The Tattooed Lady

Since I was taking a bit of a baby-cooking and nesting blog hiatus last year at this time, I never shared Sugar Pea's Halloween costume. Ladies and Gentlemen, prepare to be shocked and amazed by The Tattooed Lady!




Inspired by the candy and sweets themed temporary tattoos we found, I fashioned a cupcake headpiece from styrofoam, batting, felt, and fleece. Pearl head sewing pins became sprinkles, and I topped it with a polymer clay cherry. I had all the craft supplies on hand, and her Nana bought the secondhand tutu for a couple of dollars. I think the package of tattoos cost around $3. Very inexpensive, and completely unique!




And speaking of tattooed ladies, I really want to get my hands on this book. Anyone read it?

This year I'm going to have a witch and a baby black kitty. What are your little ones wearing?

Eyeball Wreath

Here's another Halloween craft project I whipped up this week. I had purchased these vintagey styrofoam eyeballs two years ago, and never used them in a project. Inspiration struck a few days ago, and I decided to make an entire wreath covered in them. Wah wah--there are no more to be had, apparently. So, I settled for orange and green ornaments I found in Hobby Lobby's Christmas aisle and added a little skeleton I had. It turned out pretty snazzy though, I think.

DIY: Spooky Spirit Lanterns

Halloween is nearly upon us, but there's still time for some spooky craft projects, and I've got one to share with you today. It doesn't get much spookier than these "Spirit Lanterns", and they couldn't be easier to make.



I have imagined glowing candlelight flickering behind creepy old-timey spirit photography for a long time, but my printer refusing to print on vellum made my first try at these two years ago a bust. This year, I decided good ol' Mod Podge was the trick to making my vision come to life. Want to see how I did it?

First, you'll need some images. You can use any spooky photo or clip art you'd like, but I found this spirit photography set from the National Media Museum on Flickr, for use under a Creative Commons License.

Supplies needed:

vintage images
clear acrylic spray
assorted glass candle containers
Mod Podge
paint brushes
ribbon or trim (optional)
buttons or other embellishments (optional)
tacky glue (optional)

Before printing, you'll want to first use your photo editing software to resize your images to fit the container you've chosen. I just used regular printer paper. (Photo paper is likely to be too stiff to decoupage, and might not allow the glow of the candlelight to be seen as easily.) If you have an inkjet printer, as I do, you'll need to spray your printed photos with a few coats of clear acrylic spray (outside!) and let them dry thoroughly so that the ink doesn't bleed when you apply the Mod Podge.

You can use any type of heat safe glass container you wish. I used a vase I had on hand and a recycled frosted glass votive I had washed and saved. I have found a folded kitchen towel to be a great help when working with glass containers. Begin by applying a thin, even coat of Mod Podge to the container with a paintbrush. Place your prepared image on the wet glue, and press the air bubbles out carefully beginning in the center and working your way out toward the edges. After your image is adhered, paint another thin coat of Mod Podge over the top of your image.



Before the Mod Podge dries, you may want to clean away the excess from around your image using the corner of a wet paper towel.



You can stop here, if you'd like, but I chose to cover the slightly messy edges with some vintage black grosgrain ribbon I had, adding an old button where the ends of the ribbon met on one, and a piece of an old earring and a tiny vintage millinery flower on the other. I also glued an image to a glass prayer candle that I had using Mod Podge, but I chose not to coat the top, so as to keep the edges neat and clean. It's not quite as glossy as the others, but you may choose to do the same and eliminate the need for trim if you'd prefer a cleaner look. Alternately, you can get close to the same effect by simply printing your image onto sticker paper and avoid the Mod Podge mess altogether. Your choice!



What sort of Halloween crafts have you been making?

Crochet School

Hey, Sugar Dumplins! I wanted to alert you to something super special happening on my friend Dana's (better known as Craftyminx) pretty, pretty, crafty blog. Besides being a sweet, smart, and charming librarian and all around awesome lady friend of mine, Dana is also one of the interwebs' craftiest people. She sews, she knits, she embroiders, and she can crochet a mean granny square. She even crocheted a different one every day for a whole year! She was the very first person I thought of when I set out to create my Patron Saint of Crochet. Anyway, Dana has very generously created a FREE e course all about crochet and is offering it on her blog right this very minute. Dana is a wonderful teacher. If you've ever wanted to learn to crochet, or if, like me, you need to brush up on crochet skills you learned long ago, now is your chance. I've been planning to pick up some yarn and dust off my crochet hooks this fall, so I'm really looking forward to following along. Let's get on the bus and go to Crochet School!

