Natasha is throwing a prom! I guess it is Spring in Australia, and the weather here today was downright Springy too, about 74!! A perfect evening for a magical night at the prom.
I thought I’d start with proms through out my life.
Here is my sister, Bobbie Sue, posing before she leaves for her prom.
That’s me, Karkie Jo Downey, the one missing a shoe. Next to my sister, is my god-mother, Bootie, the sweetest woman on the planet.
My mother made all of the clothes for us girls. I remember thinking that Bobbie’s dress was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
And it doesn’t look like I have changed much over the years, at least in attitude.
That is my mom behind me, does it look like I wear her out? Poor woman.
For some reason, we seemed to think it was more scenic outdoors for the pictures. Oh, yes, the outside of a trailer park is always such a pretty place!
That is my 1st car next to me, a 1963 Chevy Impala.
My mother made this dress too. I wanted something other than the pastels and frothy things everyone else was wearing that year. I drew what I wanted and she made it from the sketch.
Maybe she should have told me it was a bit naked for my age? Everyone else at the prom that night was ruffly and I was slinky. 
She made a little lace jacket for the dress, so that covered me up a bit! But the lace emblem on the front of the halter? That was peek-a-boo, the satin was cut out and the lace was over the hole.
But hey, when you are trailer trash and are going to Ride the Stairway to Heaven (everyone’s prom theme that year) with the cutest boy in the school, you need to be a little sleazy, huh?
Didn’t work. He was voted Prom King, and he spent most of the evening dancing with the little blond cheerleader who was voted Queen. My heart was broken. (Did I mention that he drove a green MG convertable and his eyes were the same color as the car?????)
While I was looking through old photos to find the prom pics, I noticed one thing about myself. I have always loved roses! This dress that I wore for my senior picture is something I would wear today! (well if I still had a waist, that is). And both prom dresses had a little lace rose on the front.
I recently bought this pink dream of a dress, and have it as part of my set up for the upcoming sale in my studio.
If I don’t sell it, I think it will go into Sugarwings dress up clothes for tea parties with Grandmama Karkie. I used to love wearing my sister’s old prom dresses when I was little. I think my fairy grand baby will have a good time with the dress up clothes I am accumulating for her.
Thanks for the prom party, Natasha! It was fun taking a stroll up the memory lane stairway to heaven.
In honor of the prom party, I listed this ball gown on Etsy today. 
I worked outside a while today too.
With the weather in the 70s, I couldn’t stay indoors, even though I have a ton to do before my open house and sale.
I cut branches from some fir and pine trees in the woods and wired them to this arch and over the front door of the house.
When I was done, I was a bit like Chevy Chase in one of my all time favorite movies, Christmas Vacation, sap sticking to my fingers, and, then me sticking to everything I touched.
Then, I spray painted this sled white and set it out on the porch to sell at the open house. I hope to get more signs painted and use this as a display for them. I will also just pound nails into the siding and hang them all over the house.
Did I mention that I used to be trailer trash? I think I might still have that in me, a bit!
To fill an old basket, I decided to sparkle up some dried hydrangeas.
It was easy to do, (well, except for the wind blowing them. I had to hold on while spraying, but I was already sticky from the sap anyway)
First, I sprayed the blooms with clear poly, and sprinkled on glitter, then sprayed again to keep it in place.
Speaking of the open house, I need to get back to work on it. And don’t forget the Blog party on the 12th- "What do you LOVE about your Holiday Home?"
And don’t forget Phyllis’s craft fair next week too. I plan on making things all day and showing them on the blog as I finish and offering them for sale. 
Have fun checking out the proms!
This made me laugh out loud! FIrs of all the words alone to Stairway to Heaven……”there’s a lady who’s sure….all that glitters is gold”….well what do you know, we were dreaming of glittery things way back then! The Trailer Park jokes were awful (but funny-hilarious awful!)) when I saw your back in that dress standing by the impalla i thought “va-va-voom!” But it was much more conservative from the front! You were a beauty and you still are gorgeous!
