A Day In My Life

Art room

We have discovered here at the Perkins-Fields house that my art room is simply not working out.  With my All Dressed Up business growing, I am afraid the "creative mess" has grown also...right into the dining room, livingroom and our bedroom.  YUP...I am admitting to it!  The great big mess clean up I did last spring is falling apart!

The big debate is wether we should TRY to clean out the existing art space and fit everything...including me, into it.  THIS is what it looked like on a really good day last year:

Now, once again I can not walk through it!

So back to the debate...do we leave it in the existing space, or do we take this existing space and use it as Scott's and my bedroom and make the master bedroom the Art room?

The master bedroom is larger, BUT our clothes and bureaus would have to stay in it as there isn't room in the art area.

I would be more accountable to clean up as we have to walk through the master bedroom to get to the bathroom.

The existing art room is MUCH warmer...our bedroom is the coldest room in the house and frankly it is uncomfortable in the winter.

Regardless of what we do I have to get rid of a great deal of STUFF.  I am much more focused on the All Dressed Up business, and so I need to part with the primitive craft making stuff I have.  I am still a scrapbooker, but my focus is getting pictures into scrapbooks now...rather than creating all kinds of home decor, rubberstamping and such.  I can part with alot of scrapping/rubberstamping stuff because of this!

The debate goes on, I am afraid the bedroom is not a bigger space since we would have to keep the clothing and such in there.  I am on the fence about the move.  Scott is "Let's Do It!". Nate thinks it's a dumb idea. And Lauren?  I am not sure she has weighed in as her focus is on getting ready to move out of the nest I have created for her for 20 years, and into her own nest!

What should I do?

Dancingly, Denise

Dress Up Clothes

This week I have been featuring a diferent item from my business on my other blog...click on this www.dancinglydenise.typepad.com/mepursenalities  and take a peek at all of the children's dress up clothes.  I will be changing the post each day so keep looking!

Also you can go to my FaceBook page and "like" it for more updates:  All Dressed Up (1)

 

Be back tomorrow!

Dancingly, Denise

 

Great things happening!

This has been a crazy busy weekend, between meeting with a new photographer, filling orders and ofcourse finishing up musical drama camp with a show!  PHEW

What has been exciting is finding this artist of photography!  The story goes: I was in Mardens having fabric cut and the woman cutting it said 'what are you making" I told her Super Hero capes and we started chatting.  The woman beside me had a question and then told us she was the creator of a baby prop for photographers.  The conversation continued...we exchanged business cards and a little over a week later I was meeting with her to share some of my items for her to use in her studio.  It's a win win...I now have some beautiful photos to showcase my creations.  Here are a few of the photos, after you look at them scroll down for the website of Amanda's and feel free to conatct me with any info you might need.

 

 
 
 
 

I am so looking forward to sharing more items with her and being able to have such great photos.  if you know of a photographer who needs photo props, please have them check out my facebook page at All Dressed Up

Or tell them to come to this blog!

Also please "like" my facebook page, that we you receive all the updates info each week. (I try to post once a day...and try not to post more than that since we all have so much to read and look at as it is) All Dressed Up

Now for my photographer friend...her name is Amanda and she lives in Pittsfield.  Her facebook is:

Amanda Rachael Photography

and her website is:

Pictures by Amanda Rachael Photography

I am sure you will be seeing more of her!

Thanks!

ARTfully, Denise

Be Your Own Super Hero!

I have added Super Hero capes to my All Dressed Up shop!  I am having so much making them.

Here is the scoop...

you pick two colors...(prints are extra)

Tell me the size you need (newborn to size 8 child)

Tell me the initial you want on the cape

And if you have a preference of logo: Star, Lightening Bolt, Crown, circle. heart

and then Voila:

 
 

 

And don't forget the mask:

 

 
And most importantly...equality...I do make them in girl colors, with the same logos as the boys...or a heart or crown...

 

If you are interested in ordering please contact me at magicalmemories2@aol.com

Capes are 25.00  mask are 6.00 buy BOTH and the cost is 28.00!

Dancingly, Denise

Summer is here...

Well, sort of...here in Maine it has been dark and either slightly chilly or very humid for the last few days:)  BUT summer is still here.

I would like to say I have some intense goal for summer, but truly...I simply want to enjoy it and maybe discover some new things about Maine?  We shall see...everyone in my house hold is always busy, so I may be on my own:)

Nate headed out sailing on Tuesday and will be on the Bowdoin from Tuesday until Friday.  They are coming from Portland to Castine. I drove him and two of his friends to Portland on Tuesday (3 hours) and I have to say the conversations were PRICELESS.  He texted me last night and said he was doing great!

 

 
 
 
 
What a great adventure for him! 

