Rochambeau

For A Princess Called Caroline

This Floralina Handbag was an order designed specially for a little Princess named Caroline, who will soon be turning the important age of seven.

Hope you enjoy~

xox

Constance

Beauty and the Book!

It seems many artists are blessed with the ability to promote themselves with confidence and ease, while others find it terrifying.  I fall into the second camp.  Ironically, I adore  promoting other artist's work and sharing fabulous "finds"!

After starting this blog, I wondered if self~ promotion would become easier and less intimidating, but no, it still feels awkward.   Thankfully, there is also a voice deep within that insists: "How can the world give you what you want, when you are afraid to ask for it"? " You must continue and take action and try"!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is a story about books, authors and two people who believed in my work, Kathy Patrick and the kindness of a total stranger, Cassandra King Conroy.  How these women  changed the course of my life and helped me believe in myself and the work I do now.

 

Meet Kathy Patrick, a friend who is continually seeing the potential in others and is a master of promoting herself and her friends!!  Combining her two passions, reading and styling hair, she is the proprietress of a famous, kitschy, one of a kind shop called Beauty and the Book (part Book Shop & part Beauty Salon), in Jefferson, Texas. 

 
Ten years ago, she also started a reading club, called The Pulpwood Queens, a tiara wearing group of woman, with a passion for reading books.  There are now many chapters, all over the U.S.   The Pulpwood Queens have been featured in the New York Times, Good Morning America,  Oprah, Texas Monthly and the list goes ON and ON!  Kathy learned to be a hair dresser long ago, then was a book rep. for many years too.  With her magnanimous personality, she befriended numerous people in the book world,  and many American authors.

 

From the get~go, Kathy believed in my work and wanted to sell my Floralina handbags in her shop.  Here's what happened next:

 Once a year, Kathy invites Pulpwood Queen members and authors, to come together for an extravaganza called Girlfriend Weekend.  Book lovers from all over the U.S.  make the trek to congregate in our little town of Jefferson, Texas for a weekend of fun, book reviews and parties. 

Ten years ago, the author Cassandra King Conroy was a featured guest author and speaker for Girlfriend Weekend and without me knowing it, purchased a Floralina purse.  After returning home, she sent it on to a friend, Barbara Haggerty, who just happened to be writing a book about Handbags! I had no idea, I lived in California at the time............ until to my great delight, I received a phone call from Kathy saying Barbara was going to call me!

She did!  Barbara published her book,  Handbags A Peek inside a Woman's most Trusted Accessory and featured five of my Floralina's Handbags !  We even got to meet one another, at a following Girlfriend Weekend!

 

Next, Barbara curated a Handbag Collection for a National Museum tour.  This little Floralina maiden above went on the journey and just made it home from a four year stint on the road.

Last Saturday, I was fortunate to hear Pat Conroy speak at Girlfriend Weekend! 'Words' are his passion and the love of words, is the thing that brought us all together.  It should come as no surprise that Pat delivers captivating stories, with witty and funny twists.  He is a master orator, weaving together the musings and tales of his life. 

Thankfully, I was able to hand him a letter to give to his wife, Cassandra.  One to thank her for the way she changed my life ten years ago!

Looking back, it's amazing to think about how one persons kindness can make such a big difference in another persons life!  Also, how reading books has influenced my life in so many ways!

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Honoring:

A man who believed in people, believing in themselves!  I can learn from this man!

xox

Constance

 

Gold and Silver Friendships

~Golden Friends~

The Humane Society has a special rescue program for horses called HSUS.  Tonight I will have the great pleasure of joining my friends Molly and Charles at their home for a party, celebrating Keith Dane, the Director of Equine Protection and to raise awareness of this important program. 

  

~A Silver Friendship~

More than two years ago, I had I was lucky to become blogging buddies with Elsa, of Verve, Inspiration and Stories.  I do believe we met through Stephanie of Rodrigvitz Style.   Elsa lives in Germany, but is in Texas visiting family, so TODAY's the big day we meet.  She's such a beautiful soul! I can't wait.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New's from the Land of Poupée's

Violet~

A special order Floralina was sent yesterday to live on the East Coast.  Marsha wanted a Purple and Green gown and strawberry blond hair for her maiden.

