You might have heard that at Silver Bella this coming November, there will be a vintage prom night.
Well, I saw this pretty pink confection at Lucketts today, for a bargain price, and thought, just maybe this one would work for a ‘more mature’ prom princess.
It wasn’t quite as frothy as most of the 50s dresses I’ve seen, and had a bodice that seemed a bit easier to wear for someone who didn’t have the shoulders of a 15 year old.
I also thought it didn’t look quite as tiny as most of the vintage gowns out there.
oops, I was wrong.
Not only am I past having the shoulders of a 15 year old, my waist and butt aren’t anywhere near that age group either.
But I bought it anyway! It might be right for another Bella, if not, it will look nice on my dress form and I can use it to display the jewelry I make and plan to sell at Silver Bella.
I also found these hand made, old Barbie prom dresses, 3 lamp shades for 40% off, and a hat loaded with scrumptious pink blooms.
I spent a total of $38 today. Which really isn’t much for how much I got, but is quite a bit if you look back at all of my recent posts and see just how much shopping I have been doing lately…. 
This Jack and Jill book from 1948 has the sweetest fairy illustrations and was only a dollar, and I got a bag of velvet ribbons for $2, but these pictured are the prettiest of the colors. (I don’t care for the oranges and bright blues, but will find a use for them, I’m sure)
To stop myself from buying more, I came back to our apartment in Centreville and worked on Sugarwing’s birthday book.
I started a tea party sketch, here is a rough draft.
Then I started to refine it a bit, and add ink. Later, I’ll do watercolor tints to the picture too.
This page will say:
"When there is a tea party, Sugarwings and Twinkle serve delicious, pretend treats. Twinkle doesn’t understand why she can’t see or taste the cookies that her sister is eating, but would really like to have one."
Speaking of tea parties, here is Heather’s dining room set up for our luncheon on Sunday. 
Everywhere you look in her house, there is something pretty, and sometimes it is looking right back at you, like this birdie!
Or the pretty porcelain ladies that she has scattered about.
If you read her blog, you already know about her sense of style. Everything there is pretty, just like her name says, "Pretty Petals".
I had some trouble viewing her site from the hotel lobby computer! It was blocked due to "adult content"???? I wrote her and said I was afraid she was one of those Internet predators my husband is sure I will run into at any moment.
So, I told her that if she picked me up Sunday morning in a big white van like serial killers always drive, or was wearing a trench coat, I was not going with her!
But all was well, she didn’t try to kill me, and we had a lovely day at Karlapalooza, and a great time at her house afterward.
I love that you are doing a storybook for your granddaughter! She will treasure it always, I’m sure! If it’s one she will want to read often, you might be able to scan the finished pages and print on special paper that you could iron onto fabric and make a soft fabric book for her to carry around in the garden and while she plays. And save the painted paper book for special.
I love all of the beautiful things you make, and thanks for sharing pics of Heather’s home–so lovely! Esp. the bird’s nest wrapped in tulle and the statue! 🙂
Blessings,
Stacey @ The Blessed Nest
Cute dress…and even cuter yet is YOU trying it on! I bought a thrifted vintage-y-looking dress for the Silver Bella prom look…Yes, I’m like you…. SO…I’m going to look like the teacher chaperoning the prom! Ha!
Love pics from Heather’s home. Cute book your are making for your little One.
*Heidi*
eeeekkk!!! the dress rocks. and those barbies dresses gorgeous!!!
are you selling any of this cute stuff????
oxoxo,
jessi
The dress is beautiful —
I’m a newbie to your website — I use to live in Lawrence — such a great town — graduated from KU — now living in Liberty!
You have such beautiful things on your website!
TFS!!
Miss. Karla you are adorble xoxoxo Clarice
Very cute post! Love the dress & the pics of your trying it on. That was so nice of your to purchase it in hopes that another Bella might be able to wear it. xoxo, Joanna
Ya had me laughing so hard with the prom dress bit that tears rolled!! I so understand that, my sweet chick! Oh my why do our b*tts have to grow?!?!! I’m soooooo understanding that one. But you looked adorable anyway. At least you don’t sound like a teeny bopper like I do!
Smoochies with running tears,
Connie
Pretty dress!!! The book you are working on is beautiful…she will cherish it! Wonderful pictures of Heather’s home!
Have a great day!
Kim
Karla, always very nice their posts. The book for Sugarwings is wonderful.
