Well, I just entered a contest for my blog to be considered on the Martha Stewart blog. I have no idea how I will do, but it’s fun to try! Wish me luck!!!
Check out Martha’s blog at:
www.themarthablog.com/

I would like to give a shout out to Gabreial Wyatt at “Vintage Indie” an online magazine who’s motto is “Modern Life Vintage Perspective. She is a very talented gal and if you are a vintage lover of any kind this is a wonderful place to check out. Gabreial is also the creator of “Vintage Pulse” another online site for vintage lovers. Whether you sell, buy or shop vintage these are two terrific places to spend some time!
This past week “Vintage Indie” featured “Curby’s Closet” not once but two times, highlighting our vintage baby fashion shows (“Through the Garden Gate” and “Girls Day Out”) as part of their Baby and Toddler Week. They featured other really cool vintage items for babies and Toddlers also. So, head on over and take a look. And thank you Gabreial for giving “Curby’s Closet” a nod.

Right now until Sept. 15th you will receive 5$ off on any vintage tablecloth dress sold in my etsy store just for checking out Vintage Indie. Be sure to mention this promotion before you pay.

lhttp://vintageindie.typepad.com/vintage_indie/2008/09/baby-toddler–3.html

“Curby’s Closet” very excitedly presents our 2nd Vintage Baby Fashion Show. This fashion show is so unique and features “one of a kind” vintage baby dresses and sundresses that you will not find anywhere else. How cool is that? These adorable little dresses are very ECO FRIENDLY and have been made by re-using and re-purposing the top portion of vintage baby slips and dresses and the beautiful and very usable parts of vintage tablecloths. We don’t let a stain or hole or a little damage to a piece of clothing discourage us from saving the wonderful, lovely and usable parts. They are embellished with vintage buttons and/or hankies. There are so many creative, useful and fresh new ways of preserving these items and not adding to land fills, bins and clutter.
The unique pattern and dress designs are exclusive to “Curby’s Closet” and we are proud and thrilled to share them with you.
We used many of our same adorable models from our Youtube “Through the Garden Gate” video. These little girls are so cute and sweet! Your just gonna love them!
You will find all these dresses for sale for a very reasonable price on our ETSY site at christeve92886.etsy.com (or click on the etsy widget to the right)
Thanks for taking a look… thanks for going vintage… thanks for thinking Green… thanks for choosing “Curby’s Closet”!!
Get ready to Smile… cuz your gonna enjoy these next few minutes!!

I am still fairly new to this blogging world, but I am getting much more familiar with how things work by joining groups and forums that are interesting to me or who reflect “my kind of style”. So, I would like to share with you some of my favorites and why. I sell some of my vintage baby clothes on ETSY and have for several months now. And through some other vendors there, got introduced to “ETSY COTTAGE STYLE”. It’s a terrific group and if you love Shabby Chic or that Cottage style… this is the place for you!
The next group I joined was “VINTAGE PULSE” a informative place to meet and converse with vintage minded people. We sell vintage, wear vintage, make vintage items, shop at vintage places, etc. it’s really awesome and very useful. (Eco friendly too!) Next, I put “Curby’s Closet” on “COTTAGE FRIENDS EMPORIUM” a place where cottage minded people sell their items and designs. A great way to find more of US out there. Then I joined “LOLLISHOPS” and “LOLLISHOPS GUILD”. “LOLLISHOPS” is not quite open yet… but you’re gonna want to check it out when it does! (I’ll keep you posted) “LOLLISHOPS GUILD” is for those who are vendors, ready to talk shop and who love everything darling, pretty and Sweet! Another group I’ve joined is “MARMALADE PINK” a little more for the business side of selling and very worthwhile. And last but certainly not least… I joined the forum of “MAKE MINE PINK” a wonderful network of gals who support and befriend you in the most inviting and comforting way. Perfect for chats, info. networking and of course shopping!! You’ll have to check out their very shabby, cottage style boutique stores.
I truly have enjoyed and learned a great deal from each one and I just wanted to share my take on them with you.
If you sell or buy Shabby Chic, Cottage, Vintage or love Pink!! Click on the button, badge or widgets on the right side of this blog and take a look. Leave yourself plenty of time, cuz there’s lots too see!!!
Let me know which one “floats your boat”!!