Lastly:

You must meet Mdm. Mouche,  a puppet I'm working on!

All for now!

Have a great weekend, friends!

xox

Constance

Frida Kahlo Exhibition

A Quote:

"I am not sick. I am broken.
But I am happy as long as I can paint."

Frida Kahlo
1905~1954

The Frida Kahlo exhibition is now showing
at the
Philadelphia Museum of Art.

I'm a big fan of Frida's!

 

So much emotion in her work!  She speaks in
her own deep, artistic language.

*****************

Because of this exibit:

I was commissioned to create a Frida Kahlo handbag for a woman to carry to the opening reception at the PMA.

I kind of had to talk the woman into the "unibrow", but it just wouldn't have been Frida without the "unibrow"!! 

My client greatly appreciated her
handbag, "unibrow" and all! 

******************

Weeks ago, Karen invited a few blogging friends; Susanna, Leslie and Paula  and me to go to the exhibition with her.  Happily, I'm off with Susanna for an adventure in Philadelphia (a city I adore) for a few fun, artistic days! Tomorrow we will go to the museum.

Cookies were made......

to share with friends
old and new.

*****************

Be back this weekend.
Ill miss you!

~In Search of a Snowflake~

   

Snow Queen rides sidesaddle upon her winter~white alpaca, winding around the powdered sugar mountain.  Gracefully making her way up towards the Mysterious Ice Cave, where occasionally she goes
"in secret".

********
 
Black is the dead of night and she is part of a dream, all dressed up in her best pale blue finery.  It has started to snow (to her hearts double delight)..... BIG delicate, artistic flakes.!

Yearning to find that one perfect snowflake, she looks up and realizes tonight could be her lucky night! Searching for so long,  it's hard to believe her good fortune!! Here comes that lucky snowflake now,  right in front of her very eye!  Quickly sticking out her tongue, she catches and swallows it whole. And such a delicious snowflake it is, tasting kind of like cinnamon and oranges!

  Mysteries shall  be revealed to Snow Queen,  secrets that could change her life forever!

***************

Already this morning she is beginning to gain wisdom.  I know!!  "It's time to celebrate" Snow Queen declares!!  "Time to dance with the Polar Bears and friends of Blog at the Polar Festival!  Won't you join?

***********

Come celebrate, eat Klondikes bars, or be
a spectator!  Visit The Polar Fest at
Be Dream Play!

 

The Magic of Flowers!

She learned a thing or two,

about the gentle and wise ways of
"The Flowers".

Her name was Bridgette and "The Flowers" were her friends.  On certain days, they would spend hours teaching her and dressing her pretty, just like a ravishing,
colorful bouquet.

Fascinated by her velvety wings, and silken bustier, "The Flowers" wanted to know more and she never let them down, in that she was a compelling little lady. Bridgette would amuse them for hours, with fanciful Floralina anecdotes and tales. She loved "The Flowers" and valued their friendship immensely !

Over time, she began to absorb their special knowledge too. The fragrance of "The Roses" and "The Peonies" filled her mind with a crown of pretty, yet realistic thoughts and secrets about life and the ways of the world.

**********************************************************

One day when Bridgette awoke, she finally understood her calling.  It was time to spread her wings and fly to Germany!  She felt her heart tugged by a special little girl named Sophia.

It was time to pack her bag (just one).

Not forgetting her Magic Mirror (the one that
only lets you recognize your
most beautiful self)!

And headed out on her journey, knowing that she will have the privilege of sharing all the wonders and secret powers of "The Flowers" with her new little friend Sophia !

The End
&
A New Beginning!

 

Sugar Plum Fairy

This beautiful and talented ballerina is
~Ainsley Fontaine~

Her grandmother, Kay, ordered a special
surprise tenth birthday gift!