Indie Emporium Recap

Have I really been away from the blog for a week? Time flies when you're having fun! Indie Emporium was a blast. I saw old friends and met some really great new ones. Here's a peek at my little booth.





My pal Heather, of Audrey Eclectic, was my neighbor, as were the delightful ladies of Lone Chimney, and the incredibly nice couple behind The Peaceful Housewife, whose laundry detergent I'm in love with so hard. My littlest girl was my only booth partner all weekend. She alternated between peeking out from her sling, flirting, smiling, modeling baby knitwear, and just generally charming the pants off everyone who met her. Craft shows are hard work, and doubly hard when you're on your own with a four month old! Many thanks to my sweet booth neighbors for all of the help.



I got to chat for a bit with the ever lovely Sam Lamb, among many other talented folks, and I received my first wholesale inquiry. All in all, it was a successful show! I've rested a bit the past few days, and now I'm ready to dive into wholesale orders and preparing for Deluxe this December. I also have a few crafty projects up my sleeve that I plan to share with you here, when I'm not soaking up the gorgeous Indian Summer we're having right now. Sweet relief after the hellish heat this summer!

Saint Irene

Hello, friends! I've had my crafty nose to the grindstone getting ready for Indie Emporium. If you're near Tulsa, I hope you'll stop by and say hello.


I've got a couple new things up my sleeve for the show, including the newest Sweetheartville Saint, Saint Irene, Patron Saint of Crafting.


The DIY canon is full of needleworkers, but I felt that a general, all purpose crafty lady was in order, so Saint Irene is surrounded by all sorts of craftastic flowers that she has whipped up from tissue paper, feathers, and sea shells. Look closely and you'll also see some glittery bobbles, pipe cleaner curls, a pair of pine cone elves, and a pretty little beaded bird lighting on her shoulder. This lady definitely knows how to wield a hot glue gun!

Normally, I just pull these saint lady names out of thin air, but this one is near and dear to my heart. She is named for my Grandma, one of the craftiest people I've ever known. From crocheting to painting to plastic canvas work to Barbie doll hats made from melted styrofoam cups, she did it all, and I learned so much at her knee. I'm lucky to have been named after her, myself. This little collage is a wink to her memory. I think she would have gotten quite a kick out of it.

Nutshells of Unexplained Death

‘Before forensics, DNA, and CSI we had dollhouses – an unimaginable collection of miniature crime scenes, known as the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death. Created in the 1930s and 1940s by a crime-fighting millionaire heiress grandmother Frances Glessner, the Nutshells helped homicide detectives hone their investigative skills. These surreal dollhouses reveal a dystopic and disturbing slice of domestic life with doll corpses representing actual murder victims, or perhaps something that just looks like murder. Despite all the advances in forensics, the Nutshells are still used today to train detectives.’

- Of Dolls and Murder

Having been a bit of a forensic science nerd since my preteen years, I'm surprised that I've never heard about these gruesome little "nutshell studies" before today when I stumbled upon this story on the amazingly fabulous How To Be A Retronaut.

A documentary film narrated by (who else?) John Waters explores the dioramas and their creator, Frances Glessner Lee, as well as the fact that these vintage dollhouses are still used to train detectives and forensics experts. Astounding.

Extreme Turtle Makeover

We've had this turtle step stool since my little one was a baby. My mom found it at a garage sale, and according to what's written on the bottom, it was made by a local man in 1974. I have always intended to recover it, but it was one of those projects I kept putting off. Well, 37 years and several hundred tooth brushing and hand washing sessions later, it was getting kind of gross. I started thinking about recovering it, but wasn't sure what fabric to use, since it does see so much action in the bathroom. Then it hit me: oilcloth!



I ended up having to replace the deteriorated foam rubber inside, and then covered the new foam with a layer of batting. It's better than new now, since water, bubbles, toothpaste and other kid messes just wipe right off!

And speaking of messes...looks like one too many bubble blowing sessions and a long winter have left my front porch in need of a good mopping. I'll add it to the list!

