What Happens Next

Super Cyber Monday Sale

 

We are celebrating Cyber Monday with a three-day sale in the shop!! Now is the perfect time to grab a few treats for yourself or a friend. We love the holidays!!

www.AGildedLife.com

xoxo Debbie & Shea

 

What Stella Wore ~ Upcycled T-Shirt and Linen Dress

 

This week was all about the upcycle. One of Stella's favorite soft, ruffly shirts suffered a "misfortune", and needed a new lease on life.

(You might recall this particular shirt from this post, just last week.)

I also had some linen that I was anxious to use, so a project was born!

 

The shirt needed to be a soft cream color to coordinate better with the linen, so into a quick dye-bath it went...

 

There was no pattern necessary for this dress. I simply cut the front and back panels in a very slight a-line shape, adding enough extra width to allow for five pleats.

 

I then cut an oval shape out of the bottom so that I could insert a ruffled section cut from a Battenburg lace table runner. I also used the edges of the runner for a lace trim all around the bottom of the skirt.

 

 

Some velvet ribbon rosettes and a few pearls for a pretty detail. 

 

A vintage brooch in the front for a tiny bit of sparkle.

 

 

We are not usually big fans of "matchy-matchy", but couldn't resist fashioning a simple headband out of a few of the rosettes. These are merely ruffled circles in two sizes. The headband itself is also wrapped in the ivory ribbon.

 

 

A girl in a new dress has got places to go, even on a warm, damp, foggy morning.

And whatever her plans, they required a glass glitter cone on a pearl chain casually hung on her shoulder like a purse.

She must be planning to collect some extra-special treasures in there. We can't wait to see...

xoxo

Debbie & Shea

 

Thankful

Thankful for so many things today.

For family, friends, and faith.

For all of you, who help to make our creative dreams come true.

Happy Thanksgiving!! 

xoxo Debbie & Shea

 

Spellbound ~ An Evening at French General

 

Have we told you lately about French General? This retail treasure box of all things rare and beautiful is owned and operated by the amazing designer Kaari Meng.

We had the great pleasure of meeting Kaari several years ago, and since that time there have been many opportunities to work and teach together in various places. We even had the honor of teaching in France this past June at Kaari's beloved "Chateau Getaway".

When we began planning Spellbound at the beginning of 2012, Kaari was at the very top of the list of artists that we would love to have participate. Her input and her unwavering support were invaluable to us during the entire process.

 

So, when she offered to co-host a private soiree, along with Jo Packham of Where Women Create, for the attendees, instructors, speakers and sponsors of Spellbound on the evening before the retreat began, we were just thrilled.

Those who are lucky enough to have been to French General are always anxious to return, and those who have not always seem to have it on their must-see list.

 

It entices you with sensory overload of the very best kind.

Everything begs to be touched and examined.

It is almost too much to take in. Like stepping into a dream...

Even the refreshments seem curated and beautifully presented.

A feast for the senses.

Red velvet and chocolate. Perfection.

Lots of crafting and demos took place that night. It is always the common denominator, the ice-breaker, the bond.

The lovliest of women. That's who came to French General on a Wednesday night in November, on their way to a Spellbound weekend. 

One of the lovliest of them all. Inside and out. Truly.

One from New York, and one from France, meeting for the first time. No doubt they are fast friends by now...

As always, it was a magical evening, and the perfect way to begin our Spellbound adventure.

Thank you, Kaari. Your friendship means the world to us.

All photos by the ridiculously talented photographer Martha Schuster of  "i see the moon photography".

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xoxo Debbie & Shea

Stash Society ~ "Sparkles and Lace" November 2012

 

November is so often a month that flies by much too fast, speeding us full-force into the Holiday Season, and somehow not really making it's presence known until Thanksgiving is upon us.

In the spirit of attempting to slow down just enough to enjoy each and every day, and celebrate the precious moments as they come, we offer this unique and beautiful take on the iconic British mantra...

 

Silvery crown atop sequin lettering, on creamy linen. Oh, yes!!

 

The Gilded Girls Stash Society kit this month will include the transfer pieces and the linen fabric necessary to produce this "work of art". (Easily accomplished with a household iron.)

