Dancing Angels 2013

Ella and Emily

Although I didn't know how many dancers would sign up - or their ages or sizes - I began working on the costumes early this year!

It turns out that we have TEN dancing angels in the "Lessons and Carols" program at St. Patrick's and they are aged 6 - 11.  PERFECT!

Each dancer has two costumes - the first is a lace coat (for the "Advent" song....) and then for the brilliant "Angelic" entrance, they have a flouncy bouncy skirt, wings, haloes, feathers and ribbon wands.

Kaitlin is the choreographer and it is going to be just beautiful!

Ella

Halloween 1967

I am in pink.  My mom made the costume from pink dotted swiss and metallic silver rick rack.  

My BFF Gretchen is in white.  Her mom made her costume from ruffled organdy curtains.  You might think she is a bride, but she is actually "Ozma of Oz."  She had to correct MANY people on that night....

My brother Brad is a cowboy and Jeff is a "Native American."  Our neighbors, Lisa and Debbie, are front and center.  We lived in Plantation, Florida.  

Halloween Coats!

Sarah, Olivia, and Milli return to model Halloween coats!  Aren't they adorable?!?!?  

Thanks, Girls!

Flouncy Bouncy Dancing Angel Skirt

I have been working hard on the "Dancing Angel" costumes for this year's Christmas program.  

After trying out lots of ideas, I think this is the best.  I am calling it the "Flouncy Bouncy" skirt because it is a full skirt with lots of light layers of lace and chiffon that lift and bounce with the dance...at least in my imagination...

Here is a close-up of the ornament.  Yes, there is a vintage glove, vintage lace, and a rhinestone button.  I cut the wings from felted wool.  It's everything I love in one design.

Sweet Strawberry Dresses

Summer is here in Arizona - time to break out the seersucker.

I picked up McCall's 6730 and made it up in several fabric combinations.

It was fun to work on such cheerful designs.

What to do with scraps...

After finishing a sweet blue and green sweater coat I had this delightful table of scraps left over....

I covered a simple wooden bird house ($1.00 at JoAnn Fabrics) and added some embroidery.

Cute!

Bluebird Coat

How could I resist this bluebird embroidery in my local Goodwill?  It was calling me!

I fashioned it into the bodice of a lace angel coat, and made a pale blue lace dress to go underneath.

Yesterday, Sarah came in and immediately created this look.  Vintage pink daffodil hat, denim shorts and pink t-shirt....

 She is quite the pro at modeling and gave some great poses.  Thank you Sarah!

New Designs!

Rather than sweaters, these new "Angel Coats" are made from thrifted lace tablecloths, curtains and fabrics.

After making a few of these, I had a trashcan full of lace serger scraps that looked like this...  Hmmmm...

I couldn't toss them yet - after a little bit of effort I made these "Lace Nest Necklaces."  

They are really fun... I've made "quite a few..."  

Why I Love Thrifting!

Ken, Will, and I recently travelled to Flagstaff for a lacrosse game.

The boys generously went along with my request for a visit to the local Goodwill.

Look what I found there....

A lovely dress form with collapsible shoulders and a super cute rear end!  YAY!

Pretties

Two of my collections are these vintage heart pincushions and vintage millinery

The rose also appears on this angel costume that I have recently finished.

James

Looking fine for an interview this morning!

Angel Skirt

I've been sewing angel costumes!  

This is my first skirt - a thrifted skirt embellished with vintage laces, buttons and trims.