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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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61 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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    2. I'm having a Dickens Christmas Carol tea and needed a themed centerpiece when I came upon your hat pattern. Cha ching! Making mine a 1/2 size smaller so tea party gals can see over it. Thank you for your ideas on using old sheet music. Copyright laws require our church to dispose of last year's hymnal so now I have a free resource to use with your wonderful ideas! Merry Christmas and may God bless us everyone!

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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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