It's A Dress Form Party!

It's a dress form party!

Are you coming?

Hurry up now, you don't want to miss it!

Carol at The Polka Dot Closet is our gracious hostess for this fun filled event and she has invited us all to the ball!

Betty and Mae are ready to go and they'd like to model a few ensembles for you........

Mae is ready in her romantic shabby dress. She sports a white flocked top hat trimmed with sheer gossamer ribbon, a layered strand of pearls, an old china bowl--yup a bowl--she insisted! At her waist is a sprig of paper roses tied with dark sage crinkle satin french wired ribbon. Her lacy puddled skirt is from thrift store remnants and a thrift store bridal veil.

Mae is named after Mae West. She came to me as a gift and was purchased from a western clothing store, where she worked as a floor model.

You can see her a bit better here.

This is Betty and unlike Mae who prefers a quirky chic fashion, Betty prefers to be lavished in jewels. She's a very dainty gal indeed.

A little closer look at Betty and I can see she's flung one of her necklaces about her shoulders. Crazy girl!

Betty again when she's in sewing mode. She's really quite versatile.

Betty was found in a thrift store in Florida, where she was purchased for $50! What a deal! She is from the 1930's a size 14 and has a lovely cast iron base and caged skirt.

Just a little dress form pincushion that I made a few years ago. I love making these from my favorite rose fabric.

Betty, Mae and I thank you for stopping by and visiting with us for a bit. We hope you enjoyed your stay.

Please don't forget to stop by and say hello to Carol at The Polka Dot Closet and view all of the other dress forms waltzing at the ball.

Arm Chair Caddy Sew Along Project

While following links the other day I ran into a sew along hosted by Liz of "Moments" and decided this might be something to get me going sewing again. Liz has a list of sewing room projects for us to work on each month and for January it was an arm chair caddy and January is almost over I knew I'd better hurry! I've always intended to make one of these, but have just never gotten around to it--until now!

Here it is hot of the machine and not my best work by far. I decided to shortcut the bias tape step and I shouldn't have, but oh well. Live and learn..............and for me learn again!

I was all set to make a pretty shabby chic and lace caddy and then in my stash I spied these funky Lorelie Designs pieces. I thought perfect! I love Lorelie's whimsical characters and bright colors.

The pattern I used is by Helen of Hugs n Kisses found HERE. It's a simple and fun pattern and I'd like to make another one of these little caddies only just a bit larger maybe, so I can use it for larger projects.

Here's a closeup of the pincushion. I just love this character!

And the Lorelie fabric that I used. I have pieces of the white left over, so I can squeeze out another fun project.

If you'd like to join in Liz's sew along just click the banner above. It'll be fun and you'll have 11 new projects for your sewing room! She's giving us December off to rest! I like that!

As a side note.......................... I WANT THIS! It's the new Singer 160 to celebrate Singer's 160th anniversary. Isn't it gorgeous! Click the photo to find out more. I bet you'll want one too!

Dress Form Party!

You don't want to miss The Polka Dot Closet's Dress Form Party coming up on February 7th!

Now to figure out what Betty and Mae will be wearing to the ball!

If you have a dress form--any size there's plenty of time to get them dressed and ready!

See you there!

5th Annual Handmade Valentine's Card Swap!

The Handmade Valentine Card Swap is now CLOSED.

Thank you everyone!

I have some fun ideas going around in my head, so it's time for me to narrow them down and get busy. I have 12 cards to make!

Valentine's Day is one of my very favorite holidays! It's also the day after my birthday!

So that means it's time for my 5th annual Handmade Valentine Card Swap.

This is a one on one swap that I look forward to and enjoy doing with my blogger friends.

Here's what we'll do...........

Get out your pretty papers, scissors, glue, glitters etc and you and I will make each other a Handmade Valentine Card to swap.

Use your imagination and have fun it!

Please make sure to mail your card to me no later than February 6th.

I will share them all here at a Virtual Valentine's Day Party on February 14th for all to see.

If you'd like to swap a handmade Valentine's card with me then please email me at hazelruthe@yahoo.com with your Name, Mailing Addy and a link to your blog (if you have one-but a blog is not necessary) that way I can post a link back to your blog along with a picture of your beautiful card on Valentine's Day.

I will send you my mailing address in my reply email back to you, so you know that I received your info. I will also have my cards mailed to you by or before February 6th. I
will swap with my international blogger friends too.

Please note that since this is a one on one swap (me with you) I will close the swap sign ups when I have reached the number of people that I think I can handle swapping with.

Here's a peek at years past Handmade Valentine Card Swap....

2008

(2009 seems to lost in the archives)

2010

2011

Get ready, get set, create!

Grandma & Grandpa Porcelain Doll Parts in Etsy Shoppe

They have now SOLD. Thank you!

I just love theseWilliam Wallace grandma and grandpa dolls! They make up into the cutest dolls and are quite large--about 32-36 inches when finished and they have fabulous detailing to them. I just listed them in my Etsy Shop and they are waiting for a loving dollmaker to bring them to life!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

May it be filled with peace, joy and love

and shared with your family and friends!

Santa's To Print & Create

I thought I'd share a few vintage Santa Claus paper dolls that can be printed out and used to create with. Make sure to click on the image to view it larger then right click and save to your computer.

This first one is my very favorite and is what I'm using to tuck into my Christmas cards this year. I printed him out at an 8 x 10 size and he'll measure approx. 9 1/2 inches tall when he's put together. I printed him onto cream cardstock and used antiqued copper colored brads to assemble him with. I found him HERE originally.






How fun! Santa in paper doll form with a nice little set of clothes. I found him HERE originally.





And finally this darling vintage Santa by Grace Drayton, the creator of the Campell's Kids and Dolly Dingle. I found him on Pinterest, but he didn't link back to any other website.

Have fun and enjoy these cute vintage paper Santas.