Lately, one of Sugarwing's favorite games is playing bride. Today I was lucky to find a vintage dress up bridal gown at a flea market, still in its original box! She spied it in the studio immediately and had to marry her puppy as soon as she could shimmy into the dress.
The dress is about 10 sizes too big for her, and kind of fragile. I'm not sure if its the right outfit for my little wild child to play in. Plus, now that she and the dog are already married, she doesn't really need to wear it anymore. It was a quick ceremony, but lovely and heartfelt, so the dress has had its use.
And we have the wedding photos from the day. Of course, she might want to save the gown, hoping that her daughter (or puppy?) will someday want to wear it, but it seems to me that most daughters want to pick out their own gown, and rarely wear mom's.
I might hang on to it for a while, to see if she asks about it again. If she's forgotten about it in a week or so, I have a feeling it will end up in the Boutique.
Another game we had fun with today, was "Find the Picture". My copy of Somerset Home has arrived, and it has the article about my home in it (with photos by Carol Spinski). Sugarwings looked at the pictures in the book and then found the spot in the house where they were taken.
She is much better at that game than my husband is. One time, when his mom was visiting from out of state, he was proudly showing her an article that I had written for Country Victorian and talking about the house and how these photos were of the room upstairs, and those were of the kitchen before we remodeled. I looked over his shoulder and saw that the article wasn't even mine.
The photos weren't even of our own house.
That is why I can do anything at all to my cottage and foof it up any old way I please. My husband doesn't even notice! He could live in a pink cotton candy explosion of a doll house and not know the difference. That gives me full license to foof!
Of course, over the years, there have been a lot of changes and I can't blame him for not being able to keep up with what our house looks like. When I was in the furniture painting and antique biz, the look would change weekly sometimes. If I found something wonderful at a garage sale, it would go right into the house and the piece it replaced would go to the mall.
Now that I don't sell furniture, the revolving door has slowed down. But I do like a change now and then, and mostly get it by repainting and rearranging.
This photo is of my studio a few years back. I've added it and a few more pictures to the Where Bloggers Create Studio Tour (hosted by Karen Valentine) post I did a while back, and added a button to my side bar with a link to that posting, if anyone wants to see some of the past looks I've had in the room.
As a matter of fact, while out junking and scrounging today, I found a new glass door cabinet to fill with supplies, so my studio is getting another mini redo this week too. I'll have some more pictures to add in the next couple of days.
Since I don't have the antique business anymore, I try to keep myself entertained with smaller foofing projects. Gift wrapping has become a big hobby of mine. This is a package sent out this week, it was a Bible Quotes booklet, so I wrapped it in hymnal sheet music and tied a little cross to the ribbon.
No matter how big or small the project is, its "the process that counts". Beth and I quote Jenny Doh to each other with that line a lot since we heard her speak at Kim's event in California. That phrase struck us both, as good words to live by. As an artist, its not always the end product that counts, its the process and the love of creating.
So, if I can't remake a room on a monthly basis anymore (yes, I was pretty bad, Beth called me a serial painter), I can get my fix in the little things I do and love the process, no matter what I am spending my time on.
Simply being creative brings joy. To paraphrase Horton the Elephant, "A project's a project, no matter how small."
If you feel like being creative with me, I hope you'll join us for a small project. 6 tags with a Dorothy theme in a collaborative tag book swap. Email me if you want to join! Just click on the button on my sidebar for more info.
We have 40 some people entered to swap so far, and room for YOU too!
What a fun time dressing up in a bridal gown and marrying one’s puppy! Can life get any sweeter? I so enjoyed your blog. Thanks!
Susie
The Polka Dot Rose
http://www.thepolkadotrose.com
I love this post Karla! So true about being creative brings joy. Love your little bride. xoxo
Sugar wings is so adorable in that dress! And I can’t wait to get a copy of Somerset Home…how fun!! Congrats!!
How exciting to be in the magazine! (although I know it’s not the first or LAST time for you!)
I love that little story about your husband and the magazine, that just cracks me up!
That dress is beautiful! I’m sure she’ll never notice if you box it up and put it in the shop!
I was a preschool teacher for many years and thats something WE ALWAYS repeated to ourselves….it’s the PROCESS not the progress! To stand over a three yr old and demand they do art the “right way” is silly….but watching those little wheels turn inside when they are allowed to be creative…..that is pure magic!
What a sweet little bride…marrying the puppy of her dreams!! Too Cute!!
That is such an adorable post, your daughter and the puppy. Made me smile 🙂 Congrats on the magazine!!
Hi Karla,
Congratualations in getting that gorgeous picture published in Sommerset! What an honor. OMG …..everytime you share things about Sugarwings it’s just too cute! I love that she married her puppy…..sweet as sugar! The photos you always take are perfect too.
:o) Sue
Beth: I so enjoyed every word of this. And, your Sugar Wings is too beautiful for words. I’ve never seen a prettier bride.