One Sequin Keep Calm and Carry On Heat Transfer

One Silver Crown Heat Transfer

18" x 29" Cream Linen (Enough to make a framed piece or a pillow!)

 

1.25 Ounce Gold German Glass Glitter

One Pair Dyed Cotton Lace Collar Pieces

One Off-White Embroidered Lace Floral Applique

40" Vintage Gold Metallic Trim

3 Pieces Vintage Silver Pipe Cleaner (we have a plan...)

One Piece Bead and Rhinestone Trim

One Bead and Rhinestone Florette

Three Silver and Rhinestone Buttons

 

Two Yards Gold Soutache Braid

Three Yards Gold and White Metallic Trim

20" Gold Beads on Organza Trim

 

Three Sizes Mother-of-Pearl Buttons:

    32 Large

    32 Medium

    25 Small

 

Large Ivory Handmade Lace and Tulle Collar. *gasp!*

 

12" x 13" Spectacular Sequin Fabric. This fabric is not vintage, but we have never seem any exactly like it.  Lustrous, large creamy gold sequins on an ivory net background. Love.

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This November Stash Society kit is completely sold out (even before pictures were posted!)

Thank you so much to each and every member of the Stash Society for creating with us each month. We *heart* you!!

xoxo Debbie and Shea

 

What Stella Wore ~ Roses and Ribbons Altered Beret

 

Some girls are born to wear hats. Even when their hair looks good. Even when it is not particularly cold outside.

A hat for it's own sake is truly a lovely thing....

 

When we came upon a bag of knitted berets in assorted neutral colors, I knew Stella would love one decked out in girly finery.

Scraps of this and that. A needle and thread.

 

She loves the cozy feeling and the hip-yet-feminine style.

 

A few ruffled roses from a length of trim, a few cut out from a favorite piece of lace.

A trio of bronze and rhinestone button centers, and a scrap of seam binding ribbon.

Everything hand sewn. No glue on this project, so that the softness is maintained.

 

A happy girl having a very good hat day.

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Skinny Jeans ~ True Religion

White Ruffled Henley ~ Baby Gap

Knitted Shrug ~ H & M

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Have a wonderful weekend!!

xo Debbie

Glittered Roses Topiary Kit

 

Yesterday, we posted the exciting news that we are once again participating in Christy Tomlinson's "12 Artsy Days of Christmas".

This online workshop will feature many of your favorite artists and designers, and we are so happy that Christy has asked us to be a part of it again!

This year, we thought it would be fun to offer a kit for our project, to make it even easier for you to participate! 

We found the most beautiful silky rose fabric/trim, and we will be creating a large, exquisite topiary, just perfect for your Holiday Home. Measurement from the bottom of the cone (excluding the urn) to the top of star is approximately 14".

 

Chunky silver German glass glitter on the edges of the petals.

Mercury-finish beads and pearl pins to decorate.

A bead and sequin star topper to complete the look.

 

We will supply everything you need to decorate your topiary. You will need to provide the styrofoam cone, available at craft stores (5" x 12"), an urn or pedestal to set in on, a small bottle of white glue and a small paintbrush. 

 

We will provide all of the beautiful and the sparkly!

The price for the kit is $34.95, including shipping to the continental US!! Woohoo! If you live outside of the 48 States, we will send you an invoice for an additional $12.00 in shipping.

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And, be sure that you are signed up for the "12 Artsy Days of Christmas". We are going to have so.much.fun!!

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The Details:

Kits will be shipped out beginning Monday, November 26th on a first come, first served basis. Our Valentine kits sold out twice before we were able to fulfill them all, so please try to order early.

Students enrolled in the "12 Artsy Days of Christmas" will get priority status in shipping, but the kit will be available to anyone, with this caveat:

Please do not buy this kit without being enrolled in the online worshop, and then email us asking for instructions. It's not fair to those who paid for the class.

That's it!! So excited for this workshop to begin.... please visit Christy Tomlinson's blog for more info and photos of the workshop, but if you come back and sign up from this page we will love you forever!! :)

xoxo Debbie & Shea

 

 

Twelve Artsy Ornaments of Christmas 2012

 

~ The 12 Artsy Ornaments of Christmas #2 ~

We are so excited to share this news with you... !!

Beginning Tuesday December 4th...

