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Saturday, December 8, 2012

Charles Dickens & Sheet Music Christmas



I've been wanting to create a "Top Hat",
ever since falling in love with Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.
What better time than Christmas.
I have decorated mine in a Charles Dicken's Steam-Punk style,
but plan to change that to a mad hatter this Spring.




I have always loved sheet music,
and today you are seeing so many wonderful crafts
using it  . . . that I am excited about finding 
more and more ways to create with it. 



This was a lot of fun to make :)
I'm going to put it in my Christmas booth,
but if I don't sell it,
I'll be hanging it in my living-room.

 


I made some of these lapel clips,
to add to my booth.
 


This is the back :)



This is my Sugar Plum Fairy.
I had tutorial photos, but deleted them by mistake.
Her body is a Styrofoam store dress display
 that I bought at a yard sale a few years ago for $3.
Her ballerina dress was a prom dress from the Goodwill.
I shortened it and then used the tulle 
under-lining on top of the shirt, to give it a ballerina look.
Next I purchased this big old ugly lamp for $6 at a second-hand
 store and used it as the base of my stand.  
Viola, A Sugar Plum Fairy :) 



Here are some photos on how I made my top hat.
I wanted it bigger at the top than at the crown.
 So, I stapled my poster board on an angle.


Next I evened out the top and bottom.



Then I made my brim out of a cardboard box. 
 
 
Taped everything together and added foil
 for a rounded edge on my brim.


 Next I went over the whole hat with a mixture of glue and toilet paper.
 


After painting it flat black.
I just added my scrapbook trim.
I wish that I would have had real gears and old watches,
but this will have to do.

I hope you enjoyed your visit.
I've been very busy with my booth
and haven't replied to a lot of your comments, 
but I am reading and enjoying them all.

My next post will be the details of my Give-Away,
so, be sure a come back and enter :)

God Bless you all,
Connie
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60 comments:

  1. You have been so busy Connie. I love your top hat, wonderful. Season's Greetings to you. Hugs xx

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    1. It is so good to see you and thank you for the sweet comment. I have been wanting to make a top hat for a long time, but it took me a little while to come up with this idea and the time to do it:)
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  2. All your creations are so nice and unique. Great job on the top hat...I never would have guessed toilet paper!
    Farmhouse hugs,
    Cindy

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    1. Hi Cindy, the toilet paper is so thin that it just gives it a better texture and it smooths away the sharp cardboard edges. Thank you for your positive feedback . . . you're a sweetie pie :)
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  3. Wow, some fantastic projects, Commie. I particularly like your sheet music pieces and the sugar plum fairy. Thanks for showing us how you made the Top Hat - wonderful!

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    1. Hi Jackie, I am so happy that you like my stuff. I had a full day alone, so I played all day in my craft room :) The store where I set up my booth expects more items coming in as ones are sold and I didn't have anything else. So it was a great kick in the pants, to get busy, LOL.
      Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping in.
      Connie :)

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  4. Great projects, Connie! I especially LOVE that top hat! I've been wanting one for some time as a Frosty hat. I was so surprised to scroll down and see you made this one! I thought maybe you bought one at the craft store and dressed it up. Making my own will be perfect. You did a great job on it! Pinning this! : )

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    1. Hi Kathy, I am so happy that you like my hat. I'm planning on having it out all year and just changing the hat band. I think it will be great for a tea party center piece. What do you think?
      Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by.
      Your blogging sister,
      Connie :)

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  5. You are very talented Connie, Your projects look great.

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    1. Hello Beth, Thank you so much . . . I feel so blessed to be part of this blogging community and be able to share ideas with so many marvelously creative women :)
      Have a wonderful day.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  6. I am impressed. That top hat is very cute and I love that you can use it for more than one season. And by the way...hands off Mr. Depp....he is all mine.

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    1. Hi Lori, I am delighted that you like my top hat. It was fun to make :) I think that the two of you make a very cute couple . . . have a sweet day and keep smiling :)
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  7. Your top hat is fantastic and of course I love the sheet music decorations!!

