Thank you all for your nice messages and prayers. We gave my father-in-law a great send off and had a fabulous family gathering to say farewell. I have to say, that man sure had some wonderful kids. I'm lucky to be a part of such a family.
They came together with lots of love, caring and laughter, and made this week one to always remember. Sometimes the saddest occasions can also be the happiest. When you belong to a group of people like these!
Well, my halls are all decked and our cottage is festively foofed. My husband says it looks like Christmas threw up all over the place. We've had Sugarwings quite a bit over the weekend, so not much else has gotten done but play with her. All the Christmassing happened while she was asleep (I decorated trees till almost 4am). No photos yet, I'll be getting some soon. When I recover.
So, while she is in school today, I'm busily getting caught up on cleaning up my Boutique (deleting sold goods and adding a few new things, marking some other stuff down) and adding more goods to Etsy, as well as fine tuning the Romantic White Christmas Ezine.
Beth and I had a new post every single day while the classes were ongoing. Now that they have been completed, I had to go back and rearrange it all so that it started with the first posts, not with the newest posts. You know how a blog runs from newest first to oldest last? That is how the classes were set up. Which was great while we were adding daily.
Now that they are all up and running, I needed to put them into an easier format to read as a class. We learned some lessons while doing our first class, the Romantic Gothic Ghosts, and made this Ezine a little easier to tweak at the end than that one was.
(all of these pictures are of the little "extra" projects we included in the classes that aren't listed on the sign up page)
We also added catagories for each posting, so that you can click on the lesson you want to look at and go directly to it.
It looks to me like it is pretty easy to follow and find your way around. I'd love some feed back from anyone who has signed up.
If you are in the class, and have posted any of your projects on a blog or flickr, I've got a place to add a link on my blog roll to your pictures. Please send me an email with your info if I can link to you.
On Friday, I avoided the huge crowds of early shoppers and headed to a flea market with Beth instead. There was a lot of millinery available, but most a higher price than I like. I got a couple of hats, then found a few more at one of my favorite antique shops, plus I'd picked up a few on my trip to Omaha for Silver Bella.
Agnes Rosebud seems to like old flowers as much as I do… I've listed some flowers in the shops, and have big plans for making this with others. There is a banner I am working on that will need a few, and I'm hoping to make a purse tomorrow.
And there will be plenty of sparkle to chose from for the purse! Got this bagful at the flea too.
I like to save the tiniest flowers for projects like these.
Itty Bitty flowers are so sweet on these Christmas trees I decorated (they are in my shops now).
My favorite bloom of the bunch has to be this rose, pure velvet!
Well, I'd better get back to listing things. There will be some new items added this evening too, I'm getting more photos done now while the light is good and will post some trinkets in the shop later.
The chocolate and sepia trees are already listed. How nice that the first ones I made were such a hit, I had to whip up a few more.
This set is Neopolitan: milk chocolate, creamy strawberry, and French vanilla.
I'll leave you with a few more pics of new goods. And if you want something from both shops, I do combine shipping and always refund any excess that is more than a couple dollars over actual postage.
I probably don't even have to say how thankful I am do I??? You guys all know that there were worries about the baby long before she came, and her poor momma was having a rough time. I couldn't be more thankful that both are happy and well now.
And I'm so thankful to have a new litle fairy to add to my flock!
Not only do I have my own two little grand fairies, and great niece Pixie Pie to play with, I've also grown to love Adam's Beloved's little ones. And no one appreciates a make believe game of dress up more than Miss Clover. What would I do without her in my life?
And this little sprite-let? I can't tell you how much I love her. She is quite the handful, and keeps us hopping, but the moment she leaves to go to back to her parent's home, all we can think about is when we get to see her again, no matter how tired we feel after playing with her. There is so much personality packed into that tiny little body that she wears out anyone near her, but it is a wonderful exhaustion. Kind of like a day of gardening, when the sun is shining, there is a cool breeze, and your flowers are blooming and looking great. The day was a lot of work, and you are ready for a rest, but the feeling is a good, satisfied tiredness, a happy one.
