Pewter, Black and Burnt Orange Wedding

"Can you make it just like the actual dress?"  This was a fun project because it allowed me to showcase some of my couture sewing skills.  Like many of the Bratenella brides, she sent a picture of the girls and also a picture of the dress she would be wearing.  The front of the dress was pintucked and painstakingly pleated.  Due to the intricate details on the front, we decided to personalize the sash.  (see pic above)  The other doll was for the flower girl's little sister who isn't in the wedding, but the bride wanted her to feel included.  (such a sweet thought)  So, we used some of the wedding colors and made it look a little bit different.

I love the way they turned out! 

Grey and Yellow Wedding

Flower girl dolls have been all the rage this summer wedding season. Grey & Pewter tones seem to be the trend. This group of flower girl dolls was created to resemble the dress to the left with grey satin under and yellow tulle over top.
As with all Bratenella dolls, their whimsical faces are created from my original paintings.  Eye color, skin tone, hair color and style are just a few of the options available.
*There are additional charges for personalization, some special designs and fabrics.
Check out other Bratenella dolls at www.bratenella.com

Rabon Creek Farm Fair

Bratenella will be at The Farm Fresh Antique and Artisan Fair in Greenville, SC in September  22nd.

https://www.facebook.com/events/190092067780074/

Pretty in Pink Party

A few weeks ago, I received a request to do gift tags and an art print for a "Pretty in Pink" birthday party.  I was excited because I have a painting with the Audrey Hepburn quote "I believe in pink".  So, I created tags for gift bags and sent a signed print for the decorations.  She was kind enough to share her pictures of this gorgeous party with all of us!   What a lucky girl to have a party like this.  The decor is amazing! Such an inspiration!  Now, I want a "Pretty in Pink" Party, too!

Gift Tags and much more are all available in my etsy shop www.bratenella.etsy.com  .  If you've got a great idea and want me to make something special for you, just drop me a line and we can come up with something great!

Holding her Bratenella doll

Barbie holding her custom Bratenella doll.  What a cutie!

Don't forget to "LIKE" us on Facebook at our new direct address:

www.facebook.com/BratenellaBoutique

Custom Flower Girl Dolls-Black & Rhinestone Color Scheme

Another fun group of Flower Girl Dolls by Bratenella.  This bride sent me a picture of the dress, requested hair and eye color.  I added personalization.  I created custom headbands for the flower girls, too.  Can't wait to share pictures from this wedding!

gift basket for grandma

This was such a fun order.  I was asked to make dolls for each daughter and grand-daughter.  Each one looked like the person and reflected their style, personality or interests.  Here it is ready for delivery....all wrapped up in a pretty gift basket.

Bratenella made the paper!

Bratenella's new space at Ivy House made the paper this week!  In case you didn't know, we will be in a great antique and gift shop in Columbia, SC.  I spent a lot of time with my partner, The Bloomin' Idiot, creating our space complete with pink walls and great stuff!  You can find all of your favorite Bratenella cards, dolls, signed artwork and other goodies like repurposed itmes with an artistic flair.

An Indian Inspired Wedding

I love custom orders.  They allow me to be creative and it allows my clients to receive a one of a kind gift to give or keep as an heirloom.  I get to know some of my customers really well when we collaborate.  Brides are usually very specific and very involved in the process.  This flower girl doll was for an Indian inspired wedding.  The bride shared pictures of the actual flower girl dress, some of their plans for the ceremony such as Mendhi or henna.  They are planning to do this as part of the celebration.  So, she wanted me to draw Mendhi on the doll's hands.  I was a little scared to do this, but I love a challenge.  I've never had a request for anything like this.  It turned out to be really fun.  She wanted the dress to be as close to the actual dress as possible.  So, I ordered a handmade doiley in gold and cream.  I spent a lot of time taking it apart to piece together the doll's dress.  It was so worth it!  It came out just the way I hoped.  This dress was very detailed and personalized embroidery wouldn't look right on the front.  So, this time I embroidered the tail of the bow on the back.  I am really looking forward to seeing the pictures from this wedding and hopefully will be able to share them. 

I enjoyed working with this bride and hope she loves it!

