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
It's a fairytale world in our studio this month...
A spectacular collection of vintage and reproduction heart charms and findings.
Tulle roses and lace in the most exquisite hues.
Glittered birds and dreamy silk ribbons.
What more could a romantic girl wish upon a star for?
Join us in our studio in Santa Ana, California on Saturday, February 6th for a fun and soulful day creating these romantic Once Upon A Valentine projects. Take one class or both!
We will begin by creating the ultimate, lush charm bracelet, featuring an incredible 30 unique stamped and cast components, including two sweet cherubs! And the pink heart-shaped pearl rosary chain? We die.
In the afternoon we will fashion a lovely, Cinderella-inspired 14" x 14" canvas, lavished and extended with handmade tulle roses and beaded laces... held up by sweet glittered swallows and ribbon tassels...
As always, we will provide snacks, drinks, and a delicious lunch. There might even be a surprise or two, as our very special Valentine to you... ;)
Although it is so hard to believe, it's almost that time again...
Time to gather at the studio and create some very special Holiday projects. Home decor and fashion accessories... we have you covered!
We have been digging deep into our collection of doilies, lace, appliqués, and metallic trims. We have embroidered special accents, and imported handcrafted metal trees...
This large (17" x 27" plus ribbons) wall hanging will add a wonderful vintage feel to your home. Bring some bling to help make it your own and it is sure to become a treasured heirloom! Using all fabric glue, or a combination of glue and hand sewing, we will be applying all of our trims and treasures to a felt backing. The crocheted heart doily is even a pocket, perfect for hiding a special prayer or wish.
You will only need a few buttons, old earrings or brooches (such as those shown in the detail shot) to complete your banner. All lace, trims, ribbons, embroidery and doilies shown are included.
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Our second project marries filigree, mother-of-pearl, and rhinestone buttons into truly swoon-worthy bracelets. They go together quickly with simple jewelry techniques after gluing the stacks together! You will create both of the bracelets shown, and everything is included.
Because of the nature of the bracelet construction, that class will be "wrapped" around the banner class. We will glue the components, and then make the banners while they dry. This being the case, we will offer the choice of the banner class only, or the combo of both classes. We will not be offering an option for bracelets only.
When: Saturday, December 12, 2015
Bracelet And Banner Class: 10:00am ~ 4:00pm
Banner Only Class: 11:00am ~ 3:00pm
We will provide continental breakfast, a delicious lunch, and drinks and snacks throughout.
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To sign up, use the drop-down button below to choose between the two class options, and we can't wait to spend this wonderful day with you!!
It's here!!
The newest version of our vintage flag, fashioned with love and reverence in all of our favorite tassels and trims.
An abundance of ivory, gold, and silver. Lace and crochet. Sparkle, ribbons, stars.
Buttons, brads, and pearls. A stunning vintage doily and a truly special beaded appliqué.
Layer upon layer of exquisite fabrics, embroidered and metallic ribbons and all manner of twinkly bits and bobs. There is so much product included in this kit, you will wonder how to use it all!!
Everything shown is included, with the exception of the dowel and wooden finial ends. (These items can be purchased at any craft/hobby store, and the inclusion of the dowel, which is totally optional, would increase the shipping costs significantly.) You will need to provide scissors, needle and thread, and glue.
The finished flag is approximately 19" x 34", not including the dowel.
The first 50 kits will be shipped, beginning June 6th, as shown. After the initial shipment, there may be light substitutions made, to allow for vintage product. Any substitutions will be as close to the original as possible.
We will include access to an online tutorial, which will open June 10th and will remain available for a full 6 months. See you in the classroom! :)
Aren't we all looking forward to a little Spring?
Once the month of March is within our sights, thoughts of St. Patrick's Day and the coming of Spring begin to fill our heads. Having grown up in an Irish family, this tradition is very near and dear to me...
This year we are so excited to offer two sweet, sparkly craft kits right from our studio to you!!
First, one of our most requested items! Once I made this for Stella and posted the photo, I was immediately inundated with requests for a tutorial and/or a kit. At the time I did not have the silk velvet necessary to go forward, but now I have found more, buried deep and dark in back of the fabric stash... yay!!
**Be aware that there is a very limited supply of this fabric, so these kits won't last long**
Receive a kit with everything necessary to complete this darling headband, including vintage silk velvet, rhinestone flower centers, metal headband and seam binding for wrapping. You will need a needle and thread (for taking some very quick and simple stitches), and a glue gun.You will also get a link to the step-by-step tutorial.
* SOLD OUT *
Next, we have these sweet, glittery Leprechaun wands! This kit includes all components necessary to complete TWO wands, including German glass glitter, rhinestone buttons, die cut pieces, dowels, seam binding, silver metallic thread, and a complete tutorial. You will need only a bit of paint and some glue! Make one for yourself and one for a special friend...
* SOLD OUT *
And just because we love you guys, if you would like both kits, we would like to offer them at a very special discount! Buy both kits for only $39.95!!
Hurry, before we come to our senses! :)
* SOLD OUT *
If your Christmas list is anything like ours, it remains a moving target until the very last moment...
