Now I have a new addiction. I love to make these doll dresses! Beth asked me if I wanted to be in a mini-swap with her. She is the in swap hosted by Speckled Egg and Debra mentioned that she was disappointed to have missed out on being in it too. So, Beth set up this mini swap with Debra and asked me to join in.
I’d never thought about making one before, but really got into it, once I drew some shapes I liked for the dresses. Beth had to keep telling me- "this is not Project Runway!" because I was drawing out elaborate gowns and getting away from the whole "paper doll" simplicity of it.
Which made me think- wouldn’t it be fun to have a ball gown paper doll swap at New Years!??
Thats about as close as I’d come to a glamorous outfit for New Years Eve.
I listed a couple of dresses on Etsy and have one to swap with Beth, and now have an idea for a special one to make for Debra, with a Halloween theme. I have a feeling I’ll be making more too. It is too hard to stop!!! They are so cute and so fun to do!
Look at what Beth gave to me when I went over to visit her!!! A wallpaper bonanza! And wonderful patterns too, such perfect colors to work with.
There is nothing like old wallpaper for doing collage work. I am simply crazy about it.
Beth also gave me a stack of tags she had started to cover with the papers, for me to play with and finish.
When I got to her house, she wasn’t home from her big girl job yet.Her husband was just leaving,and he foolishly let me in. So I poked around her house with my camera while I waited.
Doesn’t her husband know that I am curious and nibby? He should have made me wait on the porch.
In her garage was stuff from the latest auction she’d been to.
And here is a collection I found in her guest room.
Her craft room is wonderful and filled with pretty inspirational displays.
All of the craft room shelves have the supplies set up as art in themselves.
And you’ll never guess what I found under her bed! (just joking, I am not THAT bad at nibbing around)
I was delivering the box and bagful of goodies to Beth from the swap she and I did with my Sissy when I went back to visit my family in Indy. I hadn’t been to Beth’s since I got back, so she is just now getting her pretties!
She’s got some pictures of it all on her blog, its quite a haul!
Going through it all made me homesick for my sisters. Sis and I had such fun with the swap we did! 
And today is my other sister, Bobbie Sue’s, birthday!
There was a rainbow that a crystal prism prjected onto the wall and I asked her to stand in front of it for this photo, and of course, the witch’s hat That Sissy made) seemed appropriate.
And yes, we do have hokey names. Sissy, Bobbie Sue, and Karkie Jo.
This week is also the anniversary of my mother’s death and my dad’s (who passed away last year) birthday.
I hope that doesn’t make Bobbie sad every year on her birthday, since her birthdate is forever tied to those dates.
We miss them so much, but I try to do something as a happy reminder of them on anniversaries like this.
Dad was an avid gardener, so I picked tomatoes from my garden and made up big pots of sauce to freeze, thinking about him while I worked. He always had a freezer and a pantry full of his garden produce.
Speaking of the last week of August- I will draw the two winning names for the give away on
Tuesday. You can still enter by leaving a comment if you’d like to.
Karla,
Great dresses!
Cheryl
Love your dresses. Looks like you had a great time.
How lucky are you? You have Beth for a friend and a talented sister too! I love those paper doll dresses! So cute!
Hi Karla,
You crack me up! You are one curious little bugger, sneaking around Beth’s home like that. You are so handy with a camera too. Thanks for the laughs and the pictures….I had a great visit to your world. P.S. Beth, I feel a little guilty sneaking into your home vicariously with Karla.
Sharon
I love love love those paper doll dresses!
I think you should do a collage for your sisters like the beginning of Petticoat Junction- with petticoats hanging over a fence with each of your names- Sis, Bobbie Sue and Karkie Jo
I found your blog today and just love all your fun goodies and stories and that you are sneaking around Beth’s house too fun!! love all your work (esp the little doll dresses too fun!!) and such as well!! if ok will add your blog to mine (let me know if you would rather I didn’t!!) and will for sure be back in between work now and all!!! this is such a fun place to visit and see fun art and read your stories!!!! Happy birthday to your sister and sorry about your mom and dad but so wonderful you still celebrate “with” them and all that is so important!! thanks for the fun!! Hugs Linda
Okay…I’m in love with your dresses. The details really set them off. I think doing ball gowns is a wonderful idea. I could really get into that.