My fingers are crossed that her baby sister will take on some of the qualities of her second middle name, Zen. I don't know if I can chase two kids with the bounciness of Sugarwings….
But I'll do my best. Grand babies have a way of keeping you young, all these little ones are bringing out the kid in me. I love seeing things through Sugarwing's eyes. Today, a lonely leaf blew across the parking lot of the grocery store and she told me a long story about his family that he was trying to get back home to.
Tiny little things that I would walk right by with my own 52 year old sensibilities become magical, beautiful things when I look at them with a 4 year old's perspective. We amble every where we go and are always on the look out for a fuzzy bug, or a twig that might really be a wand with special powers. Simply walking across the back yard can be an adventure when I have this little person with me.
Yes, a lot to be thankful for. A handsome, funny, husband who was told at his checkup today that he was in tip top condition.
Two sons who tried their best break me in their teenage years, but grew into strong, kind hearted men that make me proud.
Sugarwing's smart and sassy Hippy Chic mommy who is my baby girl now. And Adam's Beloved Gypsy who is a kind and gentle soul, with a lovely outlook on life. I hope she considers me her mom too.
Sisters, and neices that I love like the best of friends and best friends that I love like sisters.
And a house full of Dorkies. There is nothing more cheerful than a stampede of tiny little feet running to greet me when I come in the front door.
Oh, and how can I leave out my STUDIO!? Its a dream come true, after a life time of using dining room tables, folding tables, or whatever corner I could find to set up my stuff?
Please forgive me for being schmaltzy. But this is a time of year when I get sentimental. I'm still a little teary from watching the touching scene in Glee last night…. New babies do that to you too, its easy to tear up and get emotional when there is a newborn in your life. When my kids were little, I thought it was the hormones that made me cry at TV commercials, but now I know its just the nearness of a little cuddle bundle that does it to me.
I hope all of you get a chance to count your blessings tomorrow. In between all the hectic meal prep and clean up, take a moment just to look around at faces you love and breathe in the happiness.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Over the weekend, I spent a little time lightening up the living room. (I was going to say de-flowering, but that just sounds wrong)
For the summer, I'd hung rose pattern curtains, scattered rosey pillows around the room, and set out some floral plates and trays as accents. Since the basics of the room are neutral, its really easy to switch out looks by changing accessories.
I hung my Target Shabby Chic white velvet drapes, duct taped an old velvet duvet cover over the sofa cushion, and took out anything pink or rosey.
No, not all rosey things! Agnes Rosebud stayed, of course.
After covering the couch cushion, I stuffed a crocheted table cloth under it, to peek out a bit, and got out my neutral pillows.
But the best part of the change over is the banner! My side swap from Silver Bella got hung up too. I used bits of lace tied together to hang it from.
And for the Holidays, I think I'll add some glittered letters to spell JOY.
And Suzanne Duda.
Great swap, huh???
And at the Silver Bella Vendor Faire, I was also lucky enough to get one of Lesa Daily's beautiful birds. She sells out FAST at any show she is in. That lady has some skills!
I'm kinda decorating for the holidays, but not quite. Just a hint of whats to come. Its fun to do it gradually.
For now, I've just set out some of my Silver Bella projects and the Romantic White Christmas things that I made for the online EZine (which reminds me- if you are showing any of your work from the class on your blog, please let me know!)
My plan during classes in Omaha was to make all the projects coordinate. I packed lots of white, silver, gold, and neutral and made everyone of my classes into something Christmassy to use in my home.
Usually, I have a vending booth and my free class period is spent in a craze of setting up, and this year I didn't vend. So I spent some of my free period in the hotel room puttering around on finishing stuff up, but I got lonely. So I took a walk downstairs and popped into other classes to visit and see what everyone was making. In Kari Lynn's class, I saw a bunch of friends, so they invited me to pull up a chair and visit. Someone gave me some wire, so I made this little door (with bird) for the cage I had already made in one of Kari Lynn's previous classes.