And lastly, the pic of you with your sister and you are wearing one shoe…CRACKED ME UP! as if somebody said, “Hey, you want in this picture, get over here NOW!”
You made me smile today!
xxoo
Robin
Gorgeous, love the slinky malinky dress, its what I would have chosen too! Always liked to be different, still do and cause a bit of a stir! Love the pink frothy confection of a dress as well, but I would still have gone for slinky!!!!
Hi Karla, what a great post!! Loved ALL of your photos. You looked so cute in your Prom photo.Wish I was over there to check out your studio sale! P.S. Received my sign and I just love it!!!
Love the post. You remind me of my prom, except you looked like a supermodel and I looked more like Jan from the Brady bunch.Good times…yeah. goooooood tiiiiimes.
You are so beautiful Karla! Such a fun spirit. Your energy really comes through. And gosh – you pack so much into a day! How do you do it?!
Hugs,
Karla
Karla, you look just beautiful in your prom pics! your mom was quite the seamstress! my mother made my senior prom dress…i didn’t even bother to look for my pics as my printer is off line while my kitchen ceiling is being fixed so i couldn’t play prom with you girls:(
and i must say: “you’ve come a long way baby”!
Oh what wonderful photos! LOL it doesn’t surprise me you are the one missing a shoe! hehehe! Love your prom pics and look at you gorgeous girl!!! Thanks so much for joining in the fun!
Gorgeous post. I loved looking at your prom pictures. I made all my prom dresses except my senior one, which my mom found and wanted to buy for me. I remember it cost $100 in the 70s . My mom must have been NUTS.
The theme of my prom was Stairway to Heaven too, but of course I did not attend.
Junior year I cried about it, senior year I was kind of over it. Kind of.
Karla, those photos are priceless! You have the best smile! 🙂
Great post Karla, love the old pictures and the pink frothy dress is lovely. I also liked the dress your mom made the jacket for.
Hugs Karen
thanks for coming over to my blog! i really enjoyed all your great photos!
I’m going over to Etsy to look at that darling dress again!
Oh my goodness. Can you believe that Stairway to Heaven was my wedding dance at my first wedding. Talk about memories. I think that is my dad’s car parked at your trailer. LOL You haven’t changed a bit. ;o)~~~
Karla,
I have to tell you I really enjoyed your Prom post! And, I’m going to have to confess the first picture you show had me laughing out loud hard! I can’t really explain why, but by the time you said it was you without one shoe I was rolling on the floor…laughing! Great post!
Trailer trash my ****, you have more original charm than anyone else I have read or seen!!! I think if anything , your creative past has contributed to who you are!! I loved the pic with you in one shoe…showing that you were not just a “plain jane” even at a young age!!!Loved this post!!! You are one of a kind!!! A treasure to behold!!!-Sandra F.
What fabulous prom photos, I love the 70’s look – takes me back!! Thanks so much for sharing!
WOW, what gorgeous pics! Thanks so much for sharing them with us! You look so sweet!!
Kathy 🙂
Thanks for coming by to comment on my dress choice.I had a good laugh as I read your post and its accompanied by such precious pictures .Very very nice…wonderful to reminisce. The pink dress is super lovely,I’m sure it will sell pretty quickly.
Ta now, Adla
How lucky you are to have such wonderful photos! I loved reading this post!!
Fabulous post Karla. What great photos. My older sister had a dress just like that blue one your sister is wearing. Spooky seeing that one!!
Alison
You are so far from trailer trash now you can’t even see the aluminum! And you know I honestly think you look prettier today–and I am not just saying that to get you to draw my name! Your eyes are much more twinkly((I made that word up myself)! Although I too, miss my waist! What a fun post! I have to find my courage and post something myself tomorrow!
Karla that was a great read – such wonderful memories. I think you showed artistic flair and individuality from a young age.