Customer Feedback:  "Paige was wonderful to work with, she went above and beyond to make a doll to match my flower girl dress. My wedding is an indian theme and she even put Henna on the doll's hands!! I can not wait to see my little sister's reaction to the mini me flower girl doll! Now if I can just hold out untill the wedding before I give it to her!"

The store is open!

The store is now OPEN!  Bratenella and her partner in crime, The Bloomin Idiot, have opened their shop at Ivy House Antiques and Gifts in Columbia, SC.  We've been working really hard.  You'll find everything southern girl could need or want....a vintage Lilly Pulitzer shirt, anything pink, handmade cards & gifts, Bratenella art dolls, Bloomin Idiot jewelry and coozies.

Bratenella art prints, handmade dress forms to display jewelry, cards

Goin' on a fabric hunt

A little excursion to Charleston, SC for an Elton John concert was a great excuse to check out the local fabric shops since I'm new to the South.  The concert was amazing, as Elton always is. 

The next day I searched a quilt shop and found one just down the street from the old market. 
People, Places & Quilts has two locations.  One in Charleston and one in Summerville (which was on the way home...YAY!).  The Charleston location was a cute little shop, but more on the small side.  They carried a lot of the Kaffe Fassett collection.  I saw a lot of historical reproductions, too.  I was told about the Summerville Shop (which is their sister store) and decided to check out it.  Wow, I'm sure glad I did!

The People, Places & Quilts is located in an old hardware store and has cute painted rocking chairs outside on the front "porch"...okay, sidewalk.  Right when I walked in the door, I was really excited.(I haven't been in a quality quilt shop since I moved to South Carolina.)    Creeky, old wooden floors with many rooms and long hallways. This looked like a much larger shop and had tons of fabrics to look at.  I could touch and feel everything.  Fabric is my crack.  I love it.

The one thing I really liked about this shop was the fat quarter selection.  They had almost everything ready to go, which is great when you just want to pick up some new fabrics to play with or collect.  There were sofas and a nice reading area (or a place for the men to wait) with tons of patterns and books.   My little stash (below) was a collection of different periwinkle and green fabrics.   They had several cutting tables and people to help.  I loved the pretty baskets they gave you to carry your fabrics up to the antique cash register.  A sweet touch :)

Glad I stopped....really nice shop.

http://www.ppquilts.com/

Summerville was a really cute old town.  When you get off the freeway, there's the normal stuff like chain stores and restaurants.  Drive down about a mile or two and you'll end up in the old downtown.  I stopped in a large antique shop.  I found a few things, that I still regret not getting, but drove the car (instead of the truck) that weekend.  Can't wait to go back.  I'll let you know when I find my next place :)

Pinterest Terms are Alarming!

Hmmm....this is interesting.  I just saw this when I was out "pinning".  Now, this has me a little concerned.  I'm especially concerned about the part where it says they own your property (which a lot of time, I post my artwork or things I made).  And that I pay their legal fees? Really? 
I don't know what to think.  Maybe if something's too good to be true, it probably is.  And pinterest IS really good...like cupcake good!  Everyone should read this....the only way to change this is for everyone to say we don't agree.

http://www.knoed.com/thewindowseat/pinterest-change-your-terms-or-were-leaving/

How could I not be inspired by this big baby?  This is Manny.  He's a huge cat.  He stretches to just over 4 feet!  Really!  But, he thinks he's a baby.  He always wants to be carried around like a baby and falls asleep in our arms.  He also jumps up in my arms if I snap my fingers.  Maybe I'll make a video of it and post it.  (I know you probably came here to see sewing tips, dolls or a tip on refinishing furniture...but, I can't help it.  He's so cute!)  On this day, he was howling and howling to be held.  So, Alex had him on her hip while she was on the computer.  He was happy as can be.  And oh ya, he's so cross eyed....I don't even think he can see straight.

I am "unveiling" a really special doll and cards.  The story of Sadako really touched me because I am a cancer survivor and love how the story gives people hope.    It's an opportunity to learn about history, but it's also a story of hope. We all need to have hope, no matter the situation.

I created these dolls with intricate pieced paper cranes.  There's also a card with origami birds and instructions to make your own. 
The handmade Bratenella Paper Crane doll was inspired by the story of Sadako.
Legend says that anyone who folds one thousand paper cranes will have their wish come true. The origami paper crane has become a symbol of peace because of this legend and because of a young Japanese girl named Sadako.

