A lot got accomplished here at my cottage today. All because I had to get up at 4am to get my husband to the airport.
I don’t want to make a habit of getting up THAT early, but it sure does get a jump start on the day when I do!
After listing wallpaper art journals on Etsy, and priming the little toy hutch I bought for Sugarwings (last post) I sat at my desk and fairyed up a bunch of stuff that had been laying around.
I’d bought this old music box (it plays "Always") at a flea market for a couple of dollars.
It started as a simple ballerina on a gold base.
I foofed up the dancer, gave her wings and a garland of flowers that holds a sugared birdie perching at its peak.
Then, I covered the gold base with 3 different old papers, including pink flocked wallpaper, and then gussied it up with millinery flowers (wasn’t I generous with them?? I used a TON). I added a poem, part of it on a banner under the bird and the rest on a brass plate that I painted and sparkled up with rhinestone jewels.
Then, I found these adorable little pink high heels, and had to add that too.
Over the top? Why yes!! Of course!!
A big change from how she looked when I got her at the flea market.
I had a wide range of dolls to work with today, and all became fairy babies.
I snipped at their clothes and sprayed them with glitter mist to make them shiny and foofy and more fey.
All of the little sprite-lets got more millinery flowers and some glittery wings.
This Sugar Baby is an old chipped chalk piece that was pretty ugly .
To transform her into a sweetly sugared fairy, I gave her a coat of pale pink crackle paint, then glittered her up with Martha Stewart crystal glitter. After that, she got some wings, and a hat made of a brass wreath, velvet and sheer petals and leaves from an old hat and a few crystals.
I wish I’d taken a before picture. She was dark green and cracked and not at all adorable. No wonder I got her for 50 cents.
This brunette beauty started the day as a bald bride in a crumpled dress. Rough ceremony?? A drunken binge after being left at the alter? I don’t know what happened to her, but she needed a rescue, for sure.
I found some hair (well, you know how a studio can be, you buy this odd stuff here and there and stash it away, never knowing when you’ll need it), glued it in place and tied it back with an old pink ribbon.
Then, I added pink rhinestones and teeny old posies to her hair in a ringlet, steamed her sullied dress and gave her a belt of pink velvet.
I’d thought about restoring her bridal finery, but she had been through such a rough time, I thought she’d be happier starting over and putting all thoughts of the ceremony behind her.
One more fairy, I turned a salt shaker into a button jar with a crown and a ballerina fairy on top. It is filled with old blue buttons, and I hope to get it listed on Etsy, along with these other gals soon.
The decorated bottles are for my real life, NOT virtual, bloggers tea party tomorrow.
If you are in the KC/Lawrence area, please contact me if you’d like details about coming to visit!
Speaking of the party, I need to go and clean my house up for it. the helpful guys from Home Depot came today and replaced all of the windows in the ancient farm house side of the cottage.
So, I have to put all the furniture and knick knacks back, then hang curtains.
Geesh, did I mention that I got up at four am?? I am starting to feel it.
You did mention that your were up at four this morning, but I believe the fairy sprinkled you with extra fairy dust, and that is why you were able to make so many pretties.
Wow! How creative you are. Sounds like getting up at 4 o’clock might be a good idea. You certainly made good use of the time.
Wow you have been busy. Love the music box and all your other creations.
Alison
Wow, you’ve had a busy and productive day. I’m sure it feels great, but getting into bed will feel even more wonderful!
Sleep well and wake up with even more creativity!
Lorrie
What treasures! You have an amazing day tomorrow!
m ^..^
…”(well, you know how a studio can be, you buy this odd stuff here and there and stash it away never knowing when you’ll need it),”….WELL, YEP! Glad you had an awesome day Karla. Have fun at your Tea Party.
look at all this sugary sweetness!!
gorgeous stuff!!!
oxoxox,
jessi
Gosh! NOthing I like better than rescued dolls! And they all turned out so pretty! Now go to bed!
Hi Karla! Love the way the music box turned out. It is great to see you on the web. I’ve missed being able to come to your shop so it’s fun to see what you’ve been up to online. Still love the pear painting I bought from you a few years back. It hangs in my pink kitchen and looks terrific. Hope you got some rest.
Your music box is adorable. I love all the pink foofiness! And those little slippers!
