Holiday Inn

Howdy, howdy.
After being super busy for the last couple of weeks i finally made it online last week, but spent most of the day catching up with everyone.  Folks have been posting like crazy!
here is one of my favorite Christmas movies.  Its not as much of a staple for me as Its a Wonderful Life, but it comes very, very close.

If you want to know more about it, look it up, but after hearing that it has Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire in it.  Of  course, since you guys are vintage lovers, etc, i'm sure you know and love it.
So here it is, and here i am, wishing you a Merry Christmas with one of my favorite movies... isn't Youtube great? almost any movie, anytime.
 ~here it is

1940s Bang/Fringe Wave (Judy Garland Inspired)

Figured i'd turn this post into a bit of a hair tutorial.  One of my favorite movies is Babes on Broadway (1940) with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. Judy Garland's hair has always been such an inspiration for me, and if you know your pin curling, the styles really aren't that hard to figure out.  When i first got into vintage, i hardly ever did pin curls because they were just too hard for me at the time.  Now that i have more experience with them, i do them almost every time i set my hair, which is all the time.  
Here is just a side note, if you aren't really into pin curls, try them, but dont give up.  There is a special trick to them that can never be explained.  Each one of us does them just a little bit differently due to our hair thickness or type, and how well it holds curl... like i said, i cant really be explained.  A flick of the wrist here, a twisting of the entire arm there, it really is an art, but it seems to be so much more authentic than rollers when doing specific looks.

IF YOU DONT HAVE BANGS:  go ahead and try this.  I saw a movie once where  a lady didn't have a fringe, but pinned her hair right behind the wave, letting the rest fall to the side  so that it was nice and fluffy around her face.   It is possible, i just haven't tried it because i have bangs.

You can also do this with a Bettie bangs length!

The following set is a section off the top of  about 11/2 to 2 inches thick and 4 to 5 inches across the forehead.
please remember that whichever side you part your hair on, the pin curls need to be stemming AWAY from the part.  The back is probably just forward pin curls with a reverse row  in the middle.  Whatever you like is fine.

you can also place your finger right in the middle of the wave, place a pin right under your finger  and allow the ends of hair to curl around and hide the pin, making a cute wave/curl.  (shown is Judy Garland in Strike Up the Band and one of the actresses [left] in an Abbott and Costello movie)





Deanna Durbin with a killer pin curl set and fringe wave



So that you can get many views of the style, a little inspiration and a snapshot of the movie,
here is a video from youtube of someones favorite moments  from Babes on Broadway.

~Beth

 

Barbara Stanwyck

Thought I'd do a little post about one of my favorite hair and clothing inspirations of late.  I know it looks like i've disappeared, but i'm still here, reading every one's blogs and stuff.  But i've been super busy and its been hectic lately (I've also been having some fun) and i look up and, my word, its Monday again.  Another week has passed by before i even realized it.  also a week from my last post, which might be rude... (?).  So i apologize for the looooong halts between posts,  I'm working on it.

The Gay Sisters, 1942 

 That being said, here are some of my favorite pictures of Barbra Stanwyck.

Stella Dallas, 1937

Barbra Stanwyck wasn't exactly as popular as Rita Hayworth or Judy Garland or even Ginger Rogers, but she was still VERY well known.

(for more info on her, click on the Wikipedia link above the picture)
(I do not own any of these photos)


Take just a few minutes to look at these.
No words are needed, the pictures speak for themselves in way of her wonderful style, wit and oh yes, HAIR!

























Her born name was Ruby... She does look like a Ruby, doesn't she?

As an added plus...
here is one of my favorite Barbara movies, right here (!) Meet John Doe (1941)

Hope you enjoyed!
So long,
Beth

Weekend ( and Victory Garden update)

The dates are very messed up on the following pictures because i have been having some trouble with my camera, but here are a few pictures of what i did this weekend.

On Sunday, our family went on a small road/day trip after church.  It was a little cool and windy (it froze the night before) but the sky was very blue and the grass is finally green again.

The funny thing about Kansas is that one week can be 90 degrees or more, and the next, we get our first hard freeze of the season.  It was fun to wear socks with my Mary Janes nd a 1940s sweater though.

I got tons of pictures, but some of the good ones (like a WW2 airplane and neat old houses and barns) didn't upload right, so this is just a taste. 

Of course they don't do justice, because everywhere we looked it was nothing but rolling hills and wind turbines that looked like they were touching the sky.

Saturday was very cold and windy, they sky was covered with clouds and so i didn't do a whole lot but watch a couple movies and eat some chili.  I love Judy Garland's lte 30s early 40s movies, particularly the ones with Mickey Rooney.

I am in love with Judy's hair.

the following picture i took right off the TV, but i also spent a better part of the afternoon looking at some pictures online.

i like her part here. its near the center, but sill considered a side part. VERY 30s

Babes in Arms,  one of the movies i watched and where this picture is from.

Victory Garden!!  It was very hard to keep everything watered the summer and the hear just wouldn't let the tomatoes or cucumbers live at all.  i got lots of zucchini and summer squash in June/July.  Thankfully, when September came and it started cooling down i started getting some jalapeno peppers, some bell peppers...

...some banana peppers...

... and cantaloupe!  The one below is not quite ready, only about the size of both my fists, but we've had some already.

Made a cherry cobbler!

How was your weekend?

Beth

1940s Robe!

Robe, housecoat, dressing gown... whatever the you call it, whatever the differences are, I'm obsessed with the 1940s style.  40s styles were very fitted with narrowish hips and sculpted, pronounced shoulders.  Very feminine and iconic of the war-time era.

Take a look-










The crocheted kimono i made and my modernish cotton one, though cute and purposeful, just don't come to the bar, so to speak.  So what's a girl to do?
Why, sew one of course!



Look at the Butterick pattern i found online after only a few minutes of searching.  Not only can I buy it brand-new, but i can make it with long or short sleeves! 
I think it's very elegant.  I cannot wait to pick up the pattern and get to work on a long sleeved one for fall/winter.


I am really liking the flowered fabric the left robe is made of







I think it's my new obsession!

  I like this print, but am thinking it may be too large. (?)

 This could easily be a good 40s color.

  When making vintage clothing, one can never go wrong with polka dots!

~CLICK HERE to go to the Butterick web page and see the pattern and pictures~
 (this post was not sponsored)

Beth

Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland - 1939 Newsreel

Just think, in 1939 you could go to New York City for the worlds fair and stay in a safe, sanitary, inspected room for 50 to 75 cents a night!!!

Three adorable little newsreels from 1939 with the cute, young Judy Garland and the hilarious Mickey Rooney~

Just In Time for Cooler Weather

What an unusually cool day it is! Usually in Kansas it is either hot or cold, and then a few days in between that are nice.
Here is a little1950s hat that i'm making for winter that also will keep my ears toasty without messing my hair!
Pictures to come.

(from freevintagecrochet.com)