Wonderful photos you were a beautiful girl even then. That backdrop is gorgeous, your partner was propably blind. /linnea-maria
Karla – what awesome photos! you are gorgeous…love that backless number you have on
and yes your mum does look a little over it haha
most mums with girls do…heehee
Honey you’re a hoot! I love the old pictures but you’re even more beautiful now. We all love you in the present – thanks for sharing the past.
Love,
Julie
Gorgeous dresses Karla…I loved the photo of you without a shoe…did you think you were Cinderella?!? 🙂 The ball gown you made for etsy is fantastic!!
Karla, I laughed so hard at the “one shoe”! Your prom dress was AWESOME!! I would wear that now!! Well, if I had somewhere to wear it to of course!!
I always get inspired here!! Maybe I can get as much done as you!! I’m off to work outside too!!
:)Brittany
Oh Karla, I was laughing out loud when reading your post~Trailer Trash is the the new cool don’t you know! My family were hillbillies and I never wore shoes growing up! You still have the fabulous smile Ms Toaster Queen:)
Hugs:)
Carol
So your mom was talented, too?! How many people could draw a dress… let alone make it from a drawing??!! Wish I could have a fraction of the talent. Love the pictures!
You sure brought back many memories with this post.Stairway To Heaven was my Jr. year prom theme,my mom also sewed all of my prom dresses.I have some dried hydrangeas I think they will get glittered today,thanks for the idea.
Great post…made me giggle. I love your new banner! Susan
Karla, Not only were you sexy and beautiful at prom, he must have been blind!!! Bet he’s no longer a hunk!!!!!That’s what he gets!!! Lori
Well everything is already said….
but you can hear nice words and compliments over and over again (I do!)
What a great post, it really took me back in time, those seventies…
What terrific pictures. Starting with you with one shoe and those glasses, I really like them. Posing in the car park…did you know that one of the first things my boyfriend (now hubby) did when having a new (other) car was taking a picture of it. Only the car, no persons involved, like welcoming a new family member!!
I have had such a great time here! Thanks! Have an inspiring day, Love LiLi.
Thanks for the advertising…and it is THIS week, don’t miss out 🙂
I wish you could have seen me smiling thru all your photos!! Giggling about that sandal and your nice dress designed by you!!! A fresh young face with nice long eyelashes…and Yes you still have a waistline…I have seen it in those handpainted jeans LOL.
Hi, I got here by way of Natasha’s blog… Those are lovely pictures of a lovely time… beautiful dress, hair, and years…
Well, guess I’ll see you at the Prom….
Nice meeting you. Come by my house in the roses…
Cielo
That is so funny about you and your dress. I was the same way at my prom, but at mine (in the 1980s) everyone was wearing horrid taffeta. And I insisted on a sweet white dress that my mom made for me.
And for today’s prom? Well, I couldn’t go with the pink crowd. I had to do something more standout. What is wrong with me? Can’t I just go with the status quo? I don’t know. I must have some self-esteem issues, either too much or not enough. LOL!
So nice to meet you through this fun post!
Melissa
How sweet you were and still are! And that 1963 Chevy Impala??? We had the very same car, right down to the year! (Our’s was black.) What nerve they had voting a different girl prom queen!!! (At our school, the king & queen were always chosen as a couple – I mean they came to the prom as a pair to begin with.) YOU ARE QUEEN NOW in hubby’s eyes I’m sure!
PS – I wore a knock-off Jessica McClintock to my prom. That photo will never see the light of day! lol
Hi Karla,
What a pretty post as always. Your prom date was a jerk. I hope HE lives in a trailer park now! Along with his beloved prom queen. He missed out!
You were a little beauty! Still are.
Love your post!!!! I too was trailer trash! Too Funny!
I hope to participate in the Holiday House….if I can get self together in enough time!
Thank you for visiting my new blog!!
Hugs!
Michelle
Love all the prom pics!!! I was laughing outloud about the “scenic” trailer park comments! So funny! You must have been the talk of the town in that dress…gorgeous!!! Great color on you by the way!
Love the sparkly hydrangeas too!
Love it!!! The pictures are great!!!
Fun pics!
