Every year I put a lot of time and effort into decorating our home for the holidays.
By the time I get around to doing something for my studio I have run out of steam.
I know I could just hang a wreath on the door and call it good but for some reason I feel a wreath on my studio door is just not creative enough - on a studio door it might even be considered boring.
I always end up doing nothing...I guess that would be NO creativity and REALLY boring.
Doing nothing might not be so bad if I still had the beautiful old original doors.
Nothing says ugly and uninviting as an aluminum door.
This past week while shopping in Minneapolis I spotted a manikin
all decked out in Christmas attire setting in front of a clothing store.
She was so stickn' cute that I decided I must make one for the studio.
If I was up to speed on technology I would have been able to snap a picture
from my cell phone for all of you to see.
I like her. She is my favorite color
and it still works for its original intended purpose...to call for help when I am stranded on the highway.
I had a manikin as I sometime use one for market display.
Instead of using fresh greens for my lady's skirt as the shop in Minneapolis did, I opted to use parts of a vintage white Christmas tree that I purchased a couple of years ago at a vintage shop.
your grandmother used to wear on her coat lapel during the holiday season.
If you have time to spare you can buy this corsage here.
I could not find one in the local antique shops
and I did not want to wait for one to arrive via mail
so I opted to make my own with ribbon, greens, and bulbs.
The shop in Minneapolis used burlap for their bodice. I made my bodice from a vintage piece of velvet. I was trying to have a Project Runway moment by draping the fabric on the manikin. They make it look so easy on PR. Well not so. I struggled. I added rosettes along the seam line of the skirt to cover up the raw edge as no sewing was used on this dress - just pins. Joy - yes I have named her Joy - worried that the rosettes would make her hips look big - I assured her they did not.
Here she is all finished and looking very festive for the holiday season.
In my opinion Joy is not boring.
She makes me smile every morning as she greets me at my studio door.
What has made you smile lately?
Leave a comment telling me what has made you smile lately and you will be eligible to win a Merry Medley Charm Pack™ and the pattern to make this tiny tree using the Charm Pack. It is super easy and there is still plenty of time to get it done to enjoy during the holidays. If you don't get it done this year - well Christmas will come again. You have until midnight December 12th to leave a comment.
Keep smiling.
From my Heart,
Sandy
125 comments:
I had to smile when I saw Joy all decked out. Wow, she looks chic! What a great idea for your studio.
Pictures of my sweet adorable grandchildren!!
Your Joy really made me smile, really unique and creative. I also smile when the big bluebird comes to the tree and calls out to me, since the feeder was empty. I think all of the birds have figured out who feeds them and they let me know when they want more.
Debbie
This latest post from you absolutely made me smile! What a great way to greet your day. Thanks for bringing a much needed smile to my face!
What a cute little Joy. The first finished quilt block of a new quilt made me smile . . . the adventure begins again. Thanks for the chance.
I would give anything to have Joy's hip - even with the rosettes! That is one gorgeous mannequin you have! I love it! I could not even begin to create something so chic! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
LOVE HER! Joy is awesome! My husband is pretty funny, and makes me smile a lot. :) Merry Christmas!
When my grandson tries to figure out a way to get to my house. SF to WA state. He's quite the funny guy!
The thought of those Christmas corsages made me smile! I'm not so sure I might have had one myself!
ps Cutest holiday decoration ever!
Well, sheesh, Joy made me smile! Of course, the bow around her waist keeps her hips from looking big. :)
The memories that came to me as I read your post make me smile. I'd love to win the fabric and pattern to make the tree for my daughter's teeny, tiny US Army barracks room so far away from home.
Honestly...your mannequin made me smile! I really love her outfit! And I love that tree too! Thanks for the chance to win the pattern! :0)
Good friends always make me smile. That and the craziness I see on Pinterest.
Our bell choir played for preschoolers and for a retirement home today.
Their joy became my joy!
Joy is adorable! My husband can always make me smile. I love your little Christmas tree! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the pattern!
Joy is wonderful!what an awesome idea! My grandsons always makes me smile. Thanks for a chance for a lovely prize!
Joy is very sassy! I like her alot! Puppies have been making me smile.....I don't have a puppy, we have a 12 year old lab, but I've been seeing lots of puppies and they make me smile.
Joy is so cute. How creative!