I was in two of her classes, then crashed this third one. Then, on Sat. she sat next to me in another class and as we were working away and chatting, I turned and introduced myself and said I didn't think we'd met. She said "YOU WERE JUST IN TWO OF MY CLASSES! " Ooops. I told her that her classes were so good that I was concentraiting on the project, not her face!
After that, she started calling me Dory. "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming" (from Nemo) At least its not as bad as the year I asked Mary Englebrait to take my picture with someone, not knowing who she was…
Thing is, Kari Lynn's classes were wonderful and I just adored them and her. She is teaching at Kim's next wonderland, and that is one of the reasons I am going. Well, her and Colleen, who I got to know too. I really enjoyed them both.
I'll show the other projects when I finish my Christmas decor. I ran out of time, we had family over to meet the new baby on Saturday night.
Sugarwings and Pixie Pie had some dress up fun.
I can't believe how grownup this girl is getting. But all of a sudden, all my babies look HUGE, since we have added the tiny, newest fairy to the flock.
On Sunday, I got some more trees done and a few are in the Etsy shop now, more to come! Thanks for all the tree love.
These are a little something different, I tried some sepia ones. I like them, they fit well with my neutral living room. I hope people don't think they look like trees left up way too long.
I'll leave you with some new Etsy goods:
Wow, thanks SO much for the response to our Romantic White Christmas e-zine! I've been working away on it, and actually wrote 11 posts in 2 days. Whew! Plus making more stuff for it. I have a habit of not being able to stop once I get started….
I've got a couple of "bonus" projects made and a couple of other extras too. Just some simple little pretties for the holidays.
Today, I started cleaning up mystudio to get ready for a dinner party and was able to use some of the Romantic White Christmas things in my decor. These aren't over whelmingly screaming CHRISTMAS, they are just sparkly, vintage and festive.
Well, this one kind of does. At least it screams "NOEL"!
When Beth and I shot photos for the classes, we had all the things we made on display, and I liked the look of this up in the window so much, that I'm leaving it. I already missed the Romantic Gothic Ghosts banner, the window felt naked without it.
I might just be a banner adict now. I'll need one for every season.
We took everything off the top of this buffet and redid it in whites and silver as a back drop for the projects and I liked it so much, its staying this way. It had been a pink explosion before, now there is just a hint of blush here and there.
Sadly, when I started putting the tables together and pulled out my favorite table cloth, this is what it looked like. Its really old, and the fabric is just falling apart. I am too lazy to was afraid to try to sew it, and thought it was a goner. Then, I remembered Kay Ellen's Sealah Tape. The stuff is amazing!
Its a two sided tape that her mom invented and is so easy to use.
A few holes here and there don't bother me, but that was big enough to lose a dinner plate in. So I covered up the bad place with a few bits of lace and some tattered silk.
While I was at it, I covered up a few more rips with lace. (These girls don't realize I am taking a photo of the table cloth. Please don't tell them. They think cameras are only meant to focus on them)
Today I made time to finish up my hat for Silver Bella too. Here is a little bit of it. Its a bit different as far as head wear goes….
I am just glowing with happiness! You know why? Dawn of the Feathered Nest has agreed to join Lisa of Tarnished and Tattered and Carol of Raised in Cotton to come and teach at my May Day art gathering at the Cottage!!
Sorry, no details yet, besides a Save the Date, and a theme. Springtime, May Day, and Birdsongs all wrapped up into a back to nature crafting weekend in my studio for about 20 guests. Expect more info after Silver Bella.
Right now, I'm trying to get ready for this big event and a houseful of guests coming to visit and play before the Omaha wonderland begins. Teresa is selling these tees ahead of time, which is a good idea. Mine has already arrived and I've got it all glittered up and ready to wear.