Oh Karla, you do make me laugh:>) Why don’t they make prom dresses like that for the more “mature” prom queen!? I recognize the barbie dresses, I think they were made form the same pattern my grandmother used when she made boxes and boxes of barbie formals for my sister and I. They are packed away for her great-great grandaughters to use some day. I’ll have to dig them out some time and show them:>)
Your book for Sugarwings will be that kind of keepsake too. A special one-of-a-kind gift that only you can give her:>) Maybe she will blog it some day!
Karla,
You are too funny! Love the dress and your artwork is incredible!!! I’m another Bella that certainly will NOT be able to get her butt into one of those vintage prom dresses! But, we certainly can have as much (if not MORE) fun at the prom!
Hugs,
Cheryl
LOL! You are so fun and silly! What a pretty dress….but I’m sure you will find just the right one very soon! 🙂 And I’m in love with your new drawing….darling and Sugar Wings is sure to love it. I’d love to see how she reacts to these drawings of herself….does she realize they are her? So fun. Wish my grandma drew magical pictures of me when I was little! 😉 And how lovely Heather’s dining table and home is! She said you all had lots of fun. Can’t wait to meet up with you at SB!!!! Have a great day….
hugs, cheryl
Oh, those women of the fifties had insanely tiny waists didn’t they? So unfair! I am so glad sugarwings is too little to read this blog so you can show us your progress without ruining the surprise! It is going to be such a treasure!
I had a very similar experience with a prom dress for silverbella, except I got mine stuck on me! Looks like Karlapalooza was fun and heather was the most sweet hostess…can’t wait to meet you all at silverbella!
YOur art for sugarwings is truely one of a kind, and will be well appreciated I am sure!
xoxo, Tiffany
PS at this rate, none of us will be wearing prom dresses to silverbella, we will have to change the theme to sweat pant night!!
Oooh those pictures of you trying that dress on are soo funny! Cannot you dress like Marlene Dietrich in a males’ evening costume, they come in all sizes?? Put a little bling here and there and a tophat and I guess you will be the star of the party, haha you are whatever you are wearing probably! Heather’s home is so nice here and at her own slide show, keeps you drooling away! And that book is going to be so beautiful! What a great idea and I think you are so talented to put your thoughts actually on to paper. Have a nice day!
What a pretty pink dress. Now you have to go shopping for another dress. But You have to wear a prom dress to SilverBella. Maybe you can fluff something you have up! Hugs Grace
OH Karla! You are hysterical! I LOVE this dress… and I’m proud of you for trying it on! I found one as well, but chickened-out on trying it on. ;P You and I can show up to prom all taped and glued (with a little sparkle, of course)- okay? LOL
Beautiful dress, dear! Have a beautiful day!
Shannon
Well, we could put you in a corset and pull it tight – just like Miss Scarlett. I know there is another dress out there just calling your name.
I can hardly believe Sugarwings is having another birthday. She is definitely an angel baby.
Karlapalooza rocked!!!
Hi Karla,
It was so wonderful getting to know you Sunday and what fun shopping, as well! I absolutely love your little book you are making for your granddaughter. When she is older, she will absolutely realize what a treasure that is! You have such talent! Have fun on the rest of your trip, and talk to you soon,
Kitty
I loved that last part! As well as all the pretty photos of her home. And that drawing looks just like sweet Miss Sugarwings!
Brenda
I totally HEAR ya! I am a 6 foot tall woman who is a size 12. There are NO dresses from another era (except maybe the 80s) that are going to fit my frame!
I’m getting a Vintage Inspired dress from a sweet, local shop called Vanity Fare.
I think that is the most I can do…
🙂
~Sadie
Karla!! That seriously was hilarious about the internet predator thing… I told you I am as modest as them come. lol Thanks for what you said about my house Karla… it means a lot coming from you. 🙂 I am so glad you had fun and I lOVE that dress! Maybe you could take the skirt part and attach it to a top that will work for you. xo Heather
Oh and I just KNEW we would see a photo of you trying on a dress for Silver Bella..crazy girl you! I love your sense of just being you and putting it all out there. 😉
xo
KARLA, you are too funny!!!!! I love the dress and would have still bought it too! You always find the prettiest things, my goodness! Will you send me some of your luck for this weekend when Chad and I go antiquing? I could really use it!
Heather’s home is just stunning. So soft and romantic. Is that her powder room too? Just beautiful.
