Shameless hawking of wares, Artist Class Ala Carte, a mini Tutorial, and prizes!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, with lots to be thankful for yesterday!

We had a smaller than usual group this year, and WAY too much food. I've already made turkey soup from leftovers for supper tonight.  While cleaning up the kitchen and putting away the food, I have a pot simmering on the stove that veggies, turkey, and broth go into.  I throw in a few handfuls of rice, and some seasonings and by the time I'm done with the kitchen clean up, the soup is ready to be cooled and put away for the next day.

Family brought side dishes, and we had the meal all under control on auto pilot, so while the guys watched football and played pool, some of us made paper doll dresses for our Christmas trees.  We kind of have a family tradition of doing projects together while the turkey roasts. I keep the day low keyed and simple, so we can all enjoy it and not feel pressured or rushed. The meal is all served buffet style right from the stove top, so when its time to eat, all we do is line up.  I can play with glitter and glue right up until its chow time!

This year, I had actual patterns ready for the guests to use, thanks to the tutorial I did for Mary's Artist Class.  I enjoyed seeing how the "class" went in person, and they seemed to like it. 

Artist Class is still available to purchase as a group of 12 projects, with lots of extras (use my Karlascottage code to save $10) and now, Mary is also offering an ala carte menu to pick and chose a few classes here and there too.

Click HERE to order the paper doll tutorial that I did. 

You will receive the dress patterns, the hand drawn doll that the dresses fit, directions, and ephemera to down load and print out to make your creations.  This class, on its own is $15. 

I will be listing some more ephemera kits with extra patterns in my Boutique soon too.  Along with that gorgeous wallpaper that I am slowly, but surely getting cut!!

Here are some of the creations that family made yesterday with the patterns. Its great to see the range of styles that some simple patterns can become!

This is one of mine, made from that wallpaper that I'm so far behind on getting packaged to sell!   I've got a few rolls of it cut, but have about 10 more to get through. Thanks for your patience.  I'd planned on doing it today, but when Sugarwings asked me to take her to a movie, how could I say no?  Wallpaper will just have to wait, fairy grand babies take precedence!

If you'd like to make your paper doll dresses into ornaments to hang from the tree, here are some simple steps to do that.

First, punch holes in the shoulders.

Next, select your ribbon.

For holiday sparkle, I chose this vintage tinsel that was a gift from Beth.

Cut about 7-8"

Thread the ribbon through the holes from the front (although, you can tell from the floral dress I made, that I put the knots in the front, that is OK too)

Tie knots on both ends, then trim off any danglies.

To Christmassy-up a couple of these dresses, I added some glitter.  Simply brush your finished dress lightly, with white glue, and sprinkle on glitter, then tap off.  I used the vintage crystal "Diamond Dust" because it has such a pretty shine. Make sure you don't use something metallic or heavy that covers up your work completely! You want to use a transparent glitter and apply in a fine sheen, not thick or gloppy.

The dresses I've shown are available in my Etsy shop for $6 each, if you are interested.

 

And now, after what sounds like a lot of hawking of my wares-( but hey, I have to make a living here, don't I??), I have some gifts to announce!

The winner of the original, hand drawn and painted paper doll goes to:

Laurie Jackson

And an ephemera kit for making the dolls goes to:

Sandra Thompson

And of course, everyone who leaves a comment anytime this month is entered into the

November Giveaway.

While up at Silver Bella, there was a discussion among some friends about giveaways. A lot of people don't care for them and think there are too many.  I know I have a lot, and yes, some of it is just to bribe you guys to leave comments, but that isn't the only reason I do it.

For one thing, I have so MUCH. And I like to share.  I find good deals and I'm able to giveaway pretty things without hurting my pocketbook.

And also, to quote Kurt to Finn on Glee, "I honestly love you". My blog, and blogfriends that I've met through it mean a lot to me.  There are billions and billions of blogs out there for you to visit and I just want to say thanks for you to take the time out to come and see me, and bother to leave a comment. 

So, yes, there will be more giveaways here.  And lots of them.  Its appropriate to say at Thanksgiving time that I have a lot to be thankful for.  So, I just wanted to let you know that!

Comments

[Thespoena McLaughlin]

I love those ornaments, so pretty and just the right amount of vintage. Honestly I don't know why someone wouldn't like a giveaway. Phooey to them, and happy holidays!

[Bunny Rose Cottage]

Those ornaments are so pretty Karla! It sounds like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I made two dinners yesterday, one for yesterday and one for tonight. I love not having to cook tonight, lol! Congratulations to the lucky winners of your giveaways!!!
Hugs,
Amy

[LiLi M.]

Those dresses are adorable Karla! I once made them for a swap but you inspire me to do that again! Congrats to the winners of the give aways! Just do as you please Karla, I wouldn't mind to win something here nor anywhere! No prizes won't keep me away from commenting though! Have a great weekend!

[Barbara @ Southern Lady's Vintage]

Very cute!

[Bianca]

Those ornaments are adorable. What a fun way to spend the holiday enjoying the company you have around and not stressing about anything.