Hello Everyone,
Thank you so much for viewing and commenting on our “Curby’s Closet” vintage baby fashion show “Through the Garden Gate”. The response was wonderful and your comments truly meant the world to me. Because of this experience I feel that I have come to know many of you a lot better now, and that is so nice! And I hope that you have come to know “Curby’s Closet” better also.
We filmed two other videos at the same time. Another fashion show featuring “One of a Kind” baby dresses made from vintage tablecloths and a very fun garden video set in my “Flower Bed”. They will both be ready for viewing soon.
This has been an interesting and fun experience and I sure do appreciate the support and encouragement from all of you.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to watch the fashion show video or didn’t even know there was a baby fashion show… look at the blog post before this one (July 31st) and click on the Youtube video. It’s sure to bring a SMILE!!
Thanks again, Chris

Well, everybody… here it is…(big drum roll)… “Curby’s Closet’s” first ever Vintage Baby Fashion Show!!! I can’t believe it’s finished. I’m so excited I can hardly type!!

This has truly been a labor of love. I hope that you will enjoy this Youtube video as much as we did making it. I hope you will be thrilled to see all the wonderful, unique vintage baby clothes. And I hope that you will get a “kick” out of all the darling babies and sweet little girls who modeled for us.

Most all of the vintage baby dresses and outfits are available for sale on my etsy shop and a few on ebay. Just click the link shown here http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5833076

GET READY TO BE DELIGHTED WITH CUTENESS!!

Was that adorable or what?? Please feel free tell your friends and family to come to the “Curby’s Closet” blog and watch it too! We would love to hear your thoughts, comments or suggestions. (But please be kind, I cry easily)  We would also be happy to answer any questions you might have. Just scroll to the end of this blog post and click on the word comments.

Thanks so much and remember: “Once you try vintage, you may never go back to retail”

Those of you who are familiar with “Curby’s Closet” know that we sell unique, one of a kind, vintage baby clothes. Most of these precious items date from the 1930’s thru the 1980’s. They are amazing pieces of fashion history. They are sweet and lovely with delicate details and fine workmanship. They are sentimental to many of us who remember wearing them ourselves or dressing our babies in them. They have stood the test of time and in my opinion should be loved and treasured.

As I thought about how best to show people these sweet pieces of clothing.. The idea hit me… do a vintage baby fashion show! I did many a fashion show for Nordstrom when I worked there in the 1980’s, but never one like this. This project has been a lot of hard work, it has taken a lot of time and preparation. But working with these adorable babies 2 months to 4 years old has been an absolute joy!! They are each as beautiful and unique as the wonderful clothing they are wearing.

So… please check back on Thursday July 31st for our Youtube video premier showing of “Through the Garden Gate” a Vintage Baby Fashion Show. Feel free to tell all your family and friends.

“Once you try Vintage, you may never go back to retail”

I LOVE most anything VINTAGE!! Pretty much… you name it… and it’s vintage… I love it!! My favorites are dolls, quilts, tea cups, dishes, birdhouses, hankies, linens, buttons and if you don’t already know BABY DRESSES! You may wonder “where in the world does she find all these vintage pieces”. Well, more times then I can tell you, its been at garage or estate sales. They are really a wonderful place to find unique, interesting, one- of- a -kind vintage items. You just never know what treasures someone is ready to part with.

Many of my Saturdays are spent getting up early ( way too early I might add) and heading out to these sales. I do recommend a little preparation before you begin.

Here’s my “CURBY’S CLOSET’S” Garage/Estate Sale tips-

1. Look through the newspaper, penny saver or Craigs list for garage/estate sales or items in your area. (Note: some sales may start on Thurs. or Fri. so be sure to check the dates and times)

2.Circle or highlight sales that sound good to you or that list neat items that you are looking for in their descriptions.

3.If you have several to go to, map them out on your Thomas Guide or look them up on MapQuest to plan your route.(Trust me this will save you tons of time)

4. Bring CASH!! Many garage/estate sales do not accept checks. Bring small bills 1$ and 5$ are great. Not every one has change for a 20$, especially if you are one of the first sales of the day or if you are just buying one item for $1.50.

5. For Estate Sales goers- be prepared to take a number. Most all big estate sales will hand out numbers and will only accept a few people in the house at a time. Come early… get your number… be prepared to wait. Some move pretty quickly others can take hours. My husband and I waited 4 hours for a estate sale in Whittier, CA. I thought we were never going to get inside, but when we did boy oh boy was it worth it!! It was a vintage baby clothing “Jackpot”!! So, sometimes the wait can be worth it.

6. Be prepared to be disapointed. I don’t mean to be a downer but, many garage/estate sales sound good in the description, but in reality they are just selling a bunch of junk! No antique or vintage items at all. But on the positive side- even junk can at times serve your creative purposes!

7. If you have too many sales to attend in one day. Do the old “Drive by” method… don’t get out of the car just look from the street. If nothing strikes your fancy move on… if some thing catches your eye. Park and take a look.

8. Don’t go too EARLY!! Many garage/estate sale folks do not like “Early birds”!! If the sale starts at 7am do not show up at 5am hoping to get first choice. You many just be waking them up and making them mad. Not the best way to begin the morning!