And I'm also in the middle of pulling together another online class with Beth. She and I are working on A Romantic White Christmas, and I've been scanning and editing images to fit the bill.
My stash of vintage goodness is filled with holiday ephemera. But, not all is appropriate. LIke this page, really cute, but "cute" isn't the theme. I'm picking out the gorgeousness that is lurking in my old book pages and cards and photos.
You can click on the calander to enlarge, then save it to your own computer to print. Its a good one, just not the style I'm going for.
Romantic, soft colors, lots of neutrals is what I'm scanning for the classes. I've edited 50 so far and still have a stack to go through. Beth will also be adding images, so you'll receive quite a selection of backgrounds, photos, flowers, and text. More than you'll need for the projects, there will be plenty left to play with and make into more than just what we have lessons planned for.
We'll have the class ready in plenty of time for you to make things for the holidays!
I hope you'll join us, our last class was a lot of fun. I've enjoyed my Romantic Gothic Ghost banner, and it was a part of my decor for the Kid's Halloween Bash and Pumpkin Gala last night in the studio.
But so much for my goal of an orange-free Halloween, huh? Well, inside the house, its all Romantic and Gothic, but for the kid's party, I oranged it up. My mother-in-law sent us this floral display and I decided to take advantage of its cheery colors and decorate the table top to match it for the party.
The little guy sitting in the flowers, is made from paper clay, painted and glittered, then glued to a bit of old trim.
For all the kids, I made up craft packs for them to work on that night. For all the moms, I made up these goblin face pumpkins.
The kids each got plain pumpkins to paint, since I knew they'd like to paint their own faces on them. These are made of paper clay too.
There are a few extras, when I make things, I get carried away and make a LOT. The guy on the left is for sale, $10 if you are interested. His name is Boris.
The fellow on the left in this one is Edgar. He's also needing a home – $10
"Peek" is the little cutey on the left in this photo. He's $8.
Please leave a comment if you want to purchase one of these guys, and tell me which one by his name.
They were so fun to make, I think I'll be whipping up some snow ladies soon. NO WAIT! I need to focus. I have a long list of priorities that I need to stick to.
Don't you wish you could just sit and make things and not worry about the rest of your obligations?
Sometimes I just drive myself batty trying to do too much. I want to do it ALL!
Usually I fit a lot into my life, so I shouldn't complain. This afternoon, I'll be going to the gym, picking the last of the garden veggies before the frost forecasted for tonight, and tackling the mess left behind from the party!
None of it is very fun or productive, just stuff I need to get done. But afterwards? I'm heading to the Curious Sofa for Debbie's Holiday Open House. Now, that is quite a big carrot to dangle in front of me to stay focused while getting all my tasks finished this afternoon!
And tomorrow? Maybe a bit more Sugarwings time, if I'm lucky. See why my online class isn't ready to go and I don't have details for the spring fling up yet??
No baby yet, but I have more pics of the shower last week. Earlier, I showed you the bright colored dining tables set up in the studio. In the house, I used the dining room to set up a dessert buffet and decorated in there with pink and white.
Not all the treats are set out yet in these photos, I had a pumpkin cheesecake to join the brownies and strawberry shortcake. I'd made home made whipped cream for the first time in my life, and sadly, I fell madly in love with the stuff. I want to make it all the time, and my previous fave, low fat CoolWhip will never be good enough again.
For the centerpiece, I scanned old photos of babies and turned them into shower fairies by giving them wings and parasols.
The are hung from spray painted and glittered branches potted in my pink gum ball machine. I just took the top off of the machine, wrapped a chunk of oasis floral foam in pink shredded paper and slid it in. Then, stuck the branch into the foam and started hanging fairies.
A pink toy trunk from my studio was used to set the fairy tree on. And Sugarwing's doll bed was lined with old doilies and used to hold napkins, plates, and silverware.
Her room got raided again for a doll bed to use for dispay too.
