Grande Owl Cookies

As usual, I made large gingerbread cookies...eighteen of them. These were not baby owlets as the cookies were 8 inches. The first day consisted of making the dough and baking the cookies. Day two, I decorated them and on the third day, they were packaged. Of course, edible 24 carat gold flakes were used. In all, about sixteen hours were spent from start to finish.

The gift boxes were a deep navy and while most were heavy duty magnetic closure gift boxes, I was able to source a few navy velvet ones. Midnight blue velvet ribbons were used and a snowy owl was attached. The ingredients were printed on a card and included within. 

Card with ingredients printed on the back

xo

Fresh Evergreen Christmas Ballgown

 

Over the years, I have created several of these life-size fresh greenery gown. They are a joy to make, albeit time consuming.

The antique dress form that I used in the past became so decrepit that I had to get rid of her. Twas a sad moment. My attempt to locate another that I really liked failed, so I settled for a new one. Not what I desired, but she will suffice for now. 

Chicken wire was purchased along with an 8 ft. Christmas tree from Home Depot. I requested that the gentleman cut off her branches. It was impressive that he did not blink an eye and the picture I showed him of another one that I created, helped.  

He opted to use a handheld PVC type cutter. It took almost an hour and he was a patient and polite young man. He received a handsome tip and thanked me profusely.

Her bodice consists of a four inch wide heavily embellished ribbon that I pinned in place. Fresh eucalyptus and cedar were added for additional texture.

She resides in the foyer with her parliament, aka group of snowy owls. 

I call her Anastasia...

Blessings,

xo sequestered and serene

Gnomes Galore

For Christmas one year, I decided to create gnomes using some of my precious daughter's clothes. I then invited some of her girlfriends over for Christmas sweets and they were gifted a gnome. I had cards printed with each gnomes name and a bit about their history.

They were so enjoyable to make that I created quite a few additional ones using purchased sweaters and felt. Most averaged around twelve to fifteen inches tall but there was one grande one measuring approximately four feet in height.  They were assembled in the foyer, nestled in faux snow and fairy lights. The end result was adorable. 

xo

Marie Antoinette Dreams of a Land of Candy - Art Piece

 

Several years ago son's realtor's office asked people to decorate their office doors 

for Christmas and it was immensely enjoyable for me to create his. 

 

The canvas was 4 ft. tall. I embellished it massively with all manner of faux sweets and

Marie Antoinette's hair was dyed fiberfill. 

 

Extra heavy duty Command strips kept it firmly in place for several weeks 

through many openings and closings.  

Perhaps I will create something similar next Christmas...

xo

Gumdrop Topiary

 

Indeed, I am enamored with topiaries. This one was approximately seventeen inches tall and it lasted for about five years.  It ceased to exist when it was dropped.

I miss my gumdrop topiary.  

xo

Nut Trees

 

 

These are my stately nut trees that stand almost 29 inches tall. Four were created and one has been presented to our neighbor who invited us to a dinner party. The others will probably be Christmas gifts for as yet undetermined recipients. I will be wrapping them in clear cellophane and tying the top with a wide,  brown velvet ribbon.

While time consuming to create, they are stunning and can be displayed year-round, but look especially lovely during Autumn and Winter. I placed rocks inside the vessel for extra weight as these girls are top heavy. 

Moss was added between almost all of the nuts to fill in the gaps between them and hide the Styrofoam base that the nuts are attached to.

I made one for us about twenty-five years ago and painted it gold. It still looks fabulous, so they do last. Since nuts in the shell are only available in my grocery stores around Thanksgiving, with the exception of pistachios, I had to order mine from Amazon. My preference is to purchase them in the store as I am able to choose the most perfect ones, especially almonds. 

There are a few other items that I will be creating and will share them soon.

Blessings to you and yours...

xo

Bewitching - Halloween

 Creating these gals was a hoot. They began life as apples and ended up as shrunken witches heads.

Hair was added, hats and spectacles were also made and then came the process of naming them and what fun that was.

They were mailed to my Witches Coven Soiree guests who cackled with glee upon opening their boxes.

xo