Cupcake Couture April 8th!

Blowgun Tournament!

On Friday night Will was prepared to defend his championship title. Would he be able to beat this group of tough competitors?



Alas, Will came in second to "Sparky" McGurk (in the red tank top.)
We'll get you next time, Sparky!

Mama Klu's Saturday Adventure Series - Chapter 2

Last weekend, Daniel, Ryan and I went to the Scottsdale Arts Festival.

It was a gorgeous day!

Mama Klu's Saturday Adventure Series - Chapter 1

After a delicious lunch at Postino in Phoenix; Kaitlin, Ryan, Joanna and I headed for Zinnia's at Melrose where Amy and Jill joined us for shopping!



There is a vintage clothing store inside called Antique Sugar. The girls had a great time trying on dresses. Here are Ryan and Joanna getting ready for the prom.





Amy as Olive Oyl...



Kaitlin as Princess Jasmine...



Ryan as Princess Marigold.

Okay, I just made that name up...



Kaitlin couldn't resist this hat. Could you?



The girls carried on with coffee at Lola Coffee Bar and I headed home. Gotta plan the next adventure...

Retro Indie Market Report!

Last weekend I traveled to Florida to visit my dad and to work with my friend, Darlene at the Retro Indie Market.


Where's Darlene?

The event was held in a large historic school building. We were on the second floor.



All of my photos were taken before the show opened. Afterward, we were just too busy to get out!

Darlene is an antique dealer. Here are some shots of her booth:





Here are some of the booths near us - I wish I had more photos!




These dolls sold out quickly. They were only $15.00!!!! So cute!



This is Amanda, one of the organizers of the event.



This is a vendor named Stefanie...


and her booth...



The line of shoppers waiting to get in stretched around the block. It was a little bit cold for Florida and they were anxious to get in!



Were there cupcakes? Of COURSE there were cupcakes!



Thank you to Michelle and Amanda and everyone who made this event such a success!

More photos here.

Blue Hearts

My collection of crocheted heart pincushions is, I admit, a little excessive. Here are the blues.

Red Necktie Handbag

Trying to keep a red/pink/purple theme going until Valentine's Day. Don't know if I can keep it up. OXOX

For a Special Girl....

...because nothing says "You are Special" like a custom designed backpack in your favorite colors and featuring your favorite characters.

And nothing goes together better than pink velveteen and red piping.

Purple Necktie Skirt

Sometimes my customers aren't sure about the waistband tie. I have designed it to go in the back (over the zipper) and to tie in a mock Windsor knot or a simple overhand.

Valentine Handbag

So cute! All novelty neckties. Look closely and you'll see the "Conversation Hearts."

Aqua Handbag

I'm coming off a 2-week sewing binge. Don't know what got into me. After making an aqua necktie skirt I did a re-design on the handbag pattern. It's a slightly different size and shape.

And don't think it's easy to find aqua neckties...

What do you think?

Feather Fairy!

Here is a close-up of the feather fairy design. There is a circle of tulle for the dress, feathers (of course,) a 16mm wooden bead for the head and silver tinsel for the hair. The arms are wire and she holds a wreath fashioned from green tinsel.

Please give it a try - it's easy!

Ornament Wreath Do-Over

2010 Vintage Ornament Wreath

Last year I attempted my first vintage ornament wreath and while it was very pretty, I knew that it could be better. First of all, the ornaments were merely stung onto a wire hanger base and therefore a lot of them were facing the wall! Also, because the wreath wasn't flat on the back, it didn't quite hang right.

2009 Vintage Ornament Wreath

So a couple of weeks ago, I carefully disassembled the wreath and started fresh.

I saw some ornament wreaths at Pier 1 and I noted that there was a tinsel garland peeking out from between the ornaments:

Pier 1 Wreath

After collecting MANY more ornaments this year, I started over with a straw wreath form. I wrapped it with green tinsel garland. Also, I took the top off of each ornament and filled the necks with construction adhesive. I made sure that each metal top and wire loop was securely affixed to the inside of the ornament. It takes about 24 hours for the adhesive to dry. Then I used greening pins to attach each ornament to the wreath form. It took forever. There are over a hundred ornaments!

I love the way it turned out. Until next Christmas...

Where's Laura K?

Our Christmas Program was called "Winter Wonder" this year and it was a lot of fun. Can you find Yours Truly in the cast photo? (Click twice on image to enlarge.) Click here for last year's cast.

James and Sarah

Merry Christmas!

Fairy Feather Fest 2010

It's a Fairy Feather Fest. You're invited, be my guest.
We will get our fairies dressed, in their feathered best.



These adorable girls came over on Saturday for the SECOND ANNUAL FAIRY FEATHER FEST (Now with theme song...)

Here's Lindsey,

Kaitlin,

Bobbi,

Leah,

Sarah,

and Ryan (with her Pittsburgh Steeler-themed Feather Fairy - GO STEELERS!)

Festive Fun was had by all! Click here for FFF2009!

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

I first made these matchbox mice about 25 years ago. Maybe longer. Every year, as we decorate the tree, the kids love to locate the mice.

I was pretty sure that I had saved a package of the boxes and sure enough I located them as I was cleaning out some supplies.



These are at least 25 years old, I have no idea where to find them any more, but there are lots of matchboxes out there that would be equally as cute.



Here is a little photo tutorial. There's not much to it!



Just a little bit of felt, a scrap of fabric, a little embroidery, glue and blush the cheeks. There is a ribbon hanger. That's about it!



Sinple, cute and classic. I mean, who doesn't love a mouse in a matchbox?

I also did a variation with a pair of mice in a Crayola box. The idea was from an old Hallmark Christmas card. That was really cute too!

Anyone else remember these?



Happy December and Happy Crafting to all!