presents.
A couple of us had some last minute work to do to finish up gifts. I worked on things right up till dinner time, myself. I made so many last minute creations, that I didn't even have a chance to photograph any of them. I was whipping stuff up so fast, I was like all of Santa's elves bundled into one crazy, gluey, woman.
But I did manage to snap a picture of these headbands for the little girls. They are so easy to make! I simply took a plain, plastic headband, ran a bead of glue along each side, and wrapped cloth or ribbon around and around from one end to the other, pressing it into place.
Then, glued on a pretty. Each took a matter of moments. I'd say it took longer to pick out the pretty and ribbon than it did to actually finish the headbands.
I've got more Christmas photos to share in the next post. I hope Santa brought you all the joy and goodies you asked for from him!
Agnes Rosebud and I are almost worn to a frazzle by Christmas. But not quite yet, two parties left to go! We'll have to muster some cheer and hang on to that last frazzle of strength to get us through.
Looking at Sugarwings' happy little face is usually all it takes for me. Although a nap doesn't sound bad… I wouldn't mind curling up on the pillow with the pup.
Ever notice, that no matter how soft the surface is, whether it is a couch or a bed, or a chair- that a little dog will always climb up on a pillow or blanket that is lying there? Like the sofa itself isn't quite soft enough, they need a pillow too.
Tonight is our dinner for 21, which is a pitch in meal, so should be easy to make. I'm keeping it simple so I can relax and enjoy the company. I'm still making a few gifts in the studio, then need to re-fluff the space into a dining room. But I'll leave an area set aside for artwork, while dinner is cooking, we'll be making projects out there.
So far, its been the loveliest weekend, ever. Even if I am worn out by all of Sugarwing's excitment and energy. She has stayed all night with us a few nights this week, but tonight is the one when Santa is coming to our house. Her mommy is having a sleepover here too. We are making pancakes again in the morning, along with a salmon quiche after we see what Santa has brought.
Friday morning, we took our fairy grand baby to the restaurant that her Daddy cooks at part time while he is trying to build up his massage/energy work business. Since he had to work on Christmas Eve, we thought we'd come to see him and eat our breakfast there.
Sugarwings ordered a strawberry pancake and her father surprised her with a Santa face on it.
Its the happy little fun details that have made this Christmas so wonderful. Cuddling up to watch Rudolf, painting each other's noses red just like our favorite deer's nose, having a hot cocoa party every night before bed, drawing pictures with a pen shaped like Frosty. Nothing that costs much, but lots of happy Holiday things to do together.
The last few days, an elf has come in to our home and hidden her candy cane that she needs for stirring her hot chocolate. So, she has had to follow clues around the house to lead her to the treasure. After jumping up and down with glee a bit when finding the jackpot candy cane, we pull her table over in front of her pink lit Christmas tree, and have our party.
I hope your Christmas has been one to cherish too. Ours is full of good memories, and more to come. I'd better go color on my Rudolf nose and get busy before the guests arrive.
I've been reading my comments and emails on my magic phone, but haven't had a chance to answer any. Thanks for the Christmas wishes! And that I am wishing the Merriest of Christmas seasons right back at you!
Sunday was Girl's Night Out with the moms of my two grand fairies. We brought along this little sugarplum since she never leaves her momma's side.
There is something really nice about having daughters. Now, my sons are the best, and I love them to pieces. And Sugarwing's daddy is the most sensitive, caring man you'll ever meet. He is a good listener and a wonderful person to talk to. I'm always surprised at the wisdom that comes out of his mouth, but crazy boy grew up to be a thoughful man, with an amazing outlook on life.
We'll always have a special relationship and he and I best friends as well as mom and son.
But, I was raised with two sisters and we were always close with our mom. So, I'm used to girl time and missed it, raising two boys.
I am now doubly blessed that I have my boys as well as these girls! Also that my sassy Hippy Chick and my sweet Gypsy Beloved are friends and we can have a laughter filled evening out on the town as a group. We enjoyed it so much, we will make it a tradition and hit the town together again for Mother's Day.
We are all going to be together for Christmas Dinner along with Beth and her family, and my brother-in-law's family (with little Pixie Pie) here in the studio the day after Christmas.
We'll have 21 here for the day, so my table scape will get another workout! I'll be adjusting and squeezing in some tables to make us all fit, but basically, the center pieces will stay the same. They have sure gotten plenty of use this year!
I'm also hoping we can do a craft project while waiting for the meal to begin. Everyone is bringing a side dish, and a friend just sent us a Honey Baked Ham (we call those Pork Candy) so we'll be having an easy meal. And we will pretend that there is no such thing as cholesterol.
There should be time to play too! I bought paper clay and hope to make up some snow balls ahead of time, so we can transform them into snowmen ornaments.
