Hopechest Finds 2- My #1 Most Invaluable Kitchen Gadget

 Yes - it's the spatula. But not just any spatula. Seriously. This is the handiest little thing in the entire kitchen. The beveleded sharp edge is great because there will be no breaking of delicate items (like cookies) - it slides right under them much easier than usual spatulas. It also chops/cuts to and extent - and I even use it for washing dishes (works great for scraping off burned eggs - and other pleasant things....)

I know it sounds stupid to get excited about a little kitchen tool - but I use 'my little spatula' every time I cook. Actually it's not mine - it's Mom's secondhand find. I don't actually have one in my hopechest yet. But I will - I spotted one in the Lehmans catalog.

Here is what the descriptions says: Mixes, serves, scrapes, turns, drains, removes and chops. The secret is the special angled, slotted and sharpened working end. Some of our employees can't make a meal without using it at least once - it even accompanies them to the table.

So - there you have it. My favorite kitchen item and part of future hopechest stash. Do you have a favorite??

Two Linen Dresses

Make way for two new retro-inspired linen dresses!

The first is a different version (for myself) of the blue taffeta roses dress that I posted about earlier this spring. This time the fabric is a sunny yellow linen/rayon blend - with a crisp, lovely hand. It's trimmed in fabric roses of dusky pink and vibrant periwinkle blue.

I listed it on Etsy as an example for a custom order dress.

For the second dress I actually used a vintage 70's pattern:

I really liked the way it turned out - and I am planning do to lots more versions of this pattern. For myself, I want to make a housedress in a bright mod calico.

You'll notice I did change the neckline just a bit.

Etsy listing

This version in periwinkle blue irish linen, trimmed with natural linen.

(althougth it looks yellow next to the blue!)

I think this would look super cute with a pair of mary jane heels.

Humorous Medieval Video Shorts

I welcome you to watch  a couple of little few-minute 'movies' my siblings and I put together with some dear friends who were visiting this winter. We think them quite humorous. :^) In fact - we had a blast filming and acting.

--- Click HERE for the videos. ---

The first is a Lord of the Rings spoof of various scenes from the Fellowship of the Ring. (I apologize for the poor video quality on this one) To clear up any confusion, scenes are as follows:

1. The Hobbits encounter a Black Rider in the wood (with a twist)

2. Aragorn does battle with Uruk-Hai

3. Legolas and Gimli do battle with Uruk-Hai

4. Uruk Hai charging through the woods

5.Black Riders doing a River Dance (Irish line dancing) routine.

(gather your brothers to watch these - they will appreciate the battle scenes. :^)

The second is a "medieval adventure' story titled 'The Princess and the Vagabonds'.

A tale of a Princess and her attendants who get attacked by a band of ruthless vagabonds. Will the fearless Sir Cameron come to the rescue? You'll have to watch to find out...

Who do I play, you ask? Well, in LotR, I play the Nazgul in the first scene, and an orc in the Legolas and Gimli battle. I filmed parts of LotR, and Princess and the Vagabonds entirely.

This is one of the scenes we tried to recreate - except we needed a few more orcs. :^)

Let me know what you thought! (yes - they are supposed to be ridiculously silly)

Wedding Dress #3 - to keep or not to keep? (help!)

I have a dilemma. I need help. This third vintage wedding dress (would you say late forties or early fifties?) is completely lovely - and IT FITS ME. Pefectly. (believe me, it's rare to find a dress that really truly fits short-waisted me!) It's not too tight - very comfortable in fact. So - all this makes me reluctanct to put it up for sell on Etsy - but....on the other hand WHY should I keep it? I *want* it, but there isn't actually any good *reason* to hang on to the dress. IF I get married someday - this wouldn't be the dress I would wear. Yes its pretty, yes it's vintage. But it's not what I would choose.

So - your opinion. To keep or not to keep?

I adore this appliqued lace on the satin skirt!

The netting and shaped lace on the neckline are just so classy. And I love the little satin 'necklace' too.

I believe this length is called a 'chapel train', right?

At least - this is what I found when I googled it:

Sweep Train - the shortest train, just sweeps the floor

Chapel Train - the most popular train, extends 3 to 4-feet behind gown

Court Train - extends 1 foot

Semi-Cathedral Train - stretches 4 to 6 feet

Cathedral Train - extends past 6 to 8 feet

Royal Cathedral Train - extends 10 feet or more

Watteau Train - this train starts at the shoulder blades and reaches the hemline of the gown (similar to a cape).

So - what do you think? Keep? Or not?

70s Medieval Princess Wedding Dress

Well - not exactly medieval I suppose. But the lovely beading and lace do remind me of the 'Ever After' ball gown  and also the 'Princess  Bride' wedding dress. I'm not usually a huge fan of the 70s, but this dress is actually quite lovely.

Description:
 Style is a flattering high waisted empire style. Bodice is a darker cream and is decorated with floral lace and pearl beads. Fastens with a smoothly working back zipper.
Sleeves and shoulders are sheer and in a lighter shade of cream. Cuffs also have lace and beading, and a lovely little ruffle. Fastens with a snap at each wrist.
The skirt has two layers. The top layer is sheer, and is gathered in back in a lovely Watteau style train.
Tag inside says 'House of Bianchi'

Drop-dead Gorgeous 50s Wedding Dress!

I just recieved another lot of vitage wedding dresses. Stay tuned over the next few days for more pictures!!

What can I say? I LOVE this dress. Reminds me of Grace Kelly. What an amazing vintage find.  I wish I could keep it, but sadly it is not my size. (too small and too long waisted - you can't tell from the pics) So - I'm putting it up on Etsy.

The headpiece is darling too - it's from my grandmother's wedding veil. (I'm not selling that!!)

Here is the technical description from the listing:

Lovely fitted bodice that is one peice with the skirt front. Delicate sheer floral lace at shoulders. Neckline is not quite off the shoulder, and dips to a point at center front.Slim sleeves that fasten with buttons and loops and come to a point at wrist. Back bodice fastens with covered buttons and loops.

Skirt is box pleated and gathered at back, and accented with a lovely bow. Inside the skirt are sections of gathered net, designed to hold out the hips in typical 50's fashion. Skirt comes to a beautiful chapel length train in back.

Fabric is a lovely sparkling white taffeta. Entire dress is lined with thin interfacing, so that it always stays crisp and relatively unwrinkled!

Now - on to the pictures!!

I have the condescending 'how dare you insult me' expression down perfectly, don't you think?

(lol - actually I just didn't get enough sleep.:P)

Green Linen Regency Dress and Chemisette

Another Regency dress for the Etsy shop! I have to say how much I love this gathered bodice/drawstring fastening pattern. It's simple and beautiful! I'm definately going to be using it a lot in the future! This dress has 3/4 length sleeves. The chemisette is sheer cotton voile with two delicate ruffles at the slightly-v neckline.

This particular dress is made from a lovely semi-sheer linen/cotton blend in a pale green, yellow, and white floral stripe pattern. I think it looks almost reproduction - don't you?

I bought the fabric along with several yards of the same pattern in a pink colorway. And I'm thinking I may use it to make myself a regency dress. What do you think? Do I need another dress? tee hee.

Dress Listing

Chemisette Listing