Best Wal-Mart Ever??

     On Monday evening last week Jordan and I made a quick road trip to get baby's ultrasound. Afterwards it was quite late and dark, but we still had a few errands before we could head home. One of these was to procure some fabric I needed for a little historical dress order. Just a simple pink cotton print. I hoped that we could happen upon a Wal-Mart that had a fabric department,  since that might be all that was open at this late hour.

     So, we looked it up on our phone and found the nearest one and headed there. When we arrived it was less than promising. A very narrow, dark, and rather creepy parking lot first of all. Second, it was the the smallest and most run-down Wal-Mart I have ever seen. Third, when we against our better judgment walked inside, everything was....strange. All the items were odd old-looking brands we didn't recognize,  things were rather disorganized and dingy. So...feeling very doubtful I asked the first available person if they carried fabric. Pointed into the back corner of the store, we were in for a big surprise. 

 

 

     Would you believe it? Greeting our eyes was the biggest and brightest fabric department I think I have yet seen in a Wal-Mart. I very soon found exactly what I needed, then began to notice there were actually quite a few lovely and quite historical cotton prints. The prices were even lovlier. (Many were two dollars a yard) I ended up walking out with four extra lengths of fabric including a brown checked cotton gauze/voile. Imagine! Finding a suitable historical sheer fabric at Wallyworld? I think I might faint.

The moral of the story? I guess you really can't judge from outward appearances, hmm?

And now I have some new additons to the stash. Planning a couple of 1860s and 1820s pieces. Excited!

Craigslist Adventures! or....Preparing for a House of Our Own

I have never used Craigslist in my life before the last couple of months. However, when one is building and furnishing a house on a budget, I'm finding it can come in very handy! I've found many of my treasures there.

The most recent was something we weren't even expecting, and consider it to be a Providential gift.

Jordan had been pricing windows bought new, of various different kinds. We of course both prefered the more old fashioned, wood frame kind, double hung with separate glass panes. Because an old fashioned log home needs windows to match, right? But, windows of any kind, especially what we wanted, were way more expensive that we had been counting on. One place quoted us a price of between $300 and $400 a piece. And we need 16 in all. Yikes!

So, that was somewhat discouraging, we had about decided we'd just have to go with something cheaper and modern for now, and hope to be able to replace them with something more historic in the future.

Well - I got a hunch to do a quick search on (where else..?) Craigslist. I found only one listing that I thought looked really worthwhile. It was for 11 new wooden windows, and they looked 'right' to me, but I hesitated about showing them to Jordan, because they might 'not' be right....lol.

However. I did show him, and he said they were perfect - just the exact style that should go in a 19th century house.

So, the next day we were driving up to Oklahoma city to pick up our windows! They were even better in person. They were brand-new, never installed handmade window reproductions that someone had ordered for a period house restoration, but then changed their mind about at the last minute.

So -  we got 11 windows for roughly $70 a piece. Plus we got 2 more half windows for free that we are planning to use for the bathroom! 

Aren't they great?? I can just imagine looking out of them already!

They are a bit dusty right now, but will clean up nicely. :)

They even use the old-fashioned system of cast iron weights, ropes, and pulleys inside the frame to open and close the window. Sweet! We couldn't have asked for anything more perfect or period-correct.

Here are a coule of examples of old fashioned windows, inside and out:

Back at the beginning of October, I really got to thinking about the 'big' items we still didn't have for the house. I had looked in our area craigslist before for clawfoot tubs, and either hadn't come up with much, or the ones I had seen were really expensive. But, I decided to look again, this time I saw several affordable options, but finally decided to call about this one:

My cast iron bathtub!! The enamel inside is in perfect shape (forgive it being a bit dusty!), not a nick or scratch to be seen. The outside has been painted cream colored, and there is a small scrape in the paint. I may repaint it a brighter color someday, but I'll wait and see. I bought it for $150.00, which considering the other prices I'd seen for tubs in this good of shape, seemed like a deal. The man I bought it from said it was taken from a turn of the century farmhouse in Oklahoma.

I'm envisioning our small bathroom to look something like this:

Or this:

Or this:

...something looking quite simple, clean, and bright.

Since we were going to be driving 2 hours away to pick up my bathtub in one of the bigger towns in our area, I decided to comb through anything that was described by the word 'antique' in the town's craigslist just to make sure I couldn't make the trip more worthwhile. And I found a sure-enough treasure:

I loved this bathroom sink/vanity from the minute I saw the picture. It's absolutely perfect in every way for what I wanted . The hinged mirrors on the side are so cute, and I love how the small sink makes me think of a china bowl-and-pitcher on a cabinet.

The piece isn't actually antique, but a very well made, sturdy modern-made antique style. :)

 Isn't the carving pretty?

The two top drawers hide the plumbing, but the bottom drawer actually works.

Jordan wants to eventually replace the faucet with something a little less shiny. :)


I've been so thankful that over and over the right pieces for the house have fallen into place just at the right time! :)

Of French Bakeries and Antique Shops

It was my birthday a few weeks ago. And, you must know that Mom and I have been talking about and attempting to plan an official 'Mother-Daughter Antiquing Trip' for my birthday since I was 12. So, this year (since I'll be in Tennessee next year) we just decided to DO IT. :)

And, since we waited so long, I actually had a specific purpose in looking for furnishings for my future home! I brought along my inventory list, and added many useful and lovely items...

We got up quite early that day and drove to Amarillo - to visit the historic 6th Street, which we had heard rumored to be full of lovely antique stores. And it was. But we got there a little too early, and they were closed. So - having spied an intriguing looking French bakery a few blocks away, we stopped in for a quick brunch.