Some of our guests for last Saturday's dinner party brought their pup, from Twinkle's previous litter. Funny to see her next to Agnes Rosebud, who is about a 1/3 her size! They hit it off, though and had a great time together.
(my husband said they look like Danny Devito and Arnold from the movie Twins)
They would have had even more fun, if BUTTON had come…. Beth seemed to think that I don't want dogs at my dinner parties. Like she has never been here before??? We teased her about it all night. I guess she thought it was going to be fancy and dogs weren't allowed. She knows better now and is bringing him for our Christmas dinner this weekend.
Aggie Rose can stop looking so sad when her best friend gets here to play.
Beth brought me this embellished burlap bag filled with Shiny Brite ornament box tags. She has a pdf on her blog for you to print some for yourself too. I've already tied a couple to gifts, they really add a nice touch!
Of course, I still dont' have all my shopping done, so there has not been much to wrap yet… hope you are all done and enjoying this last week festivities before the big day comes!
Sugarwing's school play was cute as can be.
The whole family came out to watch her and Mr. Fin, who sang his little heart out. He was enjoying his moment in the lime light and really got into performing.
Sugarwings, on the other hand, was just having a good time, and sometimes plain old forgot to sing.
This afternoon, I'm getting ready for another holiday party. Can you believe Christmas is almost here??? I don't like to think about it being so soon, because that means it will soon be past too. I want to waller in every moment of the season and soak up all the joy I can. The holidays make me happy as a pig in mud.
If possible, I want to squeeze in another craft day with my local art friends. Last week, some Kansas City buddies came by for a holiday art day and we created these dress forms. Normallly, craft day is individual projects, but this time, we did a group effort and I taught a class on how to build these maniquins based on a Barbie doll model.
Its interesting to see how different everything comes out, when we were all doing the exact same thing. Except for this dress form, she was made with a vintage doll as the model and kind of came out potato shaped. But we added a couple of ruffles and gave her some curves and I think that she turned out lovely. (I've picked up a few tips from years of watching What Not To Wear!)
Since tis the season, some of us decided to transform them into angels. Mine is going to be part of the table decor for my dinner party tonight.
I'd better get busy… We have 15 for dinner and I'm arranging chairs at the studio tables. I've had the Christmas music blaring all afternoon while I finish up a few little things I've been making. But now its time to get the party details in line. Lettuce to wash, appetisers to make, wine to chill.
I made up the food yesterday, veggie lasagna, stuffed mannicotti, and meatballs. Ready to pop in the oven. I also made 4 batches of Christmas cookies and have goodies out for kids to decorate them tonight. Don't you think a freshly decorated cookie tastes better than just about anything else? And kids love to do their own.
I'm off to work! Hope your weekend is a jolly one too.
We had a Kid's Holiday Party yesterday and the little ones indulged me with a little dress up play and modelling.
I tried to make the photo part quick so they would think it was fun, then got them back to the main event- goodies, and art projects.
We had hot cocoa with all the fixins, eggnog, brownies, pumpkin bars, veggies, and rollups. It was an early out day for school, so the party was from 2-5, so these weren't meant for dinner, just after school snacks.
We had a couple different projects to do too. I picked up a dozen Santa hats from the dollar store, and a bagful of half price holiday floral pics from Hobby Lobby. There really is a lot of fun stuff on those wire picks, jingle bells, flowers, pretend candies, glittered leaves, etc. I just took some wire cutters and separated all the big sprigs into individual pieces, easy for gluing on to the hats and set out a few other fun tid bits for them to have at too. There is always plenty of extra goodies around the studio to share.
They got to make some chip board ornaments too, and all the mommies each made a couple of those for their trees too.
We ended up not getting photos of all the kids. The boys weren't as interested in posing, and my fairy grand girls were busy with playing and artwork. I can catch them later for pictures, though.
A few years back, I painted a Christmas tree mural on plywood and had cup hooks on the tree branches to sell ornaments off of at antique shows. Now, I bring the mural in from the shed and set it in my living room for the holidays. With a few other props in front of it, it made a good backdrop for the pictures.
This morning, I've been doing some editing to the pictures. I LOVE PICNK!!!!!!!!
Playing with hand tinted photos is almost as much fun as painting, but easier and quicker! And way, way too addictive.
I should be out doing some Christmas shopping instead of playing with pictures.
But can you see why I love doing it so much, when I have such gorgeous little models to work with?
I'll get some prints made and maybe these can be some of my Christmas gifts this year.
Its been a hectic, busy, Christmas packed couple of weeks. Before the trip, I had my book club bash, then while we were in Virginia, we were treated to a holiday office party dinner out with my husband's co-workers.
