Rochambeau

Vintage Fashion Show

Last Saturday the shop Fashion Revival hosted a Vintage Fashion Show in downtown Jefferson.  Marsha Thomas, who runs the Opera House Theatre furnished the collection.

An excellent trio played background music, mainly from the 1930's and 40's.

Here is some of what we saw.  A wool bathing gown from the 1920's~

Wool bathing gown from the 1930's~

An evening gown and bag from the 1030's.  The chiffon scarf was often used in conjunction with the evening bag, we learned.

Above a bathing suit from the 40's.  Although there were no bikini's modeled during the show, my mother remembers her friend wearing one in San Francisco in 1946.

Dress from the 40's.

Bathing suit from the 50's.

Bathingsuit's from the 60's

No, these suit's wern't seen at the show, these are Rudi Gernreich's Monokini's from the 60's.

Here's a hotpants disco outfit from the 1970's

 

Super glad the days of wool bathing costumes are long gone, arn't you?

Hope you enjoyed this little stroll down memory lane!

 

xox

Constance

 

 

 

Sandcastles ~ REvamps & Paper Magic!

Rebecca of Cre8tiva Compass, has more than one inspiring blog~talk radio program, did you know?   FAMM (Fiber Arts Mixed Media) is where she interviews different types of fiber artist~bloggers in her playful "sandbox".

She invited me to be her guest on Thursday, September 23, and now that this day is nearing~ I hope you too will feel free to jump into the virtual sandbox with us!  You can call in or email questions during the show.  If you are unable to join us this day, you can download any and all of Blog Radio programs, for free!!  If you haven't heard Artistcally Speaking's  interview with Vanessa Valencia of A Fanciful Twist, you can do it today & you will be happy you did!

On Friday the 24th :

Natasha Burns is having a Revamp it... celebration for all who enjoy recreating things and I'm joining in the fun!

Revamp ANYTHING!  Just take pics before and after, and during.  If you like, you can share tips or tricks that you found useful too. You don’t have to sign up until Friday the 24th, at Natasha's site.

On Thursday, September 30th, Rebecca of Recueda mi Corazon, invites us to share our most favorite paper creations, those made by you, or ones discovered online.  Everyone is invited to join in the fun!  Simply go to her site that day and sign up on "Mr. Linky".

***

I live for the next party, don't you?

**

xox

Constance

*

A Beautiful Dress or Maybe Pants

A wish that you will have a beautiful dress or maybe pants.  2010

I stumbled upon this slip of paper yesterday and smiled.  Last New Year's eve my Goddaughter Jacqueline and her brother William (four and six years at the time), helped to create party favors for our special dinner that evening. Their mission was to think up special wishes and I posed as their scribe. We rolled the papers and placed them into miniature trophies.  After dinner each guest took turns reading aloud our good fortunes and laughed until we cried.  So, yesterday when I rediscovered my little party favor, I realized that I did in fact end up with a beautiful new dress this year!

Remember this bolero I started awhile back, created out of silk pillow shams?

Here it is ~  fini!!

 Here is the dress that goes underneath

 

A detail of the back of the bolero....

and a closeup of the front of the bodice.

Also, a detail from the back of dress.

I have worn it twice and like it very much.  No pictures to prove it though, as I'm usually the one holding the camera!

xox

Constance

P.S.

Noelle gave me a pair of green Michael Kors pants last March that actually fit, a miracle!  A new dress and some new pants.  What good fortune I have!!

 

Study in Oyster and Coral

A silk bolero is in the works, created out of two embroidered pillow shams, and piped in some dark coral colored silk (purchased at Goodwill in New Orleans).  It's lined in some coordinating fabric from Thailand, a gift from my friend Phil.  Also on the sewing table a matching dress,  fashioned out of an oyster color dust ruffle that matches the pillow shams.  Piecing it together has been a mind twister.  A good mental puzzle.

 

An oyster colored velvet drawstring bag ~

With a galloping horse medallion.  There are tassels also embellishing the bag, repeating the idea of a horses tail.

Also a Coral drawstring bag ~

Both have been boxed up and sent to Dallas, as they will be part of a silent auction raisning money for the Humane Society.

All net proceeds from the first annual Spotlight Humane: Dallas gala will benefit the campaign to Stop Puppy Mills.  Spotlight Humane: Dallas will feature cocktails, a gourmet dinner, as well as entertainment and a silent and live auction.  Date: March 26, 2010
Location: Dallas, Texas.  For more info please email:  RSVP@humanesociety.org

Two ~ Two ~ Two Skirts in One

  +     
='s 


Here's a simple idea that may inspire you.
Next time you find a terrific deal on a skirt,
 purchase two, instead of one.



Buy the first skirt in your size...



and the second one a bit larger.


Cut the top off the larger skirt and iron under the raw edges,  pin to the bottom of a matching color slip. Try on the under skirt, with the over skirt.  Make sure you like the length, that the two balance well together.
~*~
For the underskirt, sew the top of the lower skirt fabric onto the bottom of the slip, attaching the two together.  Make sure the slip fits snugly around your waist (as the skirt fabric will add weight).  If you need to make your slip fit more snugly, simply take in the sides seems of the waist (right sides together).

Worn together, these two skirts
create one stylish look~

~*~

(The skirts above, were purchased
at TJ Max last year for $16~ each).

Breathtaking Embroidery

These works of art have a story to tell.
The amazing needlework is
 now on display now at the
 Metropolitan Museum of Art.
~
English Embroidery from 1580~1700.
Stunning, don't you think?

You can read review by Roberta Smith, at
 New York Times for more information.

Thanks to Mary Cooper for sharing
this incredible find!

Beauty in a Box From Carole!

Because of the Land of Blog, like minded souls get to meet.  That's is how I  connected with Carole at Scoundrels and Rogues.  She sews and creates with fabrics and passementerie.   I have seen her beautiful  embellished sachets, that she will be selling through her blog very soon I hope!

After seeing my work she wanted to share some of her treasures with me. I can assure you she "gets" what makes my heart beat!! 

She sent me a generous supply of lovelies.  Each and every flower, fabric, handkerchief and ribbon  I treasure!

As I create, I will let you spy!
Thank you Carole for your generosity!!

A World of Passementerie

British Passementerie:

Haywoods Trimmings

French Passementerie:

Ellen Ward Scarborough Antiques : Passementrie French Chandelier.  Price: $7,800

 

Vintage Hermes silk scarf : F. Heron

 

 

Houles  Company in Paris.

Indian Passementerie:

Palladia Passementerie

Ancient Chinese Passementerie:

Chinese tassel from Spurlock Museum in Illinois.