Deco Pendant

I found this stunning Art Deco light fixture at a Tin Barn Market Flea for a mere $20. Swoon! I'm going to have it to rewire it, but oh even in the meantime using it with a battery tea light would be just fine. Look at those glam '20s details! I tell ya, this is going to be a dangerously Deco decade of thrifting finds for me!

Josephine the Spy

Wow, I am intrigued to learn that Josephine Baker, that iconic '20s Charleston queen, worked as an Allied spy in France during WWII. Fascinating! Here's a bit of info on how she strategically used her fame.

On the Fringe

Here on the exhilarating brink of the '20s I am in full flapper outfit planning mode. I am browsing these stunning inspirational images on Pinterest and collecting any bits of fringe and glam textiles I can find. Charleston-friendly couture coming soon!

Vogue 1922

Sneak peak! I found this dress and plan to alter it into flapper frock inspired by this June 1922 Vogue cover.  

6th Blogiversary!

 Happy 6th Blogiversary! The suggested anniversary gifts for this year are iron and candy, so I had some fun designing a couple surface patterns accordingly. Now available for sale in my shop as fabric, wallpaper, giftwrap, and homewares, here's Nouveau Deco

Sugar

Thank you for following my creative endeavours thus far!

Deco Table

I ordered my Deco Diamond design on linen cotton canvas and satin fabric to update this black powder-coated metal c-table magazine rack. The sling used to be a black faux leather, but I wanted to make it a little more interesting. The canvas is on the inside so it holds up to the books sitting in it and the satin on the outside to give it that black and gold gleam. I love the clean lines and airiness of the glass writing surface. 

Swinging at the Rialto

I said I'd be drooling at the architecture, so voilà, here are some photos from my weekend of swing dancing bliss at Montréal's Rialto Theatre, built in the 1920s. Hexagonal marble tile, mosaic, brass, and rich wood is a good start. The stairs throughout the place were marble--people--worn down by the performers and musicians and dancers and theatre-goers of the past (almost) 100 years. Oh if these walls could talk they would sing.

The iconic artwork nestled between pilasters made for a vintage-tastic welcome in the front entrance.

a.k.a the cheeriest musical ever made

Now behold the main theatre...

I think I hear the hallelujah chorus over the band.

I spent some time up in the balcony and boxes just observing the social spectacle.

It was a great vantage point for the social dancing and performances!

Look at that regal illuminated R.

Swag

Thank you Cat's Corner!

In addition to cats there were also many chandeliers lurking in corners.

...and so much majestic stained glass.

I can't wait to go back and dance there again!

Hello Rialto

I'm packing to spend the weekend swing dancing at the stunning 1920s Rialto Theatre! If I skip a song I'll be drooling at the architecture. My outfit is, of course, flapper inspired, with this gold skirt that I added fringe to. 

Tomorrow night is a masquerade ball! I made this mask out of faux leather that I painted gold and embossed with a single hole punch! Ha! I made it to be compatible with my glasses. So excited for this swing fest!

Gatsby Glasses

Now I'm all set for any costuming event from the 1800s through the 1930s with these glasses! They are so fine and dainty. The ingenious local optician happily ripped the black tubing off this vintage pair that he had sitting on his shelf in order to polish them up to their round golden glory for me. Gotta love small town service!

Multifaceted Lady

I have a growing collection of intriguing lady portraits, and just acquired this print for $8 from Value Village. I adore the 1900 to 1930s styling of it, the beauty of the woman, the rich colours, and the faceted gold frame splashed with the colours of her dress.

August 1927

My August 1927 design is up for voting in Spoonflower's 1920s design challenge!

Inspired by this Vogue cover

Swing Era Collections

I've been constantly listening to 1920s to 1940s jazz music...this is what happens when I do!

Pssst! Ebony and Ivory is already available for sale in my shop on Spoonflower as fabric, wallpaper, gift wrap, cut-and-sew patterns, and homewares. Decollect is soon to be for sale as well!

Peach Deco

Swoon with me at the Art Deco glory of this peach canister set! They are ceramic with a glossy glaze, complete with swag details, salt and pepper shakers, and a napkin holder. It's hard to tell how old they actually are, likely mid-century items, but I love their 1920s styling and perfect condition.

Decollect

My Decollect design is up for voting in Spoonflower's Large Scale Art Deco challenge, previewed on a duvet!

Peacockette

I've got 1920s glamour on the brain! I'm listening to '20s jazz while drawing Art Deco surface pattern design collections and then hopping out of my chair to go dance the Charleston in a fringy dress!

1920s Charleston Costume Hunt

I'm scouring thrift stores, malls, and fabric stores for beading, tassels, fringe and all that jazz to piece together a flapper costume. Over the past year I have taught myself how to dance the Charleston (the most amusing form of exercise) and now, of course, need to be able to dance in the period appropriate attire!

Those Hours With You

Oh what a dreamer's delight! I found this sweet illustrated poem at Value Village for $1.99, bundled with 3 other tiny frames--bonus! The 1700s themed illustration, gilded details, and reflective verses thrill my soul. It looks like framed Maurine Hathaway prints were a popular piece of 1920s décor.

Watercolour Paradise

These framed vintage Nicolas Markovitch, a.k.a. Marc watercolour prints are likely from the 1920s to 1940s. They left their Value Village lodgings and now radiate summery paradise sitting on my shelf!

The Sidecar

Here's my design to be used on a tea towel, The Sidecar, as in the popular 1920s cocktail, up for voting in Spoonflower's Prohibition Cocktail Challenge. Are those eyes peeking out of a secret speakeasy door, or eyes of the authorities? Is that a Sidecar cocktail, or just part of the Art Deco design? Hmm...watch out, bootleggers!

July Bulletin 2016

Vibrant and fruity inspiration (note: that watermelon above is a 19" tall sculpture entitled Melon Still Life, created by Franklin Gilliam in 1981 of granite and marble!)