My new, white Christmas tree is up and ready to be decorated! I'll be away for 2 weekends in Dec. and I am a little sad about missing out on tree time. I wanted plenty of time to enjoy the holiday decor, so my plan is to have the halls decked before Thanksgiving. But I needed a new topper, since I have two trees this year and plan on using my other tree in the newly remodelled kitchen this year.
While tidying up Sugarwing's room, I came across this little doll who had seen much better days. Either my fairy grand baby has the same tendencies to hang onto things that need refurbished, or she is the cause of the need for refurbishment...
This doll kind of has a Little Edy/Grey Gardens look about her, doesn't she?
The first thing I did was repaint her eyes and brows.
Then, I popped her into a party hat with the point cut off. At this point she doesn't look like she is going to any kind of party I want to attend. But there is still work to be done.
The party hat is a perfect skirt base for her, its sturdy and I can slide it right over the top of the tree.
I wanted a halo that stood up from her head, so I made a wire ring to hold it. The ring fits around her noggin, and was glued into place before gluing yarn hair over it. The halo itself is a vintage, circle, rhinestone brooch.
To keep the halo standing straight up, I glopped on a bunch of glue where it is wrapped with the wire. That needed covered up, so I added a white millinery bloom over the glue blob.
Her dress is made up of vintage papers, trims, and lace that I glued to her body and the party hat, no sewing for me. The wings are feathers and flocked wallpaper, and she is decked out in some millinery and jewels.
When she heads up to the top of the tree, I'll get a photo of her in her new home. That is if I ever get caught up and get that tree decorated... Right now, its up, the lights are on and its naked as a jaybird. But still festive! I'm happy just to have it there waiting for me. I've wanted a white tree for the past few years, my old one turned yellow and I hadn't found a reasonable priced one to replace it with.
The yellow was not a good "patina-ed with age look" it was a "did a dog pee on your tree?" look. It had to go.
My life is full of white trees right now. I've been bleaching and glittering more batches of bottle brush trees this week. I thought I had plenty of them done, but needed another couple of sinkfuls to fill some special orders. Plus, I like to have plenty to play with and decorate myself too!
Can you have too many? So far, the answer is no, and I seem to have a LOT of them.
And finally, I made up some cuff bracelet kits.
All filled with lacey, velvety, vintagey goodies.
These are priced separate from my Cuff Tutorial. Previous kits included the price of the online lesson, but with these kits, you need to either purchase the $6 class separately or use put them together in your own way. The kits come with the aluminum blanks and all the trims and bits you need to make a bracelet according to my directions in the class.
There are also plain cuffs for sale for you to use if you don't want a whole kit.
They are stocked in the Boutique in two sizes, 1 inch and 1-1/2 inch.
I hope you have a happy holiday weekend planned. We are going all local/free range/ organic this year, and even roasting our own pumpkin to make the pies. I've never done that before, so I might need to have a frozen pie as a back up... If you have any tips, please let me know!
Happy Thanksgiving!
PS- as a Thanksgiving treat (because I'm thankful you read my blog and buy my stuff and I can pretend this is a real job) I'll give away 2 Cuff Tutorials. Please leave a comment letting me know if you are interested.
ps- Have you visited Amy? She makes the best stuff from nothing. She is having a link party and I joined it today.
Have a joyous Thanksgiving! Drink up your family and all those memories while they are created.
Posted by: Vicki | November 23, 2011 at 04:41 AM
Hi Karla, after ages of not having time to blog hop I am back!!! the blog is a beautiful as ever and you have inspired me to bleach and dye my own bottle brush trees, I have some on the way from ebay and dye at the ready, can't wait to play. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving x
Posted by: Trish | November 23, 2011 at 04:54 AM
That doll does look like "Little Edie"! You did a fantastic job reviving her! And I love your cuff bracelets.
Have a happy Thanksgiving with your wonderful family, Karla.
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | November 23, 2011 at 05:43 AM
Your trees are going to be GORGEOUS! Luv all you do. I would love a chance at winning your tutorial. TFS
Posted by: Gypsy Rose | November 23, 2011 at 06:22 AM
Interested, interested! That's the understatement of the season, I love all your things and would love to add one of your Gorgeous cuff bracelet kits to my collection.
As for roasting your own pumpkins, well I've done that! First off you don't want to get a big one you want the medium size ones that are for roasting (sorry I don't know the names but if you are buying from a farmers market they will know what you are talking about) second cut them in half and sprikle them with the same spices you are going to use in the pie. Next put them face down in a glass or ceramic pan with about 1/4 inch water coming up the sides. Now pop them in a oven for about 40 minutes and walk away. When the timer goes off check to see if they are soft to the touch. If so they are done. Let them cool a bit and then scoop out the yummyness and run it in a blender until it is nice and smooth (you may have to add water). Follow the pie receipe replacing the can with the scrumptious roasted one.