I turned the dining table sideways and pushed it up to the window, then sat the chairs around the room in seating groups. This vintage bedspread was used as a table cloth, but it was too short and both ends of the table were open and naked. So, I draped two lace curtains across the ends of the table.
All of the flowers were from my garden, or a friend's yard, and all of the decor was stuff I found around the house or made in the studio. So it cost me nothing (but the price of the food) to make the room pretty for the party.
And yes, the friend said I could pick her flowers.
The poor tree branch that I used for the fairies is from my dearly departed Weeping Pussy Willow that died this summer. I snapped the top off of the tree to keep, since it was such a pretty shape, and it was ideal for spray painting and filling with fairies. (if you count the $60 tree, I guess my display was not cheap after all!)
Here is a little tip from me:
If you decide to make a banner to hang behind your table for a party, you should probably do it BEFORE you have everything set up.
I was all done with my table and felt like I was missing something, so ran out to the studio to make this banner and had to squeeze behind the table and tippy toe stretch to hang it.
The banner is 4 squares of chipboard covered in old wallpaper, with a crepe paper ruffle across the bottom. I then used a decorative punch to cut out ledger paper shapes, glued those down, and wrote the letters B A B Y in glitter on the centers of the shapes. It still looked bare, so I popped a millinery bloom in the center of the crepe paper. Very fast and simple. Holes got punched in the tops and I hung it from a length of pink tulle.
It was a lot quicker to make than to hang on the window! Of course, if I'd hung it before setting up the table, it would have been a heck of a lot easier.
The tree confused my poor husband who only asked me a couple of times who all the babies were. He seems to think that anytime I use a cabinet card for making something, it must be a relative. Because why on earth would you have pictures of strangers in the house?
Of course, he is the same guy who was showing photos of our house in a magazine to his mom. When I looked over his shoulder, I saw it wasn't even my article, or our house. If it was pink and white, he figured it must be ours.
Its amazing that he can be so good natured about me working in the studio so much, since he really doesn't get what I do at all. In his mind, I must be out here just playing demented paper doll games and painting everything I can get a hold of white.
Luckily, I have my Sugarwings, who thinks that everything I have is the COOLEST. And soon, I'll have Mayara, and I'll start teaching her to have fun in the studio with me. Its nice to have some one who GETS ME. Like my fairy baby and my blog friends do.
Hey, if you'd like to come and play in my studio world,too- I'm planning a workshop out there on May Day weekend of 2011. I've got a couple of great instructors lined up and am still working out the details.
My friend, Lisa and I were chatting back and forth this weekend, and one of those, "wouldn't it be fun if" conversations turned into "Lets do it on May Day and have a Spring party!". I emailed Carol and she is in too. (if you get a chance, go by and tell Carol Happy Birthday, she is celebrating this weekend)
This class will be small, less than 20 people. (if I'm lucky enough to get 20, that is!!) Simple, casual, fun, and laid back. Just the way I like things.
I'd love to see you here in the studio next spring…. I meet the nicest people in blogland. Rachael sent us a doll she made of Sugarwings, inspired by my paintings in the Grumpy Fairy book! Isn't it adorable?
On Sunday, I did my part to get ready for the new baby. I painted a bassinette for her.
Its a Fairy Gypsy Wagon basket with lots of colors, flowers, butterflies, with a sun on one end and moon on the other.
While cleaning out the shed, I came across this old bassinette, that I had used for display at shows. My husband was horrified, not only because it wasn't leaving with the rest of the goodies in the shed, but because I said I was keeping it for the baby. He called it a death trap. Mostly, he just doesn't care for old stuff, and doesn't see possibilities in them.
The paint was chipped and peeling and it was full of spiders and dirt. Well, I'm not fond of spiders and those had to go, but I love chippy and peeling. Too bad that's not a safe thing for babies. It all had to be sanded to remove any loose paint, and the base of it needed to be repaired. Some of the brackets were missing and the wood was split out on one leg.