    ~Trisha

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    1. Hi Trisha, I am delighted that you like my Top Hat. We do have a common love of sheet music . . . it has a beauty all it's own and my new favorite crafting material.
      Have a lovely week.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  8. Your top hat is fantastic Connie. Twice a year here in the UK there is a Gothic weekend in the seaside town of Whitby. Everyone dresses up in gothic/Victorian/steampunk finery. I went for the first time with my daughter in October and bought a top hat! We are planning to return in April and I have great plans for decorating my top hat, so I just loved the inspiration this post has given me. Thanks. Linda xxx

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    1. Hi Linda. Your weekend in Whitby sounds like so much fun. I'll be looking forward to seeing you modeling the outfit you come up with for your weekend, next year. I am delighted that you like my homemade cardboard version of a top hat.
      Have a wonderful week, and come over and visit next week and enter my give-away.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  9. Hey Connie! You have out done yourself girl!! Are you an ART TEACHER? You should be!! I'm in love with the Ballerina Fairy!! And the TOP Hat is over-the-top!! I too love sheet music and one can do so much with it! I believe these are my favorite things you've created(with the exception of that guord) That steampunk look is really HOT right now and your items fit right it! I left you a comment yesterday about your show....I think it's great! Have FUN! from one sweetie to another.....Roxie

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    1. Hi Roxie, I've been so busy . . . I think that my last post is the only one that I haven't taken the time to answer ever comment. I know that everyone is busy this time of year, but it looks like you have been really enjoying the season. I loved your post on the Mill and that covered bridge was wonderful . . . all lite up for Christmas. It looked like the perfect spot to stop for a second and steal a Christmas kiss. Someone should climb up in the middle of the bridge and hand some mistletoe.
      I'm delighted that you like my top hat and sugar plum fairy. I had fun creating them. I did work one year as a fifth and sixth grade art teacher, and for ten years I spend my summers teaching arts and crafts to children from 7 to 11 years old in a local Christian day care. Those were both a long time ago, but I have wonderful memories of working with these kids.
      Have a wonderful week
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  10. Miss Connie you have blown me away!!! I love the sheet music wreaths! And the top hat, is toooo fabulous!!!!

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    1. Hi Kelly and thank you so much. I am delighted that you like them :)

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  11. Connie- You are ONE clever girl. I just love your top hat. You did an amazing job! xo Diana

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    1. Hi Diana, thank you, I am very pleased that you like my projects. It is always wonderful to get positive feed back from lovely sisters, like yourself.
      Be sure and come back and enter my give-away :)
      Connie

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  12. That Top Hat looked so Realistic that I didn't realize you'd Created THE WHOLE THING until the bottom of the Post! Well done!!! I too have a 'Thing' for 'Embellished' Top Hats... and Johnny Depp! *Winks* I have a Collection of Top Hats *Some Modern Versions & some Antique Beaver* that Artist Friends have Embellished Beautifully and I Love to Decorate with them AND wear them. Thanks for coming by for a Christmas Blog Visit... Dawn... The Bohemian

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    1. Hello Dawn, Oh, please post your top hat collection, I would love to see it.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  13. So, so beautiful and sweet!! So creative you are!!! Sending Christmas joy! xo Heather

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    1. Hi Heather, thank you for the sweet comment and wishing you a very Merry & Joyful Christmas :)
      Your blogging friend, Connie :)

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  14. I LOVE that top hat. I absolutely adore steampunk, I just wish I had the nerve to wear some of the clothes (and the youth!). Have a good week xxxx

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    1. Hi Fran, I think that the steam-punk clothes and accessories are wonderful, too. If I were younger I would love to create a steam-punk outfit. The thing is we will never be younger than today, so if you have the good fortune to visit Whitby, or any other stream-punk festival, maybe you can come up with an age appropriate outfit . . .that you feel comfortable in . . . there are Victorian styles out there for all ages. Once you get your outfit made, you could throw your own Steam-punk barge festive :)
      Have a happy, happy day.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  15. Hi Connie!