My most recent smile was your Christmas manikin. She is very lovely and festive. Thanks for sharing.
My two Corgis make me smile every day, several times a day.
My cat Remy playing in paper bags always makes me smile.
Joy is wonderfully creative and a perfect decoration for your studio.
Releasing 10 orange balloons on what would have been our oldest son's 10th Birthday (Nov. 29th) made me smile. It's our tradition to go to his grave and release orange (his favorite color) balloons. We imagine God grabbing them and giving them to Ethan. :) What could have been a super sad day ended up being a blessed family day, and we have peace knowing he's with Jesus.
Merry Christmas, Sandy! I LOVE your studio!!! What a gorgeous buidling!!! I also am in awe of your genius creativity in your creation of Joy--she's simply beautiful! And I SOOOO want to make that cute tree from charms!!! It looks so fun and would fit my decor wonderfully! Blessings!
Joy is wonderful. How fun to see her each day. I saw a friend today who I hadn't seen in months. That made me smile!
I have an old style phone too--but always have a small camera at the bottom of my purse! Joy is a beautiful lady--her rosettes rock, and the skirt is fab. Nothing that creative in my studio!
I recently smiled today while at the garden center. A tiny towheaded girl decided to perch on the feet of a giant polar bear display and her daddy whipped out his phone to take her pic. Adorable!
Your Joy is adorable! Seeing all the Christmas decorations make me smile.
Merry Christmas
Darlis
I had a big smile on my face when I got home today and the hubby had done the dishes! I would smile too if I came to work and got to see Joy! Love your work! Thanks for the chance to win.
Reading about your mannequin just now made me smile! Prior to that watching my cat sleep or play always makes me smile. Have a wonderful holiday season..I've enjoyed your latest holiday fabric line.
Joy is very festive and makes me smile too! We just finished putting up our Christmas decorations which keep me smiling all through the season! Thanks for the giveaway!
The thing that has made me smile lately, and keep on smiling, is when my 6 year old grandson, got down on one knee last week in a restaurant while waiting for the Santa parade to start, and asked me to marry him! He had just gotten a huge monster ring out of some game he was playing, and he had that in his hand for me!! What a hoot he is. This is the same little boy that asked me last year to come to his school so I could be his show and tell. I have a huge smile on my face as I type this! I am so lucky!!!
JOY looks great-well done!
I have been spending my time with my 3 granddaughters the past 2 weeks and their excitement over the Christmas decorations have made me smile.
What a festive idea with the white xmas tree. My 3 year granddaughter makes me smile, she is always dancing.
My fluffy little white dog in her new red Christmas sweater makes me smile. She loves being warm!
I must admit that Joy made me smile, as did that cute little tree. But my real answer is my pets ... all 7 of them make me smile and laugh out loud 100 times a day!
My daughter's new puppy Mac makes me smile, laugh actually. Joy is beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Joy is very festive!! You were so creative in using the tree for the skirt.
Lots of things have made me smile lately. The best has been someone telling me "thank you" for helping through something at work. It wasn't a big deal to me, but it was to them and knowing they appreciated it made me smile.
Thanks!
Sandy A
My 14 month old twins discovering the bright lights of Christmas has brought many a smile to my face as of late. :)
Experiencing Christmas through the eyes of a child again has brought smiles to my face lately. Our grandson is 18 months old and just old enough to want to get into everything. What fun!
I had joy and a little smile when I turned on the Christmas tree this morning before breakfast! Love the tiny tree! Another smile...
Wow Sandy, Joy is awesome. I would love an outfit like that.
Your photos made me smile as do many of the photos in blogland.
Thanks
The thought of making Christmas candy with my 77 year old dad makes me smile!
My grandchildren make me smile everyday. Have a very Merry Christmas.
Skyping my grand daughter this evening and she was wearing a Santa hat, to be 7 again!
I smiled this morning, when, in our school chapel, I heard Christmas carols being sung by all the children from our kindergarten! Priceless!
Being able to travel to be with my grown children and their families makes me smile this time of the year. Knowing I finished everything on my "to-do list" makes me smile. Finding the perfect gift for my husband, really makes me smile. Seeing unique and ingenious Christmas decor like "JOY" makes me smile and a mild Christmas Eve night with giant snowflakes drifting lazily to the ground makes my smile so wide, it almost breaks out into a giggle. Merry Christmas!