We had another adventure this week in car shopping:)  In the end we found a car for Lauren that appears to be good on gas mileage and looks cool to drive:)

 

Yesterday I spent the day cleaning out MY side of the closet (Scott won't let me touch his side).  I ended up with 5 bags to donate...FIVE bags!  I need to finish up this afternoon by going through my shoes.  I bought a shoe holder today that holds up to 18 pairs...i see getting rid of alot in my future!

And last night I finished this baby cocoon:

 

Have a good rest of your Thursday!

Dancingly, Denise

Scenes around the house:

OFF WITH HER HEAD!

 

and hers...and hers...and his...or better known as...the scene I found when I opened up the trunk of my daughter's jeep this weekend:

 

Okay in fairness to her...she was going to cosmetology school, and we have decided we want to keep the heads (for now) but haven't found a storage solution for them YET.... Anyway, I took the picture, as I had forgotten they were there and it took me a bit by surprise (to say the least) and then it made me laugh...all I could think of was the Red Queen and her "Off with her head" and also the saying "if things don't straighten out around here heads are gonna roll!"

Also, around the house...THREE years ago Scott and Nate set out to make me a garden to plant perrenials in...I never got that garden...sigh...  They have started completely from scratchthis year and it is almost ready for me to go in search of plants for it.  I am soooo excited, and it is really beginning to shape up.  This is from Saturday:

 
 
 Here is a picture from the front of the house a couple of weeks ago when they had just started...it is going to be rather large!

 

I have been making more tutu dresses this weekend.  I made an adorable cookie monster one...but it is hard to get the full effect ...just imagine the headpiece and the dress on your cute little fairy princess:

 
 

And then I made this one: (which sold today, but ofcourse I can always make another:)

 

I have tons of other stuff to show and tell...but that is it for tonight folks!  Enjoy your Monday evening...

Dancingly, Denise

Fairy Princess A La Carte!

Fairy Princess A La Carte!

 
(My model is my great niece Amare)
I have been busy working on a new line of items to sell.  I find myself going in so many different directions, but I have to say...I keep coming back to tutus and dress up clothes for kids.  I am back at it again!  Here are the items so far...each piece can be purchased seperately, in the colors and sizes of your choice.  Sometimes I might not have the color in stock that you need, so remember there may be some "wait time".

Where can you purchase these items?  Here...just email me at www.mePURSEnalities.com or on etsy at www.dancinglydenise.etsy.com I also have some items in a few stores, but coming directly to me, cuts out the middle man, and helps with the pricing:)

Tutus:

 
 
  as you can see, they come in all kinds of colors.  Choose up to 3 colors for $15.00.  This price is for child sizes, but I can make them for you adults too! (Hey, everyone wants to be a princess).  I can make any size, including newborn babies to use as photography props...imagine your newborn, sound asleep, laying on their belly with a little tutu on!

Or, my newest item...Tutu Dresses.  Now, you do have to wear something underneathe this, as it is made completely of tulle..yards and yards of tulle!  Again, I can do many different color schemes, and all sizes.  0-4T are $35.00  5T and up $40.00 (adult sizes?  contact me)

 

Then you can add some wings: ($10.50)  I don't have a great deal of these left in stock right now, but still plenty to add to your collection!

  

 And ofcourse, no Fairy princess is complete withpout a WAND!  These cute little puffs can again be made to match your tutu.  $10.00 (They do contain items that could cause choking hazards PLEASE be safe!)

 
 and then lets add a fairy crown to the ensemble $7.00

 

I am having sooooo much fun!  Contact me with any questions:)

Dancingly, Denise

The Waltons

From 1972-1981 I looked forward to the Waltons each week.  I always felt like John Boy and I were kindred spirits.  Oh, I didn't have a crush on him or anything...I just always felt like i COULD be a writer, and that I had a book in me just waiting to come out...just like John Boy.

Now, I find myself looking forward to weekdays from 3-6 as the episodes of The Waltons is replayed.  I don't get to see all three each day, but I have watched enough of them in the last two months to fall in love with it all over again.  I find myself wishing for a desk, by an open window to write:

 

I have found a problem though...the last few weeks John Boy has been in NYC, Mary Ellen has become VERY whiny, and Grandma has had a stroke.  I have found myself longing for the earlier episodes and missing John Boy.  I mean really...why did you have to go off to NYC anyway?

Sooooo, I ordered the first to seasons of the Waltons this week and I am IMpatiently awaiting their arrival.  When they get here, there may be nothing else being accomplished for a bit.

I find myself thinking about that book inside of me, again.  AND I am happy that my Lauren found her writing voice at an early age too.  Though she isn't writing right now, I hope she will find her way back home to it again.  I do have a book inside of me, and I have thought about it alot lately.  My biggest barriers?  Fear (hey John Boy was afraid too) and the fact that it needs illustrations, and though I do feel as though I am an artist, I am NOT an illustrator...I do not draw.  So, for now...I have a chair by an open window, and my notebook sitting there waiting for me and John Boy in my heart!