Miss Amy's Stitch and Kitsch

Me: Sigh. What's this world coming to? Everyone is hateful and nasty and my Facebook feed is full of people who I have nothing in common with but friended because they asked me to and we were in the same English class in 9th grade. I work all the time, yet my house and yard still look like the scene where an Amnesia-riddled Goldie Hawn sees Kurt Russell's place for the first time in the 1987 hit movie Overboard. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will never end. People are so judgmental. My new job is stressful and I need to lose 40 pounds. The Gulf of Mexico is ruined forever and Nashville is devastated and tornadoes are killing other Okies, and no one "gets" me. Boo hoo hoo. I'm going to go eat worms.....Oh, whatever can this box on my front porch contain?....*SQUEAL*



Will you look at this doll?! Seriously. Could Miss Amy be any more amazing? Look at her hair and her little red high heels, and her dress! My Sweet Lord, do you see the mothereffin' vintage hankie dress?!!



Get over to Miss Amy's Stitch and Kitsch right now and get yourself one, or commission one that looks just like you. Better yet, commission one that looks just like Miss Amy because she is the most gorgeous pretty red-haired beauty lady that ever lived!



Thank you, Amy.

*Beautiful photo of Miss Amy by Dynamite Dames Photography.

Featured!

A very eventful week in Sweetheartville was capped yesterday morning by the most exciting news: my St. Tammy Prayer Candle was featured in the Etsy Storque's Get The Look: Decor as part of a lovely collection inspired by Sandra's beautiful home. I see a lot of my own style in Sandra's decorating, and I am absolutely honored to have had a bit of my art included in the feature.

If you'd like to be the first to know what's going on in Sweetheartville, don't forget that you can find me on Facebook as well!

The Great Okie Stitch Along

I'm beyond excited to be participating in yet another wonderful project dreamed up by the creative geniuses responsible for Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar. Last summer I quietly began work on an embroidered portrait of someone I admire. Well, Sara and I must have been on the same wavelength because shortly thereafter she proposed that those of us so inclined should stitch up a portrait of a famous Oklahoman. We Okies can claim quite a few celebrities as our own. Of course I jumped right on board, laying down my WIP to begin work on the lovely Ms. Wanda Jackson. I'll share some progress when some worth showing gets made.

Already, three public exhibitions have been scheduled in Oklahoma City for the coming Summer and Fall, including the Oklahoma State Fair. But this Okie Stitch Along is not exclusive to those stitchers from the Sooner State. We welcome anyone who would like to render a famous Okie in floss. Still up for grabs are Garth Brooks, Woody Guthrie, Will Rogers, Ron Howard, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Carrie Underwood, Mickey Mantle, and more. Let Sara know who you'd like to stitch, and be prepared to have your piece mailed to Oklahoma City by July 1st.

Even Mr. Sweetheart, a novice embroiderer, has gotten in on the action with a plan to immortalize the inimitable Chuck Norris on fabric. Join us, won't you?

*lovely photo of myself, Sara, and JD by Samantha Lamb

Deluxe Numero Tres

Another excellent Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar is over. Despite getting only four hours sleep the night before and managing to forget several pieces of my display, the show was a success. I met lots of new folks, received many, many overly flattering compliments on my work, and generally reveled in the company of hundreds of art-loving, handmade-supporting, like-minded people.


My Beauty Buttons were, once again, a hit.


The dryer chair, of course, made another appearance, this time to hold throw pillows made from vintage textiles.


I was so excited to debut two brand new products, both near and dear to my heart. It's a big step for me, putting my artwork and photography out there for public scrutiny, but I received so many lovely compliments on my new postcards featuring six of my photographs of vintage signs.


Another brand new offering were these prayer candles featuring my digital collage of Saint Tammy, Patron Saint of Hairstylists. My very dear friend Christie suggested the idea, and after a lot of hard work and experimentation with different papers and methods of applying my artwork to the glass, I couldn't be more pleased with the final product. The Beauty Operators loved them!


I hope to have these and some other new items listed in my Etsy shop very soon!

Beauty Collage Drop Out

The last minute scramble that always precedes a show is on. Some brand new, top secret Sweetheartville products will be making their debut at Deluxe and I couldn't be more excited about them. Here are a few of the little collages I'll be offering on Saturday. I'm selling this trio as a set, complete with matching vintage metal picture frames.