Your post gave me Joy, but seeing pictures of my grandson with a big smile on his face gives me Joy, too. I love the tree. It is just way too cute!
Joy definitely made me smile. So creative. The tree is adorable, I saw one at a quilt store recently but they did not know where they got the pattern. Thanks for the chance to win.
Shawn from Michigan
Can I get than in a size 10? Joy made me smile Thanks!
Seeing this new post made me smile! I love everything you design (Joy is stunning!) and I love your attitude about life.
This post made me smile! Your mannequin is STUNNING!
Being on schedule so far for things to get done before Christmas, that is what makes me smile!
I love Joy, she is so pretty!
(and I love your fabris too!)
your lady in red is wonderful! great way to recycle!!what has made me smile lately? Seeing my friend's pictures of their kids sitting on Santa's lap with open mouths and tears! reminds me when my son was that age and every picture from ages one to five had the same scared guano less look on their faces. (mauh) Liz
"Joy" is great! So creative and festive. Thanks for sharing. She definitely made me smile, as did just listening to one of my favorite acapella versions of the 12 days of Christmas!
I smiled when I saw my granddaughter's beautiful school pictures! How time flies!
Watching the Grandbabies checking out the presents under my tree!!
Susie M
Your "Joy" certainly made me smile. And I have been smiling looking at the decorations on my tree because they bring me such JOY! :D Glad you got to have some "you" time!
The last thing that made me smile was Joy - she's so C.U.T.E.!!! Things Christmas make me smile. My grandchildren always make me smile! Chocolate makes me smile. Should I go on?
Oh goodness! Joy is so cute! Love how she turned out.
It's a season full of smiles here. With eight youngsters in the house, smiles are never in short supply. Their excitement and surprise is so infectious.
The Christmas corsages made me smile. I used to wear them when I was younger and I think my Grandmother did too. Plus we had something that looked like that on the stockings she made for us. Thanks for the fun giveaway!
Joy made me smile! She is beautiful - I love the roses! Closer to home, my cat made me smile. I bought a new toy for him and he has such a great time with it. It is unbridled Joy! :)
You have made me smile today. That is so darn cute I can hardly stand it. Awsome!
I was at the grocery store this morning and saw all the colored pointsettias. It brought such joy I had to purchase one for my desk at work.
Love your decorating ideas.
Well, this definitely made me smile! I went thru Boston early this morning and got to see the lights on the Common. I remember going there as a kid - that truly made me smile.
I am smiling right now because I just returned from a shopping trip with a friend to buy clothes, food, toys and a Christmas tree for a young family who would not have had a Christmas this year -- what a joy to be able to do this! And, of course, your blog posts ALWAYS make me smile!
I love what you made, Joy looks great and very festive. I especially liked the Holiday corsage, when I saw it and read your description I could envision my Grandmother all decked out with her corsage and lipstick and perfume laughing and giving us hugs and kisses at Christmas...thanks for the memory.
Wow Joy. What a babe! Love her outfit. My kids make me smile. We recently met for dinner and I was amazed how much they're growing up to become "functional adults" !! yay!
We found a house to buy...5 days ago. I haven't stopped smiling!
What made me smile was my 30 year old son coming to pick up his box of ornaments that I collected for him as he was growing up. He needed them to decorate his tree at his new house. As he opened the box, he picked one up and said "Mom, do you remember when you gave this one to me?" Never thought he would remember the story behind each one but he did. It truly brought happiness to my heart and a smile to my face. Merry Christmas, Sandy.
Debbie Goad
My daughter makes me smile. She is 22 months old and every day on the way home from day care, she gets so excited when she sees Christmas lights. It's so cute to hear her giggle each time she sees them!
your "Joy" definitely has pizaaaz.
She's even ready for a New Years Eve celebration.
The grandkids always make me smile.
a brisk walk after work as the sun was setting...then coming in to the house (all lit up with it's Charlie Brown lights) and warming my hands at the fireplace - that made me smile :) Joy is gorgeous! Thanks for a chance to win
llsbaskets(at)comcast(dot)net
Thank you for sharing your creativity and imagination with us. You inspire.
