What Happens Next

What Stella Wore ~ The Mermaid Stroll

Hey, sweet friends!

We would truly love it if you would take a moment to visit us at our home base www.TheGildedGirls.com, where we continue to share what's happening in our sparkly corner of the world!

The entire month of April, 2018, all website sales will ship with a little extra gift, (Yay!) to show our heartfelt appreciation for your encouragement and support... 

 

xoxo

Debbie, Shea, and Stella

The Gilded Girls™

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We have been hanging on to this fabric for a few weeks. Originally purchased in a blush pink color with the vague idea of curtains for Stella's room, we soon added this lovely lavender color to our stash, and then moved on to other projects while it languished in the corner of the studio, looking so achingly beautiful...

 

And then I saw this on Pinterest. So simple and so beautiful. It was perfect!

Stella thinks it looks like a mermaid skirt, and we agree. So we strolled on the beach, and she wore her fluttery mermaid attire. And carried a sparkly wand.

 

The most wonderful thing about this project, is that this is basically fancy t-shirt fabric! A jersey knit base, with semi-sheer stretch tulle ruffles cascading down. The ruflles are not separate pieces sewn on to a background, they are knit right on. It is a marvel!

The result of the self-ruffling on knit is a soft, drapey, luxurious feeling, and a fabric that needs very little sewing to produce a finished garment. No hemming! Genius, I say!

 

If you follow the tutorial from the link above, you will see that Stella's skirt is different in that her ruffles run horizontally in the front and cascade to vertical in the back. The adult skirt is the opposite. In an adult size, there is not enough width on the fabric to run this way. She began with a 2-yard piece of fabric, and I only used about 3/4 yard to make essentially a size 3T.

You only need two measurements to make this. A waist measurement and your desired skirt length. There is only one seam in this garment, plus a zig-zag stitch to attach elastic to the waistband! It honestly took me less than an hour start to finish.

 

I had a few rows of ruffles left from my 3/4 yard piece, so I made a simple rose, to further embellish the skirt or to wear as a hairclip or pin.

I cut a 2-1/4" circle of  felt, and trimmed the ruffle very close on both sides of the knit, where it attaches to the base of the fabric. Using a hot glue gun, I just circled around and around, using glue as needed to keep it firmly in place on the felt. To finish, I added a hairclip and a brooch pin to the back, and some old pearls on wire that I had in my giant jar of odds and ends.

This is probably the easiest fabric flower I have ever made!

 

I wanted to show the flower used as a hairclip, but this particular mermaid on this particular morning was not really feeling it.

Mermaids are moody like that.

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Tank top ~ Baby Gap

Ruffled Fabric ~ The Gilded Girls™

Tulle Wand ~ here. (I still owe everyone a tutorial for these. sigh)

Scenery ~ The Montage, Laguna Beach

 

What Stella Wore

Hey, sweet friends!

We would truly love it if you would take a moment to visit us at our home base www.TheGildedGirls.com, where we continue to share what's happening in our sparkly corner of the world!

The entire month of April, 2018, all website sales will ship with a little extra gift, (Yay!) to show our heartfelt appreciation for your encouragement and support... 

 

xoxo

Debbie, Shea, and Stella

The Gilded Girls™

 ********************************************************************************************

 

 "A Walk in the Park"

We are definitely still working within a pink theme around here. Everyone in the studio has been smitten with the color we have developed to dye some of our materials, and Stella just won't let it go! After all, what is more appealing to a three-year-old girl than pink, unless maybe it's purple, but we choose to ignore that....

 

We are also revisiting the idea of tank top "upcycling". This time we have also dunked a white tank into the pink dye, but you could easily begin with a pink top or tee, or a natural colored linen shirt or dress for that matter!

And remember, we are working on a small scale here, but these techniques easily translate to clothing of any size.

What is cuter for a walk in the park than a ruffled and flower-embellished tank top?!? We think it is the perfect blend of "dressed-up casual".

Two rows of gathered lace added around the bottom edge, about 2" apart. We used a 3-times fullness, so for a circumference of 20", each piece was cut 60" and then gathered and stitched on. 3-1/3 yards lace total.

 

To further embellish, we added a row of three oversized chiffon flowers, and finished them with large prong-set rhinestones. To save time, we used Fabritac glue for the flowers, and a jewelry embellishment glue for the rhinestones. Both are able to be laundered safely.

 

A peek at the back...

 

Tank top ~ American Apparel

Leggings ~ Target

Sandals ~ Los Angeles Fashion District

Hand-Dyed Pink Lace ~ The Gilded Girls™

Chiffon Flowers ~ The Gilded Girls™

Prong-Set Rhinestones ~ The Gilded Girls™

Have a great weekend!!

xo Debbie & Shea

 

What Stella Wore

Hey, sweet friends!

We would truly love it if you would take a moment to visit us at our home base www.TheGildedGirls.com, where we continue to share what's happening in our sparkly corner of the world!