It’s a bit scary to remember the clothes and the Farrah Fawcett or Dorothy Hamill hairstyles. Were you of the same era as “Brick House”? Or “Nights in White Satin”? Thanks for a stroll down your memory lane.
As always it was a blast stopping by your blog~
Cathy
Wow! Great pics! And that pink dress is lovely! I loved your paper dress too. That is gorgeous wish it was real =)
What great priceless pics! Boy did those bring back memories. You looked great in your slinky prom dress – very chic! p.s. I LOVE your new blog look!! Roses and faeries and pink – just perfect!
Karla, I enjoyed your prom party. You have some great pics…I love the first one with the whole family in the picture. And the one with your first car parked nearby. My first car looked similar to the gold one with the black top pictured in the background. I’ve got a few pictures from my prom posted too.
Oh I love the Dresses! Hand made are the best! What a great VVP! A walk down memory lane.
Love Erin~
Karla, I love your Prom Post. Wonderful Pictures & The Pink Gown is Beautiful.
Happy Prom Night 🙂
Angie
Karla, Love what you did with the Prom theme, isn’t fun to look back at old photos to see the personailties at play. Beautiful gowns you are sharing with everyone today, like that music themed gown what a cute idea.
Oh Karla, you are a gorgeous girl those eyes and lashes!! Your poor mom, I had to gigle, ydid you wear her out? Tell us!! Oh, you don’t have to!!! hee heee… What a delight!
Karla,
Just found your blog via Joy at “joy of”…I am cracking up over your post about prom, trailer trash, and stairway to heaven. Ok…we must be about the same age…b/c all of the things you posted about ring a BIG OLE BELL with me….and as for the pictures outside…we did the same thing…must have been something about not wanting to spend the money on flash bulbs! We didn’t live in a trailer park…but we lived in the country and our house was always a work in progress…my dad built it from the ground up…so we were always working on something…I also think we had some of the same cars you had in your drive. I always wanted a 63 or 64 Impala…I thought they were the best…I ended up with my uncles 62…not quite as great…but she was clean as a “whistle” that is until my brother totaled her one night…
I am digressing…sorry…it’s just your post had me going back some 30 years…enjoyed visiting…hope to come back soon!
blessings this holiday season…
Teresa
Love your pictures!!! You looked great in your dress, not sleazy at all!!!
And I love the one of you and your mom! That’s my daughter and me right now!!! 🙂
*Hugs* Dara
Karla… Your photos are the best!! I LOVE the picture of you without the shoe! lol
Lovin that pink foof you have up on that table! GOrgeous! xoxo
I love looking back at the past prom pics, and love your pink dress!
best wishes Ginny
Love your prom picture–I have to say I am jealous–how come YOU still look the same!! I’m also jealous that you had one shoe–we went barefoot all the time. Your sis’s dress is FAB–my neighbor had one almost just like it with the hair the same, etc. She must have been about the same age difference w me as you and your sis are. Love your stories
Oh, I almost forgot. My first car was a green Torino just like the one in your picture!! how cool I was//
I loved looking at your old photos!!! You were so pretty…and so full of life! 😉 That guy didn’t realize what he lost (boys are stupid at that age!!!)
You were cracking me up with the whole Christmas Vacation comments!!!! I love that movie too and we usually watch it every year! My Dad is a Chevy Chase look-a-like..and sometimes just as funny!!
My prom was 1974 if I can remember “Go ask Alice”…
My 1974 Junior Prom theme was “Stairway To Heaven”!!!
AND my first car was a ’62 Chevy Impala!!!
How fun is that!
Loved this post Karla!
Oooh, forgot to say… I made my Prom dress that year and it looks just like yours only lime green! And my jacket was a long sleeve see-through. Did you graduate in 1975?
Hey Aunt Karkie, thanks for making me laugh out loud with Mom’s prom photo…hee hee…I love it!!! Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful, love you all!!!
The sheet music dress is so cute! I love it!
Was it hard to make and did you use a pattern??
The sheet music dress is so cute! I love it! Was it hard to make and did you use a pattern??