Drapes Updated

When we were living in Virginia I bought this very colorful chair and it became one of my favorite pieces. When we moved into our new house in Texas I ended up using all the new furniture that we bought in Virginia in our new family room. I took the couch and one chair from our basement and two chairs from our sun room and put them all in the family room. This colorful chair made the cut.

This chair was my inspiration piece for the updated drapes.

The Family room in the Texas house has dark bamboo like shades and some very formal drapes.  The drapes had a gold pattern on the top fourth with tassels going into a red taffeta for the bottom three fourths of the drapes. I love the drapes, and they are over 10 feet long, so they would be very expensive to replace. So, I thought I would find a contrasting fabric to the colorful chair, and just change the top part of the current drapes.

Drapes before the update!

I went online to the Joann Fabric website and went to the Home Decor Fabric tab. I typed in the color orange and low and behold the exact fabric of my chair came up. After measuring  to see how much fabric I needed, I ordered it online and got 50% off. It came up to under $100 for new drapes.

Step one:  Remove the top section of the drapes. This was very easy. I was able to remove the top gold fabric and keep the tassels intact, because they were sewn onto the top of the taffeta. I left the lining in place still attached to the sides of the lower taffeta portion of the drape.

Drapes before the scissors! 

Top back side of the old drapes.

Cutting the seams open on the side of the top old fabric and then the top section.

After cutting the seams I pulled the folded fabric back and pulled the lining down to expose the seam where the top fabric was attached to the bottom taffeta. 

Here the seam is exposed and I had to make sure I cut the seam attaching the top fabric to the bottom fabric with out cutting the seam holding the tassels to the taffeta.

Success! You can see the fabrics are separating and the tassels are still attached to the taffeta.

Step two: I used the top section I removed as the pattern for the new fabric. I laid the new fabric in the direction I wanted the pattern to show and then put the old top piece on top of the new fabric. I pined it into place and cut around the piece.

I placed the old top piece of fabric on top of the new fabric and used it as my pattern.

Pinned and cut the new top piece.

Step three: I pinned the bottom of the new top fabric to the taffeta bottom with the right sides together. When sewing the pieces together (the taffeta side up so I could see the tassel stitching) I stitched just below the stitches that held the tassels to the taffeta.

Step four: I laid the drapes out on the kitchen island with the right side down. I pushed the seam at the taffeta up so the tassels would hang correctly and pulled the lining up to the top of the new top fabric. I folded the top down over the lining just like the old top was folded, using the fold lines on the lining as a guide. Then I folded the sides over the lining just like the old top was folded. I pinned as I folded.

Pulled the lining up to the top of the new fabric. I know, I should have pulled all the thread for a prettier picture.

I folded the top fabric down over the lining of the top first, using the fold lines on the lining.

Second fold over the top following the lines on the lining and then pinned. You can see it falls right at the stitching holes on the lining from the old top.

I then folded the sides over, also twice and pinned. This made the seams very thick. I also cleaned the back up by pulling all the loose threads. Better late than never, right?

Step five: I sewed the folded edges by hand. The fabric was too thick for my machine. It took a little longer but turned out great.

Step six: Hang the drapes on the rods.

Step seven: Step back and admire.

I loved how they turned out and the tassels matched perfectly.

Love how they match the chair and look very dramatic. 

Brothers

I could not imagine my life without my brothers. Although it is a whole different relationship than the one I have with my sisters, it is still so very special. As with my sisters, I have three bothers and a large age span between the oldest to the youngest, so my relationships are different with each one.

My brothers taught me how to swing a bat (left handed; made me a switch hitter), to roller skate, ride a bike, drive a car, took me on dates with them, were my playmates as children, shared an apartment as young adults, were my confidants, my advisors, and my rock in tough times.

My brothers are smart, handsome, talented, musical and extremely funny. They are wonderful friends, fathers, husbands, uncles, grandfathers and all around great human beings. When my world would feel like it was ending and tears would be falling there was/is nothing better than to receive a hug from my brother.

We are a family that loves music and all of my brothers play guitar and sing, so some of my fondest memories are of all of us sitting around singing and laughing.