So sorry both your parents are gone (physically that is). I know the sadness of that. I’m glad you’re so close to your family. Makes loss easier to sustain.
I’m off to peak at Beth’s dresses!
Aw, Karla, You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers this week. I know the heartache and pain you feel, thank God he gave us wonderful memories to carry us through these anniversaries. You simple must make dolly dresses all week when your sad, there precious! Make sure I get to do a ball gown for New years, cause guess what? My parents would have been married 65 years this New Years Eve! Love your way, Lori
Karla:
You are simple the superest/goodest lady!!!
Love the dresses!!! Come see my blog about The Bloglandia Ball that eb is hosting.
Your dresses will be so cool for it!!!
Big Hugs
carole
The details on the dresses are wonderful! You always pick up on the little things! Hang on to your precious memories and celebrate life. You know that’s what they’d want after all they loved you!
Sometimes, I can’t get through to answer some of the comments that I get, for some reason, they are sent back by the Mailer Demon. One of those was to Linda, and I just wanted to let her know that I appreciated what she said and hoped she’d come back to visit again sometime, and that yes, of course, I’d be happy for her to list me on her blogroll!
sorry I couldn’t contact you personally, Linda. thanks
You know, I am really glad you post often because I really enjoy them! What fun, love the paper dolls! I am afraid to try them, I am afraid I won’t want to stop! I think that is a great think to do on your parents anniversary instead of just being sad. OOooooh I hope I win your drawing!
Hi Karla, my thoughts & prayers are with you & your sisters this week. It will be 6 mo. since Daddy’s passing for me on Sept. 1st. Try to keep busy ~ I may try some “retail therapy” myself.
Love your little dresses! How fun that you & Beth live so close!
Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Karla, I had so much fun reading your blog just now. As always great eye candy and inspiration.
Hugs Karen
Bluemuf
Hi Karla!! I love your pretty dresses, and Beths stuff is gorgeous!!! It is nice you have sisters.
Heather
It’s nice that you have sisters with whom you can share fond memories of your parents.
~elaine~
Lovely little dresses! I love your blog and find your art very inspiring–thank you for sharing!
Oh that is funny! Sneaking around Beth’s taking pictures…it all looks so intriguing though…I might have done the same. Your dad sounds an awful lot like mine. I like Beth’s idea about the Petticoat Junction.
Hi Karla!
Love your dresses. There seems to be a lot of them going around. I’ve got one on my site too, and I was going to tell you about e.b.’s Bloglandia Ball, but I see Carole already did!
I too love the paper dresses. So much fun. Pefect photo of you sister with the rainbow!
Karla
Still I not have begun a project, and you surprise with new ideas.
Hi Karla…the dresses are SO cute! Fantastic work! I’d love to get in on your giveaway. YOU have such wonderful stuff!
Thanks for all the great pictures too! So inspiring!
Cheers,
Michelle
Love the dresses, I may have to give them a try! HA ha, like I have any time! I wish I could go snooping with you, there was a treasure trove to look at!!!
Those dresses are just too cute. I see how they can be addicting. What eye candy at Beth’s house. I would love to go snooping around there also. I can relate to your sadness this week, since my mom passed away less than a year ago. I still can’t believe she’s not physically here. My dad and sister and I talk about her alot to keep here spirit alive. And by the way, I’d love to be entered in your giveaway.
sharon
I LOVE those paper doll dresses! Wow – those are gorgeous!
I like the shapes of your paper doll dresses. What a great design!
Just love your dresses! Sounds like you had fun at Beth’s! Love all your photos, inspirational shots!
I love your dresses !!! Love Clarice
haha, that’s funny. I always want to nose through peoples houses but never do. I suppose I don’t have anyone fun enouph that just wouldnt mind. I am so thankful you take your camera everywhere you go. I love to look at all the pictures you take.
Love your dresses. They are so much fun!
I love your paper doll dresses…so pretty!!
Wow terrific!