Monday, January 28, 2013

Sweet Treats can't be beat!



 Valentine's Day (Saint Valentine's Day) will be celebrated on February 14 just like it is every year. It is the traditional day when people express their love or like for each other by sending cards,  flowers, or confectionery treats.  This year it will fall on a Thursday, and some may think it could logically be celebrated on Friday which is date night.  However, it's not really recommended to wait on this one - everyone will expect a report of what went on on the actual date!

Who is St. Valentine, you may ask. There were many Christians named Valentine. According to the Catholic Encyclopaedia, at least three Saint Valentines are mentioned who are associated with 14 February. One is described as a priest at Rome, another as a Bishop of Interamna (now Terni in Italy) and the other lived and died in Africa.  However, most experts believe the actual one remembered on St. Valentine's Day to be a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity
.  
Valentine's Day has various superstitions and traditions.  Some regard Valentine's Day as the day Spring begins.  In fact, in parts of Sussex, Englad February 14 is called 'the Birds' Wedding Day'.  Other traditions and supersitions you might like to know about or even embrace follow.

The first man an unmarried woman saw on February 14 would be her future husband.

    If the names of all a girl's suitors were written on paper and wrapped in clay to weigh  them down, and the clay put into water, the piece that rose to the surface first would contain the name of her husband-to-be.

    If a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a rich person.

    In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their Valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week.

    In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"

Young lovers start new traditions all the time, but love really has no timetable, and there are many kinds of love.  Love for a friend, love for a husband, love for a child, and the list goes on and on.  Don't let age define you - start your own Valentine traditions this year.  Then you'll have a reason for a sweet treat every year!  Yum!!

Speaking of sweet treats, that's just what the CDS Shop Owners have made for us this year.  You'll want to sit back and enjoy all these fine confections for sure!  Don't forget, for larger pictures you can click on those shown here, or you can click on the shop name and go to the website to see each design in all its glory. 


Karen Daniel
Xxtra Fashionable

Satin Kiss for 22" American Model is the entry for Xxtra Fashionable.  Karen has chosen as her inspiration a Hershey Kiss, and then proceeded to deconstruct it.  She has chosen to use a heavily embroidered red satin fabric for the skirt which is reminiscent of the shape of a "Kiss". The bodice is sewn from a matching plain satin fabric with an embroidered crumb catcher ruffle to finish off the bodice. She has self faced the scalloped edging to add interest to the bodice, emulating the unwrapping of "the Kiss". This dress closes in the back with a zipper and is fully lined in white. The fascinator hat has a red satin bow, and is backed with a red bow of netting, and centered in the bow is a red satin flower.  Topping off the fascinator is a selection of white sculpted feathers just like the white label that tops off a "Kiss."  The embroidered clutch is self faced and closes with a snap covered by a small red satin flower. The full length brown lace, fingerless gloves represent the chocolate glory that is inside this sweet treat. This OOAK couture outfit for your 22" American Model by Tonner is for sale in her shop right now.



This is Poppy's ooak "Chocolate Cherry" Valentine party dress. Francesca has designed the faux suede skirt to ressemble the rounded smooth dark chocolate shell and the cream silk bodice is a reminder of the smooth sugary filling. Pink and cerise taffeta and cream silk streamers hint at the syrupy sweetness that inevitably trails each nibble. The silver fabric is a nod to a foil wrapper while the tiny applied brilliants are a wee hint of decadence. The wide cummerbund and streamer detailing are sewn to the dress. Francesca has also included a full lacy crinoline and a silver handbag, lined with cerise taffeta. "Chocolate Cherry" can be found at Francesca Doll Couture.


