Off the Cuff

Hey!  I think I'm on a roll here in blogland.  A new post two days in a row!  This will be a short one though, cuz I'm at my Just Beautiful boutique and supposed to be working on financial reports in between customer visits.  I really just stopped by to post a couple of photos of a bridal cuff I made for a customer to give to her daughter as a sweet little pre-wedding gift.

 

I wish I had a picture of it on a wrist.  The middle strip is vintage white velvet ribbon with little black loops along the edge -- can't remember the name for it piquoe or something, I think. The narrow ribbon has metallic embroidery in a rose pattern that's really pretty.  Then it ties on with a narrow black velvet ribbon.  These are sooo fun to make!  You should try it.

 

Well, back to the VERY uncreative world of finances.

 

See you later alligator(s)!

 

Susan

Two Posts in Seven Days - A Miracle

Well hello there.  Yes, its me -- don't fall off your chair.  Its cold here (38 degrees) and the last hour of business for my little boutique is quiet, so I thought I'd share a few new photos.  I had a dress giveaway on Nov. 1st and the winner has already been in to claim her prize.  Actually, I think she came directly from school on Friday and here is the dress she chose.

Actually, now that I've uploaded the photo, I realize that it doesn't do this gown justice.  Its absolutely stunning in person and one of my personal favorites.  Congratulations Halley!

The white plastic, hanging manni is so plain-jane, but here is a table top version that I transformed with some antique wall paper scraps, some crepe paper that I ruffled up and some packing paper that I saved - okay hoarded from a dress shipment .  The ruffling took forever, but I think the result is worth it.  (These mannequins can be found at Barr Display and are very affordable.)  I first saw them at The Polka Dot Closet. Thanks Carol!

I hope to eventually get to the two hanging manni's, but they always have a dress on them so I'm not sure when I'll be able to get them done.  This project was really fun, and I told my dear husband that if the dress shop doesn't workout, I may try for a second (third? okay fourth) career altering them.

Now, last but not least is a project that I've been wanting to try.  I'm sure you recognize these burnt posies.  They've been around for a while, but I only recently had a chance to try my hand at making them.  I made this one for a special customer using the fabric we cut off her dress when we hemmed it.  It was really fun and I'll definitely be making more. 

  

 

Well, that's all for today from the little boutique around the corner.

I've enjoyed our visit and hope that you did too.

Fingers crossed, I'll see you soon.

Susan



Spring to Autumn in a Flash!

I turned the page on the calendar today and realized with a sudden jolt that the year was quickly coming to a close.  It seems like just yesterday that the tulips were pushing through the still cold ground.  Today, the leaves are blowing off the trees and the ground is again turning cold.  And so, I am once again, feeling much chagrined at having let so much time slip away, coming back to blogland - like home, its a place that's never far away.

Much of my time this year has been spent here, at my boutique.  Like most start-up businesses its been a wild ride.  Some days a little too wild, but those stories can wait.  Today, I'll just say hello and share a photo of my store front, dressed up in autumn holiday style.

 

I spray painted a rough-around-the edges plastic mannequin with chalkboard paint.  Yesterday, she welcomed little tricksters, but she's very accommodating and versatile.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Susan

 

A Simply Good Year

 

The new year has just begun and I find myself

wondering what it will bring:  Beauty, Creativity, Adventure.

I'm hoping for all of the above, but I'm also longing for

days filled with quiet, simple pleasures.

 

I wasn't able to create much art in 2012, this Timekeeper was one

of the few pieces I managed to get done.  He has gone to a good

home and joins a small collection of my work, but I have his image to remind

me that while time marches on, we don't always have to race around

at a break-neck pace. 

 

Sometimes if we just take one day at a time

we can pause long enough to enjoy the small, quiet things that bring such

pleasure:  the smell of fresh coffee, the sparkle of snow under a clear

blue sky, a warm bed and a good book, reuniting with good friends.

 



So Happy New Year dear friends,

I hope your 2013 is filled with simple joys.

 

Hugs,

 

Susan