Just Couldn't Bear to Say Good-Bye

Christmas was somewhat anti-climatic for me this year.  I was swept up in creating inventory for Halloween and Christmas sales since early last spring 2011 that by the time Christmas arrived, the only icon I could muster was my little pre-lit 3-foot Christmas tree.  There it stands, twinkling every evening since mid-December, trying its best to brighten my spirits.  It has become such a wonderful, comforting friend as I sunk in the bog of post-holiday doldrums.

Well, here it is late January and I can't bear to part with my little friend.  We are expecting the entire neighborhood in for an HOA meeting this week and I had to think fast about what I needed to do to save my little friend from any embarrassment.  Sooooo .... I decided to make some little Valentine decorations by taking wooden circles and decoupaging mini vintage ephemera of Old Valentine's Day cards on one side and little glittered hearts on the other side.  I wired the ornaments after sugar-coating them with a glistening of diamond dust glitter.  The little tree already had mini red glass balls and little angels.  I grabbed two favorite sweet rag dolls and placed them side by side in doll chairs.

Next I quickly wrapped a miniature box of Russell Stover chocolates with 1/8" red ribbon and placed an ephemera Valentine envelope in the little boy doll's hands and a miniature Valentine card in the little girl's hands for a romantic gift exchange by the now Sweetheart Tree. 

Now my little tree can continue to bring me joy every evening when at 5 p.m. it blinks awake and sparkles throughout the rest of my evenings and I can change out the decorations for celebrating every upcoming holiday.

Sooooo ... wishing you a romantic, Love-ly and Happy Wintering .....

Sweetheart Tree

Heart Ornament

     

Sweetheart Valentine Exchange

Sweets for my Sweetie

With All My Love

Mini Vintage Valentine Ornament


 

Wax Lips, Zagnuts, Wax Bottles, Sky Bars, Candy cigarettes and...... SUGAR BABIES!!

Ahhhhh! The simple delights of being a kid in the 30's, 40's, 50's with such glorious confectionary delights as Zagnuts, wax lips, wax bottles,  candy cigarettes and Sugar Babies.  Do you remember those?  Some of them are still available even to this day.

Sugar Babies were those little bean-shaped carmel candies covered with milk chocolate in the bright yellow wrapper.  Sugar Babies were named for the song that was written in the 1930's called "Let Me Be Your Sugar Baby."



Well, here are my Sugar Babies ... not made to be eaten but definitely made to enjoy.  They are only 9" tall from top of the head to tip of their toes and will fit into a pocket to ride along joyfully or to peek over the edge of a Christmas stocking or nestle on a shelf in a loving rag doll collection.

This is my first attempt at a larger doll than the 6" mini and smaller than the 18" art doll that I have worked with in the past.  I love the size and it certainly is easier to work with as far as designing and sewing clothes, handpainting or hand-embroidering face detail.  The hair is fun to work with, too.  

This is my first experience with coffee-dying fabric but I love how it mellows the homespun look of Osnaburg and softens and antiques cotton flannel.  This was a lot of fun to do and I will be placing a line of Sugar Babies in my Etsy shop next month which will include boys and more characters.

Hope you enjoy this non-fattening but definitely not sugar-free brand of Sugar Babies.




Hester-Sue and Polly



Polly



Hester-Sue

 



It's In The Bag!!

I ordered a custom bag for my mom as a belated birthday gift from Red Weaver: http://www.etsy.com/people/GoGreenWithRed.

Needless to say my mom just received the bag and it was the hit of the season for her!!!  Not only was the bag beautifully constructed with interior pockets that have fasteners but the quality of the construction and fabric was beyond belief!  If you are looking for a market bag, carrying bag, thermal bag, aprons or just about anything, don't hesitate to contact Red.  She is amazing and her pricing is to die for, unbelievably reasonable!!!!  Delivery is in the wink of an eye quick!