What made me smile? Well, being the recipient of a random act of kindness. I went to my mailbox to find it festooned in fresh greenery and a big red bow...I have no idea who did it. Wouldn't it be fun to make bunches of those little trees and secretly give those to others?
Your Joy made me smile - so cute and creative! What has made me smile lately? Babies. There is one special baby in our life, the toddler of friends, who always makes me smile with her little kisses.
Definitely smiling at the creativity that your little miss is showing off. Very clever. I am smiling because Today I have all my candles glowing in the windows of my 100 year old 3 story house on a hill. I'm slow to glow but got it done today!
I have the flu. My husband has the flu and now he has bronchitis ,too. He's coughed all night long for 3 nights so not much has made me smile in the last few days. But today our cat ( who seems to be confused that we're not sleeping at normal times) came strolling in with her toy mouse in her mouth. I had never seen her carry it from one room to another before and I thought she looked really cute. I smiled. Later I told hubby about it and he smiled, too.
My family makes me smile, and so does your fabric. I love it! Thanks! raybanfandango at hotmail dot com
Love PR! Do miss Tim on the Allstars' versions.
I smiled when switching the alarm off this morning! Weekend!
You're so creative! An awesome idea!
My 23-year-old son recently moved out on his own. I smile each time he calls me with inquiries. So far, he's asked how to scramble eggs in a microwave, if it was safe to eat bread after picking off moldy bits, and the strangest regarded a bit of slime oozing from his bath faucet. I had a feeling that the sacrificial rod in his water heater was to blame for the slime. I Googled the matter to ensure I was correct before passing on that bit of information. :-)
Wow! That mannequin is just adorable and beautiful at the same time! Well aside from winning your charm pack, which would make me smile, I received a big order from The Fat Quarter Shop that had me all smiles this week! Happy Holidays!
Knowing my daughter is coming home for Christmas makes me smile! She lives in Southern California and I live in Georgia. Merry Christmas! Barbara S. in Georgia
I just love your Joy!!! She would make me smile too. A couple years ago I went into a bead store in Rochester, MN and saw several glitzy women, each made from straw brooms. The straw part was the head with eyes, nose and mouth. They were adorned with clothes and boas. I loved them and talked about them so much my hubby made me one and she stands in my sewing room.
Seeing pictures of my grandsons always make me smile!
Your blog post is the first thing that's made me smile today. Your Joy is beautiful! My dog Zeke always makes me smile with his antics.
I made pastry today and it actually worked! Who knows where I'll go from here.
Decorating for Christmas makes me smile and feel happy. You did good; Joy makes one smile and feel good all over!
The Christmas programs of our grandchildren always make me smile. So did your cute little fabric Christmas tree!
I absolutely love your Tiny Tree. Just the right size fr my kitchen island and appears that it would work up quiick. Maybe even enough time to do a couple of "gift" trees.
Joy makes a jolly hostess! Love her! And I also love your little tree made out of a charm pack. so you should Merry up my Christmas preparations and pick me to win!! Thanks for the chance!
Joy is beautiful. Very creative of you and much better than a wreath on the door. When I saw that Christmas tree stack, at first I though it was cookies. lol Guess you know where my mind is these days.
What an adorable little tree. Seeing my furbaby curled up by the fire last night made me smile, but he always makes me smile.
Love your manquin...what a creative idea! The treee is cute too.
I was at the home of my niece and her family last night for a little family music making and to celebrate her youngest son's 8th birthday. Everyone brought their instruments, and watching (and listening) to her two sons and their 13 year-old cousin playing guitars and violin with the adults made me smile. It was a wonderful way to celebrate family and the holidays.
My 3 grandchildren at Build a Bear....they were so happy!
My grandson makes me smile. He screams "Aga" (his version of Grandma) and runs to me whenever he sees me. That always makes me smile and brings a little more joy to my heart every time I see him.
That is absolutely FABULOUS, as quilters we rarely stumble our way through garment sewing, but wow did you ever jump right over there! (yes I read about the pins and realize that most human models might not care about your choice fo rthe skirt, but I absolutely love this. THIS is what made me smile today! :)
I found a "vintage" 1980's Mr. and Mrs Santa... they are ceramic and so cute and cheep at local Goodwill store.
Decorating my home for Christmas brings a smile and a warm cozy feeling.
