Ornate Splendor: October 2013

Friday, October 25, 2013

A Glittery Halloween

"Why don't we every have any CREEPY Halloween decorations, Mom?" says my 11 year old daughter. Hmmm...that would be because the creepy decorations made her cry and hide her face for so many years. So now we're in a new phase of life - so a little bit of creepy has made it into our Halloween décor. I had never made a Halloween wreath before, so here's my first one.

Since I love to use vintage beaded dresses in many of my projects, I used a black one for this wreath. Two dresses, actually -- the rhinestone trim came from a separate dress -- I just loved the trim so much, I cut it all off and used it in several projects.

The skull is a paper mache skull from Michael's. Must Add Glitter! Glitter makes everything better! See the little kitty-cat pins/brooches? People give me old & broken jewelry occasionally...they know I'll put it to use somehow. (My family watched me go through a bag of junk jewelry from my sister-in-law last Thanksgiving....they all laughed at how excited I got -- they now call junk jewelry "Catherine Crack"....well, I suppose I am somewhat addicted. But there are worse addictions, oui?) But I digress; the kitty brooches weren't anything I wanted to wear, but they work just great for Halloween. The brooches were gold, but paint and glitter fixed that. Silver and black were the colors I had in mind for this wreath.

The letters (EEK!) I decided to run through my cuttlebug to emboss them and see how I liked it...Not that noticeable. I probably won't do it again.

I also painted the escutcheon (the big silver metal piece on the bow) silver. It was gold too. For the bow I added lots of different silver and black ribbons with a few long feathers.

I made this simple and fun banner with a skull graphic from the GraphicsFairy. You can find her HERE.

Another project this year was a voo-doo inspired altered book wall hanging.

I used bits of moss, lichen, lace, broken jewelry, feathers, leather, and a beaded dress to make this mixed media wall hanging.

We had a metal R.I.P. sign for Halloween, and I started to add jewelry to it, and my daughter said, "Mom!! The ONE creepy thing we have -- and YOU are going to make it PRETTY!" Alas, my daughter thinks this wreath is still too pretty, and definitely not creepy enough.

Well....Here's to a pretty Halloween!

Thanks for visiting,

Catherine

Linking up with these fun parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

A Crafty Soiree http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

You're Gonna Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

Hauntingly Beautiful Halloween Décor Link Party at Follow the Yellow Brick Home

Friday, October 18, 2013

Drilling holes in books?

"Are you sure no one wants these?" I asked our church secretary. She was sure. A stack of old books that were completely falling apart, missing pages, and otherwise damaged -- and no longer needed at our church....really? I could just have them? YES! I can always use old pretty books in a project somewhere. This project had been bouncing around in my brain for a few months. So this morning I got to work on the picture in my head.

A few minutes after my (fabulous) husband left for work, he came back home because he had forgotten something. "What are you doing??" he asked with a puzzled look on his face. "I'm drilling holes in books!" I answered cheerfully! "Okaaaaay....um...just remember to put the safety goggles on if you're using the drill..." was his answer. He's getting used to my "unique" ideas, I think.

Quote from the movie "Toy Story"....."Oh, great! Now I have GUILT!"

This was stamped inside one of the old books..."Cultured people will not write in song book," ....but, you know, technically I'm not actually writing in the books....only cutting them up....drilling holes in them...enhancing them...really!

So I got over my guilt, measured where I'd like to drill the holes.

Auditioned a few laces, some beaded trim, some cedar branches, peacock feathers (just the wispy parts of the feathers, not the "eyes"), and some vintage rhinestone jewelry.

This is the first time I've used glass glitter. I love it!

I sewed the lace pieces together, and then sewed them on to the book covers- yes- I tried the sewing machine to see if it would work to sew the lace pieces on to the book covers. And it did! I hot glued the cedar and feather wisps to the top of the laces, then hot glued the letters on to the book covers. Then, see that wicked looking needle in the photo above? I used that to thread the ribbons through the holes in the book covers. Much easier than pushing the ribbons through. I think it's called a "canvas needle." Anyway, the eye of the needle was big enough the put the ribbon through, thus making the job much easier!