~A Sugar Plum Fairy~
Ballerina Floralina handbag.

Happy Birthday Ainsley!!
May this be your sweetest year yet!

Fashion Show for the Fairies!

Electric excitement can be felt in the
air as "Winged Celebrities" have arrived,
clutching their much coveted tickets!
A line, sporting spry and curious
smiles can be spotted from a mile away!

✵

Maybe you've heard?  Six new
Floralina Maidens are
preparing their debut appearance
today in Bloglandia!

 

And because of YOUR Celebrity status,
there is a ticket waiting here for YOU!!

✵

Please settle back and get ready
for the Autumn~Winter preview of:

Floralina Fashion Week!
Featuring some of the seasons
most exciting ensembles.

The lights are dimming now,
So, if you will please take your seats,
the Fashion Show is about to begin!!!

✵

Making her way down the runway first, is Suki!

She wears a gown of pink butterflied
Asian satin, and carries a sac of
French lavender.

Her headdress is a medley of pink and peach flower buds.

Delphine

Next enters Delphine,
who's attired entirely in subtle shades of
blue and green.  This divine gown is
composed of mohair and Milliners flowers.

She wears a "Pixie" style hat, and carries a soft blue bouquet.

Christiana

Christiana has just appeared wearing a sweet statement in pink,
"lighting up" her winter look!

Check out her fur hemline!

Gigi

Attired completely in silk dupioni
and silk velvet, Gigi glows and slowly makes
her way down the runway.

Even her parasol is Asian silk!

Her hat and Opera gloves are composed of wool felt.

Ella

Is a vision in turquoise and white.  Her ruffled shirt is
is edged in grosgrain, as she floats over marabou feathers.

Her headdress is composed of blue blossoms
crowned with an accent of marabou feathers.

Since Ella likes summer the best, she just
can't help securing a few seashells to her wings,
as a reminder, you know.

✵

Just as the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade,
ends with Santa Claus,  there is a little
surprise in store for this Autumnal event!

The Grand Fanile!

The Floralina Fashion Extravaganza
will now conclude with Marie Noël
making her way down a snow covered
runway!!

Dressed for winter this little lady likes to celebrate
the season to the fullest!

 

Sporting a poinsettia flower and a fur gown,
Marie Noël is ready for any and
every event in her Santa's Hat
with fur trim!

Hope you enjoyed the show!
AND, thank you for coming!

✵

*Marie Noël and Gigi are handbags,*
*Suki, Delphine, Christiana and Ella
are Tree Topper Maidens*

~Tree Angel~

~Angelique~


She was born in the Black Forest,
one dark and snowy night.

The very last pink and white rosebuds of
the season, dropped down to kiss
her cheeks and bring her life.

She breathed in the fresh winter's
air, then went about working to compose
her white silk gown.

Pure like the winters snow!

 

Next, she started to decorate her aura
with the same sweet buds that had given
her a chance at life.

~

She found herself ecstatic, whilst creating
a fluffy crown of feathers to place
upon her head, then stitching together

a pink silk rose, to symbolize, that hers
was an enchanted life!

For more information about ~Angelique~

Contact ~ Sharon  at American Harvest.

For more information about
The Halloween Fete:

ghoulsjustwannahavefun.blogspot.com

Erla's Birdalina

What?   You are probably asking.........in the World.......... is a Birdalina?
Truth be told,  I didn't know what a Birdalina was until three days ago when Erla of Bestla asked me if I could make her a Floralina, with a birds head, so Miss Birdalina was born for Erla!

Using feathers from a Brazialan Carnival headdress and other finds from my Thrift Shop expeditions, Lela Birdalina was born and will go to nest in Iceland with Erla.  I made sure she is would be wearing the proper attire for such a journey.  She is preparing to take flight in approximately one hour .

Please think good thoughts for Erla.   She is moving from Vienna to Iceland as you read this post today! I know a message on her blog would make her day!!

Lela Birdalina will be finding her new home and making a new friend.  My best to you Erla!