Since I've been back, I have had Sugarwing's school play, craft day, and his little kid party. Plus a couple of Sugarwing Sleepover nights, and those are a party in themselves….
Tomorrow is a party at a friend's and Saturday I'm having another dinner party.
And do I have presents purchased and wrapped? Heck no.
I thought about shopping while in Virginia, but my family is not easy to buy for. I can't just pop into JCPenny and buy a gift for any of them. They like specialty items, dance costumes, art supplies, hand made stuff, or recycled goodies. So, I've put it off.
Those hand made items are going to be biting me on the butt if I don't get moving on them…. I have hopes to do some small paintings for the kid's rooms.
Waiting till the last minute, then throwing one party after another might not have been the smartest holiday plan…
I'm afraid that by the time I get done with all my parties, and its time to do that last minute gift rush, I'll be feeling like Sugarwings was last night after the party!
(no editing can help this little model, I'm afraid- she partied hard)
Did I mention that there was face painting at the party too? I painted the kids' and they reciprocated by painting mine.
My hair is still a bit crisp from the paint.
One of the few gifts that I bought and have ready to give, has to be returned! I bought matching fairy gowns for Pixie Pie and Sugarwings at Tuesday Morning for $10 each, and Pixie Pie showed up wearing the same dress for the party!
She looks so beautiful in it, I just knew it was the perfect dress for her. But now, what do I give her?
While we are talking about gifts, I need to announce the winner of the 1,000,000th visitor giveaway.
Thanks so much for leaving all the kind comments about my milestone! I wish I had a gift for you all (but as you just heard me complaining about- I don't even have gifts for my family for Christmas yet!)
This gift goes to:
Pat Spone (no blog) Pat, please send me your address and I'll get your gift in the mail.
I will be away from my desk, and won't be able to answer all comments, but I will enjoy reading them when I get back!
If you have any questions about Romantic White Christmas, you can contact Beth, she'll be happy to help.
Please, do go ahead and shop away in my Boutique and Etsy, and I will mail your purchases Monday the 13th (in time for Christmas!).
Also, if you want to enter the 1,000,000th Visitor Giveaway, please leave a comment HERE before the 12th.
This year, I kept it simple. Well, simple for me, that is. I do like stuff….
But this area seems restrained, doesn't it? I hung a simple silver spray painted vine wreath on my gothic arch window frame and hung a tree that I made for Romantic White Christmas Ezine on it.
On the table below the frame, is a gold glittered dish filled with an assortment of shiny tidbits, and a tree that I made at Silver Bella.
My other creation from the two classes I took from Kerry Lynn Yeary sits on another table. (by the way, if you ever get a chance to take a class from her, DO IT! She is delightful.)
I'm so happy to be using my Silver Bella creations all over the house this year.
Of course, I always enjoy my bella classes, but this year seems even more special. I'm extra pleased with what I brought home, because I color coordinated them and made plans ahead of time to use them for Christmas.
This basket was made in Charlotte's class, and I brought lots of gold wallpaper to cover the segments.
The inside is covered in 100 year old, hand made Chinese paper, that I found on the trip to wallpaper heaven. Just what I needed to make this festive!
I added this little girl in a top hat, so I'd have a souvenir of this year's theme, "Hats on Parade".
In Betz White's class we learned how to make felted rosettes. I took the idea and twisted some tattered silk into a rose bud to add to the basket too.
The frame on the left is what I made in her class. Not exactly what we were supposed to be doing, but I used her technique to make the nest, and then I covered the frame in wallpaper, inked the edges, and glued mica over it all. Inside the frame is a vintage Christmas card with a baby picture tucked into it.
(this is all on top of the TV cabinet)
In a previous post I showed you the 5th class, the Tea Cup Fairy. But that is not the end, we got a great bonus project this year!
This frame is from our opening night dinner project, which I had to bring home to finish. I take pride in finishing my projects while in Omaha, but this one I wanted to frame baby pictures in, and I didn't have the new grandbaby yet!
Pictures of my fairy girls went right inside as soon as I could get them printed.
This frame will be a special heirloom for me to pull out every Christmas and show the girls, and talk about what cute babies they were!
My friend, Laurie, gave me this blue ledger paper and I had to immediately glue it down on something and use it right away, I loved it so much. And since this was our opening night project, it is made of blue ledger paper.
I am a big believer in "using the good stuff". Mostly because I am too impatient to save it, I love playing with new 'old' pretties!
Even though the blue isn't as neutral as the rest of the projects, I think it fits in well.
Heck, these girls are so cute, I could have used TP instead of good paper and the frame would have been beautiful. They steal the show!
While speaking of Bellas, here is a gift I got from my new pal, Shel
And if that wasn't enough, look at this cute hat she made too!