Joy is so festive! I love that that she came together with no sewing (I mean, I LOVE to sew, but sometimes you need a very quick project). Watching my children open the gifts I have made them makes me smile. Merry Christmas!
~Debbie
kunzemc at aol dot com
(I don't have a "tag")
That is sooooo cute! Talk about creative!
I smile at the old Christmas pictures of me and my siblings....we were so dorky...but the black and white photos are so dear to my heart. As for Joy she is adorable! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Hi, Thank you for the chance at your give a way. My grand-daughter made me smile when she wrapped some of her toys in tissues, put them under the tree, then told her mom the gifts were for the "Kids"...She is 2 1/2,
Betty dot Wildeman at gmail dot com
Having all my shoppping done and wrapped at least a week before Christmas makes me smile and enjoy the rest of the season without pressure.
I smile when I think back to all those Christmases past-with family and friends that I miss so much! I smile when I look back through old pictures of Christmas past, too! We looked so silly with our fashions, but at that time we were SO stylish! Merry Christmas!! Make some memories!!
The lastest thing to make me smile this Christmas season was my Quilt Guild members singing the Twelve Days of Christmas with a quilting theme. Really fun and full of good cheer. Ms Joy is truly terrific!
Joy made me smile, she is gorgeous. I wish she lived at my houe.
I dont decorate for Xmas but I help my motherinlaw fix up her apartment with all her "historic" family decorations. It really makes her happy.
It is the first year in over 20 that we will all be together for Christmas.
ana
I smiled when I looked at old family photos thinking of all the wonderful people who once graces our lives with their presence.
Your fantastic decorating made me smile. And especially Joy. Also my memories of Christmas Past still make me smile. I just love Christmas.
2-yr.old granddaughter doesn't like Santa. Her other grandmother took her to the mall to see if maybe she would go. Santa gave her a candy cane but baby velcroed herself to g'mother and refused to go. She did, however, hand back the candy cane. Taking baby away, Santa once again gave her the candy. After walking a safe distance down the mall, littel one was heard to say "Bye-Bye Santa. Candy cane." Wish I could have been there.
You and Joy both made me smile today! Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Wow - Joy is beautiful! My son who just flew in for the holidays from NY 23 and working his first "real" job - he walked in the door today and said - Man I am home! I am so excited to be home Mom! Joy to my heart! thank you!
I really had to smile at your beautiful Joy. Loved it and love Christmas.
LOTS of things make me smile, but I had to smile & chuckle to see I'm not the only one with a dinosaur phone!! At the time, red was not available (my favorite color also) so I got pink! That IS a light red, right? Love the manequin - now I must find more appropriate clothes than just a the vintage nightgown mine is wearing!
While I did smile at Joy, I can't stop smiling because I am first time grandma to a beautiful little girl that came early. What a great Christmas present!
Love your Christmas ideas! Thank you for sharing.
Joy is wonderful, so creative! My favorite smile for this week was when Santa came to visit our classroom of mentally challenged children. One little girl quietly went up to him to play with the tassel on his hat. When he was getting ready to leave she said "Santa Clause" with her rough little voice. She doesn't normally speak!
Joy is gorgeous! I would smile too at that greeting me in my quilt room.:)
Love the mannequin! My sister & I used to buy one of these Christmas corsages for our Mom every year-have not been able to find them for years & years, so grateful to you for the link, I have bookmarked this for next year so I can get one & send it to my Mom right after Thanksgiving!
When my granddaughters run to me calling my name - - that is JOY! Nothing is more fun than being with them.
I was hospitalized for an emergency condition 3 days ago - shocker for everybody especially me -- and I got to come home today! WOOHOO! I have been grinning like the Cheshire Cat all the day long. I feel *much* better. Thank you to everyone at Lincoln General Hospital for your outstanding care; bless you all and Merry Christmas.
I saw your mannequin on Pat Sloan's blog. Had to come over to check it all out. Your Christmas tree is gorgeous.
As to what mad me smile - well, my house is almost done. carpets, metal roof, tape and texturing, garage and sidewalks. Sounds like a lot to do, but I have been waiting for 7 years to move out of the house we rent and into our house. Even slogging in the mud, sloppy, ugly sticky, adobe mud, didn't stop me from smiling today.
I know the contest is long since over but I just wanted to tell you how lovely Joy looks. Hope you had a Merry Christmas
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