Vintage Lace and Doily Tunic Top

I've been brainstorming and wanting to create some type of lace top for a while now. Wednesday, I had to go to Longview (about 35  miles away) to pickup flower supplies. On my way to there, I finally got the vision for what I wanted to make and couldn't wait to get back home. Even though I had a few wreaths that had to be made, I had to dig out my buckets of lace, doilies, and hankies, and lay out my idea! 

No pattern, no measuring, I just started laying everything out. I was able to get everything pinned and started sewing, before I had to quit and go make wreaths, that had to be delivered Thursday morning.

Thursday afternoon, I was able to get back to the sewing machine and 4 bobbin refills later, the top is finished! I believe this is the first clothing item that I have made from scratch. I always tell people I add to shirts, but don't make them... truth be told, I struggle trying to read a pattern. I really should have wrote down the measurements for this one, though. 

While we were out Thursday morning, we found the pants at a garage sale... they were super cute and I knew I had to have them! Got them home and they were too big. The top folds over like yoga pants, so I decided to sew the flap down and insert an elastic piece. Pretty happy with how they turned out as well and they matched my new tunic top! 

Good news is that I didn't have sewing machine issues while I was working on this  (read: no mental breakdown, hissy fits, or ugly words!)  and I've got plenty of lace to make more! I am planning to make a few more before our show at Vintage Market Days of East Texas in September, so stay tuned.

This was my Thursday morning Facebook post and I think it sums up this top! 

New Paint and a Gussied Up Ceiling

Gussie the Glamper is getting lots of attention lately! She's got a big date in October and she's trying to get all gussied up in time for her public debut! You may have noticed, I've never really showed the ceiling. It was the one big thing that I hadn't tackled. I've had all sorts of ideas about covering it's ugly spots. I've been on the look out for tin ceiling tiles at garage sales or anything cool to repurpose and I've found nothing. 

Also, the kitchen cabinets had remained original, till last night. I decided they needed a couple coats of ivory lace (that's the paint color). Last year, I had debated whether to paint them or leave them in their original state. Still not sure about the green counter and the two sliding doors. I'm liking the cabinets so much better with fresh paint and I think I'll leave the doors green. What's your thoughts? 

This afternoon, I put the second coat of paint on the cabinets and pondered the ceiling again. Then I remembered I had the burlap coffee sacks and knew they would be attached to the ceiling, but how? 

I grabbed my spray adhesive and mod podge, thinking I would glue it up there. Although, when it came down to it, the staple gun got the workout! If I do find something I like better, (although, I'm really loving this), it will be easy to change it out. 

 I've accumulated several doilies with stains and tatters and felt they should have a place on the patchwork ceiling. Because Miss Gussie is perfectly imperfect and she doesn't mind a few imperfections and we both love her mason jar lights! 

It came a crazy thunderstorm while I was out there stapling away and then I redid my chalkboard sign. 

I peeked out the door to catch the sunset after the rain! The rain and wind blew my awning around, but it survived. Better weights are definetly on my list of things to find. 

So, do you follow the adventures of Gussie the glamper and me on social media? If not, we'd love for you to travel along with us and watch for our upcoming news! 

Pride and Prejudice - Burlap and Book Page Wedding Bouquets

The Pride and Prejudice Wedding Bouquets- 

Morgan sent me a request through my etsy shop for burlap wedding bouquets, only she wanted more doily type fabric in her bouquet and pages from the Jane Austen novel, Pride and Prejudice. 

I customized her order with navy, rustic red, tan, and cream burlap roses with pearl accents. Vintage doilies were tucked among the bouquets and pages from the novel were used among the flowers. 

In each bouquet, I tried to include the title of the book and the authors name, so that each person carrying the bouquets would be able to know the significance of the pages.  

Small bridesmaids bouquets only had red, tan, and cream burlap roses, as the bridesmaids are to wear navy dresses. 

Morgan also requested two stretchy lace bands with coordinating flowers for their dogs!

I tried to get my dog to model for me, but she wasn't the most cooperative! I got the "mom, really?" look and "no, I'm not looking at the camera" poses from her. Hopefully, Morgan's dogs are more excited about being a part of the wedding day festivities. 

Wristlets for the mothers and grandmothers also included the option to be pinned on if they wanted to. 

Other than trying to get the title in the bouquets, I didn't pay attention to the words on the pages. As I finished this wristlet, I realized the leaf said "her mother". Purely coincidental, although I mentioned it to the bride and she said she would make sure her mother received the wristlet to wear.

Boutonnières for the groom, men in the wedding party and one little ring bearer. 

Now I have a confession, I've never read Pride and Prejudice. I wished I would have taken the time to read the book, before I ripped the pages out and worked them into the wedding bouquets. How about you? Have you read the book?