Materials Required: AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY The Famous "PURITAN" STAR SPANGLED MERCERIZED CROCHET COTTON, Article 40 or
The Famous "PURITAN" MERCERIZED CROCHET COTTON, Article 40
1 ball Blue Spangle or Blue or color of your choice.
Steel crochet hook No. 7.
2 - 1 inch bone rings.
1st SECTION: Attach thread over a bone ring, ch 2 and work 39 d c over ring, join in 2nd st of ch, ch 3.
2nd Row: Working in back loop of sts only, 1 d c in each of the next 12 sts, ch 3, turn.
3rd Row: Working in both loops of sts, s c in next st, * ch 3, s c in next st, repeat from * across row (12 loops), cut thread.
2nd SECTION: Work 1st 3 rows of 1st section, ch 2 at end of last row, turn (do not cut thread).
4th Row: S c in 1st loop, * ch 3, s c in next loop, repeat from * across row, ch 2, turn (11 ch 3 loops and 1 small loop).
5th Row: S c in 1st loop, * ch 3, s c in next loop, repeat from * 9 times, ch 3, s c in last loop, ch 2, turn.
6th Row: S c in 1st loop, * ch 4, s c in next loop, repeat from * 9 times, ch 4, s c in last loop, ch 2, turn. Repeat 6th row 3 times ending last row with ch 3, turn.
10th Row: S c in 1st loop, * ch 5, s c in next loop, repeat from * 9 times, ch 5, s c in last loop, ch 3, turn. Repeat 10th row 20 times, ch 4 at end of last row.
Next Row: S c in 1st loop, * ch 5, s c in next loop, repeat from * 9 times, ch 5, s c in last loop, ch 4, turn. Repeat last row 11 times ending last row with ch 3.
Next 21 Rows: Same as 10th row ending last row with ch 2.
Next 4 Rows: Same as 6th row.
Next Row: Same as 5th row.
Next Row: With right side of 1st section toward you, s c in 1st loop of 1st section, s c in 1st loop of 2nd section, * ch 1, s c in next loop of 1st section, ch 1, s c in next loop of 2nd section, repeat from * across row, ch 1, sl st in last s c of 1st section, cut thread.
TIE: With right side of work toward you skip 1st 12 free d c of 1st row, working in back loop of sts, attach thread in next d c, ch 1, s c in same space, 1 s c in each of the next 2 d c, turn.
2nd Row: Ch 1, working through both loops of sts, s c in same space, 1 s c in each of the next 2 s c, turn. Repeat last row 51 times, cut thread. Work another tie at opposite end in same manner.

Shocking! (Not Really)

Here it is folks, straight from the horses mouth.

First watch this:

 

 

 

 

and then.

CLICK HERE

 

 

Hey, I'm just saying.

Annnndddd....

 

the national average cost of a gallon of gas four years ago was $1.79

 

Listen people: $1.79!!!

 

 

 

Stay tuned for more free sheet music and a crochet pattern i'm making!

Beth

 

New Old Patterns (Vintage Vouge)

After seeing that Vouge patterns were on sale at our local fabric store, i decided to look them up to see if they had any 'new' (reproduction) vintage ones.

Do they ever!

Not only that, but the biggest selection i have ever seen!

CLICK HERE to go to the Vintage Vouge homepage.

They have everything from sundresses to wedding dresses, from suits to coats and even a few hat patterns!

They are all from the 1930s thru the 50s and two 60s patterns. 

All you have to do is click on one and it tells you the price, sewing level and whatever drawings and fabric suggestions, notions and etc. that you would see on the back of the pattern.

I cant wait to go to the store!

This 1938 ensemble is definatley one of my favorites.  I have lots of 50s and 60s dresses i've found at thrift stores and the like, but do not own any 30s stuff, save family photos.  Why not make a bunch in whatever colors i like?

I also CANNOT RESIST this 1947 suit.  I think it looks very much like the suit Allie Fortune wears on the cover of the book Miss Fortune (by Sara Mills).
I love it!






Ok, those two are my favorite, but who doesnt love 1940s A-line dresses?  The only down side to this one is that its at an advanced sewing level :(




1952 flattering coat dress


1946 dress (isnt the model cute?)




I'm deaply considering  this 1933 Nacy Drew looking suit





APRONS!!!!

And who doesnt love wedding dresses...






and dont forget the hats!

(30s and 40s)


(40s-50s)



...Ok so i'm obviously not going to buy everything i've shown.. i dont think... but  now we both know of some awsome vintage patterns that arnet over 50s yrs old and make us nervous.  We can also skip the next strange colored frock we like the style but not the pattern we see, because i can make one with whatever print i like!
I hope you enjoyed!
Beth