New Header

My new header is a picture of the "inspiration board" that hangs above the worktable in my sewing room.

I covered a piece of homosote with vintage pattern tissue and their envelopes; patterns for clothes that my mother, Jackie Kennedy and my Barbie wore when I was a little girl. I added vintage buttons, calling cards, notes, lists, scraps and pictures of things that I hope to make one day. This photo shows only part of the board, please come visit to view the rest of it and put your calling card on it. You have one of those don't you?
I made the board and took the photo, but Megan did the hardest part; she put it on my blog header. Thanx, Babe!

Den Decor

I've been redecorating our den for 18 months; since we had brick floors installed. (Not exactly one of those quick redos on HGTV.) I loved the floors but, everything else felt so dark, I wanted to lighten the furniture and accessories. Here are some of the results...

I found this secretary at one of my favorite antique stores, marked down plus 40% off. I have a "before picture", but I don't know how to get it from my phone to this blog so, you 'll have to imagine it with a dark stain and decorative panels over the glass doors. I painted and glazed it more times than I intended (6) to get the color I wanted.

The front of the top drawer folds down to expose the DVD player. I plan to add 2-way mirror film to the glass in the center door to hide the TV when it's off and see through when it's on. I'll let you know how it works. If you know a better way please share.

I reupholstered two bergere chairs that I found in a consignment shop. This is how they looked before.
The fabric was nice and they were well done, but I had 6 yards of linen that I'd bought at a garage sale so, here's the "after".I painted, monogrammed and distressed two small side tables. One came from a garage sale the other from an antique store. Both were very inexpensive. Here is the sum of all the newest parts, you can tell that I appreciate symmetry. I'm still shopping for a coffee table and artwork. Maybe this room will be finished in another 18 months, I'm patient, I can wait.

Retro Dresses

These simple shift dresses that I made for my GRANDgirls remind me of the kind my mother made for my sister and me and in the sixties. Our outfits often matched, too.

They're made of yellow seersucker with vintage trim, buttons and ric-rac. The girls felt as cool as they could on a hot July day.

Funky Beach Towels

Fun, funky monograms on happy colored beach towels. The only thing better than wrapping up in a dry a towel after swimming is a snack, any snack.