We each shared a spinach croissant and a cream-puff. Scrumptious!

There were so many lovely little pastries and things, I wish we could have tried them all...

Before we left town we went back to buy some of the delicious looking fresh baked bread.

By the time we returned to 6th street, the antique shops were open! The first one we went to was housed in a lovely old mansion painted in fanciful colors and held many treasures....

(several of which came home with us...)

I didn't count how many shops we went to, but by the afternoon it felt as if we were out to prove that one could actually 'shop till you drop'! Tiring, but so much fun! :)

A whimsical fabric shop.

Could have spent hours just browsing their special-order fabric sample book  section!

In the window of one little shop...a special piece caught my eye. (and called my name) This antique, but fully restored icebox is now on my backporch, awaiting the move to Tennessee next year where it will be happily installed in my log-house kitchen. Isn't it grand?

It took me a while to decide on such a big purchase! I actually went  home without it that day, and after thinking about it, talking to Jordan, and praying finally made the decision several days later and called back to reserve it. My brothers kindly helped me go pick it up last week. I'm so excited to try it out!

The trip also yielded lots of other (smaller) booty for the future house....

Lots more enamelware!

Yes. I do love antique crocks.

 (well - they are very handy! :)

A slightly used Papmpered Chef baking dish, and a vintage muffin pan!

Two wood framed mirrors, very heavy and in excellent condition.

I'm going to alter the paintjob on both eventually.

Two antique platters.....plus lots more little stuff! :)

 Mom and I ended the day by eating a relaxing supper at Olive Garden, and then ended up walking across the parking lot to an adjoining Michael's craft store.....where I regret to say we got lost in the scrapbooking paper section for several hours. *ahem*....but we finally tore ourselves away and made the drive home, getting home quite late and exhausted.

It was an amazing birthday, one I will never forget! Thanks, Mom!!

Now Available - Design Your Own Edwardian Dress Kit!

At long last! The latest installment in the 'Design Your Own Dress' Series is here!

Design Your Own Edwardian Dress

A beautiful kit that historical costume enthusiasts and girls of all ages will enjoy! Pages of designs ready to trace and color to create your own unique drawn ensembles!

Using tracing paper to take the drawing step by step, start with the model attired in proper Edwardian undergarments, then add a skirt, bodice, trimmings, hat, an apron, and much, much more! The possiblities for creativity are endless. Mix, match and trace to create thousands of unique ensembles, all historically correct for the era of Anne of Green Gables! 

Included in the kit:

-6 glossy cardstock sheets with black and white drawings, featuring a Model, Hairstyles, Skirts, Bodice Options, Fabric Designs, Hats, Trimmings, Jewelry, Accessories, Jackets, and more!

- 12 sheets of tracing paper

- 1 sheet of historical notes, descriptions, and instructions

All pages professionally printed on high quality paper.

Comes packaged in a handy clear plastic zipper pouch.

Kit enables you to design your own turn-of-the-century fashion drawings - perfect for young artists, historical fashion lovers, or seamstresses who want to visualize their designs!

Below are just a few of the endless dress designs possible!

      

I have to say, this kit is my favorite of the series so far! I love all the eccentric, lovely hats from the turn of the century, and the classic flowing lines of the dresses! (and who could forget the great hairstyles and 'puffed sleeves' of which Anne was so fond! :)

If you are still Christmas shopping for the perfect gift for a friend or sister who is a historical costume lover, seamstress, or artist, there is still time for holiday shipping to US addresses!

Please take a look and let me know what you think of the latest Dress Designer kit!



Vintage Cowgirl Photoshoot + eShakti Dress Review

Have you heard of eShakti? It is an online ready made and custom dress shop that offers classy styles and super fast service. Well, I recently recieved my own eShakti creation!

After much considering (there are so many lovely frocks to choose from!) I chose  the

Castles in the Air Dress!

The sleeves, skirt and neckline were all available to customize in style and length.

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the unique and fun printed cotton fabirc. Orange and red fairytale castles amid scattered roses! So perfectly adorable.

I had the dress custom fit. On eShakti, you can either choose from the full range of ready made sizes, or you can give them your measurments through their easy measurements chart, and your dress with be custom made for you! I found it very successful, the fit of the dress is excellent.

When I was first envisioning the dress, I was thinking to do retro 40s-50s theme with heels, but when the dress actually arrived, I happened to be wearing my cowboy boots (I am, most days....:) and that got me thinking that the style would also lend itself well to a vintage western/praire look. (or perhaps it's because I've been watching too many Roy Rogers movies lately.....)

At any rate, I can see this dress being extremely versatile and comfortable for a myriad of different occasions, whether it's picking cucumbers in the garden or attending an evening swing dance!

LOVE the details. Fitted, comfy smocking at the waist and ruffled, puffed sleeves. Neckline is high in back, dipping to a narrow V in front accented with two fabric buttons and loops.

  

Pockets! Nothing is handier than a dress with nice big pockets!

The eShakti Custom label

Possibly my favorite thing about the dress - a lovely full skirt with soft lines that fall just right.

Go and take a look at all the dresses eShakti has to offer - I am very impressed with the selection and style.

One of the things I like best - the dresses stay up-to-date with fashion trends, but remain classy.  And since you can customize skirt lengths, there shall be no more complaining about not being able to find dresses with skirts that are long enough! :)

From 50s swing dresses, to bridesmaids, formals, day dresses and casual skirts, eShakti seems to have it all! Take a look and tell me which pieces are your favorites! Here are a few of mine...

 

A big thanks to eShakti for the great dress and fabulous service!