John Prewitt
JC Dream Designs


With this splendid set titled “Tickled Pink” John has created an OOAK 1:6 scale dinette suitable for the perfect brunch spot for your Fashion Royalty or Barbie dolls. Or can't you just imagine this in a retro photo op when your girls decide to dress up in their poodle skirts? Yes, this is a versatile piece that would even have a place in a shabby chic diorama! Each heart shaped chair is inspired by the chocolate candy boxes that admirers present to their paramours, with satin padded seats and sequin and bead encrusted backs. The mirror-topped table wrapped with pink satin ribbon beautifully compliments a variety of themes while the nine heart canvas wall art provides additional color and ambience. This set is available now in John’s shop. Please stop by for more pictures and pricing.

Pauline Lyngard

Pauline’s entry is “Sweet Treat – Vanilla Ice Cream.” She is cool and elegant in her new leather and lace ensemble! To keep the chill away, she wraps herself in soft creamy fur. She is the perfect dish for your 1:6 doll’s sweet tooth! Features include: -Cream, real leather skirt lined in cotton. -Cream halter blouse is layered in ruffles of lace. -Cream mink fur boa Thanks for looking in the “Boutiquewindow”!

Marcia Friend

Looking for the purr-fect shoes for Valentine's Day? These adorable Kitten shoes for Ellowyne or flat footed 16" fashion dolls come in 4 colors - Black/White, White/Black, Tan Suede/Yellow and Pink Suede/Black. Also new at Facets for the 16" girls are "Kiss" pumps - just right for your ladies to get in the mood. These are available in Black/Red Lips, Black/Pink Lips, White/Red Lips or White/Pink Lips.  Shop shoes for 16" Fashion Dolls using link above, and shop here for the flat footed ones.  Have a great Valentine's Day at Facets!

Judy O'Connell

Aponi Designs presents “Strawberry Delite”.  This fashion, inspired by the “sweet treat” Strawberry  Shortcake, is made to fit Silkstone Barbie® , Poppy Parker®  and small busted Fashion Royalty® dolls. Included is a halter dress with bodice of polka red cotton and white Dupioni silk skirt with a red Dupioni silk belt. It is fully lined with button over snap back closure. Accessories include a white sinamay hat edged in red sinamay with feather, floral, and bow embellishments, strawberry shaped handbag, short red gloves and white faux pearl bracelet and earrings.

Ina Murphey

Any 16” fashion doll will look delicious wearing Ina’s interpretation of "Red Licorice and Rock Candy.  Sparkling folds of bright red fabric wrap around this elegant evening gown and continue across the left shoulder like delicious twists of red licorice.  It is accented at the hip and back of the skirt with mirror lined crystal cubes and seed beads that glisten like rock candy. Ina’s innovative use of stretch fabrics, reinforced with sheer elastic, provide a perfect fit for the numerous body shapes of the many different brands of popular 16 inch fashion dolls.  You will not have to worry about red stains on the skin surface of your most expensive doll because this gown is fully lined with white Glissenette. 

Anna Castanes

As Anna sat down next to her sewing machine thinking about what she should make that felt like Valentines Day. she dug in her fabrics and came up with the soft, red, fuzzy fabric used for "Anna's Bed Set."
She decided to make a duvet cover along with a large gray pillow. Then she looked further and found some silk fabric in gold and red for more pillows.  After finishing the pillows she added a butterfly because it made her feel happy. She hopes that your dolls like this set as much as hers do!. You can find this and more in  her shop.  Happy Valentines Day!

Gayle Chavez 

Oohlalaz has created a "Sweet Treasure" for your 16-18 inch fashion doll collection. This is a One of a Kind  gown designed with crushed black taffeta, black taffeta, red lace and an underlining of a soft pastel blush cotton.  The bodice has a ribbon lace up closure, is lined, and has a "picot style beading" in red glass beads that adorn the edges, and dark red beads serve as button on the front. There is also a red lace overlay.  The skirt is made of of the crushed Black taffeta,  has a ribbon lace up closure and is lined.  It is accented with a single line top stitch in red thread.  This OOAK fashion is available in her shop now along with other fashions.

There you have it, but I've heard rumors there are other new items in these shops and perhaps others sprinkled throughout CDS.  Time to get dressed and check out exactly what the mall has to offer this week!  Happy shopping everyone!