It is amazing how you capture the beauty of Sugarwings eyes in your drawings. Your love for her just shows through. It gives me goosebumps! What a wonderful book that is going to be! Karla, you could illustrate children’s books! Maybe you should write fairy books!
Love ya!
Amy
Ohhhhhhhhhh, I am dying over the prom dress!!! That picture is pricless!
m ^..^
Love the dress. You are too funny! I’m really enjoying the glimpses of Sugarwings birthday book.
Karla
You are so cute! I love the dress & the pics of you in them 🙂 Puts a smile on my face. The book you’re making for your granddaughter is just divine. I can’t wait to see it completed.
I see you’re in VA again. We’ll have to meet up next time you’re here. We’re working on completing our move to Charlottesville.
I enjoyed Karlapalooza!
Nerissa
Bless Your Heart.
I love how you don’t take yourself too seriously and post the cutest pictures of yourself. I still think about the one on the beach.
You are one COOL lady. Hope you continue to have much fun on your visit with hubby.
~elaine~
More great finds! I never find the good stuff at Lucketts….you must be not just a hat whisperer but a “find good stuff whisperer”. Small world – my parents and sisters live in Centreville and I am the “out of towner” in Manassas 5 miles away! LOL!
~Lolly
Karla, that dress is lovely…total bummer that it didn’t work for you…will Heather’s idea do the trick? i hope so…the book you are making for Sugarwings is just the sweetest thing ever, she is going to feel very special having a book all about her and her friend Twinkle…SO hilarious about being blocked from Heather’s blog…thanks for sharing the pictures of her sweet and beautiful home!!!
I just love the book you’re making for Sugarwings! It looks like you are enjoying your trip (and making out like a bandit). I can’t wait to see what you create from all your gorgeousness.
Love the beautiful pictures from Heather’s home. I especially got a chuckle from your vintage prom dress woes as I haven’t gotten the courage up to see if my dress that I plan on wearing that night will fit! Guess I better try it on before the big day!
I have tears running down my face, the first photo loaded really quickly and there is you looking like a contortinist!!! Too funny!!! Nice shopping goodies. Love your sketches. Love your photos of Heathers pretty house, glad she isn’t a seriel killer, would be such a shame to loose you and shatter our illusion of sweet Heather!!! Karlapalooza was a blast!!! Rachael
That whole internet predator thing is hilarious! Did he call you half way through the flea market to see if you were still alive? LOL! Love the dress! Way cute! I wish I’d been at Lucketts today instead of work!
oh! And the likeness in those drawings is AMAZING! I wish I had an INCH of your artistic abilities!
Hi Karla, that must be a tiny dress as you are not big at all!!!Pretty but tiny! I have a mannequin and the one or two ball dresses I bought for show won’t even do up around it…I think I better get a vintage mannequin, I might have better luck!! Your drawings are divine, what a lucky lucky fairy baby, i do how she keeps them to show her grandbabies!
I am sure the perfect dress will fins you soon…you shall go to the ball!! Have a great day, kiss noises Linda Lilly Cottage
Karla, you are too funny with the prom dress. I love the pics you took. And I’m blown away by the storybook you are making for Sugarwings! Heather’s home is gorgeous.
~Lallee
Karla, I know for a fact that you are a tiny thing, so if that wouldn’t fit you, it must be microscopic!! It certainly is a pretty pink dress though!
Thanks for sharing the pics of Heather’s beautiful home!! So glad you all had fun on Karlapalooza!!
🙂
I love all of your pretty finds! I can’t wait to see that book you are making, what a treasure!
Cheryl at Rosey Posey Confections was kind enough to point me to your site. What a beautiful place to visit. How I wish that I was going to be at Silver Bella this fall. You are all going to have such a wonderful time! And if I was there, we would be sans prom dress together.
I really like your blog. It’s filled with wonderful things. Also you illustrations are very nice.
Cookie
Hi Karla, what a great time you had at Karlapalooza! Sigh! everything looked wonderful. Am loving the Storybook you are doing for Sugarwings Birthday, can’t wait to see it finished. It will be something she will treasure forever! Suzanne.P.S. Your Prom gown is devine!
You certainy got some very pretty treasures! I love your dress and I couldn’t wear it either but I bet it would look fantastic on your dress form!! Your book for Sugarwings birthday is going to be gorgeous! You are really a lovely artist!
I think you look fabulous! I have a pink one maybe it would work for you ! let me know and I’ll send it to ya! 🙂
Karla, sorry to be ignorant, but what is Silver Bella????????
