Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Remember Me???

Hello, Sweets! It's me, Cheryl, the not-very-faithful blogger!

It has been WAAAAAAY too long since I have popped in here and though I am still buried under work, I thought I'd poke my head out and say hello!

I think I mentioned that I am going to be a vendor at Silver Bella and we are now in the "less than a month" stage of preparation. I am so very excited to meet, hang out with, hug and even room with girls I've grown to love but never "seen" or been in the same room with. So I'm nervously excited about that. I'm also nervously excited about my tables on vendor night. I've got the vintage prom dress and I've got tons of yummy stuff ready but the amount of work it will involve to get me and my stuff ready and safely there is a bit overwhelming.

But I am going to follow my husband's great-grandmother Esther's advice:

DO THE NEXT THING.


Simple but oh so true, right? It has helped me get through many a panicky deadline and even emotionally difficult periods. So I'm doing the next thing until I find myself standing behind my vendor table, dressed in my vintage prom dress (wait till you SEEEEEE!), with my tables all set up.

So there's messes galore! But I am trying to just focus on where I want to end up!

Last week I finally finished another fabric heirloom book for a delightful customer (and now, friend). She is gifting this book to her soon-to-be seven-year-old and I am very excited to hear what she thinks about it! This book represents more handwork than I have ever done in one project. It is reallllly different from the one for Kimla's daughter that I showed in my previous post....this one is more sweet and whimsical. Think cupcakes, ballet and sweet treats! I can not wait to share photos of it but I have to wait to hear that it has safely arrived before I do so. But in the meantime, I can't help myself...here's a few "peeks"!




O.k. that's almost it. I also want to share this incredible piece of art that I purchased from a local antique store. I have seriously been "eyeing" this lovely for nearly a year. Maybe more. I sort of willed it to get sold every time I visited that particular shope, so I wouldn't have to wrestle with whether or not to buy it!
Well I broke down. And now I'm so glad I did! It is the most incredible piece of art that I own and I love that it is fabric art.




Isn't the intricacy absolutely incredible? Before I purchased it, I had only seen it through a glass cabinet, stooping down since it was on the lowest shelf in a shadowy corner of the store. So when I got it out into real light and looked at it closely, I was almost teary. What a treasure.

Similar to the "paper doll" pieces you can find on eBay where the dresses, etc. have been embellished with fabric, lace, etc. But this is a "ho nubbuh lebuh" (if you watch Mad TV you know what that means!).

I don't know much about the age but the paper that the girls' dresses are "built" on is from the late 1800's and seems to be, from the little research I did, from a French magazine called "La Mode." You can still find pages from some of these incredible magazines that people are selling but they are dear...something I didn't know before I bought this. But I can not find anything like this. I'd love to hear if you know more information about it or have seen something similar.
Well, it's time to hit the sewing machine again! Cupcakes to make....literally!

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

* your pretty fabric books are so lovely * the detailed fabric and lace ladies art are GORGEOUS! Let me know if you need help Baking'! :) xxoo diana

Jenni B said...

Wow! What a fun find! It's just beautiful!

I wish I were going to Silver Bella. It sounds just amazingly fun. You'll have to share all of the details the minute you get back. Good luck with your booth set-up!

Jenni B

leesiebella said...

Takin' it to the H.N.L!

lol

Beautiful piece Cheryl, so happy you finally have it in your hands!

xo
Analise

Kimla Kay said...

I can tell from the peeks that this fabric book is as awesome as mine. She is going to love it. That fabric art is amazing. I have never seen anything like it. So glad you finally brought it home...what a treasure.

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

The book looks lovely. How I wish, I wish, I wish I was going to Silver Bella! You girls are going to have so much fun!!!!!

La Donna Welter said...

Can't wait to see your vintage prom dress!
Now...on to your next thing...can't wait to hear all about Silver Bella when you get back! : )

Decor To Adore said...

Money well spent!