* The dolls I have created have an intricately designed origami crane pieced together and quilted. Each doll represents Sadako and her wish for world peace and hope. Each doll comes with the story of Sadako, origami paper crane instructions, a piece of real Japanese washi paper and an origami charm necklace. This makes a wonderful gift. Special order one and it can be personalized.

* As with all of my dolls, I have created the fabric for her face from my original paintings. So, she's not only a cute little cloth/rag doll. She's a one of kind art piece that's washable! (gentle washing is just fine.)

* Each doll measures approx. 14 inches tall. Dress is made from 100% black cotton and gold "frosted" dots. The paper crane is pieced with various patterned authentic Japanese fabrics. Her hair is a buttery soft black fleece. She has the signature Bratenella bow on her head, too.

Sadako was exposed to the radiation of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima as an infant, and it took it's inevitable toll on her health. By the time she was twelve years old, in 1955, she was dying of leukemia. Hearing this legend, she decided to fold one thousand paper cranes so that she could live. When she realized that she wasn't going to survive the disease, she wished for world peace instead and to put an end to world suffering.


 The dolls I have created have an intricately designed origami crane pieced together and quilted. Each doll represents Sadako and her wish for world peace and hope. Each doll comes with the story of Sadako, origami paper crane instructions, a piece of real Japanese washi paper and an origami charm necklace. This makes a wonderful gift. Special order one and it can be personalized.     

Purchase a doll in my etsy shop   http://www.etsy.com/listing/93322922/bratenella-1000-paper-cranes-sadako

Bratenella's Bunny FuFu

Bunny FuFu available for sale in the Bratenella etsy shop.

Bratenella's little Bunny FuFu is a take on the little Kitty FuFu for the spring season and easter holiday.  They come in a giant easter egg wrapped in a pretty bow!  This isn't just for kids....

For the Bride

Cards created from my original artwork.  I can put a name on them, they could be used for a shower invitation, too.

Hand Glittered Thank You card for the Bride
For sale at the Bratenella etsy store.
I created some other versions of this painting for cards.  I like to personalize everything so I made brides with different hair and eye colors.  And, I just had to create one with a pink background.  Because it wouldn't be Bratenella, if there wasn't a little pink in it.  :) 

They will be available soon, just waiting for the printer delivery. If you are interested in having custom cards made just for your wedding or a gift to the bride, just contact me and I can create something amazing for you!

St.Patrick's Day

Sometimes, well actually, most of the time I see something that inspires me and I just have to make it right away. This time it was a pair of socks. The pink and green caught my eye, because they’re my favorite color combo. I came up with this one oa kind, special edition Bratty Patty with a new twist using this cute pair of pink and green shamrock socks for her sweater! She has cute little details like a gathered skirt from pink and green stripes, her legs are green leopard, she’s holding her glittery pot of gold and as always, has a bow in her hair.

Hope you like :)

update: 2/6/2012 Just received a message today from the sweet girl who ordered this doll…” Hi Paige - just wanted to say that I received the doll and can’t get over how cute she is! I’m giving her to my niece as a flower girl gift for our St. Patrick’s Day wedding. She is going up love her! Thanks again!!”

Posted 1 month ago

Flip flops....even in the cold

 I went on a “hunt” of sorts to find a pair of navy flip flops….and this is what I came up with….a few more pairs than I was intending.

But, nothing feels better than when the UPS man shows up with presents. And just to make my day brighter, I write in the gift message section upon ordering…something along the lines of “you’re beautiful and wonderful and you deserve a little something special” :)

Now if I could just find a pair of those pink and green “daiquiri pink mckim” lilly pulitzer sandals….life, for the moment, would be complete.

Update!  A lot of searching, for months...but,  I found them!!!!! YAY!  They're last season, but I don't care...I love, what I love.

Now, I want grey sandals.  Why can't they just make what I like?  Doesn't everyone need grey flip flops to match their grey sweats?

OMG! My new fabrics just arrived. I absolutely love designing these patterns and seeing them come to life! This is really exciting and I just had to share. I will be showing some new dolls and designs soon…I can’t wait to get my hands all over this and make something cute!
Maybe I’ll have a contest with fatquarters as a giveaway??? Hmmmm…..