More Shoes 2

Like a pair of figure flattering corsets, these Rene Caovilla shoes were made to gently hug and caress your feet. Mmmmmm, shoe porn anyone?

Pom Pom Party

These gorgeous flower-like pom-poms look intricate and difficult to make, but they are actually fairly simple. However, they do require an ounce of patience (see step 6). With adult supervision, they would be a fantastic project of a little gal’s birthday party; a beautiful memento for the young princesses to take home and hang in their own palace. Have a bunch of boys? Switch to using bright primary colors along with black and have the tykes create their own far away galaxy of planets.

Made in smaller sizes and hung at a variety of heights, a group of these would make a great mobile for a child’s room or nursery. Make them in a bride’s wedding colors for her bridal shower or in soft pastel colors for a baby shower. Create themes based on the season; black and orange for Hallowe’en or red, white and green for Christmas.

Below are the instructions to get you started

Supplies:

• Tissue paper (20 inches x 30 inches). Choose one to three colors in similar shades of the same color to keep things from looking like an acid circus. Unless that’s the look you’re going for. Local dollar stores usually have a good selection.

• Scissors, either plain ol’ straight edged or a more decorative scalloped or waved edge.

• Monofilament fishing line

• Thin floral wire, white if you can find it.

Here's how:

1. Stack four to eight the sheets of paper on top of one another, depending on how full n’ puffy you want them to be.

2. Now, fold the sheets into 1.5-inch accordion folds, all the way across. Be sure to keep the folds even.

3. Prune the ends of the tissue into round or pointed shapes to give them a petal-like look.

4. Cut about a foot and a half length of floral wire.

5. Wrap the wire around the center of the folded tissue and secure it by twisting. Trim the excess wire.

6. Now the fun part! Pull apart each layer, separating it from the center one piece at a time (here’s where that patience comes in handy).

7. Measure the length you'd like to hang your pom pom from and cut a piece of monofilament accordingly.

8. Knot the monofilament to the floral wire and hang!

9. Try varying the size of the tissue paper and the cut edge to create an array of effects. Repeat until you've created a pom-pom fantasyland. The more, the merrier!

Not in a crafty mood or short on time? (hey, it happens) . . . PomLove, Fiesta Pom Pom and orangekisses all have a spectacular selection of ready to ship pom-poms in a variety of sizes, as well as a custom order option for your special occasion or color pallet.




August is for Peridot . . .

I think I’ve mentioned a couple times that I’m lucky to be a diamond girl. That is, I’m an April baby; making my birthstone diamonds. But this does not mean I can’t appreciate other gemstones just as much.

Peridot is the birthstone for August. It is one of the few gemstones that occur only in one colour . . . green. The intensity and tint of the green is dependent on how much iron is contained in the crystal structure. This is why some peridot gemstones are a pale apple green while others approach a darker olive brownish – green. The darker the colour, the more prized the peridot. I personally prefer a fresh, summer leaf colour for my peridot.
Peridot mainly comes from mines in Australia, Brazil, China, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Burma, Norway, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. In North America, it is found in North Carolina, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico. Peridots have also been discovered in meteorites. The largest cut peridot is a 310 carat specimen in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC.

Peridot is considered by Egyptians to be a symbol of the sun. Historians have speculated that the fabled emeralds worn by Cleopatra were in fact peridots. Sorry Liz Taylor.
Peridot is the 16th anniversary gemstone. It is believed by some to protect against nervousness and help alleviate spiritual fear. It is thought to aid in heeling hurt feelings and bruised egos, incur strength and physical vitality, deliver a positive emotional outlook and help with liver and adrenal gland function. It is often worn to bring the wearer success, peace, good luck and to help his or her dreams come true.

I just think it looks pretty.

Pocketbook Posies

dalilah collection (lined in peacock teal)
It’s happened to best of us. We get all dressed up . . .hair, make-up, beautiful dress and shoes. We’re ready all ready to go. Just grab our purse . . oh wait . . .this purse is way wrong for this dress.

I’ve seen it. It’s tragic. A gal all dolled up trying to push her purse behind her in a vain attempt not to draw attention to the mini duffle bag slung on her shoulder.

I love clutches. I have about 20 of them. At first it took some getting used to holding the things up between my ribcage and underarm, but practice makes perfect. I am happy to report I can now balance an underarm clutch and a champagne glass while still having one hand free to chat (yes, I tend to talk with my hands). I lead a rough life . . . .

melanie collection (lined in green)
So in the spirit of garden parties and wedding season, here is a wonderful selection of pocketbook posies by FIAZCO. Based out of Asheville, North Carolina, the designer creates limited addition handbags from high quality fabrics and fine silks. Each clutch is lined in 100% Dupioni silk with a seamless bottom to provide extra strength. Each purchase arrives beautifully gift boxed and you can request a personal note or label to be included.

natalie collection (lined in moss green)



From the designer’s website: “I've been designing and sewing since Barbie and Ken first started dating(my two best clients back in the day) I have a serious passion for fashion, and love creating.”

Like many home based businesses, FIAZCO specializes in customer service, and will work with brides and bridal parties to design custom clutches that with coordinate perfectly for the special day. And they make wonderfull bridesmaid keepsakes.

And so to the relief of hubbies and gents, very rarely will you have to say “Here honey, hold my purse”.