Let me know if you have any questions. I do this and make cupcakes and they are out of this world scrumptious!
Have a great thanksgiving
Oh, when are you going to share pictures of your white tree??? I wanna see
Caroline
Posted by: Caroline | November 23, 2011 at 08:27 AM
Please include me in the drawing as I love everything that you do. Have a blessed Happy Thanksgiving, there is alot to be thankful for this year. Take care!
Posted by: Kimberly A. Budash | November 23, 2011 at 09:18 AM
Oh, Karla...this was one of your most hilarious blogs..loved the part about the "yellow" white tree..too funny! Please enter me in the tutorial giveaway! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Patty in Kansas
Posted by: Patty in Kansas | November 23, 2011 at 09:39 AM
Caroline, that is great pumpkin help, thanks! The farmer I got the pumpkin from said it was the best kind for pie. Its a white one, but he says they cook up better than the orange ones. Im excited to try
Sent from my iPad
Posted by: Karla Nathan | November 23, 2011 at 09:52 AM
Doesnt she? Yep, now Little Edy is going to be called Angel Edy.
Sent from my iPad
Posted by: Karla Nathan | November 23, 2011 at 09:54 AM
Please enter me in your giveaway!!
Yes, she does remind me of Edy. Made me think I need to
get in the trunk and pull out some of my old storybook dolls my Father use to buy me when he traveled. Wow...that was a century ago!!! hahahaha
Posted by: Sharon, Morrison Mercantile | November 23, 2011 at 10:08 AM
Hi Karla, Your dolls are beautiful! I want to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving! I would love to win one of your tutorials. Have a great weekend. Hugs, Terri
Posted by: Terri Gordon | November 23, 2011 at 10:08 AM
OOH! I would love to win a cuff tutorial! I absolutely love your tree top angel! I can't wait to see the whole tree decorated!
Posted by: Susan | November 23, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Totally a Grey Gardens doll topper! Very fun. I made pumpkin pies from pie pumpkins twice (that's what they're called here) and I have to say it was wonderful. One thing, though, is they don't have that brownish color you're used to. They actually turn out more yellow, like squash. The second time I made them, I added food coloring to make them look more like the traditional. I know that if you're going organic, you are NOT going to do that. I'm just sayin'. :)
Posted by: Laurie | November 23, 2011 at 10:42 AM
Hi Karla, you've made me want to go to Goodwill or somewhere and find an unhappy dolly and make her pretty again .... and I don't make decorations! I'd love a cuff tutorial.
Happy thanksgiving!
Posted by: Leanne Shawler | November 23, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Happy Thanksgiving Karla! I love all your Christmas stuff and would be thrilled to add the cuff tutorial to my "Karla arsenal"!
Posted by: JoAnne | November 23, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Hi Karla,
I am new to your blog and just made an etsy purchase from you. I "found" you on Karin's blog....and just love all of your creativity...I am a vintage fan BIG TIME...and I am very glad to be your fan too! The bracelet looks like such pretty fun! Happy Turkey Day !
Posted by: nancy thompson | November 23, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Karla, you just astound me with how much you can get done. One of the reasons I love to read your blog is because of the way you have of writing in your authentic voice. I love that line about pretending it is a real job!! I hope your Thanksgiving is lovely!
Posted by: Kathy | November 23, 2011 at 11:38 AM
What a lovely tree angel. You did a great job repainting her face. I so wish I was better at painting like that. Faces elude me. Happy Holidays!
Posted by: Thespoena McLaughlin | November 23, 2011 at 11:52 AM
I would LOVE to win one of your cuff tutorials, thank you so much....and hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Kim | November 23, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Pick me, pick me!!! I'd love to try and create one of those lovely cuffs.
That is one of he best makeovers I've seen in a while. Do you do people? I could use one myself. ;-)
Gloria
Posted by: Gloria | November 23, 2011 at 01:53 PM
Have a lovely Thanksgiving! Would love to win the tutorial. Angel Edy turned into quite the pretty gal. Now I want to see Grey Gardens again! What a fantastic movie!
Posted by: Rhonda C. | November 23, 2011 at 03:48 PM
Duh...of course throw my name in the hat!!