And I couldn't find a mattress for it anywhere in town. Wouldn't you think that Sears, Pennys or Walmart would carry a bassinette mattress? Nope. So, I went to the fabric store ( Hancocks), and got waterproof fabric meant for cribs, and some foam.
The foam was then wrapped up in the fabric and held in place with double stick tape that I get from Kay Ellen. The stuff is magnificent if you are a non-sewer! It sticks to just about anything and is really secure. She says its used for embellishing swim suits, so it must hold up well if it can do that.
I cut the foam to fit nice and snug, so it would be safe for a newborn. I used a firm piece of foam too. You don't want anything loose that a baby can smother in. Or a gap between the mattress and side of the bed where a baby can get trapped.
While these aren't my typical colors, I had a great time using them. Its fun to stretch and try something different. And to do something to make another person happy, and I think I did, the expectant momma is a rainbow gypsy and this was just right for her.
I used metallic and glitter paints here and there as accents, then sprayed it with clear poly and a bit of silver glitter spray too.
The only problem with it now, is that the sheets I found to fit it are white. Which just doesn't go with this colorful creation. So, I'll need to dye them, to complete the look. And I have a special mobile for it too…..
But I can't show that. Its a surprise for the baby shower tomorrow night.
While I had my brushes and paint out, I made a sign for my son's yard. Last week, we were sitting on their porch, watching the kids play on the side walk, and over and over, had to remind the kids that the alley was a ROAD and not safe to run into!
We thought a two sided sign, with this message facing the road might help.
This side faces the sidewalk. Sugarwings and Finn can't read, but Clover can, so I wrote "stop" for her. For the little ones, I made a cartoon that I hoped would catch their eye and be a reminder that a car could come by at any time.
Its not exactly a high quality production, but it was quick, and is colorful and I have my fingers crossed that they'll learn something from it. I spent about an hour on it, but I think its enough to get my point across.
Well, I'd better go and get ready for the baby shower. I've made a pumpkin cheesecake and brownies. Left on the menu is strawberry shortcake, mac and cheese, baked beans, sweet potatoes (that I dug out of my garden today!) olive salad, tossed salad, and crusty bread. We also have bean burgers (for the vegatarians) and my husband has a couple of big turkey breasts in the smoker right now, so I'll be slicing those up and covering them with BBQ sauce.
Its not a Kansas party unless you BBQ something!
How is my weekend going? Oz-ish. I'm up to my elbows in all things Dorothy.
Doesn't this shot make you wish you'd joined the swap??? Wow, such talent out there. I'm taking way too long to open the packages and sort all the tags, because I have to stop and admire each one.
And because there are about a million of them. These two photos are just a smidgen of the piles.
I waited for the deadline to start opening all the packages, but I'm afraid not all are here yet. I think that I wasn't all that clear, some people thought the 30th was the mail by date, not the date I needed them. I have to apologize for not being more clear.
But- it takes days to sort, and assemble the tags into books, so I'll be adding the stragglers to the last books as I make them, as long as they are here before I finish.
There have been some lovely hostess gifts included too, I'll have photos of those as soon as I am caught up on the books themselves. Sugarwings and I have plans for a Dorothy party together where we will get to open and play with the goodies.
Aggie Rose is already planning her wardrobe for the party. I think I'll be the Wicked Witch. I have a feeling that Sugarwings will be Dorothy, since she kind of thinks that is who she is anyway. That kid lives in an imaginary world where she has multliple personalities. Often she is a mermaid, sometimes Dorothy, and then there are the lesser personalites, of a Baby Monkey, Fairy, Bride, Princess, Frog, Monster, Puppy, Alice, or Goldilocks.
Of course, she includes me, and I usually get to be the evil protagnist of any story that is going on in her head. I spend a lot of time as a Big Bad Wolf, Wicked Witch, or Flying Monkey.
Just once, I'd like to get to be a princess too. If I'm lucky, I get to be a Fairy Grandmother. But I know to never, ever, ever try to be Dorothy. That is HER.
