Longing for a French Kitchen

Months (and months!) ago I posted about this fabric and this small console table, without following through with the results.

This is a narrow back hallway leading from our mud room-laundry room, and difficult to photograph. But, you get the idea.

I purchased two different lengths of cafe rods at WalMart (using a short piece with a long piece to form two long-enough rods), had a handy man bend them at appropriate lengths, then mount the cafe rod brackets on sides and front of underskirting of console table. Obviously, the gathered panels had to meet to coincide with the appropriate mounting bracket, and the two rods end (just barely touching) in the front middle.

Voilà!  Rather French kitchen, if I do say so myself.

At the moment I've stored a ton of coffee-table sized books on the hidden shelf. Out of sight, out of mind? Probably. But, when I need them, there they are.

NOSTALGIA: Wearing Your Sunday Best

I ran into this 2-yard remnant at Hancock Fabrics today and it really played my heartstrings... Memories of Sunday School, Easter, and sewing our own clothes. The backside is pink with black sketches of the pattern pieces. So, so sweet.

On another matter--why are the ladies who work at Hancock Fabrics always so mean? Not just in my city. My sister has experienced the same. Their working conditions must be difficult?

SEWING CURTAINS

Baby LE has a window in her room that opens into the stairwell, so her mommy decided to hang the curtain on the outside of the window[in the stairwell] so that she will always be able to peek in and see what Lucy is doing.

When LG was small our son and daughter-in-law would step out onto the terrace of their flat in Bratislava to peek into LG's window--which worked beautifully in the early days of her climbing out of bed and roaming her room. However, one night when they peeked in, LG had her hands to the glass and was peeking back at them...

Anyway, one of my assignments during this two-week visit to Omaha is to make the curtain for LE's window. JE chose the fabric a few days ago and as usual I procrastinate until almost the last minute, but manage to complete the task in just over an hour this evening [after a 5 hour! afternoon nap--for me, not LE or JA]. The end result is smashing, even if I do say so myself. JE chose a very pink fabric--pink on pink--that is not overwhelming because it hangs in the creamy white stairwell.

Beginning to think that LE needs pink panels on all 7 of the windows in her room, so I plan a last minute trip to the fabric store before hitting the Interstate and heading home in the morning. JE has hung creamy white drapes on all windows, but even though they are insulated the light still glows through. An additional girly-girl printed panel will keep out the rays of sunshine and tiny LE can snooze peacefully away, no matter the time of day.

JA and I have bonded. He is a charmer--likes silly songs and marching about. I'll miss the little ones but grandpa is home alone and it is time for me to get back to work. Hopefully, a few lazy days at home before the agency calls.

CRAFTING A BRACELET

Attended a jewelry-making party at the home of a good friend. A clever idea even though the presenter was wound a bit tightly and had a shrill voice. Possible a career in direct sales should be reconsidered.

I followed the pattern precisely--small beadwork not being my most creative endeavour. A lovely gift for my mother-in-law.

Cooking and sewing and interior decorating are areas where I can shine. I always follow the recipe the first go-through; no substitutions. Many times the creator has it nailed, but once in awhile I can give it a slight spin or adjust for improvement. Then the recipe is mine! I will take the credit.

I hadn't sewn in years until early summer. It's like riding a bike! I climbed back on and created a commuting bag with a divider and pockets and a little bling for show. Then the aforementioned tutu and next the long-promised pillow covers in a sage green chenille.

The women in my family read cookbooks like novels--for entertainment and relaxation. That's why we are all great cooks--each and every one of us.