The entire month of April, 2018, all website sales will ship with a little extra gift, (Yay!) to show our heartfelt appreciation for your encouragement and support... 

 

xoxo

Debbie, Shea, and Stella

The Gilded Girls™

 ********************************************************************************************

"Pink and Pearly Girlie"

The tiniest of muses has inspired us to begin a series on clothing creation and embellishment. Ever the fashionista, Stella has already begun to find her style.

We will be working each week with a trim, fabric and/or embellishment meant for a grown-up girl, yet so sweet for making something special for the littles!

 

Follow along with us and take a peek each Friday at "What Stella Wore™"!

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Even at this tender age, she has a real sense of what she loves. And right now, in the throes of August, she loves a tank top and capri pants. And anything pink, but I guess that goes without saying...

The shoes are a minor miracle. She will have them off as soon as she thinks no one is looking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This became our inspiration for the week. A stack of neckline "frills" from the apparel industry, meant to adorn something fancy and formal, no doubt. But along comes the three-year-old and claims one for herself!

Paired with a simple gray tank top and finished with a rumpled seam-binding bow, this becomes the perfect little shirt for a birthday party or lunch with the big girls!

 

So very sweet! It will also work well with her cream tutu!! :)

We hand-stitched it on to the tank-top with a pale pink thread, making it easier to remove it later if disaster (like her obsession with raspberries) should strike the shirt. Meanwhile, it can be hand-washed with the embellishment on it. 

The bow is about 2-1/2 yards of dyed seam binding tied and glued to a pin backing. The pin was then attached to the "frill", so it is also easy to remove for laundering. The entire project took about 30 minutes.

*Again, this is not a trim marketed for a child. In fact, be extremely careful and fasten securely if you do use it on a wee one's garment.* 

We are embellishing small clothing for display and inspiration purposes. And because she gets all weepy when she really loves something, and who can resist that?!? 

 

Tank Top ~ American Apparel

Jean Capris ~ True Religion

Sandals ~ Old Navy

 

August Grace Notes And A Brand-New Website!

 

There are so many things happening all at once around here! I'm sure you can all relate. End of summer, back to school shopping, wrapping up those pesky summer "to-do" lists... so many things to think about and plan for and accomplish!

In an attempt to make our lives a bit easier, and perhaps yours too in the process, we have been hard at work building a new e-commerce website, where it will be simpler to browse the items that are available for sale. And when I say hard at work, I am really not overstating. Seriously. It is a lot of work, and I see now why web designers get the big bucks!

I have spoken with several designers over the past few months years, but probably much like you, I am a totally visual person. It is sometimes frustrating for me to convey at the start what I want or how I envision it looking, and I don't really want to sit down and put it all on paper. But if I can gather the necessary tools, I will eventually focus and try to create it myself. Trial and error, bit by bit.

So it took awhile to muster up the intestinal fortitude to just do it, and a couple of intense weeks to actually get it ready to launch. But here we are, and we could not be happier! Yay! Of course, it is still a work in progress... but everything always is, at least in our world. ;) 

If you would like to pay us a visit in our new online home, please stop by. And be sure to sign up for our mailing list (located at the bottom of the homepage) to be kept up to date with new arrivals, specials and general announcements. www.AGildedLife.com.

Meanwhile, please take a peek at the brand new Grace Notes boxes, and then go to this page for more photos and information!

See, wasn't that easy?!?

A lovely color combo. Sparkly embroidered white cotton, peachy-pink linen, and vintage cream chenille. Vintage silver pipe-cleaners, flowers, button, beads and lace. Dreamy.

 

Pretty in pink! And ivory. And gold...

Quilted pink dupioni silk, vintage ivory velvet, embroidered and crocheted lace trims, velvet roses, beaded fringe, and so much more...

 

 

Beautiful! This box includes a large piece of pink organza fabric with appliquéd roses, vintage taupe velvet, ivory and gold metallic sheet music paper, brass fleur-de-lis, beaded trim, roses, buttons, and much more...

 

A truly classic color combination. Cool blue and warm ivory. Pale cream and gold striped cotton, dusty blue dupioni silk, beaded organza trim, millinery roses, gorgeous dyed lace trim, sequins.... and more.

 

A sultry and sophisticated color story. Vintage gray/green embossed velvet, ivory dupioni silk, dyed lace trim, stunning beaded organza trim, milky pink glass beads, peachy-pink lace appliqué, and lots more...

 

Dusty blue linen meets delicious gold silk dupioni in this beautiful collection. Also featuring stunning sequin and embroidered organza ribbon trim, brass and mother-of-pearl buttons, silver beaded tassel, millinery, and so much more...

 

A collection to help you ease into Fall. Dreamy creams and earthy accoutrements. Striped organza and vintage ivory velvet. Tassel trim, a spray of velvet hydrangea, beaded tassel, millinery, and more...

The large rust organza flower is a coin purse, with a zippered pouch in the back!!

