Melony's Whimsy Daisy!

Striking a Pose for Pink Saturday!

Happy Pink Saturday! With my Craft Cottage complete, I'm reminding myself I'm not going to open up a museum. It's time to pop the top on those plastic tubs of treasures  and begin sorting them out. Lots of those tubs contained my collection of vintage clothing. If it doesn't fit me, I need to move this stuff...er...um...this fabulousness to my Whimsy Daisy Etsy Shop! Maybe other vintage lovers will find something to enjoy. Plus, if I can get some of this stuff moved out of my creative space, I will have lots more room to sew, paint, and do my many other projects waiting for a spot and some wiggle room.

My dear friend, Jennifer, agreed to model some of the clothes. I knew the whole modeling session would be a hoot. Jennifer is a lot of years younger than me, but we always have a great time no matter what we are doing. With me behind the camera and her striking a pose it was lots of laughs, as we scouted locations in my house. Jennifer can also get her much smaller body into some of these outfits that my big toe won't squeeze into to save my life.

The first dress is by Storybook Heirlooms. Once upon a time I drooled over their catalogs and dreamed of buying their romantic styled dresses. I believe that was back in the 80's when I had a passle full of kids and money being spent on a froo froo dress was out of the question. Anyway, I loved the big pink cabbage roses tossed about this tea dress, and at the last second grabbed an old pink hat and perched it atop Jennifer's head. She is trying to look very ladylike and dignified, and I assured her she pulled it off quite well...although she looks a little bit resigned to the hat, don't you think?   

 

Now, on to your basic early 70's pink and aqua Sears Perma Prest gown set. Jennifer was not yet born at this time and she thought it was quite ridiculously kitschy and quite ridiculously comfortable. It certainly is a blast from the past. She called it the Menopause Gown Set and laughed loudly. If the set doesn't sell, I'll put it back for her and save it for her special time. grrrrrrrr 

 

I don't think Jennifer understands my love of vintage clothes. Well...not until she tried on the Mode O' Day dress from the fifties. I just love it and bemoan the fact that it isn't in a nice substantial size 14/16 or it would reside permanently in my closet. Jennifer loved the fit of this dress and now understands why I went nuts when I found this delicious number. It is pure femininity and sweetness of days gone by.

 

Hope you have a Happy Pink Saturday! May your week be full of Lucy and Ethel adventures!  

 

School uniforms and vintage clothes...

We have a family tradition that goes waaaay back. My mother took pictures of us starting school with our fingers noting what grade we would be going into that particular year. Much to my kids' dismay, I have carried on that tradition. As the picture clearly shows:

Daisy, at ten, still finds it somewhat amusing as she holds her fingers up for fifth grade.

Sam, at thirteen, is so over it. Disgusted. Has made me promise I won't post this picture on Facebook. Has determined smiling would be the worst possible expression to have at this time. Tries to assemble his body that has shot up three feet over the summer, and his llooooonnng fingers in the most cool position possible considering the humiliation of the moment.

As the kids head off in their school uniforms for the new year ahead, I have had a blast sorting through my vintage clothes collection and getting them listed on my Whimsy Daisy Etsy Shop. 

I love vintage clothing. I wish I could wear it personally every day. I have a few dresses I love, and I wore a 40's shift dress to Sunday School this past week. If I were thin and my pocketbook was thick, I would definitely love wearing the beautiful dresses of the 40's and 50's. Vintage clothing is difficult to find in the larger sizes and so sometimes it is easier finding styles that mimic the times of the past, but that are brand new. Sigh. I keep thinking treating myself to the purchase of vintage clothing will inspire me to lose weight. It hasn't happened. 

My sweet husband insisted I bid on this beautiful dress I found on ebay.It is from the 70's...not actually a favorite fashion decade of mine, but I loved the femininity of this dress, and it was within my bidding budget. I won it! How I hope I can wiggle these hips of mine into this flowery confection. 

 

Until that happens, here are some of my finds that are  for sale.  Some of them make me smile. This first one I have named The Yoo Hoo Marcia Brady...I found your Peacock Maxi Dress. I am nearly certain Alice had it all pressed and flounced for Marcia to wear to her National Jr. Honor Society Banquet. 

Isn't this 50's Lipstick Red dress fun?  The pleated details on the bust and sleeves are great.

Here is one more bit of vintage goodness which makes me laugh aloud.  It is an XXL TALL, so it is for a big tall drink of man.  This shirt gives me pause to ask the question...Who bought this originally ?

1. A John Wayne type...tall, muscular, secure enough in his manhood to wear florals.

2. The wife of a long tall Texan, who wanted to bring out her husband's more feminine side?  The shirt looks brand new. I'm not so sure he wore it more than once...if at all.

3. A beautiful plus-sized cowgirl who was thrilled to find something in her size AND with flowers?

 

My friend is coming over to be the model for some of my vintage clothing collection tomorrow. We will probably do more laughing than anything, so it should be fun. I will be sharing more pictures, I'm sure.

Have a great week and keep an eye out for those beautiful vintage treasures from the past.

At Last a Completed Summer Project!

What a busy summer runnin' and gunnin' with young ones and all the other summer activities. My craft cottage is complete...well, except for it being totally organized. I don't ever see that totally happening for a personality such as me. Sigh. I've been itching...ITCHING...to start and FINISH one project. Something. Anything!

On a little visit to Tuesday Morning I did spy a beautiful Heirloom brand nightdress. So sweet and white and old-fashioned looking. Innocent, yet romantic, and reminiscent of times gone by. I bought two with dreams of fluffing them up a bit with some whimsy, bits, and bobs from my stash.

 

Yes, the white is so pretty, but white doesn't stay white on me for more than 43 seconds, so I knew something must be done. I decided a nice skinny dip in a tea bath, a fun ride in a hot dryer, and a little pressing with an iron was just the ticket.

 

Then, I sorted out some of my favorite green colored 40's buttons. I stitched them here and there and everywhere I could find a spot. I really enjoy that green color and vintage buttons...well, who does not love a good vintage button?

I hand stitched a green velvet vine with some rich brown velvet ribbon rose buds on the bodice of the dress. I hope it adds a romantic touch.

 

Then, I had lots of fun creating a rose corsage. Big fluffy brown velvet ribbon swirls with a gumdrop shaped vintage button in the middle is stitched with some green velvet leaves. The corsage is quite large, and I think it is very dramatic. It is detachable and can be worn at the neck...

 

at the waist...

 

Or it can be worn on a completely different outfit...a jean jacket, a cloche, or embellish a purse! It feels so GOOD to finally finish something and after months and months actually list this in my Whimsy Daisy Etsy shop!

Now, if I can just keep up the momentum and get a few more things accomplished, I will feel back to my old self!