As families get bigger, and friends get added to the guest list for dinner, there always seems to be a last-minute need for just one extra gift. If the extra gift is of the feminine variety... we just might have you covered!
This is a super-simple, last-minute, made from what's on hand, lovely gift that looks like it took forever! But these flowers are so easy that you could make two or three in varying sizes, and present a bouquet to your guest!
These were made from a piece of chocolate wool-blend with a metallic thread that gives a Wintery, tweedy look. They could be fashioned from any woven or even knit fabric. Try to imagine what your recipient would like, and look through your fabric stash or pile of old clothing waiting to be upcycled!
All you will need is a bit of fabric, some glue and a clip or pin-back. A sewing machine is optional, but it does make the process very quick.
Here is what we started with, although we ended up using different buttons for the centers, and we didn't use the metsallic floss :)
We cut our fabric into pieces:
2-1/4" x 18" (we will call these the narrow strips), and 3-3/4" x 18" (wide strips).
Fold your fabrics strips lengthwise and stitch along the long edge. You can use a straight or zig-zag stitch instead of an overlock. A light colored thread was used here so it would be easier to see. You can also glue if you do not wish to sew.
You will end up with 18" long "tubes" that are open on each end.
With sharp scissors, cut "fringe" along the fabric lengths. We cut the wider pieces slightly larger (5/16") than the more narrow ones (1/4"), as you can see in the photo.
You will simply roll and glue along the sewn edge, until you get the size flower you desire.
The flower on top is one length of the wider fabric, rolled and glued.
The flower on the left is two strips of the wider fabric, achieved by adding the second one to the end and continuing to roll and glue.
The flower on the right is two strips of the narrower fabric.
The flower on the bottom is one strip of the narrow, followed by one strip of the wider.
Two wide strips.
One narrow strip, one wide.
Two narrow strips.
Add a clip or pin to the back. You could also add a felt circle before attaching the clip.
Add an embellishment of your choice to the center of two of the flowers. The ones on the right don't seem to need anything in the center, so they would be the easiest of all to complete!
Think about using a second color fabric for the center strips for added dimension and interest.
In addition to pins and hairclips, use them on packaging, on stockings, on the tree, as napkin rings... the possibilities are endless!!
And, have yourself a Merry and stress-free Christmas!!
xoxo Debbie & Shea
Happy Monday!!
We have such exciting news about a new product line that we will be launching in partnership with Spellbinders Paper Arts this coming weekend at CHA!
Dies, bezels, texture plates, pendants, charms and ephemera... oh, my!! We will be showing you lots more pictures from the show this weekend...
Meanwhile, here is a top secret sneak peek at a project made witrh two of our new dies... eek!
We will be sneaking it "officially", as well as another project, this Friday January 10th as a part of a huge week of giveaways that the amazing crew at Spellbinders is sponsoring! There are lots of opportunities to participate this entire week, so be sure to jump right in on all the fun...
Check out all of the rules and information here!!
And please be sure to join us here again on Friday for our tutorials!!
xoxo Debbie and Shea
It was so close. It was a difficult decision for everyone involved.
But the votes are in, and we now proudly present to you this wonderful tutorial, created by "A Gilded Life" design team member Kimberly Laws! We think she has created something really special, and we hope you enjoy fashioning your own version of this beautiful home accessory!
Keep in mind that this tutorial references items included in the Stash Society box, but please use your imagination to duplicate the materials from your own collections. (We have completely sold out of the ribbon piece used for the crown, so at this time we cannot offer that as an option. Any lace trim with a zig-zag pattern or the ability to cut a similar pattern from yardage would be a good substitute.)
And..... we have a winner! Maggie Raguse, you will be receiving a full August "Gilded Girls Stash Society" kit! Thank you so much to everyone who visited us and commented here and on Facebook. We appreciate you all so much!
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by Kimberly Laws
This project has been on my to do list for quite a long time, so imagine how happy I was to open August's GGSS box and find the perfect assortment of materials!
My
finished banner hangs proudly on a dining room wall. The curtain rod
and hardware from which it hangs are recycled, and the rod has been cut
down to size.
From August's Stash Kit you will need:
the coffee dyed linen, floral embroidered lace, pink lace, ecru ribbon work piece, gold metallic floral trim, buttons, and gold German glass glitter.
In addition, you will need these basic supplies:
scissors,
sewing needle, beige thread, sewing machine (optional), 2 1/4"
tall chipboard letters, craft paint, paintbrush, glue dots or fabric
glue, glue with a small applicator tip which is appropriate for glitter,
ruler, an iron
Lay the coffee dyed linen flat, measure 6 1/2 inches in from one edge along a short side, make a one inch snip with scissors, grab both cut edges and tear the entire length.
Measure 6
1/2 inches in from one edge along the long side, make a one inch snip
with scissors, grab both cut edges and tear the entire width.
The pieces will now measure approximately 20" x 29", 6 1/2" x 20", and 35 1/2" x 6 1/2".
The last piece (35 1/2" x 6 1/2") will not be used in this project, set aside for a future project.
Iron the two other pieces flat.
Remove all loose threads from torn edges. Set aside, do not discard. These will be used to hand sew the banner pocket.
