A Special Christmas Story

I have a very special Christmas story to tell you....My friend Celeste of Celestina Marie Designs is an amazing artist, as well as a consumate hostess as you can see by her fabulous tea party here.

She recently sent me this beautiful hand-painted card....And Celeste has even created special ornaments for the White House Christmas tree in Washington, D.C. (I told you, she is an amazing artist!)

But, back to my story....One day, I read about a special challenge in a magazine where they asked people to buy a complete outfit and create "altered couture"....So, I went and bought a little girl's dress (the rules were that it had to be from a secondhand store.) But, the dress I found had never been worn and had the original tag on it-How lucky was I?

Well, I worked making the altered dress, but when it was finished, I just couldn't part with it! How could I possibly send it off to strangers and maybe not get it back? Instead, I wrapped it carefully, tucked it away, and decided that one day, I would meet a blogger who could display it in her studio....I did not know who that person would be, but I just KNEW that she would emerge some day.

Well, months went by and I met Celeste and saw her gorgeous pink and black studio on her blog....AND I decided that I would have to be super-patient and wait 'til Christmas to send it to her....

Isn't her studio beautiful?

Here is the black velvet and pink satin dress I altered....and it was just shipped in a box to Celeste....But, don't worry because even if she sees this post, trust me, that on Christmas morning when she can hold it in her hands, it will have more meaning....and she'll know that this surprise was planned for a long time....Why? Not only because Celeste's studio is pink and black, but because she is such a good friend and wonderful person....

I think that Christmas is all about surprises....See the tea time design on it? The teapot is from the Graphics Fairy and was printed on fabric...and I purchased the flower in Indiana because I knew I needed it for the dress because it has French writing on it!

If you would like to visit Celeste, it will be a treat, believe me...Just click HERE.

Merry Christmas from New Orleans, Celeste! And Merry Christmas, Everyone!!!

Added Surprise News:

I made this post last night, but I just received some amazing news and wanted to share it with you--My book, Mixed Media Art: Living Your Passion just became a bestseller on Amazon!!! Thank you to everyone who bought one--I hope that you are having FUN "getting your craft on." There are all kinds of projects to make--including last-minute ones for Christmas gifts! (It's an ebook, but no need to own a Kindle to read it...If you look up on the tab at the top of this blog that says "Read an Ebook on your computer, you can download the free app from Amazon.) The book is just $2.99.

XO

Cindy

Linking this to Time Travel Thursday

Pink Saturday

The Graphics Fairy