Happy Birthday to the Queen

~ QUEEN VICTORIA ~

VICTORIA (r. 1837-1901) Victoria was born at Kensington Palace, London, on 24 May 1819. She was the only daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent, and fourth son of George III. Her father died shortly after her birth and she became heir to the throne because the three uncles who were ahead of her in succession - George IV, Frederick Duke of York, and William IV - had no legitimate children who survived.Warm-hearted and lively, Victoria had a gift for drawing and painting; educated by a governess at home, she was a natural diarist and kept a regular journal throughout her life. On William IV's death in 1837, she became Queen at the age of 18.
Queen Victoria is associated with Britain's great age of industrial expansion, economic progress and, especially, empire. At her death, it was said, Britain had a worldwide empire on which the sun never set. Read more on Queen Victoria, visit my other blog Paper Crown Queen's Blog. This is a blog about crowns, heraldry, regalia and queens in history.

*Here in Canada we celebrate her birthday this year on May 19th.

Have a happy Victoria Day weekend!

Birthday Crown No. 3 - Ice Cream Colours

If you love ice cream as much as I do, you probably see the colours of: strawberry, lemon, blueberries...on the background of this Birthday Crown. These are happy colours. Warmer days are here to stay and ice cream season already started.. I got so inspired by these thoughts!

Here in Canada we are getting ready for the long weekend, Victoria Day. I will be posting the winners names on Monday, May 19. Stay tuned!
Good luck!

Birthday Crown No. 2 - Fairy Crown

This is a 3 dimensional crown from my Fairy Crowns collection. I chose pinks, greens {they go very nice together}, gold, touches of silver glitter...It has wings and a paper doll fairy on the front decorated with lace, tulle, sequins and a flower. It's ideal for your Fairy Birthday Party. Dress Up Parties are becoming more and more popular these days, they are fun!
Are you a fairy princess? Tell me what you know about fairies and why you like them so much!
Good luck!

Birthday Crown Give Away - Crown 1

I know you girls are writing your best and funniest birthday stories...and of course you would love to see the crowns you might win. I will be posting them this week. Because all crowns are different sizes, I would like to know your ages. Please, add that to your letters and of course, let me know which ones you like the most. Let's start with Birthday Crown No.1. This is a sweet crown designed in light blue and silver, that would fit a 2 to 6 year old princess. Good luck!

*And for those that are taking my Crown Making Class this week at Just be Connected. Today you will be learning how to "glitter" your crowns. Don't miss it!
*Crown Kits are still available, email me.

Birthday Crown Give Away

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day. Mine used to make me a birthday crown/hat every year and all my party decorations. They were made out of paper, fabric scraps, trims, millinery flowers, vintage buttons...She was a constant gatherer of beautiful materials and kept them safe in her drawers. My bloggiversary has past while I was traveling this year.
My initial idea was to have a party with all my blog friends...

And brainstorming about it a few days ago, I thought that having a GIVEAWAY would be a fun event to thank you all for visiting me here, for leaving such nice comments. So I have decided to dedicate my event to all the “little princesses” in your life: daughters, nieces, daughters of your friends, neighbours, granddaughters...and also to Queen Victoria! Her birthday is coming up on May 24. Victoria was a very talented queen. As a girl she showed exceptional talent drawing, painting, in languages such as French and Italian and singing lessons.

*Here in Canada, an Act was passed by the Parliament of Canada after her death in 1901 establishing a legal holiday on May 24 in each year (or May 25 if May 24 fell on a Sunday) under the name Victoria Day.

This year Victoria Day is on May 19. Let’s get to the give away!

VICTORIA DAY BIRTHDAY CROWN GIVE AWAY

Starts on May 12 and runs until May 19.

Girls will enter the a contest for a chance to win a Birthday Crown from my collection

Requirements: girls must be 3 to 12 years of age.

~ I will pick three winners ~

THE CHALLENGE

GIRLS: This is what you would need to do: You would need to write a letter and then email it to me saying when is your birthday and why should you win a crown.

*And yes, your mom can help you write the letter :o) Of course!

WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT: I want to read interesting, funny, unique stories about your birthday parties. Why are they so special to you? Are they fun? Letters accompanied with drawings would have a better chance to win {get those scanners ready!}.

Impress me with your artistic talents! Get creative!

*Queen Victoria was very good at drawing and painting

THE CROWNS: There are three crowns you can win...I will post them during the week.

WINNERS: Here in Canada, on May 19 we will celebrate Queen Victoria's Day and to join this royal celebration the three princesses will be announced here on my blog!

*Please, contact me via email with your address information to send the crown to you.

Start drawing and writing...be one of the princesses!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Crown Making Class Invitation

Join me at Melba Mc Mullin’s blog “Just be connected” on May 12 to May 16.

I will be hosting and teaching my popular Crown Making Class.

Who is the Crown Making Class designed for?

This is a unique Crown Making Class designed for all of you who would love to feel like a real queen or pass a “royal” gift to someone special. Whether you're crafty or craft-challenged, this course teaches you how to make gorgeous crowns for any occasion using a variety of techniques and materials.

The benefits of attending the workshop are:

Students will learn a great deal about how popular crowns are today and through out history as artistic - social pieces. They will also learn about: design, colour combinations, trends and crown styles. Students finish this four day class with their own beautifully decorated Crowns.

Materials list:

Poster paper, or drawing paper, or canson paper

Scissors {big and small}

Pencil and eraser

Decorative papers such as: scrapbooking papers, gift wrapping papers

Glue sticks {all purpose}

Glue gun and glue sticks

Glitter

Trims, metallic cords, ribbons

Millinery flowers or silk flowers or plastic flowers and leaves

Sequins or small buttons

Scrap papers

Here are some photos of materials you can also use...
This workshop is very hands on. Connect with people you'll tap into your natural creativity! Have fun!

INTRODUCTION TO CROWN MAKING

May 12th

On their first day students will be presented to information on crown history and will learn about with the most popular crown designs. Students will be given a materials list to be used in the project. A pattern making demonstration will follow. The focus of this class will be choosing their own style and colours for your crown. They will choose their crown colours. Students will then learn how to draw and cut their own templates. They will learn about proportion, design, colour and layout styles.

CHOOSING A LAYOUT AND STYLE FOR YOUR CROWN

May 13th:

Students will then be ready for their crowns assemblage. Gabriela will introduce them to layout techniques and possible combinations. Students will learn how to layout beautiful compositions for their crowns.

MAKING YOUR OWN PAPER EMBELLISHMENTS

May 14th:

Students will then have a finished the crown layout and will be ready to decorate it with their handmade embellishments. They will be introduced to flower scrap making, paper pleats making and crepe paper rosettes making.

CHOOSING EMBELLISHMENTS FROM YOUR COLLECTION

May 15th:

Students will then be ready to incorporate own store bought materials into their designs. Among the recommended materials are: ribbons, trims, metallic cords, millinery, silk, velvet flowers and leaves, glitter and more. Students will also chose a combination of coordinating ribbons to make their crowns ties.

PUTTING YOUR CROWN TOGETHER

May 16th:

Students will then have a finished crown and they will give it the finishing touches. For those interested in learning more about their “royal personalities”, they will be invited to email me a photo of their crowns. And even wear them! I will see you all there on Monday! Enjoy your weekend and start gathering your materials! xoxo Gabriela.

Give away starts on May 12, 2008

I am having a fun giveaway here on my blog that starts on May 12, 2008 you won't want to miss! Seriously! I know you will be here...Until then...