[Gerry Hook]

These dollie dresses are just the most precious tree decorations. Who wouldn't just love these.
You must be the most efficient Thanksgiving cook I know. To have turkey soup made and in the frig before day is done is unbelievable.
And as far as the Giveways so popular on blogs lately - we all know it's a phase we're going through. What the next new wave to hit - - - who knows what it'll be.
Keep on bloggin'

[Brenda Kula]

I can just imagine all that little Sugarwings is learning from her very talented grandma. She must be in hog heaven with these paper doll ornaments! Any little girl would be. They are precious!
Brenda

[Kris Pare]

OMG! those are adorable Karla! Thank you for sharing :)
Kris

[michelle]

Darling dresses! I love your giveaways and am so glad you weren't influenced to quit them!

[Stacy]

Karla, thank YOU for making your blog such a fun place to visit! (give-aways or not!)
xoxo

[gabrielle]

Oh Karla, I looove these! I have a few projects to finish up here, but, after those, these may be a great ornaments for my little girl's room!

[bettyann]

the dollie ornaments are so darling..giveaways are fun..take care..

[Kathy Bozeman]

I love your tradition of doing 'pretty stuff' while you wait for the turkey...tell us your trick to be able to do this! Do you use old Christmas cards to do the doll dresses? Could you, as tree ornaments?

[Dawn @ The Feathered Nest]

Hey sweetie!!! I just LOVE your new profile photo ~ you're GORGEOUS!!! As for giveaways, I think you are precious for hosting yours so regularly....it shows your generous heart Karla ~ I love the dresses as ornaments too!! hugs and love, Dawn

[Lori]

Karla, your dresses are adorable...they are all so different and unique...the possibilities are endless!!! congrats to your winners!!! OMG, someone thinks there are too many giveaways...and they don't like them? what is not to like about the giveaway...i think it shows an appreciation for your readers and a sharing heart...i am with you Karla, i LOVE the giveaway...i don't have very many personally...but i don't have oodles of things to gift, or i surely would...

[Brenda]

The dress ornaments are so adorable, did Sugarwings make one too?

i am gld you are continuing with your giveaways, and I love rading your blog and just adore when you post about Sugarwings and think she is such a beautiful little girl....
hugs, Brenda

[LORRAINE BELL]

Karla...cannot get my credit card to work on paypal...will mail a check...it is Canadian is that ok? if you have any paypal hints let me know...Lorraine

[Aimee Boschet]

My Daughter would love those! They are so pretty...

Happy Holidays!

[Jenny @ The Red Bulletin Board]

Miss Karla, we like you too!! hehehe!! I just so enjoy hearing about Sugarwings and seeing all your pretties! It is my joy to come read you blog. The fact that I won one of your giveaways didn't hurt either!! hehehe!

[kana]

I love your laid back cooking, creating way of thinking for Thanksgiving! Hope you had a great day. Loving the doll dress Christmas tree creations.

[sadie]

sparkly and pretty! I love it :o)
xx

[Leann]

Oh Karla what sweet dresses. I love that you all get some crafting in on Thanksgiving. I keep a pot ready to start soup in too. It makes leftovers sooo easy.

Glad that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Leann

[sherry goodloe]

Happy Holidays Karla! Simply LOVE your little vintage wallpaper dresses. The colors, the glitter, the paper doilies. Yes, these are wonderful!

[jenny]

Hi there!
Thanks for visiting me and leaving a comment, because now I can get to know you!
These little dresses are so clever and so sweet!
I too, had a low keyed Thanksgiving- which was just fine, except that the turkey cooked quite a bit faster than expected, so that pushed everything into high gear!
What a nice idea to do some crafty work while waiting.
See you again!
jenny

[LORRAINE BELL]

Good Morning Karla...the cheque is in the mail!!!thank you for your patience...willtry to find out about the paypal thing ..I would like to order more stuff..Lorraine

[Niesz Vintage Home]

Oh, those little dresses are too adorable!!
Love them!
Kimberly :)

[Rita]

Just adore these handmade ornaments. What a beautiful tutorial. Thank you for posting. Thank you for your compliments on my post. Be sure to click on "Follow" & "Subscribe" on the right-hand column so that you can get quick, hot off-the-press updates.

[Soarenth]

Glad to hear Thanksgiving dinner was a huge success!

Our household just (as in a couple hours ago) got another load of leftovers from parents we ate Thanksgiving with, including Turkey soup. A bin that looked like enough to last for months. Eep!

Hope you know, too, how thankful I am that you are willing to take time away from all the pretty things you have to play with to write blog posts and share some sparkle of your life.

[Lois]

Hi Karla.
Just a quick note to say THANK YOU for having the giveaway.
Congrats to the lucky winners!
Karla, I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Your dress ornaments are very pretty!
Thanks again for letting us read all your posts.
I, for one, really enjoy them.
Lois

[Sammy Girl]

Karla --
Just a quick post to say "we love you, too!!" I don't think any of us come for the giveaways, but love to see what you are doing ... and how Sugarwings is growing! This is such a great post that captures it all ... grandkids, pretty bits, and GLITTER!! who could want anything else!! Just sayin' .....
Have a super week!

Betty :)

[jeanie]

No one is more for a shameless hawking of wares than I am! Nice!