Just love all of your pretties you made… can’t wait to hear of your party tomorrow!
xo
I like the “morning after” fairy doll, lol! I’ve been a bridesmaid more than once, and a couple of times I saw the sunrise looking rather like she does!
Cheers!
Wendy @ ethelsmommy@yahoo.com
Karla, oh my!!! your fairy makeovers are fabulous…the music box is TDF!!! and the poor bride went from trash to treasure, she looks very lovely now…that scoundrel will be very sorry for breaking her heart!!!
sweet sweet sweet!!!!
WOW Karla!!!! You have been so busy! I LOVE each and every fairy you created, I couldnt pick a favorite!! So beautiful!
Oh how I wish I would be in your area! The tea party sounds fabulous! I am so jealous. A tea party is my very favorite thing to do!
Hugs,
Amy
Oh my gosh! I love the dolls karla! One of my favorite things to collect and to dress them up! Love it all!
Boy, you sure know how to make the most of an early day! I’m in awe that you resisted the urge to return to slumber! But how productive were you?!!! Gorgeous treasures — especially the music box and fairies! Bravo! (Hope you can get in a nap before teatime!)
Wow you have made some super creations! You make getting up at 4 am sound like fun!
You are SO talented! You look like you have been keeping yourself really busy with all sorts of adorable projects!
Your story about the Bride doll really gave me a chuckle. She really cleaned up nice!
~elaine~
I hear that the summer issue of Romantic Country will come with subscription cards. How many issues are published each year?
~elaine~
When I have to take my DH to the airport early I also get a nice head start on the day before the teenagers wake up I can catch a few minutes at the craft table and I treasure it. I love your little story of the jilted bride doll! She really looked worse for the wear!
Beautiful you faires! My girl I am enchanted!
A greeting
I love your fairy touches, wow what an early start to the day!!! Yes a good idea not to make a habit of it every day though, lol!
I love all your projects Karla!!
You are so talented!!
Jenn~
I’m loving this post of yours. Your creations are so yummy!
Such fabulous fairy goodness going on here. Quite a transformation on the bride doll. I’m sure she is very grateful.
Karla
Karla,
I’m so amazed at what you’re able to do with a 50 cent doll! They all look gorgeous… Maybe I should try getting up at 4 am to see if my crativity woiuld get an extra boost? Hm, somehow, I think my creativity would only come out as crabbiness…
😉
Found your blog today… it’s like a fairy tale!
The early bird catches the wormand you certainly did with all you beautiful creations….Mary
It looks like you were on a roll! Wow! Great creations, however, none of them will give your precious Sugarwings a run for her money!
i love all your pretties! wish i was closer for the tea party 🙂
I just love your fairies. I will have to start garage saleing again. You have inspired me.
I felt the same way as your drunken doll @ my wedding… Married 8-1 and it was hotter than hades and sure enough… The A/C went out @ the Country Club where we were having our reception. I don’t think glitter would have helped. Love all your foo-foo-ed pieces. So fun!
Karla, I was just scrolling through your blog catching up, when I spied that ballerina/fairy/sugared bird/millnery flower creation!!! OMGosh!!! Is that one for sale? I quickly checked etsy and did not find it…if it is still available, I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed it!!! Like a hole in the head!!hehe! Just let me know-Sandra
So many pretty fairies! I loved the bride story you made up about the doll! So fun to read!! Made me giggle! I was tired reading your post, and you still had more things to do. WOW….to have your energy!! 🙂
Hugs,
Michele
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
Wow — what an incredible site. I googled “how to gild” and stumbled on your site by “accident.” It’s wonderful — I am a magazine freak and absolutely love every magazine featured on the site — and I’m a writer and you get to write articles for them — that is incredible !!! I’ve bookmarked the site in my favorite places, and I know I’ll spend lovely hours looking at everything. I love kittens and fairies. I love that you painted the inside of the tool shed door — so many ideas. Thanks for all your hard work and sharing it with us. I live just outside Richmond, Va. and the “cottage” look is just starting to catch on, although I’ve loved it for years !!!
My kind of girl! I’m up at 4 or 4:30 EVERY morning like clock work. Love Love LOVE the decorated bottles and the glittered birdie. Everything is so sweet.