My daughter has two wonderful brothers and no sisters. All the years they were growing up I have told her of the special bond a girl has with her brothers. When she got married a few years ago there were only brothers in the wedding. Her brothers were the bridesmen and our Son in-laws brothers were the groomsmen. It was a special occasion and truly showed me that my words were taken to heart.

On this Christmas day I cannot help but remember the family Christmases when I was younger with my Brothers and Sisters. Sitting at the top of the steps waiting for our parents to give us the OK to come downstairs and see what Santa brought us. The older kids always helping with the younger kids, putting toys together and playing games together.  This is our first Christmas without our parents and I think of all Holidays, Christmas is the one that makes me think of home and my family.

A very Merry Christmas to all. And all my Love to my Brothers and Sisters!

A Weekend of Antique Malls: Day Two

After coming home empty handed on Saturday we decided to venture out again on Sunday.

This is such an odd display to me. They have Crucifixes on the top shelf and then these creepy devil like faces and carvings. That does not include the reflection of the beautiful lady taking the picture.

I think these two pictures were taken at a booth that was owned by Sid from "Toy Story".

I have heard of Whistler`s Mother, is this Whisker`s Mother?

Nothing says Texas like a bull horn hat rack mirror.

Should this say All Crowns of Thorns $10?

Is there a need for a model of the human ear that someone would go to an antique mall to look for it?

I think you have to really know what you are buying from this booth. You could become fertile, cursed, loved, blessed, or have good luck depending on what you buy.

I must confess that a confessional was one of the last things I expected to see. Who would buy this? A retired Priest? 

We came home empty handed again today, but it was sure entertaining. 

A Weekend of Antique Malls: Day One

My husband and I finally bought a house in Texas and needed a few furniture pieces for a few rooms. It was a typical sunny day in Texas, and we decided to go antique shopping. Antique malls are interesting in that they can have some very beautiful furniture, or items of interest, but then there are the unusual, to put it nicely. These are items that you wonder not only who would buy them, but who is the person selling them.

There was so much in this booth it was hard to see everything. I am not sure why it is in an antique mall.

I am not sure what you could possibly put in this display case that would stand out more than the case . Maybe a tiara collection?

Besides it being creepy, there is something wrong with using an animal you killed with a gun, and have it be your gun rack. Once again why is this in an antique mall?

Carrier Eagle? Not sure what is written on the paper between its legs, but I hope it is some kind of justification for the $8000 price tag.

Is Morris, Morse`s forgotten brother? Is that why the practice key was named after him?    -- --- .-. ... . / -.-. --- -.. .

I wish I would have kept this same picture I bought from Kohls in the late 1990s. I am sure it would not have been worth twice what I paid for it.  Not an antique.

Really, Chief Watta Pop? This is so politically incorrect that it has to be an antique.

I am just not sure what this is about. Do people go out looking for broken, damaged mannequin legs and arms? OY!

Who designs these items? Better yet, who buys these items. I have never seen the need for a torso magazine basket on legs. It may become an antique while waiting for someone to buy it.

We did not buy anything on this Saturday trip, but we sure had fun looking. Stay tuned for Sundays shopping trip.

My Favorite Sister

There are four girls in my family and I am the youngest. Having sisters is one of the most amazing relationships a girl can have. There is a 15 year span from the oldest to the youngest, so the relationship I have with each of my sisters is different because of their age and personality.

Let me tell you about my Favorite Sister.

She is nurturing. She has gotten me through some of the toughest days of my life. She has been there to get me through fashion disasters, terrible haircuts, my awkward teenage years, bullying in school, childhood illnesses, heart breaks and break ups, and most importantly the passing of our parents. She gives great advice when asked for, and sometimes when not asked for. My favorite sister also knows when I just need someone to listen. She grounds me. My sister not only gets me through the tough times, but she always celebrates with me during the great times. She still calls me Sweetheart and Honey.

She is my Home. When I am with her there is no place else I would rather be. When I am homesick, she is who I text, or call for comfort. When I travel to our hometown I know her home is my home. I never feel like a visitor or guest.  I am her family.