 

Please join us and many of our favorite designers for a five day mini Holiday workshop! Each day for five days (Tuesday-Saturday), 3 new ornament/holiday projects will be posted by one of the fabulous teachers!  There will be all sorts of fun projects, including ornaments, holiday decor, gift giving projects and more!  

 

This workshop will include the following teachers:  Margie Romney-Aslette, Jeanne Oliver, Chrissy Gardner, Alisa Burke, Mindy Lacefield, Juliette Crane, Shea Fragoso, Debbie Murray, Junelle Jacobson and Christy Tomlinson!

 

This entire workshop will be hosted on a private website, and all instruction will be in video form and include up-close pictures of each project and complete supply lists. 
Supply lists are ONLY available in the workshop, and will be posted once the workshop begins.

There will also be a private Facebook group page for those in the workshop as well. This page will allow participants to share photos and get to know each other and the teachers better.

The cost for this workshop is an incredible $24.95, but if you sign up before Thanksgiving weekend, the price is an amazing $19.95 !!

This workshop will be open for an entire year! You will be able to access the classroom from any computer, day or night, for twelve full months!!

Christy is well known for her amazing e-courses full of incredible content. You will have so much fun creating this season!!

Sign up today so you won't miss one minute!! We hope to see you there!!

 

Be looking for photos of our project at the end of this week, as well as an opportunity to purchase a kit directly from our studio!

xoxo Debbie & Shea

What Stella Wore ~ Lace Millinery Crown

 

It has been a very busy week in the Gilded World.

So many Fall activities and exciting irons in the fire...

But always, we want to make the time to create things that are meaningful to us as a family. A soft crown to add to Stella's dress-up box was the perfect project for this hectic time.

 

So easy, and so pleasing to a child...

She can put it on herself, and there are no worries about dropping and breaking. Such a good quality in a crown!

 

Even in the wee, sleepy morning hours, she is willing to wake up and wear it for a few photos. 

 

Simply a length of bridal lace trim and a handful of tiny millinery flowers. Of course, they were treated to our vintage pink dye by special request...

I measured the circumference of her head, cut and stitched the lace into a circle, dunked it in a mixture of 3 parts TackyGlue to one part water, and inverted it over a paint can to dry. This left it stiffened, but still flexible. I then twisted the wires of the flowers one by one onto each other to created a "chain" long enough to go all the way around the lace including the peaks and valleys, and carefully hot glued them on. Little taupe ribbon bows glued onto each point...

Voila! A dress-up, playroom crown.

 

So easy to grab and wear when the fancy mood strikes.

Perfect for making a wish at the fountain, and dreaming those tender 3-year-old dreams...

xoxo Debbie

 

What Stella Wore ~ Lace and Ruffles Altered Sweater

 

Sometimes a girl just needs a bit more than a sweater, but not quite a coat. Soft and cozy, long but not bulky. Dressy, but a little bit fun and funky.

Enter the sweater upcycle!

 

This began as a darling little off-white sweater, purchased at a large chain store. It is wonderful on it's own, but somehow I think it felt destined for greater things...

 

Luckily, I had some extra-wide blue lace trim, and some blue beaded lace edging from a project we did earlier in the year for the Gilded Girls Stash Society. 

 

A dig through the odds-and-ends jar yielded a sparkly rhinestone and gold button, just right for replacing the plastic one that came on the sweater.

 

A quick trip to the park proved the versatility of a design like this. It remains machine washable, so it does not feel too "precious" to be loved and used well.

 

Jump!!

 

The wide lace trim was cut lengthwise into two pieces, with one being about 3 1/2" wider than the other. The only machine used on this project was to serge the two pieces of lace together along the raw edge.

The ruffling and attaching of the lace was all done by hand, as were the lace flowers and the banding around the neck and bottom. It all took about 5-1/2  hours. 

There is something so satisfying to me about handstitching! I know that not everyone feels the same, but I really do love it...

 

And I especially love creating something sweet and warm for this tiny treasure. If she had a pocket in this little coat, my heart would most certainly be in it.

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Cream Ruffle Sweater ~ Target

Skinny Jeans ~ True Religion

Boots and Tank Top ~ Baby Gap

Blue Lace ~ A Gilded Life

xoxo Debbie