Wonderful Gifts

by Kimberlee

(And I'm annoyed that I still haven't found the cord that allows me to upload photos into the computer.)

To be honest, I was sort of not looking forward to Valentine's Day, just a little. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE V-day, despite my tendency to be a cynic, but I had chemo scheduled for that day, so I was feeling pretty sorry for myself.  It generally stresses me out to go out to dinner on V-day evening (too busy), and I had felt too punked to go out the night before.  So yeah, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself.  But the atmosphere in the clinic was very festive; there were Valentine's presents being given out, and one of the patients made cookies!

Since it usually takes a couple of hours for the chemo to really set in, we stopped at the Goodwill on the way home.  I love second-hand stores, as I am sure most of you do!  I wish I could show you the lamp base and glasses I scored! (Soon!)  My husband found and pointed out the small pattern section to me, and wow did I hit the jackpot.

In addition to being a second-hand store junkie, I am also a Ren Faire junkie, and just this last year I finally made my own costume, so I have been on the lookout for this year's, and I found it in the discontinued Simplicity 8735, which was inspired by the movie Ever After, the costumes in which were in turn inspired by the drawings of Albrect Durer.

Simplicity 8735

The "Breathe" Dress, pattern A 

The dress I really want to do is Dress C, the one in the upper right-hand corner.  I fell in love with it immediately, although I guess it was the least popular, as I was not able to find any finished costumes representing it online. I've had a lot of fun looking online at Jacquards and Tapestries - I usually don't have a reason to!  By the way, if anyone knows a great and inexpensive place to buy those fabrics from, I'm open to suggestions...

We also found this Edith Head Vogue pattern from 1972, and I had to snatch it up, too:

Very Easy?  I'll be the judge of that!

I adore this pattern.  The dress is an absolute classic, and the kimono jacket is perfect, and it was a dollar.  How much better can you get?  I like the longer version, personally.

OK, I have been pining for this piece of furniture at Target for over 2 years now, and I was going to wait to show you all how it goes into my decor, and I still will, but I can't wait to show you!  This was my big Valentine's Day gift:

Art Deco!

Isn't it adorable?  The bedroom is decorated loosely in an Art Deco/French style, and this fits very nicely into that.  To be honest, I tried to find a place in the living room that it would fit so I could look at it all the time, but had to give in to where it wanted to live.  I can't wait to show you how it looks all accessorized and in its home!

It's just awesome to wait so long for something that you love, and to be totally satisfied!  After 2 years, we kind of got the clue that it was never going to go on sale, much like the Converse tank tops (I know Target, LOL).

The last thing I can tell you about without needing photos are my plans to open an Etsy shop!  I'm at the pricing/gathering supplies stage right now, so we are a ways off, but I'm totally excited about the products I have decided to make and sell.  I don't want to get into too many details, but it will be a mix of affordable beauty products and handmade goods, as well as a few gift baskets because I think gift baskets are the finest things, ever.  I'll have to do a post sometime about how much of a sucker I am for gift baskets - I even like the ones the grocery stores have (fruit and nuts).

Well, since Scrabble was such a hit last time, I thought I'd start winding up posts with a photo of her.  Take care, everyone, and talk to you soon!

Scrabble on the Patio