I love your sweet angel. You are amazing!
oxox
Posted by: Maija | November 23, 2011 at 04:25 PM
Oh My, Of course I am interested in winning this tutorial, I have been admiring your cuff bracelets..
Happy Thanksgiving to you and you rfamily
Years ago, I used to roast my pumpkins too, was very easy, cut the pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds, which by the way can be washed and dried and roasted also...they are yummy, place pumpkin on foil lined cookie sheet, oven was at 350, but for the life of me I can't remember for how long, but I bet you can tell when the meat is soft and tender...Good Luck!
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda | November 23, 2011 at 04:59 PM
oh, nice, waiting to see the decorated tree. anticipation! please include me in the drawing for the cuff tutorial. Have a great Thanksgiving! pumpkin pie will be fine-not hard at all to do.
Posted by: Linda McMillin | November 23, 2011 at 06:55 PM
I love the tree toppers! Sometimes they are the best part of the trees.
To me a homemade pumpkin pie is a can of pumpkin puree and ready made pie crusts! Let us know how they turn out, please!!! This year our guests are bringing the pie. Hooray!
I so love the cuff bracelets and kits.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! God has been good to us all!
Kate
Posted by: Kate garfield | November 23, 2011 at 07:30 PM
Your well-loved doll turned angel tree topper is magic! You have the magic touch my dear. I hope you are able to take at least tiny moments to breathe and enjoy this wondrous season. Happy Thanksgiving Blessings...
Posted by: Saucy Chick Sherry | November 23, 2011 at 08:35 PM
I would love to be entered to win a cuff tutorial!! Your cuffs are beautiful!
Posted by: kate | November 23, 2011 at 08:38 PM
Love that last cuff with the barkcloth fabric! Yum! Add me in please!
Posted by: Jenny Sellars | November 23, 2011 at 09:12 PM
I'm amazed at what you do with things most people would throw away. This angel is gorgeous, and those little wood ornaments you "refurbished" the other day were darling. I had just given two to Goodwill, and had to go buy some at an estate sale so I can try it! Your cuffs are bautiful, too, and I would love to win a cuff tutorial!
Posted by: Terri | November 23, 2011 at 09:24 PM
Thank you, Terri, I do love to redo junk. Have a great thanksgiving!
Sent from my iPad
Posted by: Karla Nathan | November 24, 2011 at 12:39 AM
Well, making the pie from scratch might have been a bit much. Its midnight and I just got the freaking pies in the oven.
Sent from my iPad
Posted by: Karla Nathan | November 24, 2011 at 12:44 AM
As always your creativity blows me away! Have a Blessed day with your family and friends. Judi in Wahoo
Posted by: Judi Storm | November 24, 2011 at 07:26 AM
Your cuffs are gorgeous! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Sheila R - Blessed and Distressed | November 24, 2011 at 07:40 AM
Karla...girl you are one busy busy lady, you always amaze me...yes it has been along time since I have visited you...with all that distraction of FB, I had forgot how much I love seeing your hand at work, have missed you, love your new Christmas wares...beautiful as always.
x
Kirstie
Posted by: Kirstie | November 24, 2011 at 08:06 AM
Happy Thanksgiving Sweet Friend!
I hope your "organic-ness" turns out as planned as I think Burger King & McDonald's are closed today!!!
(I could never take that chance!)
*wink (giggle)
Miss you lots,
xoxoxo
Posted by: Jodie (everything vintage) | November 24, 2011 at 10:08 AM
Am I interested in winning a cuff? You bet! But more importantly, I enjoy your blog so much, and your sense of humor sets you apart. Love my time visiting here.
Posted by: Folk Heart | November 24, 2011 at 07:55 PM
I LOVE reading your blog - I am interested in winning one of your cuff Tutorials.
Posted by: Debbie Blanken | November 25, 2011 at 01:29 AM
Your little angel tree topper looks great after her makeover. I can't wait to see her perched atop your tree. I would love to enter your giveaway for the cuff tutorial.
Danielle
Posted by: My Blessed Serendipity Life | November 25, 2011 at 11:38 AM
I would be over-the-moon delighted with your cuff tutorial !!!!! thanks for the giveaway...hope your Thanksgiving was fantastic.
Posted by: bettyann | November 25, 2011 at 09:11 PM
I think this shows how with some love there is an angel to be found in all of us no matter how battered and broken we become.
Posted by: Soarenth | November 25, 2011 at 11:25 PM
Wow! She does look like Little Edy. I loved Gray Gardens.
I bought some of your trees during your sale, last year and can't wait to use them, this year in my decorating.
~elaine
Posted by: Elaine L. | November 26, 2011 at 09:18 PM