Making Book Ornaments and Ornament Chandelier.

During this year I've been collecting some books that I found for free at a local library. I looked for old books because I like the yellow pages. I want  to share some ideas you can do with those books that you don't want anymore; a way to recycle. I found these book ornaments really costly in a store, I decided to make them myself.

Another Thing that I want to share with you is this ornament chandelier idea that I found on YouTube by Robeson Design. I made my own version by making a half circle box and adding light to the chandelier. I really like how it turned out. I don't know if I'm going to take it down when Christmas is over; It's really lights up the corner of the living room. You can find the instructions for the ornament chandelier here

To make the box I used a hardboard panel for its lightness and its flexibility to form a circle. I also painted the bottom of the box silver to help reflect more light; and of course I have to decorate the box sides with some appliques to make it look like a molding. I mounted the chandelier with long screws.

 I screwed  the light bulb underneath; that way the holes are not so big.

I want to wish you a happy Christmas and a happy New Year full of success, love and most of all health.

Making Furniture Appliques On My Chairs

My husband purchased this dining room set years ago. I needed to fix the back of the chairs and upholster the cushions. I had the dinner table and chair in my sun room all these years. I thought it was time to put my hands to work. 

Chair before. This chair was to plain for my taste. I wanted a carved wood look for a romantic chic decor. 

After repairing the back of the chairs, I used All-Purpose Compound to make the appliques. Using  my cake decorator kit, I made the roses and leaf on the frame of the chair. Everybody asks me if this furniture applique is durable; I say yes, but it's really important to seal the compound with a primer, then paint the furniture.. I've decorated many of my furniture with this technique. Buying furniture applique is out of my budget. I came up with this idea and it's working for me. 

 I think that the applique gives a romantic chic to these chairs.

 After the applique are dry, I use a primer, and then I mix acrylic paint  to match the color of the wood on the chair. Then I use a white-wash technique to match the chairs to the dinner table. To protect the white-wash technique it's important to seal the finish with  a clear satin Polyurethane.

 White-wash

~Have a wonderful day and God bless you always~

Crochet dresses that I made during the summer.

Searching about crochet fashion, I came across a talented Brazilian  designer Alzira Vieira. She has a beautiful dress collection. I couldn't decide on just one dress, so, I made three dresses inspired by her collection; I made some changes on the  dresses to make them more modest. This is how my dresses turned out. 

On the original dress, the hem of the skirt was suspended with crochet ribbons sewn around the hip. I decided to make a leaf border on the skirt's hem.

I love the design of this dress.

 This is another dress that I made. I really love this one.

On the original dress, the top of the dress was more open. I used a different stitch and made the sleeve longer.

 This dress was time consuming. The entire skirt is made of rose petals. The stitch used on the bodice really stretches out; adjusting to the body. The original dress is open on the back, and shorter. I made some changes on my dress to my comfort. 

~ Have a wonderful day full of beautiful things~

Making Another Doily Dress

After making my first doily dress, I could not stop thinking about making another dress. My grandmother gifted me the ultimate doily book, I love it so much. I started making doilies. For the bodice of the dress I used a pattern that I worked before. I wanted a circular skirt on this dress, let me share with you how I made it.

After I finished the bodice of the dress, I made ten small doilies. I joined the doilies around the edge of the bodice with a net stitch.

You can find the Heart doily pattern Here and the Small Flower doily Here

After joining all the mini doilies, I worked a shell stitch around the small doily, about 8 rows. This works as a separation for the large doily. I think that making a skirt out of doilies will look just beautiful. I used 10 small doilies and 9 large doilies for the skirt.

 All finished. I was so happy.

 I used a crinoline under the dress.

 The back of the dress.

 I made a crochet belt for my dress. I really like it.

~Have a beautiful day and may God bless you always ~