I thought the O would look pretty right in the middle of the decorative oval on this book cover.

Must add bling!

And, voila! The finished project!

Should I keep it? Should I sell it at an arts/crafts show that I have coming up in 2 weeks? Any suggestions on what price I should charge for it?

Hope this inspires you to repurpose something to create beauty.

Hugs, Catherine

Linking up with these fun parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

A Crafty Soiree http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

You're Gonna Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

October Wedding

Ah, weddings! Don't we all love a beautiful wedding? Whatever the season of the year - love is always in season! I have a small business decorating for weddings. Not coordinating, just decorating. DIY brides hire me to decorate/rent them some of my creations for their big day. I ask the bride to send me a few family members to help me set up; I give them all a job for the day, and we get the place decorated!

This sweet October wedding was in Dallas, at a place called Party Off The Grid. It is the former Power and Light company in Dallas; now it used for weddings and events. It has a very industrial/warehouse/exposed brick kind of look.

The bride's father built the backdrop structure out of PVC pipe. (He was quite an amazing and terrific dad!) I hung the white tulle all over the frame to make the backdrop for the vows area. It's difficult to see, but I also had chandelier crystals hanging down from the chandelier all the way to the tulle backdrop. The bride and I experimented with different ways to hang the tulle on the guest chairs. She chose this look, and I love the way the fans blow the tulle - quite ethereal.

The groom's mother helped me hang the tulle in the reception area. (photo below) (I put everyone to work!)

Since this was an October wedding, I suggested using a white pumpkin for a dip container somewhere on the buffet table. So I scooped out the pumpkin, and we placed the dip for the crackers inside it. The greenery and flowers are a combination of vines/flowers from my yard and the bride's grandmother's yard. (I say use what you have!)

Of course I had to embellish the pumpkin with rhinestones, pearls, and jewelry!

I placed a champagne bucket under the pumpkin, added a beaded fabric on top of the bridal fabric table cloth. A pair of my silver candelabras with beaded shades complete this entry table.

Oh! And I added jewelry to the actual champagne bucket as well!

The bride's mother, grandmothers and aunts decorated the tables, I can't take any credit for those.

I just love the cake table! I hung a white canopy from the ceiling to surround the cake. Then I dressed the cake table in bridal linens and white fabric.

I even hung chandelier crystals on the canopy over the cake. Inside the canopy is a candle chandelier.

Musicians played classical music while the bride walked down the aisle. I decorated this arch with tulle, lights, crystals, pearls and jewelry.

The bride's aunts were caterers - lucky for her! They did a beautiful job with the food. I added bridal fabrics and a mix of greenery from my yard and the bride's grandmother's yard.

I used a gold urn filled with white/glittered twigs, and crystals hanging from the sides of the urn. Then hung candle chandeliers above the buffet table. (Actually the bride's brother hung the chandeliers - I really do put everyone to work!)

The column holding up the urn -- I wrapped this column in silk fabric, then wrapped it again with gold ribbon, then embellished it even more with pearl appliques and rhinestone jewelry.

The bride's dad also built a photo booth for a fun activity at this wedding. Wish I had photos of it! Such a fun wedding!

Thanks for visiting today!

Linking up with these fun parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

A Crafty Soiree http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

You're Gonna Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Elegant Fall Decor

It's October! Fall is here, and Halloween is just around the corner. Are you ready? Here's what I've been working on for fall this year...I love a blue and brown combination!

I put just a slight silver glaze on this pumpkin stem for even more glamour. Getting ready for a couple of craft shows here in Texas. I'll be at the J.J. Pearce Pacesetters Holiday Bazaar in a couple of weeks.

After making these blue ones from a vintage beaded gown...I made these brown ones to coordinate with them. Since the brown fabric was beaded in a blue color that was almost the same as the blue fabric, I thought they would look pretty together.