She is my inspiration. My sister has been through major health issues and accidents, but she never complains, or slows down. She is a woman of faith and she is the first to help me if I need her, or send me her prays. She was the best daughter to our parents, and I will always be grateful for the love and care she gave them in their last days.

She is my biggest cheerleader! She will always find the one thing that is working for me and compliment it. I sent a selfie once after being in the Texas heat all day. I was literally melting. The texts she sent back were, "You look great, love the hat, your hair is getting so long, I love it".  She loves my crafts, my sewing, and my decorating. She values my opinion on her projects, and takes my suggestions when offered. When I was going through a very difficult move this year she sent prayers, inspirational texts, and always helped me see the humor in my situation. She loves my blog and is always encouraging me to continue. She is always proud of me.

She makes me laugh. My favorite sister has the best sense of humor, and she makes me laugh all the time. There is nothing better in this world than a long belly laugh, and we share that often. No matter what we are doing together, it always includes humor and laughter.

I am sure you are wondering which sister is my favorite.

Her name is Kay Lynn Jean and she is not one, but three.

Like with my children I cannot pick a favorite, because each one of my sisters holds a special place in my heart. Each sister has contributed to who I am today, and I could not love them more.

So, since it is a few days before Thanksgiving, I would like to say just how Thankful I am for my "Favorite Sister".

"A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life."
                                                                                                                       Isadora Jame

The Butter Boy Twins

A few years ago we went on vacation to Florida with our son and his girlfriend. I will call her Betsy. So, Betsy was going to buy presents for her family and we went to the local outlet mall to shop. As we were walking through a kitchen store Betsy decided to get a butter boy for her Dad. I am not sure what happened to her father's butter boy, but he missed him and wanted a new one. Betsy found a butter boy in the store and bought one for her father and we loved it so much we bought one for ourselves.

Are you asking the question, "What is a butter boy?"  A butter boy is a plastic green figure that you put a stick of butter into so you can butter corn on the cob. The figure has a head (lid), and an outfit painted on it.

The butter boy we bought in Florida was taken back to our house in Virginia and left there for the 17 months we lived in temporary housing in Texas. While in Texas we went to an outlet mall and bought a butter boy for us and our daughter for Texas. On October 24th our butter boys, separated at birth, were reunited in our refrigerator in our new house in Texas.

Here is the text exchanges announcing their reunion.
Picture sent by Dad

Son: I take credit for the butter twins
Dad: The Butter Boy Brothers are finally reunited. Look at their different outfits.

Daughter: I am glad both butter boys made it safely to your new residence.
Dad: I am tearing up. (Emoji with a tear)
Daughter: They look like the Property Brother twins. One guy is handy, and the other is in sales.
Son In-law: They look happy to be reunited. I'm sensing lots of butterly love.
Dad: Sent Picture below (notice the writing on the Frig behind them)

Daughter: "Twin Cooling"?
Son In-law: Sent picture below

Son In-Law: Our butter boy isn`t so happy. Looks like he made a failed attempt at suicide.
Dad: You can bring him here to a safe place. (happy face emoji)

I butter cut the blog off here, and keep churning on my next post. I will try to stick to fun blogs and hope they are margarine-ally better than this one.

So Long to Our Apartment

The boxes are all packed,
All the pictures off the wall.
The furniture`s been donated,
And we rented a UHaul.

The kitchen has been cleaned.
The bathroom has been scrubbed.
The floors have all been mopped.
Vacuumed used and then unplugged.

Seventeen months have gone,
In seven hundred square feet.
Four rented garages,
Good-bye to the busy street.

I thought I would be happier,
Maybe jumping up with glee.
Finally moving out of the apartment,
My feelings have surprised me.

I will miss my neighbor Sue,
And the short drive to Market Street.
Being able to walk to Target.
The location can`t be beat.

Major events happened,
While we were living there.
Some were filled with joy.
Some with great despair.

The passing of my Mom,
On my Anniversary day.
The Birth of our Granddaughter,
On the 16th day of May.

The College Graduation,
Of our youngest son this year.
And our first Holiday season,
Was celebrated there.

Although I say so long,
On this 4th day of November.
Events that happened while living here,
Will always be remembered.