I wanted to congratulate you also for your article in Sommerset Home. I went to Borders on Sat. and sat down and read it, when….there you were! I said…”I know her”! Anyway, congrats!
You’ll have to come to St. Joe one day. A new Antique Mall opened right by my house and I have a booth there. It’s a lot like the Rusty Chandelier.
Joyce
I can’t wait to get my copy of Somerset Home and look for “you”, Karla. And, I just LOVE getting packages from your Boutique, because they are always such wonderful things, but especially because of your wrapping – such a pleasure in itself!!! Love it.
Can’t wait to get that Somerset Mag!!!!
And 40 creative tag swappers!!!!
Your DH is like mine, he just doesn’t notice. Too Funny
I received my two copies of “The Grumpy Fairy.” I appreciate you signing them as well. Thanks so much, LOVE them! Speaking of your foofing and wrapping – the books were wrapped so artfully, my husband did notice. lol Of course, he says, “when you receive something from Karla it makes you happy!” Then, he hovers to see what I have received. This time, he even commented, “hmmm, so that is vintage wallpaper?” (The sewed pouches that you create are perfect for so many things) Bravo… on your most recent publication:)
Someday sugarwings will look back on these pics and realize what a wonderful childhood she had with such a ceative and loving Grandma. She is so precious.
I must look for the new magazine.
Hugs
FredaB
Congratulations on the magazine, and on the wedding, of course. They make just about the sweetest couple ever.
Love the pictures of Sugarwings and Agnes Rose – too adorable!
-Rochelle
Ohh now I can’t wait ’til I get my copy. Wonder when it’s coming?! Love that Sugarwings and her groompuppy!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Leann
What a dazzling bride!
Brenda
Morning Karla….our poor husbands…just the fact that their men puts them at a defecit doesnt it…but living with women like us…poor guys!!!!oh well we pick each other for a reason…right….love the pix of Sugarwings….we dont get Somerset Home in Canada..at least I`ve never found it…& I have looked…Have a really good day…Lorraine
Very cute bride and puppy. Too much fun.
Working on those tags in my mind.
Melinda
Rosebud just takes it all in stride doesnt she? Sooooooo cute. I bet she will remember that dress and want to marry someone else later. I remember going through that phase only I married sheep. LOL
I used to be the furniture moving monster until I hurt my back and now I try to wait til hubby comes home but I love to refluff every once in a while. Great post.
Lovely post Karla. That Sugarwings gest cuter every day.
Our husbands sound alike when it comes to ‘foofing’… I’m not sure my husband notices anymore. Maybe he just doesn’t bother commenting – LOL.
Congratulations on the article in Somerset Home. Wish we got that here in Australia.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Karla,
Does Sugarwings know how famous you are? If so she’d be hoarding away her autographed copy of The Grumpy Fairy, various crowns, fairies & other Grammy K paraphernalia to sell on craigslist later in life. She could easily fund college & maybe a Honda with the winnings. I love the vintage dress up bridal gown. My little sister & I held weekly weddings when we were little She was always the bride. She wore 2 slips, one on her body & one upside down on her head as a veil. I was the priest, wore my white headband around my neck & my dad’s sweater backwards. My sister always married my Dad. I have a pictures to prove it all! Thanks for the memories. I hope LeeLee & Twinkle will be very happy & live a long and happy life together! Lisa
How fun!! I used to love playing dress up! I would NEVER had worn my mom’s dress, but my mother in law’s….if only! It was amazing!!
This is so incredibly sweet!! I love it.
I can’t wait to see the magazine. I have been waiting!
Karla, the wedding of Sugarwings and Agnes Rose just tickles me to pieces! I love the pictures you took, especially the one with her head down. Katie used to gather all the neighbor kids for funerals whenever she had the chance (dead hamster) and get so dramatic. I see my daughter in SW so much…even the wildness and the hippie tendencies and know she will grow up to be a very unique and interesting (and beautiful) woman.
Thanks for continuing to delight me with your pictures and tales!
i love playing musical furniture!!! although of late with david working sometimes into the wee hours..i have to make sure things don’t go BUMP in the nite…(especially him..lol)
Cute post! YOU COULD NEVER DENY THAT CHILD! She looks so much like you! Hope you & Beth are having a good month since returning home from Les Sirenes. I got tickled when you said you were over making mermaids. I just got all the stuff off the guestroom bed (I had company coming). I ADORE the doll leg with flowers that Sandy bought. I would love to have some like that & arms too… keep your eyes open of great shopper & buyer of hats. My box arrived with the flowers but, I didn’t have time to open it because I had my wild ones too. HUGS! Charlene
OOOOOooooo count me in! :O) I am emailing you now.
You look beautiful! What a precious doggie.
Thank you for coming by and your sweet wishes. You’re always welcome anytime my friend.
Blessings to you and yours.
~Melissa 🙂
I’ll have to pick up the new HOME! Congratulations — can’t wait to see it!