Fairy Tale Wedding Dress

This has nothing to do with my work; however, I want to show this 1933 wedding gown designed and made for a British society woman.  The satins, silks, embroideries, and beads are gorgeous.  Imagine the hours and number of seamstresses it took to make this!Courtesy of  www.thevintageworkshop.com.

Gracie's Gift

My "adopted niece" graduated from high school earlier this year.  (She is Gracie and I'm Auntie Em)  She is a beautiful, talented, unique person and I wanted to make something different and meaningful for her.  In thinking about her becoming a young woman, I also began to think about myself at that age, about all females as we go from being girls to being women.  What might speak to her?  Might touch that spiritual Self?  Might help her find her path, her life mission?  This is when I began to think about the collage boxes and started playing around with things.  I wish these pictures were better, but the modge-podge was shinier than I was clever with lighting.  Here's the end result:

Playtime!

I've worked on several small things and also made some little collage boxes.  My carpal tunnel has flared up and I'm trying to have some fun without overdoing it.  My first box was one of those small unfinished wood boxes that are everywhere.  I modge-podged colored tissue paper over the outside and also painted it.  I reduced some retro images I had and cut them out.  I also typed a brief "guide" for housewives that was printed in a 1950s magazine.  I also used some small pieces of scrapbook paper, buttons, and more modge-podge....lots of fun! 

  

The Long Hot Summer

Temperatures here have been in the triple digits  for weeks, the humidity and heat have pervaded everything, and I have truly cooled off only in the shower.  AND my allergies have gone wild!  I've been hot, sweaty, tired, sleepy, sneezing, blowing my nose, coughing, headachy....I went into hibernation and am just now emerging.   Weather reports  this is the hottest and driest summer we've had here since 1930.  Everything is dry and dead.  I am so grateful that we (and I) now have air conditioning, electric fans, and running water.  I have always been awed by the daily hardships, past and present, of just staying alive in the world for most people.  This summer has been a good reminder to me of how lucky I am.