This lot of Christmas ornaments totaled one whole buckeroooo~ 
There are some really cute ornaments at the very bottom of that bin, and some not so cute, but the price was certainly right. This is just the ones that I'm keeping, there was a bunch I've bagged up to donate to a thrift store :-)
They are glass and except for the tail feathers, they look just like the old Christmas birds of long ago. I was with my hubby or I would have bought a whole shopping cart full. I am so going back when I get my car out of the shop this afternoon! :-)
this hay......
IS HURTING MY BUTT!"
I'm not a poet. If I were, I'd write a sonnet about this dress. Instead, I'll just give you a list of the things I love about it:
It's from the 1930's.
It's pink.
It's velvet.
The embroidery is hand worked.
The embroidery goes all the way around to the back.
The sexy neckline dips to a deep V in back.
It has a train.
It's one of a kind.
Oh, and did I mention, it's PINK?
See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .
Here is a photo of the "boo-eek" banner I've made for my swap partner Amy. (okokok, this one is MINE) but hers is just like it :-) 
It doesn't happen very often, but every once in awhile a vintage dress takes your breath away. I recently purchased a load of vintage dresses from a gal who was getting out of the vintage business after 30 years. She had things in piles in a bedroom of her home, was getting ready to move, and just wanted it gone. We filled about 6 large trash bags with things and I brought them home. I really didn't take the time to look at everything while I was loading the bags. I knew the quality was top notch and didn't have the time.
The other day, I took out one of the bags to inventory the clothing and get it photographed. My hand touched the black velvet, and I knew the dress was a good one because it had that substantial feel of high quality vintage. I held the dress up, and those 3 dimensional wings on the sides of the skirt made me gasp. And then.....
and then.....
I found the Ceil Chapman label. That's when I screamed out loud! Those of you who love vintage will understand. My husband thinks I'm crazy when stuff like this happens. I mean, it's just a dress.
But What A Dress!!!!
See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .
Wow..... I survived it. I am a swollen chipmunk right now...but happy as a lark (I think the drugs haven't worn off yet lol) I didn't have to have any stitches, I'm greatful for that. I think I worked myself up so much and to have it turn out so good...(so far anywho) I'm so happy! lol...yep, I'm a nut. Wait until the pain starts..... I'm sure I'm not going to be so happy lol.
Second place ribbon on the fabric covered box, (again, I didn't think that would be a ribbon winner) 
Also, a second place ribbon on the six Christmas ornaments I made. (which I personally thought should have been the "first prize" winner)
The crocheted blanket didn't place anything, which was totally understandable (now) seeing how the other blankets were literally works of art!
Also, my "quickie-gotta-make-something-fast" piece of jewerly didn't get any ribbons as well. (that I figured from the get-go) But...seeing what did place ribbons, I'll be sure to get first place NEXT year lol
Whoa is me...I'm off to get my 4 wisdom teeth out~ *big-fat-pout*
Gina Fratini is one of the influential designers of the British Boutique Movement. She started her business in 1964 and was known for her velvet pinafores and dresses in the late 60's. She designed the dress worn by Princess Anne for her 21st birthday portrait. By the 70's, her designs had evolved into more romantic and fairytale style evening gowns. Fratini closed her business in the 80's, but continued to design for Norman Hartnell as well as private client Princess Dianna. A Fratini dress worn by Princess Dianna brought $85,000 at a Christie's auction in 1997.
If you take a closer look at the print in the skirt of this 1960's Fratini dress, you'll see giant Monarch butterfly wings. A co-ordinating geometric print forms a wide border at the hem.
See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .
Richard Selzer, AKA Mr. Blackwell, is known for more than his annual Worst Dressed List. He was a fashion designer who had his own line of women's clothing from 1958 to the 80's. His designs tended toward the dramatic and theatrical. This dress certainly attests to that! Fashioned from black wool jersey, it has the most incredible rhinestone choker neckline!
Strands of rhinestones connect the choker to the front neckline of the dress. And if that's not sexy enough, take a look at the back!
See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .
I just happened to be driving by the house in my neighborhood where I bought all of that fab stuff for $20 bucks... noticed there was a massive pile of left over stuff... had to stop. Needless to say, I ended up hauling most of it home with me. I had to send my hubby home to pick up my truck. (yes, it looks like a beat up ol' truck... lol... its a 1964 falcon) The majority of the items I will be donating to a thrift store. (my house is full already!) but... the fabric, wowzers. There is enough fabric to open a small shop! Again, I had to toss loads of it into the donate pile as I just have no place to store that much. The large rolls on top of that pile...well thats a roll of ultra suede, a roll of white satin, a roll of thick clear plastic, a roll of a heavy gold fabric-with a price of $8 bucks a yard :-) I have no idea what I'm going to make with any of it, but its mighty nice to have it especially with it all being free. And-- I met the nicest people who are renting that house.... exchanged numbers... who knows, maybe they will be our newest bestest buds~
