Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Thrifty Talent Treasure Decisions?

So I've been spending a lot of time in the local Thrift stores looking for things I can re-purpose. Sometimes I find other people's hidden talents and my jaw about hit the floor when I found this Beauty for $6.99. Usually I just buy the $1 sales on Monday. But this was screaming at me to take it home, from the second I saw it. Wonderfully fits my honkin big dining room table as well.




It's all hand embroidery and the backside looks almost as good as the front.



These small details just amaze me.

I just can't imagine the hours and hours someone lovingly put into this piece. It should have been a family heirloom.


So of course I brought it home. But my creative mind is spinning and there's this big decision I'm trying to make concerning this tablecloth. See I never use tablecloths in my home.
Why?

Well see I've bred a bunch of these here mini creative genius' creatures like me who can’t seem to get enough of markers...
Or pens, pencils, dirt and even dare I say mud...
And scissors. I won't tell you what past heirloom they snipped with scissors, but it wasn't pretty.

And then there’s the fact that the whole family has the table manners of a slew of messy barnyard animals.
So when I’ve used tablecloths in the past they basically have to be washed and spotted after every single meal. And I’m thinking that this work of art has seen the inside of a drawer more often than it hasn’t. If I keep it as a table covering it would continue to sit in the dark except for special occasions. Table runners fare much better in my home.
So I’m a wee bit tempted to re-purpose it into a Sunday dress for Lea. I can totally see this in the skirt section of the dress.
And this on the corner of a matching bolero jacket.
I've visioned the whole lovely creation in my head. The colors would rock with Lea's hair as well.

I recently got permission from my mom to re-purpose some of her Cedar-chest treasures into dresses and baby blankets. Beautiful works of art that have been spending that past decades in darkness. I want to give them a new life because they are too pretty for mere pillowcases or dishtowels. And I think I could make something lovely and also something worth handing down to the next generation as well.

'But Fawndear, were you not just telling us how completely messy your children were. How would this dress survive being worn by one of them?' I know your thinking.
Dunno?
In the past they have treated Sunday dresses with a bit more care. But it would still be tempting fate. I'm good at that.
What Do You Think? Should I go for it or save this for Special Occasions tablecloth only?

9 comments:

Trena Doll said...

Make the dress!

Sara said...

It's so pretty. And Sad that someone had no respect for the hours of labor that went into it.

I vote for tablecloth (and childtraining ;-) ).

Seriously, I don't know what I'd do with it, although we do do tablecloths. Polyester and washable. You probably could make several usable heirloom items.

Sara said...

Okay, how about coordinating easter outfits a la "Sound of Music"?

RavenM said...

Oooooh... I would be having a tough time with this decision too...

It's absolutely beautiful. I don't know which I should vote for. Sorry, I'm not much help. :)

Dawn Zorer said...

I say keep it on the table and go and look at it everyday, that would make you feel good, and then take it off when you use the table. Having a beauitful table cloth would help me keep the table clean from a let of mess.
Dawn

Jenny P. said...

For me, it would be a no brainer cause I couldn't turn it in to a dress to save my life (okay, maybe if my life were really in danger I could work up a sarong or something), so I would go with the tablecloth, but if I had any dress making talent, perhaps I'd feel differently. I have been known to keep a pretty tablecloth on the table, and then rip it off every time we eat, cause well, I have four of those mess makers too...

I don't know. Tough decision... I think if I were forced to vote, I'd say tablecloth.

You're right about it being beautiful... wonder who put so much time and effort in to it...

Jonathan and Cheri said...

What, it's the morning after your HUGE exciting movie premier and NO POST yet? ;) You really just went to bed when you got home and didn't visit your blog?

Deanna said...

Personally I would save it for special occasions and then I would pass it down to my first daughter that got married to keep it in the family.....

I'm sure you will make a great choice on what to do with it though!!! It is truly lovely and I think it should stay in one piece :)

Suburban Correspondent said...

What great ideas!