Vintage Finds of the Week

OK, OK, you all ... I have to fess up. These shoes are definitely not vintage. They are, however, super cute and even though I shouldn't really have bought them as the right one pinches just a teeny bit, I couldn't resist. Plus, this gift certificate from my birthday has been burning a  hole in my purse.

They'll look so cute with one of my three skirts (black, black or gray). Or maybe capris this summer?

The scarf, I think is really vintage and I hope to make it into a scarf blouse. And of course, this dear little beaded purse is vintage. Isn't it adorable? It's completely impractical but I plan to add it to my Big Girl's Dress Up Box which I'll someday take the time to assemble.

Lots of beads = nice and heavy, just like I like them!

Imagine how long this took to make? Was it hand sewn? I'm not sure how to tell ... 

What's that? You've never heard of a Big Girl's Dress Up Box? I got the idea from a friend. Well, actually, it was her friend's idea. This friend's friend is an artist and created a dress up box for when she wants to feel fancy, or is invited to something special like a Downton Afternoon. 

Can't you just imagine how much fun it would be to put together something like a dress up box? Maybe using a vintage suitcase or an old trunk ... I can picture it now, with soft, floaty layers of dresses peeking out from around the open lid, pearls and other sparkly costume jewelry nestled in the mounds of satin and gossamer .... ah, bliss!

In other news, I've finished the upcycled vintage slip and am going to send it off to Altered Couture, in hopes that it might be featured in an upcoming challenge. I will post pics soon but am waiting for a clear day to take pics outdoors (hopefully) plus I need to iron it as it's seriously wrinkled from all my beading/applique.

I'm becoming slightly obsessed with beading. I've started a new pattern on a vintage collar that I also dyed a purplish hue. Will post pics of that soon as well.

What creative projects are you working on this week? 

Sewing Frustration, Downton Abbey Dress & New Projects

Oh. My. Gosh. Why did I think that this shirt was a good idea?

Sometimes an upcycling project starts out one way and then goes another. I picked up these two tops at a thrift store, in love with the colors. However, I realized after washing that the turquoise one has some strange stain on the breast area along with whit splotches on the sleeve (bleach? If so, where'd it come from?!).

Press on, I tell myself, and start snipping and tucking the multi-colored shirt along the bottom of the turquoise one as a sort of extended ruffle panel.

"Roll, roll, roll away, till she starts to cry ..." 

Well, this knit is impossible challenging to work with! It wants to roll. And roll. And roll. Good grief, I'm about ready to dump it into the trash.

But no. Big breaths. Step away for a while. We'll see what happens in the end. (Wrestling hands clenched with shirt material away from garbage pail.)

Enough of that! Here's some happy news: I finished this 1920s dress for the Downton Abbey tea last weekend:

Head cut off purposely as I had a very odd expression that wasn't flattering in the least. 

It was a lovely event held at the local library. I was pleased overall with how the dress came out. Any guess as to what it's made from? If you said, "tablecloth" you win! It was a $1 tablecloth that I'd picked up in my travels but was too long for our dining room table.

I used this 1920s negligee pattern for the dress.

Pinterest, original source: The Midvale Cottage

It was supposed to have a belt as you can see in the photo. I added it and didn't like the look. If I was to make it again I would choose a different fabric (obviously) and shorten it. I think it could even look cute as a dress to wear out with leggings and boots. What do you think?

What are your upcycle/sewing projects this weekend? 

An Afternoon at Downton Abbey

I have been watching Downton Abbey for quite a while. I got started a little late--I think Season 3 was playing when I started watching--but I quickly caught up thanks to binge watching episode after episode via DVD.

Last year I treated myself to a Downton Gala for my birthday. What a fun night! Here's a shot from last January:

The magic of the green screen!

This year, I held a Downton Afternoon. Decorating was half the fun: my budget (as always) was as close to zero as possible.

I found these flowers and ivy at a thrift shop and paired them with a candelabra that I've had for several years.

Snacks and tea ... lots of tea. 

Not only was it fun to play dress up and feel "fancy," but we enjoyed a stimulating conversation and shared a little about what it's like to be a woman in today's society, versus various times in history. It wasn't a chit-chat sort of conversation, it was deep and full and I loved it.

Me, basking in Downton glow.

After everyone had gone, I spent a long time just basking in the glow of the perfect afternoon.

Do you watch Downton Abbey? If so, which was your favorite season?