Pumpkin Spice Blazer

Latest find! Rust velvet blazer for mere cents at the local thrift! To make this even sweeter, it's Marjorie Hamilton, vintage Canadian made. I'm drooling over the fact that I get to wear this!

Grey Goddess

Here's a detail shot of my latest sewing success! I'm wearing it to a wedding this weekend. This is one of those projects where I really wish I had remembered to take a before photo. This dress started as a voluminously large skirt from the local thrift (less than $1) that I chopped up and concocted, using every last scrap. As per my impulsively creative norm, I busted straight in to trial-and-error sewing, though that error was seemingly non-existent as this project was the most delightfully smooth, seam ripper-less sewing endeavour I have ever experienced. I just kept stitching along, chunk by chunk, and everything worked. The fabric was a dream to sew--it is the softest, flowiest, rayon-like cotton. I love the subtle sheen of the pattern over it. Creating that quilted bust panel, the puff sleeves, and the satin-meets-silk convertible sash were the highlights. In my mind I was imagining '30s/'40s glam meets Classical statue, and voilà, that's how it's sewn up.

Now is the Time

"The item you see today and will dream about tonight will be bought by someone today who saw it yesterday and dreamed about it last night."
That is what the chalkboard said outside of Prince Edward County's Frugal & Company as I rushed in for a whirlwind 5 minute browse last summer. Darting my eyes around, I didn't have much time to think, and I am not one for an impulse buy--oh look a spectacular sunburst Syroco clock frame, $18, no clock, good condition otherwise, gold with brown tips, would prefer all gold, but how neat, time to go...oh no why did I leave it there?! When I got home I ruefully went on an Etsy and Ebay rampage to learn more about the funky mid-century Canadian made-item I passed up. I resigned myself to keep my eyes peeled and knew it would come back in to my life some day, some time, eventually. Well, surprise surprise, exactly a year later, it made its return. It was patiently waiting for me in my local antique mall. I wasn't looking. It is in pristine original condition. It actually has a clock. The clock works. The time came for it to come in to my life, and better than I had originally hoped. Oh how circular life is. It makes me laugh with thankfulness how God works like that--even in a whim of a thrift hunt! 

Peacock Feathers

I recently visited a game meat farm where they were also raising peacocks...because why not? Those are some mighty glamorous birds. As I was staring, mesmerized, I was thinking about how I have always longed for a vase of their feathers. Thankfully I didn't need to think too hard about how I was going to bust into their pen to snag a few because they happened to be selling said shed feathers for $1 each in their farm shop. So voilà I bought a handful. And now I have a source should I ever need more! Look at that eye-catching iridescence. 

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. 

Glorify

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior..." --Luke 1:46

Copper Glitz

I have been staring at this thrift find for some some glam surface pattern design inspiration. I love the subtle copper glitz of the mirrored motif on the black, and the dainty neck and sleeve borders. 

October Bulletin 2018

Masquerade, grandeur, and grace

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.

Fab Eyes

My Fab Eyes design is up for voting in Spoonflower's 1950s design challenge!

What I Wore: Pink and Black

Here's the wedding outfit of the summer, featuring this bright pink moire dress and various black and gold accents. The best part is that the retro glam number was only $0.30 from a recent thrift haul plus a half hour of easy peasy tucking and sewing on the bodice! Amusing note on moire: that fabric thoroughly repulsed me until this dress came into my life. It is strangely, satisfyingly crisp and water-repellent, and rather makes me feel like I am wearing an umbrella. The main new positive association is that now moire has been mentally transformed from dated drapery to sashaying like Barbie. Much classier! Oh how I love whipping an outfit together!

August 1927

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

Inspired by this Vogue cover

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!

Sans Reproche

I am amazed by the intricate details of this antique book. It is a Value Village find, Sans Reproche by Edmond Coz, circa 1913, although the Art Nouveau styling leads me to presume it's actually from the late 1800s.

Look at the stunning black and red cover art, with the misregistration of the black outlines over gold floral. That star pattern below the title gives me fabric collection coordinate ideas. Plus the book has gilded pages.

The flyleaf inscription even boasts this elegant handwriting! I feel like every time I turn the page of an antique book I am flinging open another door to clues of social and stylistic history--what a treasure hunt.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

I need to frame this glam sheet music! Then I will stare at it in its 1930s glory and daydream to the song.

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!

The Pretty Lady

I found this edition of 1918 novel The Pretty Lady by Arnold Bennett (1867-1931) at a book sale for a song. I admit...I bought it purely for the title and the glamorous gilded pattern on the black cover!

Mint and Gold Mirror

This vintage hand mirror is a glamourous thrifted find. 

It is made of brass and decorated plastic, and likely hails from some time between the 1940s and 1960s.