“Fancy isn't a word, it isn't a class of people,
and it doesn't cost. It's just fun.”
- Jessie A. Lee -
Shabby Chic Ideas for Life
Ok. So what do I mean by Shabby Chic ideas for life? (Please men, don't leave. I'm a definate woman, but if you can stand the poka dots, you'll really go for the principle I'm promonting. It has to do with saving money. It also includes food.)
The style Shabby Chic actually came into being during the 1930s Great Depression when women had absolutely nothing but a few flour sacks a little thread, bits of lace and some leftover satin to make clothing for their growing families. Nope. No Mall shopping. No credit cards. Sorry.
Scenario
"Mom, my graduation's coming up in just one month. Dad still has no work, and I absolutely forbid you to starve yourselves just so I can have a dress to wear."
"But darling, it's your graduation! You know we all want to make this your special day! Uncle Ted and Aunt Martha are coming, and so are all the cousins, as well as everyone else." Mom patted her daughter's shoulder. "You must have a special dress. It will be in the paper. They always put it in the paper."
"Yes, but just because I'm graduating doesn't mean you have to go without food or the children without shoes for the rest of the year!"
Mom sighed. "You have a point there. It's just that...you're our first child to graduate...and your father and I never got to go through school. We had to work. I'll see what Babi can come up with."
Mother and daughter trotted across the way in the warm sun to where the grandmother rocked on her porch. "Babi!"
"My childrens. Sit down. You must be very tired. Is good day, yah?"
"Babi, I must have a special dress, but I told mama not to make me something too expensive. But we have nothing. What would you do?"
Babi chuckled, and she caught Mom's eye. Suddenly a bright look passed between them. Mom nodded, and Babi rose, "Well, well. You is beautiful daughter, yah. I was beautiful. Your mama, she was beautiful, is still beautiful, but she have your papa. You...ah, well. You is young. You have long life. You must be doing your chores."
"But Babi, I do want a dress..." the daughter protested,giving into her weakness.
"Of course you want dress. You want dress, of course. Now, run along. I wanted dress too. But did I get dress? Ah, goot days, yah, those." Babi chuckled.
She rose and went inside her little cabin.
Mom chuckled. "What she was talking about was when she made her wedding dress from two of her mother's starched white tablecloths, two sleeves from a set of linen napkins, handmade crocheted lace with an overlay skirt of cheesecloth, and a bridal veil out of mosquito netting, onto which she embroidered roses."
The picture above is a no-sleeve blouse. Was. A friend gave it to me. It is very comfortable, but a little big at the neck and bust. Problem A. Second problem is that I prefer my blouses with sleeves. I had been wearing it as a layer blouse; but I'm tired of that style. I want to go Shabby Chic. I put together a few bits of my grandmother's homemade crocheted lace, a couple buttons, cut two sleeves from a remnant of eggshell colored eyelet lace, and began to hand stitch.
Let's take the principle now. Apply it to life. You have something that seems worn out, but still looks like it could be used for something. You don't want to throw it away. But you haven't the foggiest what to do with it. Perhaps it's a friendship. Perhaps it's a bread pudding. Whatever. Make a date with the friend and do something you've never done before. Crush up the bread pudding, bake them and make bread crumbs. Don't waste life.
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Ever out-bargained the peddler? I have! It's lots of fun. I've written about how to out-bargain Gypsies too. Click here to find out how:
