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

It's Been Busy!

Seems as though since I wrote that last post, life has gone at warp speed! 

Sunday Scott and I went with Lauren and Mario house/apartment looking.  Today they heard that they will be renting the house that they hoped for.  They will be renting half this house...it has a great deal of history behind it and I will share it when I get my hands on it!

I am happy for them...I am sad for me.  I love having my girl in the house, but I do understand there comes a time when they need to fly!  She is a lucky kid to know that she is always welcome here, and we are lucky to know that she wanted to stay close by us:)

Scott had his MRI today.  We have no results yet, ofcourse... But we will and then we will continue to move forward for him and his health.  Nate loaded the MRI disc onto the computer and showed us the pictures...his comments:  ..."This is his brain, I think" "and this is his head and his back" Hmmmm he could be a dr with all that knowledge:) Just sayin' Nate!

Me?  I have so many creative ideas in my head it is about ready to bust!  Unfortuneatly my energy is low due to some fibromyalgia flares happening right now.  It is frustrating, but I do know it will get a bit better in a few days.  I have dealt with daily pain since 1998, it's been worse...it's been better...so I am appreciative of it that it is not as severe as it was years ago (though anyone with fibromyalgia knows, it never goes completely away:() 

I am off to get some rest!  Have a great Thursday tomorrow!

Thought I would share one of my new items that I will be carrying in my etsy shop www.alldressedupcouture.etsy.com

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

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

Another Graduation Idea

As I said, I know tons of people with kids graduating this year, so I wanted to share another blog post from last year when our Lauren graduated.

To me, this was by far, the funnest thing that we did!  AND it was unique enough that she was the only one with a car like this!  The following is a copy of the blog post:

June 10, 2010

Don't Hassle the Tassle

Monday morning my pal Lisa and I were sitting in McDonald's and I said "I really want to decorate Lauren's car for graduation...but i don't want to use just plain ole purple and gold paint",  Soooo Lisa and I started talking about it, and within a half hour we came up with a great idea.  As the day went on the idea began to expand,,,and after two days of working we decorated it today while Lauren was in marching practice!  She didn't know we were going to do it, so it was a BIG surprise. I waited out front of the school, cause i figured at break she would text me and say "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"...but instead I get a text that says "Oh God" and then she is driving by me in the car!

Here it is: (we made everything from scratch and used alot of stuff we had right here at the house)

 

We had so much fun!

Thanks Lisa!

Dancingly, Denise

Hope it gives you some ideas?  If you have any questions let me know...by the way the eyelashes were cable ties...LOTS of cable ties hooked to a rope:)  Thanks for looking.  And like I said last week...if nothing else, enjoy the moments of graduation.  AND cry when you need to...trust me!

Disney Crazy!

Last year at this time...I had this really great idea.  It never happened...UNTIL last weekend!

I have a HUGE blank wall in my kitchen, and I thought "Why not do a collage of my favorite disney pictures from the last 4 trips.  So, I bought the frames, started looking at pictures and then...I didn't do it.  I wanted it doen for Lauren's graduation party...I thought it would look really cool...but, well you know, sometimes i just don't get things done!

Last weekend I did it!  I LOVE it...and now am wondering if I should continue it onto the rest of the wall:

 
 
 
So easy to do once I got started.  I used those command sticky things for the backs to hold the frames on the wall...and Nate helped me eye it for straightness, etc.  The toughest part?  Picking out ONLY 14 pictures.  I have soooooooo many!  Now the question is wether i should extand it to the next wall.

Have a great rest of your Saturday!

Dancingly, Denise

Graduation Party Ideas

The following blog post is from June of last year (2010).  I know so many people with kids graduating this year I thought I would share our party ideas.  take what you like for ideas...and I would love to know how it goes! I will share some other ideas in the next few days. Most importantly...enjoy your Graduate...Life changes!  Dancingly, Denise

June 2010:

We had a great graduation party yesterday for Lauren.  I had mentioned that it was going to be PINK and BROWN themed, instead of her school colors Purple and Gold.  Friday after Graduation we had cake and ice cream back here and I did the typical school colors, but she really wanted to "move on" with her party.  Several people have emailed me and asked me what I used for graduation decorations in that color scheme (no schools really have Pink and Brown as their colors;)  I did my own decorations so i thought I would show you what i did...plus show you some pictures ofthe party...

I made yard signs for her with my Cricut paper cutting machine:

Scott wasn't available to put the signs together as he was up at the hospital with his family (Brother Bruce was in an accident Saturday night)...so Nate and Cody put them up...the third sign is way up by the house and is blocked in the picture.
  
Scott worked hard on the deck area and we had the pool relined!  I am so happy to have our pool back and it was put to good use yesterday as we had a beautiful day. 

okay, now one of my really bright ideas was to buy PINK beachballs...my theory was they would "fill" the pool and make a cool decorating statement.  Only problem was...I didn't look at what size they were...they were waaaaay to small!  Oh well...the kids liked them, and Lauren let each of the little ones there take one home!

We went with Pink and Brown balloons and a regular "real" graduation balloon on the mail box!

I made tissue paper pompons for both the ceiling and the chandelier:

The table I used a pink table cloth on and then covered it in pictures of Lauren and then put a clear plastic table cover over it...it was great to look at all those pictures, and so many people said there were lots of pictures they hadn't seen! (If they only knew how many thousands I have;)

I had seen, on the internet, where people did a "Candy bar" for special occasions.  They took candy in the colors of their themes and set them out on a table.  In theory it is a wonderful idea...however it is a pricey undertaking AND since people spent most of the time outside things just didn't get eaten:(  BUT it was beautiful!  All pink and brown!

 The white milk glass was on loan from Old Things in Orland...isn't it gorgeous?  The candy was all from SILKWEEDS in Searsport!

We had pink and brown drink!  And a PINK tub to pput soda in! (the wonderful ladies at Old Things loaned the tub too!)

The food was great...the people were the BEST!  We had so many friends and family stop by all day long.  Kids, friends, relatives, teachers...

 

 

I am sure you are not surprised to hear that i have a TON more pictures!  There were so many people there I just kept snapping away!  BUT that is all I will share for tonight.  We had a wonderful time...and the smile on my daughters face ALL DAY LONG was PRICELESS!!!!  It's been a long busy week...and I rested some today...I hope I get my mojo back soon.  But I will go for now...catch you later!