 

 

Gorgeousness in golds and pinks! We begin with a large piece of fabulous gold and sage printed velvet, and pair it with a deep gold organza. Add lots of lace and floral trims, buttons, pearls, seam binding, sequins... sigh.

 

Pink, and plum, and silver... oh, my! What a pretty collection! Deep plum Silk velvet, blush pink silk dupioni, millinery roses, resin leaf spray and flower, silver lace trims, vintage buttons, and more...

 

Another great collection for Fall! Deep plum silk velvet, golden-pinky-red damask velvet, velvet millinery flowers, tea-dyed crocheted trim, lace trims, pom-pom fringe... and lots more. Beautiful items to work with!

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More items being added each day, so be sure to visit often, and please let us know what you think! 

xoxo Debbie & Shea

 

 

Stash Society ~ "August Dreams" August 2012

**UPDATED ** 

In anticipation of the Fall season ahead, although it is certainly had to imagine that in the warmer areas, we have begun to think of muted, earthy palettes and soulful, faded tints.

These are our August Dreams...

 

We begin with a spectacular vintage-floral linen, and surround it with ivory canvas, French ephemera, sparkly beads, handmade tulle-and-crystal ruffle, .... !

Almost one full yard of this exquisite fabric, because it is beautiful and we wanted you to have as much as possible!

 

Seriously?! This is gorgeous, if we do say so ourselves... A 7" multi-layer tulle ruffle with an under layer of taupe roses, fastened onto a yard of seam binding and finished with a strand of crystal chain.

Yes. We die.

 

I know. *sigh*

 

7 Large, Faceted Mercury Glass Beads

2 Sequin Covered Ball Trims

9 Handmade Crochet and Mirror Buttons ~ 5 Taupe and 4 Vintage Pink

9 Vintage Glass Bead Drops

 

1 Handmade Millinery Spray

 

18" 8mm Crystal Chain. This is a very large size ~ so pretty, with lots of sparkle!

18" Smoky Topaz Bi-Cone Rosary Chain

19" Antique Bronze Jewelry Chain

(Do you feel a jewelry project coming on? Me, too!.)

 

1 Sheet Vintage French Ledger Paper ~ This is a heavyweight paper stock. (Think manilla folder.) We brought these back from France this summer, and each one is on the same ledger page, with unique writing.

  

2 Truly Beautiful Sequin & Bead Appliques

 

Stitched on ivory tulle, and rendered in coppery, gold-y, silvery threads and beads. Swoon.

 

1 Vial Silver German Glass Glitter. Fine grit. 1.25 ounces.

 

 

Handmade Tag:

3 Yards Ivory and Metallic Silver Lace Trim

 

Handmade Tag:

2 Yards Vintage Blue Velvet Ribbon

3 Yards Metallic Silver Soutache Braid

1 Spool Vintage Thread on a wooden spool. Colors will vary.

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There will be two wonderful projects with this month's kit. One sewn item and a necklace... we think you will be very happy, and well accessorized for Fall!!

If you need information on joining the Gilded Girls Stash Society, please take a look here. We would love to have you along!!

Still have questions? Feel free to contact Nivia.

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And, in one more bit of exciting news, we have a brand new e-commerce website that has just gone live!! Please visit us at www.AGildedLife.com and let us know what you think!!

Have a fantastic, creative, August Dreams kind of weekend!! 

xoxo Debbie & Shea

 

Announcing...Corey Amaro!

 

We are so very happy to announce that our amazing friend, the always fabulous Corey Amaro, will be the keynote speaker at the Spellbound Event luncheon in Pasadena this fall!! 

 

 

Twenty five years ago, Corey was a California girl who fell hopelessly in love with a handsome Frenchman while he was on holiday in San Francisco. She followed her heart and her true love to his hometown in France. They raised 2 wonderful children, and are continuing to live their "Happily Ever After" in a small town in Provence. Corey spends her days scouring the exquisite flea markets and brocantes that abound in France, and blogging about her life in her adopted country.

When her beloved finds began to fill every nook and cranny of her quintessentially French home, she decided to open her very own online brocante and share her treasures with the world. For the past several years, Corey has been blogging about her life halfway around the globe, and the adventures as well as challenges of being an American in France. Her stories about the food, the culture, the French flea markets and her adorable “French Husband” have enraptured her blog followers, and carried the torch for all of us who dream of “la vie en rose”.

 

 

 

 

We had the great pleasure of visiting Corey on our teaching trip to France this summer. Our trip was packed with breathtaking views and amazing adventures we won't soon forget. Corey spent the day showing us a piece of her world, and we chatted and laughed and shared into the wee hours. Getting to spend even moments in the places that are dear to her heart was an experience beyond our expectations. What we learned; to know her is to love her.

We can't wait to introduce you to the amazing woman with the fantastic stories of all things vintage and French!

 

 

Corey is just one of the amazing speakers we will share with you at the quickly approaching Spellbound Event in Pasadena this fall! If you haven't registered yet, you can do so here. See you in November!