Its a beautiful day here at the Cottage. I woke up after about TWELVE hours of sleep, to a crisp, clear autumn day. I know I need to be making Dorothy books, but I just had to walk around outside and luxouriate in this weather. Soon, leaves will be dropping and my yard will be something I dread going into because I'll be trying to avoid the rake.
But for now, its that perfect time in between summer's heat and winter's cold. The weeds have slowed down, and the leaves haven't fallen yet. I can go outside and not be reminded of how much work the yard needs. I can just enjoy it as it is.
Of course, while I'm outside enjoying the day, I'm also avoiding those tag books….
But not for long, I'm already gearing up for the big tag book marathon. But I think I'll leave the studio door open so dogs can wander in and out, and I can breathe in the sweet October air while I work. And I think it will be a jammie day. That makes it even better.
Roundtop was even better than I had expected, the trip was just the best. Of course, with Jodie hauling us around, it had to be good. That girl knows everyone. And everyone just loves her. I can sure see why.
It was a fun group to be a part of. Beth and I had been wanting to meet Lisa for the longest time, and just knew that she'd be wonderful, and an instant buddy. And yep, she was!
This is Jodie, the Cajun Queen Bee, Lisa, Beth and I. Beth is doing everyone a favor and holding my eyes open because we all get tired of taking photo after photo with my eyes shut.
For some reason, I tend to ruin a LOT of pictures by closing my eyes as the shutter snaps-Beth, Anne, and Jodie both have photos posted of me with my eyes closed!!
We saw some great displays and over the top booths, and we didn't even get to stay for the Marburger show, which is legendary for its originality and showmanship.
One booth that I just fell in love with was Seed Box. 
Their style seems so effortless.
Oh, and Miss Sweet T….. so much good stuff to dig through!
Anne of Fiona and Twig joined us for the afternoon, with her charmer of a husband.
Her darling Mr Twig, not only snapped photos of us all together, he watched our shopping carts as we puttered around. Plus entertained us with his sparkling conversation. That guy is a keeper.
Are you wondering why I chose to wear such an unflattering dress ?
(It would be pretty on someone young, tall, and thin, but on me- it looks like a cross between something that Bette Davis wore in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane and an old dress an escapee from a polygamist colony would wear)
I wore it because its made of a gauzy material that was so comfy and cool that I was able to survive the unbearable Texas heat.
The dress is 20 years old and I know I am too old to pull it off, and usually it is only worn during fairy dress up parties with Sugarwings.
But, it is so comfortable, I couldn't help myself.
Beth and I were warned we'd have sticker shock in Texas, just like we were before we went to California. But what I've learned in travelling and shopping around is that prices are unpredictable. They vary so much in booth to booth or mall to mall that it doesn't matter what state you are in, you can find sky high prices and bargains too.
Its all in the digging.
And in asking politely for the best price. These flowers and multi flowered corsages were all marked $5-8 each, which were some of the cheapest ones I'd seen in Texas. When I asked for a "volume price" she sold me the whole bunch for….oh, I'm embarrassed to say…. its such a good deal!
Okay, you drug it out of me.
FIFTY DOLLARS!!!!!!
That is a bargain in any state. I had been happy to find a couple floral hats under ten bucks to start with, but this? The mother lode!
Do I look as gleeful as I feel??????
(and yes, I see that my eyes are closed)
If you can guess how many flowers were in the basket, I'll give you one of the corsages.
Leave your guess on THIS post. I'll announce the winner on Friday, the person closest to the correct amount will win.
You can also win one of my Romantic Gothic Ghost creations by leaving a comment on any post, I'll draw that name on Friday too.
And don't forget that I have a sale in the Boutique. If you use the coupon code " Roundtop " you will get a 20% discount on all of your purchases. The sale ends Thursday.
Here is a clarification: I will count EACH FLOWER. Corsages will be multiple flowers, not count as one.
edit- contest OVER