Stop by and visit Sweetheartville if you're in the Oklahoma City area Saturday!

Little Red

Here's Little Red in the costume I made for her. I modified an online tutorial I found for a lined hooded cape, and embellished a two dollar Goodwill dress with vintage velvet ribbon and trim.


The finishing touch was a fifty cent garage sale basket for carrying food to grandma or holding the spoils of an evening of trick-or-treating, as the case may be.



What a stinker.

Deluxe Craft Weekend

I'm very, very excited about an upcoming event I'll be participating in September 25-27 in Oklahoma City. Deluxe Craft Weekend is brought to you by Sara and J.D., hard working directors of Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar and all around art and craft ninjas. This unique event features 36 solid hours of social crafting including nine meals from some of OKC's finest eateries. On top of a dedicated, secure workspace, the chance for crafty fellowship with other creative people, and three squares each day, those dollfaces are going to give attendees coffee, drinks and snacks all weekend too! Mr. Sweetheart and I will be celebrating his birthday and our soon to follow wedding anniversary there.

In addition to the 36 hour craftacular retreat, 20+ workshops will be offered on everything from applying to major craft shows, with the directors of The Girlie Show, to whittling to knitting. If you can't attend the whole weekend event, you may choose one or more of the workshops which range in price from $15 to $45. What a great, hands on introduction to that new skill you've been
dying to learn, and an excellent way to further your crafty business skills!
I am so thrilled to be leading an "Embroidery 101" workshop which will cover everything you need to learn to get started in hand embroidery. The $30 class includes practice fabric, a hoop, needle, embroidery floss, a booklet with stitch diagrams and tips, and a tea towel. You will leave armed with knowledge of the basics and your first project in progress.
So if you're anywhere near Oklahoma, I invite you to register for this one-of-a-kind weekend retreat or stop by for a workshop or two. I can't wait!

South Tulsa Music Festival

This Saturday, September 5th I will be at the South Tulsa Music Festival with the lovely Heather of Audrey Eclectic. The free festival features six local bands, as well as a market place of talented local artists and crafters, all coordinated by my dear friend Marissa.


In addition to Heather's beautiful paintings, prints, postcards and fabulous new lapel lockets, we will have my Beauty Buttons, tote bags, hair ornaments, and these limited edition kitschy Bouffant Beauties for your purchasing pleasure.


What could be better on a Saturday evening that good local music and handmade art? Oh, and I'm fairly certain that there will be beer.

Craft Hope Cowboy

I made this wonky little cowboy a while back to send to Nicaragua with Eren of This Vintage Chica as part of Craft Hope's second project.


He's a bit wonky because, in usual procrastinator fashion, I was literally stuffing and sewing him a half hour before the Post Office closed on the last day to mail him in time for his trip to South America. I snapped a quick picture to have some record of his existence, threw him in a box, and Sugar Pea and I made a mad dash down the street to get him shipped off in the nick of time. His cowgirl sister is a work in progress which I hope to finish in time for my little one's third birthday. Yes, as hard as it is to believe, my Little Pumpkin will be turning three in a couple of months! I hope my little bit of handmade love made a tiny difference in the life of another child, far away.

The Tiny Glittery Forest

Lately, I've been a bit obsessed with teeny, tiny worlds under glass. The seed for this obsession may have been planted when, as a child, my green thumb-havin' Hippie Mama helped me make my own little terrarium. I don't remember the little ecosystem thriving under my care (I'm sure I quickly lost interest), but the fond memory of designing my own magical landscape, all contained in a glass bubble, has stayed with me all these years. I've wanted to craft up my own snow globe for a while, but hadn't gotten around to it. While trying to think of creative ways to reuse glass food jars that can't be recycled in our area, I suddenly had the thought to combine my love of terrariums, snow globes, folk art whimsy bottles, miniature shrines, kitsch, and glitter all in one sweet little package.


So, I spray painted a jar lid my favorite aqua color, and set to work armed with paint, glitter, and other vintage bits.


The result is a tiny, magical forest inhabited by an itsy bitsy deer.


I may have to start asking the neighbors for jars, because I'm going to need a bunch.