Dancingly, Denise

Memory Works

I know I have mentioned briefly that I am selling Memory Works scrapbooking products.  I am having home parties, catalog parties and just selling it and having fun.  They carry products from the leading companies in the business: Tim Holtz, Bo-Bunny, Simple Stories, My Minds Eye, Pink Paislee... and the list goes on and on and on...

You can see their products at www.memory-works.com If you would like to order please contact me at magicalmemories2@aol.com (they do not accept orders , it has to go through a consultant).

Wanna see some of the things I have created?

Remember a week or so ago I showed you some Simple stories products? If you missed the blog post it is here:A Day In My Life: Scrapbooking with Memory Works  I showed you the Elementary line and I just have to say it is MAGIC!  I used it and put an entire album together for Lauren from Preschool-Graduation in one weekend.  It was so SIMPLE and easy, and what a great gift it will make for her. (i just wish I had done it last year when she graduated:)

I hear so often from women: "My son/daughter is graduating in June and I really wanted to put together a school days album for them." VOILA...Now you can!    here are a few pictures from my album:

 
 
 
 You'll notice the 8th grade year doesn't have pictures yet, I am not so organized that I was able to find all my pictures...BUT I will and it will come together fast now!

I also used the DESTINATIONS and LIFE DOCUMENTED to start a Disney album for our 2007 pictures.  I whipped these pages up in LESS than a weekend!  and this is just a few of the pages...I have done a bunch more...this is truly so easy.  I was doubtful at first, but I love the divided pages.

Wanna see some pictures of the Disney album?

 
 
 
 
As you can see I also used Disney embellishments.  I have sooo many stickers and such I decided to just have fun and add them to it.  i really love the results!

Keeping with the Simple Stories...I found this on their blog and created it in my own way.  I used the Life Documented Flash Cards, Life Documented Cardstock Stickers, 7 Gypsy Printers Tray.  You can get all of these things through Memory works...I added pictures of the kids and volia:

 
Can't wait to find a place in the house to hang it!  A woman at the last home party I did, order the printers tray and Bo-Bunny's Timepiece line and is going to create one in honor of her husband who has passed away.

I also created these three pages, all inspired by pages in the catalog and all made with products from Teresa Collins:

 
 
 

And lastly, I created a mini book with a summer fun theme.  i used all products from the catalog.  I am selling the kit, including colored directions.  The kit includes the products you need, the full color instructions and help from me if you need it.  You just add adhesive, photos and your own fun! Here are a couple of pages from it:

 
 
 

Want a kit.  Just email me at magicalmemories2@aol.com

Dancingly, Denise

 

Scrapbooking with Memory Works

As some of you know, I am a MemoryWorks consultant. www.memory-works.com  Yup, that means I can order, for you, awesome scrapbook products from MANY different companies...I can come into your home and do a party...You can do a catalog party...and so much more!

This weekend I had a party at a ladies house...and it was awesome!  We had fun, we ate good food and we shared our passion for scrapbooking.

I was telling the ladies about MY Oprah "AHA" moment, involving scrapbooking!  First I have waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many pictures!  And I will never get them all scrapbooked in my lifetime, BUT I have found some help.  memoryWorks carries a product called Simple Stories.  When a friend, who was selling memory Works, talked everyone in my scrapbook group into buying a Simple Stories kit...I, quietly (in my head). poo pood it.  Why? beats me...I just thought maybe it was "real" scrapbooking, involving hours of agonizing over a page and lots of money.

Well, I decided to try it, when i became a consultant, and can I just say "aha!"...I get it.  I spent a few hours on a Saturday and Sunday and got more Disney pictures scrapbooked than I had in the last few YEARS!  and then last week, I took the school themed set and put together a school days album for my daughter lauren...from Preschool to Graduation.  I had wanted to do that last year when she was graduating...and there was no way i could...it was TOO overwhelming.  Simple Stories made it happen!  (i haven't got all her pictures in it yet, as I am not THAT organized:)

That is the kit it is called ELEMENTARY...and then you need the divided page protectors and a 12x12 binder style album.  I will show pictures of my album in the next few days! 

If you click on this link it shows you just how easy it is:

Simple Stories is scrapbooking...simplified! - Simple Stories

My Disney one I am using the DESTINATION kit and the LIFE DOCUMENTED and many of my own Disny embellishments.  I LOVE it...gotta show you pictures of that too!

The fourth Simple Stories kit they have is 100 DAYS OF SUMMER this is the newest of the kits, and really  sunny and fun looking.

Wouldn't you like to create a school days album NOW for your graduating, or graduated senior?  You can go to www.memory-works.com and check out the Simple Stories products.  If you would like to order PLEASE contact me and I will help you out with that.  Or better yet, want to have a party and get the products for free?  Let me know.  Because my life is crazy (like everyone else) I only do a limited amount of home parties each month...and catalog parties are always available. 

I will share pictures later in the week of my albums!

Dancingly Denise