I SO have that same problem . Looking at something thinking surely that will fit me.
You still have plenty of time to come up with that perfect dress. Plus that means more opportunities to look for accessories like jewels and hats.
I am looking forward to the next scene in Sugarwings’ book. It is adorable.
I need to go shopping with you – you find the best things!
Oh my goodness! look at that prom dress! Vintage loveliness. Your home and your blog are just beautiful. so nice to meet you!~
What a SPECTACULAR blog! Just amazing! I will be back time and time again! A girl after my own vintage heart you are! Psst! Little secret…I can’t pass up SPARKLY stuff either! Just love it!
Oh, My gosh, You are so funny..I had to laugh at the pic of you with that dress and you slumping down and twisted up….too funny, all the pics of Heather’s are wonderful, everything is so pretty and all the things you bought were pretty too….WOW, all the sparkly things…you always find such great things…
I love the sketches for Sugarwing”s book, such glorious memories you are making for her……it makes me miss my grands so much, I am in Florida and they are in North Carolina….and I just can’t afford to see them very often but thank goodness for phones, cameras and puters…
Love visiting here..
Brenda
Karla, reading your blog is just too much fun. I love the prom dress, and somewhere there is just the right dress for you. The book you’re doing for Sugarwings will be something she will treasure all of her life because a special and creative person in her life took the time to create it just for her. You have a great evening,
Jean in Virginia
Well you just made my day with your prom dress story and the pictures just made me smile…I needed that…Great post.
Hugs,
Mo 🙂
O’the Jack and Jill brought back such great memories. My Grandmother would get me that magazine every year for my birthday. Sadly my Mother did not keep any when we move.love the dress. O’ to have that 18 year old waist again.
Karla, it looks like you’re having a great time–amazing shopping!
That prom dress photo is cracking me up and I can’t believe your tiny little self isn’t fitting into it!
There is a new antique shop that opened in big downtown Hull…$$I can’t stop shopping!
xxoo Denise Nantasket Beach,Mass.
First off, I think you have WAAAAAY to many hats! Really, you’ve gone too far. To rectify this situation I think you should send a large portion of them to me! hee-hee-hee Just kiddin’. I love seeing your hat purchases. I don’t think women in Chicago every wore hats to church. Come to think of it, it’s probably either too hot or too cold. When I do find a vintage hat, it’s $25.00 or more and looks like it spent half of it’s previous life stuck in a cat box somewhere. So…that’s why I enjoy reading your blog so, so much!! Loved the prom dress episode, too. Don’t you love the fact that at 50 you don’t feel any different but all of your “parts” have decided to head south with no forwarding address???! I can’t wait to see the rest of your Sugarwings book. It’s absolutely delightful. Happy Thursday! – Kathy
Morning Karla!
You are just toooooooooooo cute – thank you for brightening my morning and for sharing Heather’s beautiful home… You are such a bright light in Blogland!
xo,
Kim
Your Prom Dress story is fantastic!! Think of the fun you will have looking for the perfect dress! The set up at Heather’s house is gorgeous!
Enjoy the rest of your week
xo
Karla, I love that you tried on that prom dress and took a picture. You are one brave girl.
Your drawings are just amazing. What a darling subject (Sugarwings).
Gretchen
Well, since this is my first chance to check a ‘puter in days, I’ve missed a lot! But karlapalooza sounds fabulous! (So do Jack and Jill! What a find!) And Sugarwings’ book is a genuine treasure. Such a lot of fun! Back soon to regular check ins but just wanted to say hello!
Oh man, have I been there done that!! At least you didn’t get stuck in it, as once happened to me and Dana at the antique show – nothing like 2 middle age sweaty women trying on darling little dresses and then trying to get them off without tearing them to shreds!
I’ll keep an eye out for any dresses that might work for you. I’ve found the Doris Day styles are very forgiving, but a bit too much like maternity sheaths!
I still can’t get over that I missed you and all the fun… sniff, sniff…
Karla you are such a hoot, I love ya.
Hey Karla! I have been collecting vintage clothing for many years….I thought it was SUPPOSED to fit that way…??? Also loved the vintage Barbie dresses, esp. the stapless one…I SO wanted to be Solo In The Spotlight Barbie, with the microphone and strapless black dress with the pouf below the knee. Oh heck, that dress probably wouldn’t have fit either….Sigh…
Your Strange Friend, Bobbi