In Came the Lady with the Alligator Purse
Mama called the Doctor;
The Doctor called the Nurse.
The Nurse called ...
Did you jump rope to that rhyme when you were little? I loved to jump rope and jump Double Dutch and even Chinese Jump Rope. Back in the day when Phys Ed included square dancing and reels, jump rope teams were also a thing and it had choreographed movements, like synchronized swimming. And believe it or not, I was on the elementary school jump rope team; we performed inbetween quarters at the Old Dominion College basketball games at the Norfolk Arena, seriously. Anyone else out there remember?
But, back to the gators. I have never had an alligator accessory. However, as I was about to leave for my freshman year at school (college), my aunt took me shopping for a few things. School wardrobes included dresses and heels. Sunday dinner in the dining hall mandated dresses, as did Presidents Receptions and every collegiate ceremony.
So I went off with dark green sling back heels that matched the thin green belt on my deep green dress festooned with swirling autumn leaves. Those were no tiny print leaves but monstrous sized leaves that did seem to swirl as I walked. The ensemble came from Thalhimers. I loved that dress; I cannot remember any other dress from my four years away. So, no alligator, but resplendent green.
Today, I tooled my own alligator purse:
and shoes.
In the past few years I have pulled down several purses and hats from the top closet shelf, resigned for the church bazaars and thrift sales. I used to enjoy having a variety of purses, not just for a season but for particular outfits and events. Shoes, hats, and even gloves were great fun to collect; vintage hankies, too.
Today, switching out pocketbooks can be a disaster. Ooops! My checkbook must be in my other pocketbook. Ha! As if anyone uses checkbooks anymore. I used to have small purses for church and social events, just large enough to carry keys and a hanky and a check or a credit card. Then came cell phones, too big for my petite purses. Oh! The complications and frustrations of dressing to go out.
So, now when I think I want a new little purse, tote, clutch or wallet, I play with paper and scissors and and whip up fashionable little accessories with Stampin' Up!'s Dressed To Impress Stamps and Dies.
Which lovely, playful or bold Designer Series Paper 'fabric' from the new Annual Catalog would you choose to create your Summertime bag? Look over all of the Designer Series Paper choices (pp. 130 -134).
Don't forget the Specialty Papers in the back of the catalog (p.135); choose from vellum and foil. Maybe the Pearlescent Paper, covered in opal rounds for an evening out. Or the Artistry Blooms Sequins covering an evening bag for festive beach celebration?
I created my faux alligator bag and shoes with the new Designer Series Paper Assortments in InColors 2020- 2022, choosing Evening Evergreen.
I think we need a fashion show!
Head to my catalog just to the right and Shop Now! The stamp set is titled Dressed to Impress, item number 158321 and the coordinating dies are All Dressed Up, item number 151665. Then just finger through all of the trims and embellishments (pp. 139 - 143) and let out that inner fashion designer.
Most of all, have fun!
If you scrapbook or keep illustrated journals, these flat dies woud be terrific embellishments for documenting shopping trips (Harrods?!), cruise wardrobe, beach bags, weddings; let your imagination go!
Let's stamp!
