New Vintage Wardrobe Project #20: Down Home at The Double B Ranch

okay.. I was really a little depressed last week.

In a week and 2 days, I turn 40 and become the mother of a teen-ager, almost all at once. These are fine benchmarks in my far fetched quest for actual maturity, but milestones this large tend to give a girl pause for thought. I had originally thought that it would be ideal to make this transition in Paris, but what with the weak dollar and everything, it seemed like it might not be the world's best timing. Besides, I went to Paris broke once already... and next time I would like to have some folding money for the brocante.

So, I picked Portland Oregon as my second choice. I mean, Obviously! I had killer reservations and imagined bloggy meet ups and everything. But the Just About To Be Teen-ager has an F in social studies. This kid loves NPR. He was excited to listen to the candidates debate. He loves travel, and is totally interested in government and policy, (in an 8th grade kind of way).

He Has An F.

We are going No Where. Because pulling him out of school for 3 days would put the capital IP on Irresponsible Parenting. But, may I just say, I truly loathe being responsible, when it Cuts Into My Birthday Season Like This.

So I dropped everything and made myself a western shirt. And it really helped.

It is my new favorite shirt.

Can I get a Yee-Haw?

Simplicity 7051- circa 1975
in Kokka's Trefle and (I think) a sweet contrasting Michael Miller green graphic.

Nothing says 'Western' like a Japanese imported fabric, printed with Russian Folk dolls.

yup, it's wrinkled, because I am wearing it all the time.

Great for doing chores here at the Double B Ranch!

can you believe this is just where the button ended up? sewing serendipity.

And I just wanted you all to know that as part of Her contest, I am linking you up to Martha Stewart's Blog. Seriously, I know she's going to want to talk to me about the New Vintage Wardrobe stuff, or maybe she'll call me when she's in town, and we will go thrifting. Or you know... whatever. Because I bet Martha and Betty could be tight. Can't you just see us, up late, eating brownies and decoupaging stuff. Another BFF, for my posse.

Martha, you have my email.

Fielding a Question about Gourds

Hi Everybody!

Wow! featured on The Crafty Crow, Craftzine Blog and on Boing Boing? Zowwee!
Thanks Everybody!

I am getting a few questions on the use of freshly cut gourds. Tis the season, after all!

If you find or grow fresh gourds, ( I got some at the pumpkin patch) the best thing to do is place them on a plate or tray with gravel in it, in a warm dry place. Then turn them every couple of days to make sure they dry evenly. They are pretty and this makes a good looking fall display on a table. I have also heard that sponging them off once a week or so with a dilute bleach solution increases your chances they will dry well. Mold is your main concern.
Once they are all dry, (which takes quite a while, a few months anyway) they will be a golden color and will rattle when shaken.

Then just scrub them with a scouring pad, dry them off and seal them of you want to. I used mod podge and some people use furniture wax.

Thanks and keep reading.. Next up: The New Vintage Wardrobe Rides Again!

Gourd Dollhouse Tutorial

Make a house that is just the perfect size and shape for your lovely little peg doll friends.

First: Select your gourd. I got mine from The Caning Shop in Berkeley. (By happy memory stirring coincedence, it was right behind (same building) The Gilman Street Project, which was where I first saw Nirvana, when we were all young enough that they should be playing in tiny all ages clubs.) These are Kettle and Bottle gourds. The bottle gourds were 14.00 and 9.00 being medium and small sized and the Kettle gourds were 5.50 each. They are very nice there and you can phone them so you can get help selecting the perfect gourd.

To cut the gourds you really do need a rotary tool (Dremel being the most widely owned).
You will want to select the rotary saw bit with the rough surface, the other spiral bit is much harder to control.

Draw on your door and window shapes in pencil (which will wipe off with a damp cloth if need be). I keep my shapes rounded and organic, being both easier to draw and to cut, and they work best with the gourd shape, as well.

To do the cutting I brace the gourd against my body as it does take a bit of pressure and a steady hand to do the cutting. Press straight down and the bit will drill right into the surface of the gourd. Once seated, press the bit forward to trace over your pencil lines. I like to make sure my hand will fit inside the door, as it makes cleaning out the gourd Much Easier. This is both Loud and Dusty. Eye and ear protection is recommended.

Once you have the holes cut, scrape out the seeds and dried gourd guts with a spoon.

Smoothing and getting out the flakey dry stuff is easier with this type of abrasive pad, cut small to fit inside your gourd.

Use a 450 grit sandpaper to round the edges of all the opening to make it safe for tiny, soft fingers.

I use inexpensive acrylic craft paint because it had great colors and covers very well. Also you can just squirt it right inside the gourd and spread it around.

Decorate your gourd with "curtains". I have used eyelet, fringe and pompoms for my curtains. All are cute. Hang with hot glue or other adhesive.

My rug is a felted weater scrap, trimmed with scallop shears, and also glued in place. The fluffy rug helps mitigate the uneven floor of the gourd.



Now make some tiny furnishings and move those sweetie peg dolls right in. Make a whole neighborhood.

Be sure to let me know if you make one! I will start a little flickr group, so everyone can show off their creations!

I will be putting these samples up in my Etsy shop, with their wee residents and some new furniture, hopefully next week.