Making the crown:
Trim and discard the loose ends from the ribbon embellishment.
Take note of the location of the two red Xs and proceed to the next step.
Refering
to the red Xs (2 photos above), pinch those areas together, take a
stitch through both sides, pulling the embellishment together, tie off
and trim the ends.
Push the center piece through to the back and flatten.
Mark
the center of the linen along a short edge, this will be the top of the
banner. Measure approximately 2 inches down, pin the center point of
the crown at this point. Arrange the crown, being sure to keep it
straight and centered. Pin in place.
Working
back to front, take tacking stitches around the outside edge and
throughout the inside of the crown. Tie off on the back side.
Cut 5 of the rose motifs from the gold trim.
Place 2 roses on the bottom outside edges of the crown. Be sure that the leaves are facing out.
Place
2 more roses in the center, creating a band of roses along the bottom
edge of the crown. Again, the leaves should be pointing outward.
Place
the 5th rose pointing up toward the center point of the crown, the
bottom edge should be tucked under the band of roses. Pin and hand
stitch into place, keeping stitches small and well hidden. Add a mother
of pearl button as shown.
The finished crown will look like this.
Making The Ruffled Edging:
Lay the floral embroidered lace flat, fold in half lengthwise, and cut down the fold. Save the half without a finished edge for a future project.
Pin each edge of the lace to the bottom edge of the banner. Then find the center of the lace and the center of the banner and pin together at that point.
Create box pleats by evenly spacing alternating folds and pinning in place. (for box pleats: one fold is turned left, the next is turned right, etc.)
Machine stitch the lace to the linen. Remove pins.
Place the pink lace edging over the raw edges of the lace and linen. There should be 7 full fowers across the banner, with the middle flower at the center mark on the banner.
Attach the pink lace trim with buttons. Alternate them as shown.
Trim the excess lace along each edge. Tack stitch the edges of the lace to the linen.
Making The Rod Pocket:
Working with the 6 1/2" x 20" piece of linen (or rod pocket), iron a 1/4" hem on each long edge. Fold the linen in half lenghtwise and press.
Open the linen rod pocket flat. Place the top edge of the banner inside the pocket, matching the raw edge of the banner to the raw edge of the ironed hem.
Fold over the top edge of the pocket and pin the length.
Using the threads reserved after tearing the linen, sew a blind hem across the length of the pocket by taking small stabbing stitches on the front of the banner.
The back will look like this.
Adding The Lettering:
This step will depend on what chipboard letters you use. If you are fortunate enough to find white or off-white letters, you will skip the painting step.
Paint the tops and edges of the chipboard letters with white or cream acrylic craft paint. This will probably require additional coats. Allow to dry. Working on one letter at a time, use a craft glue with a small tip to create dots of glue along each letter and sprinkle with German glass glitter. Allow to thouroughly dry.
This will be the most tedious part of this project. (This photo shows rough placement of the words before the letters have been finished or the rod pocket has been sewn.) Work out the spacing of the words, be sure that they are centered across, evenly spaced top to bottom, and horizontally straight.
Use a straight edge when gluing the letters into place.
Use small glue dots or fabric glue to adhere letters to the linen banner. If the banner will hang near a heat source, consider opting for fabric glue, as glue dots may not hold.
Add
the curtain rod, install the hardware, and hang. For an optional
finishing touch add a few yards of crinkled seam binding tied in loose
bows.
JOYful Creating,
Kimberly
We are now in month two with our amazing A Gilded Life Design Team! They have surprised and delighted us with the wonderful projects that they have each posted to our Gilded Girls Stash Society tutorial blog, which is a private group open to members only.
Here are three of the designs created with this month's kit. Beautiful, right?!?
This is where you come in... please leave a comment telling us which of these three projects you would like to see featured on this blog as a full tutorial, because we just cannot decide. We will post full instructions, and even choose one lucky commenter to win a full August Gilded Girls Stash Society kit, valued at $100.00!! **US addresses only.**
For an added entry, go to our Facebook page and "like" it if you haven't already (thank you), and then comment on the post there. Remember, you have to comment both places to receive two entries.
On Monday evening, September 2nd at 7pm PST, we will randomly choose a winner and post the tutorial that you have all voted on.
Let's begin!!
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Oh, goodness... such a hard choice!! Thanks for your help. :)
Have a wonderful holiday weekend! xoxo
A four-year-old can be very pursuasive. When she spotted a paper mache box in the shape of a house sitting on a shelf in the studio, it became all she could think about.
She would ask to take it down, and played with it so carefully. She found a perfect "dolly" in a basket of vintage items. She was intent on claiming it as her own, but I was not willing to let it go without giving it a makeover.
For the sake of tiny hands, no glass glitter was used in the making of this project. :)
Paint, paper, lace and glue. A bit of German Dresden to decorate the front. A few vintage buttons. Pom-pom fringe on the roof.
Wallpapered interior walls and a wool felt floor.
Stella deemed it finished.
But I thought it needed small battery operated candles to transform it into a nightlight for her room, giving it a whole new purpose.
She loves it. What more could I hope for?