    I haven't been able to visit you for a while - too much to do to hang out in "blog-land". I love your hat! Makes me think of the rabbit in the story of Alice in Wonderland :). So pretty! Have a really nice day and week.
    Maria

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    1. Hello Mari, I am so happy to hear from you and delighted that you like my hat :)

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  16. Your top hat is fabulous, thank you for the tutorial on how you made it. I never would have guessed. Love your sheet music creations too, especially the wreath. I can't read a note, but I love creating with sheet music.

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    1. Hi Betsy, sheet music is my new favorite material :) I love that you like my hat and the tutorial. Are you going to give it a go? If so I hope you will post your results.
      Have a great day.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  17. Love, love, love your crafts.
    That top hat turned out darling!!

    Best of luck with the booth, and enjoy this wonderful season.

    {{hugs}}
    K.

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    1. Hi Kerin, what a lovely comment . . . and I do hope that you are enjoying your holiday season, too.

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  18. Oh my goodness! you have enough here for about 5 posts, I love the top hat , the tutorial was great! and sugar plum fairy and all of your sheet music creations are fabulous!! You have been one busy girl!!

    Carol

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    1. Hi Carol, and thank you, thank you, thank you. . . . I have been busy . . .whee! I am delighted that you like the top hat tutorial. Sometimes a girl just gets on a roll . . . but there is always a slow down afterward, LOL.
      Thanks for stopping by, I always enjoy your company.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  19. Oh I just LOVE your top hat- how cute is that!!

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  20. Oh CONNIE! I am going to have to copy cat that hat!

    Your decor is clever, craft and enchanting!

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    1. Hi Laura, I am delighted that you are going to make my hat. I love mine . . . and I'm sure you will love yours, too:)
      I'm adding your name to the pot of names for the Give-Away.
      Have a wonderful Christmas season.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  21. These projects are so fun, and I love the top hat!

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    1. Hi Holly, I am delighted that you like my top hat. It was an idea that I mulled around in my head for a couple months before I decided to try and make it.
      Good Luck, your name is in the pot :)
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  22. You have great ideas and they turn out wonderfully!

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  23. Such a wonderful tutorial, Connie, and great altered art featured throughout your blog! Congratulations on your one year - may your blessings just keep on coming. hugs, Donna

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    1. My what a lovely comment . . . you are a sweetheart:)
      Thanks for stopping by and visiting.
      Your blogging sister Connie :)

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  24. Ohhh my goodness! This is amazing :)

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  25. Oooh Connie - I love the top hat! I would never have believed that you could make one of your own. You make it look so easy. I love your Sugar Plum Fairy!

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    1. Hi Suzy . . . thank you so much . . . you are a sweetie pie.
      Merry Christmas
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  26. Absolutely love your steampunk top hat, and as a huge lover of music manuscript, your other projects also really captivated me!! Thanks so much for your lovely comment over at Words and Pictures, and for joining up - great to have you on board!
    Alison x

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    1. Hello Alison, thanks for the sweet visit. I am delighted that you like my blog.
      Hopefully someday I can convince you to follow me back :)
      Merry Christmas
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  27. It is great to see how you created this fabulous hat!

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    1. Hello . . . thank you, I am so happy that you like it !
      Merry Christmas
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  28. Gorgeous projects Connie! I especially love that hat!!

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    1. Thank you Sarah . . . I'm very happy that you like it :)
      Merry Christmas
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  29. Came back to tell you that I gave you a shout out, Connie. I did the top hat and I love it {even though it's not as pretty as yours}!

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    1. Hi Kathy, I just came from your blog. Your top hats are wonderful! I wish that while I was making mine, I would have made another . . . you know, while you're all messy, LOL. Since mine started out as just an idea, I was really sure how it would turn out. Some ideas turn out great, and then some . . . we just do not want to talk about, LOL.
      Thanks so much for mentioning my blog in your post :)
      Merry Christmas
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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