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
*************************************************************************************************************
Ah, Valentine's Day...
For me, it's a day to remember all the people that you have been given the priviledge of loving.
Sometimes, the gifts that you receive on this day have nothing to do with chocolate or flowers. Sometimes the love is wrapped in small arms and humble offerings.
Handmade memories are the very essence of who we are as a family, and this was the perfect week to honor that. It began with many hours days spent making gifts for classmates and teachers, friends and loved ones.
That was fun, and extremely fulfilling.
In the midst of it all was the project that I got up each day excited to work on. What Stella Wore. For me, this endeavor resides deep in the heart of what it means to have a Valentine... every.single.day.
This time, we decided on an extra-special apron, and a simple pattern was drafted on the kitchen island. This one would be all about the details.
The garment itself always begins in the fabric cupboard, and more often than not... out comes the linen!
Next stop is a forage through the trims and scraps. The old and the new. A little bling.
A serendipitous peek at the amazing bag swap from last year's Spellbound Event uncovered the gorgeous handkerchief, folded over and used for the pocket, and an exquisite lace collar that was opened up and used as the bottom ruffle. Thank you so much, Sue Elseth. Your eye for vintage textiles is astonishing!
When we began this fashion journey, Stella was not as tall as this wall. Now she can turn and look over it. A poignant reminder that I need to capture it all as fast as I can. She is not waiting on my deadlines, so I cannot wait on hers.
Linen and lace, and a ruffled trim that we found in the back of the most crowded stockroom I have ever been in. Dark and precariously "stacked", there was more than one box that I thought twice about opening...
Digging for treasures is not always for the faint of heart...
But I have to admit, it dyed up to an amazing vintage pink, which was used for trimming the pocket and to make the rosettes on top, so I might have to revisit that place. Maybe.
A large lace applique, last seen on 2013's Valentine's Day project! I had one more, so this one got a quick dip in the pink dye. Hand-sewn with silver metallic floss around each detail. This part took the longest, but so worth it.
A rhinestone crown, because, well. Crown.
At this location, a beloved neighborhood park, we always have to take a stroll to the stream that runs along one side...
To see our good friends, the ducks! They need a little Valentine love and some treats...
You know how sometimes in the midst of 300 photos, your subject turns and gives you that one perfect look?
That just happened.
The baby ducks are ready to go... even the ones that swim.
There is a special lunch and two afternoon parties to attend. Play date before dinner. There is no social calendar in the world as full as a five-year-old's.
First a quick sit on a tree stump to catch our breath.We hope your day was filled with all the things that feed your soul, and the people that you love.
**A shout-out to the girls at Anthropologie, Fashion Island. They had much love for the outfit, and were so very kind to Stella. Thank you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We will be posting a tutorial for the glittered wands in the next day or two, so please come back and visit us for that!!
xoxo, Debbie, Shea and Stella
Ruffled Tulle Dress ~ Baby Gap
Boots ~ Frye