I am celebrating my 100th post.
Please stop by and enter my giveaway.

Laura

Journal Swag said...

Love the advice (I'll remember that one) and love your blog!

Sheila

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

I don't think I have ever seen a piece done like this La Mode one. Wow, its a pretty one.

I am counting down to Silver Bella too, can't wait!

Niesz Vintage Home said...

Your fabric baby books are so wonderful! Such amazing detail.

I can't wait to hear all about Silver Bella. You must be so excited!

Oh, and I love that LaMode picture!
Kimberly :)

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

Looks like another beautiful book.
That art work is something special alright - don't think I have ever seen anything like it. How big is it?

Hope all goes well fo ryouat Silver Bella.
Hugs,
Kerryanne

Kara Ward said...

Oh, everything is just so pretty. Thanks for sharing your creations. I know you will get-her-done. wink,wink Kara

Natasha Burns said...

Your heirloom books are incredible Cheryl. Just amazing.
Yes, do the next thing!
Can't wait to see you all dolled up and your wonderful table full of goodies!
OH and you know how much I adore that picture you got, it's absolutely utterly incredible! SEE you soon dear! xo

Cathy said...

Cheryl,

Everything you make is Eye Candy. I love it all.

I left you a sweet message on my blog.

Have a great Sunday.

xo Cathy

Jennifer Hayslip said...

EEEK! You KNOW I LOOOVE your fabric book!!!! Im seriously lusting over! hee! hee!
I cant BELIEVE I will be FINALLY seeing you face to face in a few short weeks! EEEK! Sooo exciting!!! ;) XOXO,Jenn

Unknown said...

I love the real "dressmaking" over the drawing. Very whimsical as if they were in the middle of jumping out of the picture.

I think that all of blogland is suffering bloggeritis or has at one time since this summer. I dont know if we are just all down over the economy or what but hope that the holidays coming up will shake us out of our funks.

Beth said...

good luck cheryl !!! you will do awesome at silver bella !!!your stuff is fabulous !! can't wait to see the pictures of the event and your prom dress so take lots !!
xo,
beth

Sara's Sweet Surprise said...

Cheryl,I wanted leave you girls a personal note about the Sweet Six Retreat.
It's always sad when the party's over and it's time to say good-bye....
The wonderful thing about this "Sweet Retreat" I get to take the lessons and new friendships with me. On a rainy, dreary, day when it seems there's no sunshine in sight. I can pull out your craft lessons and create my own sunny day. Thank you girls!! For your time, energy and incredible talents shared!!
I look forward to your next event.
Sara

Cathy Santarsiero, "The Christmas Corgi" said...

I love Esther's advice! Have a happy week. Warmly, Cathy ^..^

Lori said...

Cheryl!
Oh I would love to se your goodies and display! But guess I'll have to settle for pictures! Another great fabric masterpiece! Your family has to be so super proud of how talented you are! Love and good luck at Silver Bella! Love,Lori

Unknown said...

Hi Cheryl! I LOVE your little hints :) Everything is looking beautiful as is all of your work :) I wish I were going to see it all.

I hope you are all feeling better :)

Big Bunny Hugs,
Amy

Unknown said...

I had to leave a comment on your little treasure. I don't know what you payed for your art work, but I think it's PRICELESS!
I've been busy working night and day. Soon I'll be heading out to the Seattle Cash & Carry (vendors)show.
My Parisian Give Away (valued at $200+) is now posted. This truly has your name written all over it!! You won't believe your eyes! It is my way of showing my heartfelt appreciation for all the support I was given in the infancy of my blog. My Lil' Boutique's Grand Opening is now official too. I'm slowly filling it with my favorite designs and treasures. I'm truly enjoying this blog journey, especially the new friends I'm getting to know through our visits. Thanks for sharing your precious time with me.
*SWEET WISHES*!
Sara

Heather ~Pretty Petals said...

simply stunning Cheryl!! What an amazing book her daughter will treasure forever. xoxo