Thats right. The time has come and I have finally started the curtains. In fact, I am at about 80% done! I probably would've been done by now, however, I wasted a good two hours of working time trying to flip the 176 inch rod casing right side out, only to find that my measurement was off. However, I feel that the curtain rods I purchased were faulty (one of the metal rods actually broke!). To spare further digression, after I finally finished right side outting the casing, found out it didn't fit (the casing literally burst at the seams when I was scrunching it onto the rod), I marched straight back into my personal sweatshop and cut four more lengths at 44" and made them just a tad wider to ensure proper fit. I also did not sew together the four 44" lengths, thus, saving about two hours, because its much easier to right side out something that isn't 176 inches long!
I chose to go with brown for the curtains. I feel that with the wood walls, and hardwood floors, this color will pick up the woodgrain colors, as well as complement the nice honey color in the walls. Not to mention, the brown matches the pillowcovers I made to a "t." I also decided to use the left-overs from the pillow covers as the loops for hanging the curtains. I have all those pieces cut out, and started to hem the loops in preparation to sew to the panels. The panels are cut, and sewn. I have two panels at 87.5 inches. Now, yes, that is a lot for one panel, however the window I am treating is 101 inches wide. I want a nice fullness to the treatment, so that is why the total (175") is so large. In fact, I am even skimping (I hope it doesn't bite me in the ass) because usually you want to have two to three times the amount of the width for fullness. I am sorry but buying 8 yards of fabric to make up for a 303 inch fullness is just not in the budget! I should have enough with 75 inches left over! Thats MY thought anyway. hahaha.
My goal is to finish tonight. I am hoping that my design will work out, and that the curtains look at least hlafway decent. Below is a picture showing the idea I am attempting to achieve. Note: these are NOT my curtains, I'd rather puke on some fabric and call it a print than buy that ugly floral pattern going on down there. I also have my curtain rod encased in the brown fabric so no white metal is exposed.
Pictures to come Monday (hopefully)!
Nothing new going on in the land of vintage acquisition (aside from me ringing a local dry cleaners to see if they would be willing to sell me the vintage patio furniture they have in their store, I am going to the cleaners tomorrow to meet the owner, give him my name and number)....bored at work...picture of pillow covers i made.
Sunday January 28th was the Preview sale of White Elephant (my FAVORITE place to rummage). This was the frist time ever in the 4 years I have been attending W.E.S that I made it to the Preview sale. It was exactly what I expected, and exactly what I didn't expect. How about that for some confusion!!
The thing that I loved most was all the stuff! SO MUCH! It was nice to attend and be the first one to get something. Plus, it was nice having Sarah and Brett join myself and Josh for the first time! I think they thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and hopefully want to come back again.
The thing that I hated was the amount of people! Seriously, the line for W.E.S that day was CRAZY! Studio 54, Paradise Garage, or The Loft had NOTHING on W.E.S preview sale! We got there at 9:45 and were about 100 or so people back. From what I overheard, the first person in line arrived at 5:30am! That being said, it was a bit crowded. I really didn't care for that at all. Besides, people were freakin' rude! I'd be walking down an aisle, and would say, "excuse me" and people wouldn't even move! Fine by me if ya want the corner of my metal portable file box rammed up your butt, and trust me, some people definately got that!
So, what did I find on the first day???
late 50's early 60's wicker womb chair and a matching wicker side table! I scored the chair for 5bux less than the table b/c the chair didn't have a price, so the volunteer asked me how much I would pay for it, and I said ten bucks. She said, its yours, and wrote up the ticket! I think happened upon the side table RIGHT before I was going to leave for the day. I KNOW the side tables were put out a little bit after, cause I KEPT walking back to the furniture looking around in case I missed anything fabulous. I was previously eyeing some green metal tables very similar in shape as the wicker one, but decided to pass, only to see some other woman carrying them around. I felt a twinge of disappointment, but was instantly relieved when I went back to the furniture and saw the wicker table! It was meant to be!
I do have to do a little cleaning on the chair and table, though. The legs on both need to be sanded and repainted, plus I want to wash the chair up a little to get it nice and clean. Overall both are in really great condition, and the chair is surprisingly comfy!
12 more vintage patterns! Some are uncut / never before used! THRILLING! However, one day I will have the grim task of going through ALL 88 some odd patterns and seeing what patterns have pieces missing, etc. etc. I will put that off till the 25th hour, 354th day, and 13th month though. HAHAHA!
And here are my ever so groovy portable file boxes aka- assrammer boxes.
I also got a wire magazine rack, but the batteries died on my camera, so I didn't have time to snap a shot of that.
Now, the canisters I am posting, I didn't find at W.E.S. I found on eBay, and I couldn't resist! They are going to look so perfect in the kitchen of my Atomic Ranch! SHOOT! I need to post pictures of that! Its not an Eichler, I don't own it, but for a rental- its flippin' sweet!
Anyway- the canisters!
Hopefully I will be updating this in a few more weeks as I plan on attending W.E.S on the 10th of Feb. I would go this Saturday, but I am MOVING!!!!
I really want a subscription to CA Modern Magazine. Excellent source of information.
These are dope- Retro Bullet Planters. Not vintage...but repro's. Still very much my style. A bit pricey, but its more than just a plant holder...its art. Many colors to choose from too!!
Perfect for entertaining- Rolling Patio Carts. A definate must have of mine. So far my searching has been uneventful. Never the less, I won't stop until I score!
I love collecting sewing books or magazines from by-gone era's as well. Such a great source of inspiration for designing. I can't really explain it...but the wave of nostalgia that sweeps over me when flipping through pages is just amazing. Its the same with vintage patterns. I picture myself in that time, and what I would want to make, wear, the fabrics to use, yada yada. I just get caught up.
The first two are pattern books showcasing all the patterns for that season. They are both from 1976. Chock full of styles from contemporary, kids, mens, lingerie, and evening wear. (Goldmine in Newark- where I got the couch and dressers)
3rd picture is a small little collection of things. 2 Magazines - one on the far right is a knitting magazine from the 60's and the Look magazine is from the 1970s. The two books upright- the small one is from the 60's and how to make clothes without a pattern, and the other is from the 1950's and is how to tailor a womans suit.
The last 2 are Time/Life Publications called The Art of Sewing. I am not sure how many individual books were released in the set...I am thinking I have them all. I don't know though. The research I have done hasn't really produced an answer. I have 14. All published through the early to mid 1970's. The covers of the books are fantastic, every one is a different fabric!
Love at first site. As soon as I saw this table I needed it. It is a little beat up, but nothing a good cleaning, and re-upholstering can't fix. I am also thinking about tiling the top part of the table too. It has the perfect "lip" for setting in tiles. I don't know the color scheme, or pattern I want to do yet. I have a *general* idea, but a lot is on hold b/c we are possibly moving soon. *hopefully*
I love the hairpin legs. And yeah...that seat needs to be recovered. Potential galore! Not to bad for $5!
Ralph Lauren Sleeveless Turtleneck Sweater (Oakland, CA)
Oleg Cassini Houndstooth Newsboy with black leather trim (Lake Tahoe Flea Market)
Various shades I have come across in my travels. Sadly, I just broke a pair the other day. They were very large blue plastic square frames with gold trim. Sad. p.s don't forget the ones that Anita has on in the profile picture!
Yes, that says CD. Christian Dior c. 1974
This track is found on my wonderfully talented boyfriends cd "Mind In The Sky...Soul In The Water." Its all chill, loungy, downtempo tracks. If you would like a copy of this stellar cd, let me know. :D
