January 24, 2010

New (old) bookcase, and playing dress up.

How can it be Sunday night already? That seems...so wrong.

We did accomplish quite a bit this weekend. We went back to the store in Point Pleasant and retrieved the sewing cabinet for our vessel sink project. And at a hefty discount, I might add. I'm starting to think I will need more than $500 to do the powder room over completely but I'll try my best.

We're Cablevision customers, so we were reunited with HGTV and Food Network this weekend. We've been without for nearly a month -- they were yanked from our airwaves in a ridiculous Goliath vs. Goliath battle. Ergo, I spent way too much time watching TV this weekend. I was amused by a new show called Sarah's House where one bathroom was allocated $7000 for a "low end" budget makeover. And she still went over budget. Oh Sarah, Sarah, Sarah. Stick with me, kid. (It should be noted that the bathroom was beautiful, though.)

My friend Spence was cleaning out his storage unit and wondered if I wanted to be custodian of his antique lawyer's bookcase...no room in their new condo. It took me about a nanosecond to say, "YES, PLEASE!" And I put it together in the office-crafty-sewing room today.


And I am in love. I think I will use it to store my growing "collection" of fabric.

Speaking of fabric, I'm taking dress making classes. I have no time (or skill!) to be doing this, but new year, new challenges, blah, blah, blah. And Friday I completed my first dress:



Crazy, right? The fabric was in the clearance bin at JoAnn's so I only spent $1.50 a yard (three and half yards total). But since it took somewhere close to seven hours to complete the dress (I'm including the time spent seam ripping myself out of it when I got stuck in it. And yes, that's totally a true story) I'd say it was a wash. But at least my new hobby keeps me out of trouble and off the streets.

I hope you had a productive weekend. Now if you'll excuse me, I believe Designed to Sell is on...

20 comments:

Lorrie said...

Wow, Laura, I wish I had a friend who had no space for an antique lawyer's book case--what a great piece that is!

We are definite HGTV fans here. I am usually always amazed by the budgets that are spent on the makeovers, but it's fun to see how they turn out and a great way to get some useful ideas.

I hope you have a great time in your dress making classes. I sewed many of my clothes in high school. In recent years I've used my machine more to make curtains, placemats and such. I hope you'll share some pictures of your sewing projects.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I am SO proud of you and your new dress! Way to go, Laura! And I love the addition of the bookcase. Spence sure is a good friend! :-)

XO,

Sheila

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Wouldn't want to get in between a girl and her HGTV! Congratulations on the dress making lessons. I think I learned more in the dress making and tailoring classes that I took then in most other classes and it really does stick with you. In no time you will be making your own fantastic creations. Can't wait to see how the powder room looks when it is finished...I am sure it will be stunning though.
♥, Susan

Keetha Broyles said...

Great bookcase! My aunt had one just like it and I always had a large green case of envy over it.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

What a nice friend Spence is! That is a wonderful bookcase and will so pretty full of fabric. Good job on the dress, Laura! I like the fabric design.

I'd die without the FOOD network! I was glad I had Fios cable during the Goliath wars and didn't miss anything...lol

Have a good week!

Rue said...

First of all your dress is amazing!! Second, the barrister bookcase is terrific, but most importantly, is that a gi-normous map of New Jersey that I see in the background in the dress photos??? That looks so cool? How have I never seen that before? LOVE IT!

Rue said...

First of all your dress is amazing!! Second, the barrister bookcase is terrific, but most importantly, is that a gi-normous map of New Jersey that I see in the background in the dress photos??? That looks so cool? How have I never seen that before? LOVE IT!

Purple Flowers said...

I love those Barrister bookcases. It is such as handsome piece of furniture. Enjoy it!! And by the way, keep sewing, your dress is lovely!

Maureen said...

Nice bookcase! I love those. Let me know if your friend needs me to take custody of similar pieces! I can't wait to hear and see the powder room remodel. Although, your ability to find a deal may make my stomach sick.

Love the dress story....:) Good for you!

desiree said...

The bookcase is wonderful. I think all your different fabrics will look amazing thru the glass. I also have a piece of furniture I'm "holding" for someone--I love it--and I will be so sad when I have to return it.

Your dress is fab! Great job--very inspiring!

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

I have spent years teaching Fashion Design and Construction - and I can say for sure - Great Job!!! Fabric choice is great for that dress pattern - Keep it up!

And the bookcase is lovely, too.

Beach House Living said...

The dress is great. I'd love to find such a class. Nice cabinet to store the fabric stash in by the way.

j.cro said...

I love that book cabinet! I think M's grandmother has something similar. Nice dress. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall to hear what happened when you had to rip yourself out of your dress. I'm cracking up just imagining all the colorful things you had to say.

Linda Lou said...

We used to have a lawyer's bookcase-eventually the reproduction oak wasn't us anymore..but the antique one is great How could you possibly live without HGTV??? Our favorites our House Hunters International-great to fantasize about living somewhere great, as if San Diego is so awful! Good luck with your sewing -who knows what you may come up with!

Jean Martha said...

The dress looks great. I am JEALOUS of the bookcases.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad the cabinet was still there. It will look great in your bathroom with a vessel sink. I hope you stopped at Jenks to toast your find afterwards. Good luck on your dress making adventures. I think the most obscene amounts of money are spent on "Bang for Your Buck" where they can't do a bath reno under $100,000!

Leila said...

My M-I-L had a couple of those bookcases, and my hubbie just HATES them. He thinks that putting books behind glass is a terrible statement.

Well, yes. But I could be putting OTHER things in there! Like you! My stash! *sob*

He just wouldn't let me take them! Men.

s. pearce feldman said...

Those barristers are GORGEOUS! I have several of my own that I will not let out of my sight. I can't believe you scored such a great loan! Jealous!

Sue said...

Hi Laura....I am so proud of your dressmaking skills....glad you didn't get stuck in the dress!

Nancy said...

If you are a serious fabric collector you will outgrow that bookcase in no time at all. Don't you have a real sense of accomplishment over sewing a dress?