Phantom of the Opera
For Christmas
of 2001, my husband gave me a magnificent
Lady Jane 3-wing Conservatory. And for
many months it was empty while I tried to come up with a theme for it that did
the magnificent work of Linda Clark justice. Finally an idea came to me---well,
actually, the idea came to my husband! A depiction of the Phantom of the
Opera Masquerade Ball...
Jamie Carrington
created all of the dolls in all of their costumes. In this case, the best
description is actually just the pictures of the various dolls.
The colors and
uniqueness of the costume design speaks to Jamie's unique experiences in the
theater in England. While the Phantom stands dead center in the
Conservatory certainly creating the focus of the scene, each wing also
has a focus.
In one wing the masquerade participants are sitting, standing and talking. In
the second wing is occupied by the musicians, their instruments and stands.
The final wing of the Conservatory displays the food fit for a ball.
Let them Eat Cake....
While I created the table with a simple piece of glass placed
on gilded pedestals I made, the food came from primarily the
English Kitchen and
Diminutive Specialties.
Lisa's Little Things made plates for the occasions with a special rose
pattern on them.
The flowers were created by
Barb
Plevan. 
All of the
arrangements are slightly different, but in the bright colors that are seen in
this picture. Barb and I decided to use bright colors that seemed to be
quite appropriate for the Masquerade Ball and all of the festivities. Barb
also supplied loose flowers so that I was able to arrange a few flowers on the
serving table.
