For a while now I've been collecting vintage barkcloth curtains*, and last weekend I found a pair of 1950's floral curtains at a carboot sale that caused me to nonchalantly ask, how much - whilst inside my heart was beating just a little too fast. I know you know what I'm talking about!
They are the perfect colour and texture and in wonderful condition. They are also the first pair that I've actually had the courage to cut up and use.
My front room has been slowly changing over the last 7 months and is now a rather eclectic mix of vintage and modern, combining florals and patterns and patchwork. I don't know if it works for anyone else, but I'm really happy with it.
These curtains make me think of summertime with lemonade and cucumber sandwiches. They make me think of Enid Blyton and Mudeford (one of the places I lived as a child), of sunshine and sand and of a childhood that didn't exist in the main for me, but that I would love to create for Bella. The type of childhood described in 'Apples For Jam'.
Since becoming a mother I've had such a strong desire to 'return' to the good 'ole days. You know, the one's that only exist in our imagination. I want to bake cakes and sew dresses for Bella. I want to spend days lying in tall grass, eating picnics and sketching. I want to birdwatch and press flowers, stay up late to stargaze and paddle in the sea.
And as strange as it seems, when I look at these curtains blowing in the breeze, they make me feel that all of that may yet be possible.
And even more so, when I look at this tiny perfect chair next to Bella's books, under the curtains.
Is it silly to wish for the halcyon days? Maybe, but who cares. I've got the curtains and that's a start!
I haven't been able to do very much crafting this week and as a result I have a 'To Do' list as long as my arm. This is particularly annoying as Bella was at her childminders an extra day and Jim was off work Monday and Tuesday. But the week started badly with me coming down with some kind of bug and by midweek we'd had a small fire when the electric kettel exploded! Which really gave me a fright as Bella and I were alone in the house - fortunately Bella didn't know why we were suddenly standing in the garden instead of making me a cup of coffee to go with our midmorning snack.
That same day Bella fell down our garden steps and landed on chin and then she fell off my bed and caught her eye on my bedside table!
So as you can see, it's a good job that I at least have the curtains!
I did get this Princess and the Pea set finished though - along with another 3 sets (so if you're patiently waiting for your order, then a big, big thank you and they are now on their way).
And I've got some new Princess's on the cutting table, with new dresses and bags.
I did also manage to start the button brooches that I hinted at last week. More to come about those though - they're not quite finished.
*As soon as I wrote that I had my curtain collection I realised that I want to blog about that, but it's too dark to take photo's now - so I shall try and remember to do it another day.
