Busy bee
Things have been busy at Casa Bestitched. BL is working on some renovations and I have been occupied with other worthwhile pursuits. No, not the usual reading and writing. That work is constant and my target audience is about 3 people. Rather, I came home Friday with the following:
Object #1 (pictured left) found at subway stop and was forced to purchase by pushy 12-year old dealers. Worthwhile pursuit? Yes.
Object #2 (pictured right) purchased at newsstand just prior to boarding bus. I just recently learned of this magazine and I feel like my eyes have been opened.
Here's the thing, I am fixated these days on making my home space a cozy and warm environment. My parents are a bit OCD (understatement) and I grew up in an off-white home (carpets, tile, walls, furniture was all off-white because they needed to see the dirt stat). Perhaps not so cozy a space as it could have been (although I do love the parents!). On the other hand, tons of things strewn about collecting dust make me nuts (I am, after all, my parent's daughter). And up til now, our decorating style has been a bit spare.
So, now, suddenly after some time living on my own, I feel the need to make my home more of a cozy nest. Enter, Country Living. Warm, cozy, without the clutter. My work begins.
More work has been completed on the cowl. Body done and I am now knitting away on the 6" of ribbing that make up the aforementioned cowl. Note to self: next time, don't pick a pattern with 2x2 ribbing. You hate it.
As for BL's renovations, he's been working in the back bedroom. He removed the old crappy radiator cover to paint the walls and discovered that the previous homeowners put up drywall around the radiator cover and not behind the radiator. Lazy. Well, behind the radiator was this:
Look at that charming ballerina wallpaper on the crumbling plaster. So sweet! Now, I'm on a search to find a comparable fabric to maintain the history of this house. Suggestions for places to look on line?
It'll be fun to follow your "coziness" project.
I love the color of that cowl sweater.
Posted by: Chris | February 05, 2006 at 07:38 AM
Sounds like fun!
http://www.craftconn.com has a really wide selection of prints. As do http://www.equilter.com and http://www.bighornquilts.com/. And you can also try googling for "ballerina fabric" though you might need to include the search term "yard" or something like it, so that you don't just get things made from ballerina fabric. Good luck!
Posted by: Eli | February 05, 2006 at 08:15 AM
What sweet wallpaper!
Country Living is great, isn't it! I would never have looked at it, because of the name. I am so not country-style. But my sis showed it to me, specifically making the point that she thought it was my style and don't be misled by the name. I am in fit of cozy-making lately too!!
Posted by: jillian | February 05, 2006 at 09:02 AM
That's the best part about living in a house with some history, finding little treats like that!
Posted by: Cheryl | February 05, 2006 at 10:29 AM
Have fun making your nest nice and cozy!
Posted by: Jennifer | February 05, 2006 at 11:46 AM
Reprodepot.com has some good "vintage" fabrics, I'm not sure about ballerinas but you should check it out.
Posted by: Heather | February 05, 2006 at 12:01 PM
ohhhhhhhh charming is the word! what a fantastic find. though roses AND ballerinas are a bit much for this girl.
maybe do some judicious cutting and pasting and frame the lovely little ballerinas as an homage to the past.
sweet
and the sweater is delicious
Posted by: gigi | February 05, 2006 at 01:18 PM
What a fabulous find!
Posted by: Theresa | February 05, 2006 at 03:46 PM
The cowl is looking good so far, can't wait to see it on you.
Posted by: Siow Chin | February 05, 2006 at 06:37 PM
Oh, that wallpaper is just charming! So old-school!
Posted by: grumperina | February 05, 2006 at 07:20 PM
Oh, that wallpaper is just charming! So old-school!
Posted by: grumperina | February 05, 2006 at 07:20 PM
Lovely wallpaper. BL moves radiators?!? Is he looking to make some extra moola?
Avery Index at Columbia might be the place to troll for resources.
Posted by: colleen | February 06, 2006 at 07:48 AM
I subsribe to country living. I am not fond of the name either and I think it really may sway people. The latest issue has a great spread about women owned and run crafty businesses. Brilliant! I love your sweater too by the way.
Posted by: beth | February 07, 2006 at 10:33 AM
How fun! I love home renovation! If you haven't looked at fabric.com yet, it might be worth browsing; they do have a home decorating section as well as lots of prints. If you want to go local, I can hook you up with a couple cheap fabric stores that sometimes have good stuff. Great prices, but you have to hunt for what you want.
Posted by: carrie | February 08, 2006 at 12:00 PM