9. Be ready to BARGAN!! Just don’t be insulting. If they are selling a roll top desk for 100$ don’t offer them 10 bucks that’s a bit rude. Ask how low they would be willing to go, or let them know that you have only 75$ would they be willing to part with it for that amount. Also if you are going to puchase several items ask for a combined discount. Many sellers are willing to give you the whole lot for one reduced price.

10.Wear comfortable shoes!! Especially if you are hitting several sales in one day. Trust me your feet will thank you, BIG TIME!

11. Bring a car or truck big enough for all your puchases. You may just find that special loveseat you’ve always been looking for and if you’ve come in a VW Bug, you may have a huge challenge trying to get it home! Also make sure you have a plenty of gas! You may not want to stop your fun vintage search for a gas station.

12. Look for the DEAL OF THE CENTURY!! I have been fortunate to find the BIG DEAL many times. Like 50 weathered shutters for $5 or a nearly brand new couch, chair and ottoman for $100 or an adorable white rabbit hutch for FREE!! (I use it for a tiny potting shed, it’s really cute!)

Keep your eyes open…your Weekends free… and small bills in your pocket and go have some vintage fun!!!

I hope these suggestions help. Hey, ya never know…maybe I’ll see ya there!

This is my first “How To” demonstration on my blog. So many people ask me all the time how I do what I do. So here’s a look see for ya and maybe a few new ideas… here we go!

MY VINTAGE BABY TABLECLOTH DRESS (size 9mo.)

First you’ll need a baby or doll dress, blouse or slip. The one used in this demonstration is a baby slip. You’ll also need a vintage tablecloth (preferably one that has a hole or stain, that way your not cutting up a nice tablecloth). You will also need your basic sewing supplies: sewing machine, thread, pins, scissors, etc.

For this project you will see that I use a cutting mat, quilting ruler and a rotary cutter. They are the easiest for me, but any ruler and scissors will do.

Begin by laying your slip (dress or blouse) on a cutting surface. I would recommend that  you iron the clothing piece first so that it lays nice and flat.

Measure down about 1 to 2 inches below the under arm and cut across the body (under arm to under arm). Try to make your cut as straight as possible.

The next step is to choose and iron your vintage tablecloth. Be sure to find one with colors that match or blend with the baby clothing that you have just cut up. Or forget that, and make one that is fun, funky and miss-matched!! I love this one cuz it is sweet, soft and kinda has that Hawaiian thing going on.

Find the best edge of your tablecloth (it should already be hemmed or have a finished edge on it) and fold it in half and then fold in half once again. This makes it so much easier to cut. Be sure to keep your edges straight and lay the tablecloth out nice and smooth. You don’t want lumps! Measure about 9″ from the hem to the center and cut. You have now made the bottom of your little dress. Way to go!

Now you should have two pieces… a little top bodice piece and a tablecloth bottom piece. See you’re doing amazingly well!! Take the tablecloth bottom piece and fold it in half right sides together pin and then sew it closed on your sewing machine. You have just made the back seam of the dress. Next enlarge your stitch length (all the way) and sew a gathering stitch all around the top edge of the skirt.

Gather the skirt either by hand or with the gathering stitch on your machine. (I don’t have a gathering stitch on my machine, so it’s the old fashion way for me!) Take the top/bodice and insert it inside the tablecloth skirt with right sides together. Be sure to line up the center of the bodice back with the back seam of your tablecloth skirt. Find the center of the skirt front and the center of the bodice front and do the same. Pin both pieces together all around, then sew it on your machine. It’s a good idea to go around again with a zig zag or locking stitch to help control fraying.

Turn your little dress to the right side and look you’re almost done!! Isn’t it super cute, quick and amazing!! Press the garment well and if you choose… top stitch all around the dress waist just to make sure that it lays nicely. Now this little slip that I used for the top of this dress has some lovely hand embroidery work on it ,so for embellishment I only added a little small sweet vintage button in the center. (Not shown in this photo) You can feel free to embellish your little dress any way that you’d like. I love to use vintage buttons, hankies, lace, ribbon roses, and rick rack. Let your imagination go WILD!!

I hope that you enjoy making this little dress. Let me know how it works for you and what terrific ideas you have. For more of my vintage baby dresses and designs check out my ebay and etsy stores.

www.curbyscloset.com

I was told the other day by a darling young mother of two sweet girls, that my vintage baby dresses are”GREEN”!! “Green?” I asked “what do you mean by that”? Well, come to find out, by my re-using, re-storing, or re-designing my vintage baby items in new and unusual ways (instead of just tossing them out) I am helping the environment. How about that? I’m “Greener” than I thought.

Let me tell you a little more of what I’m up to. I begin by buying vintage baby items (Mostly dresses, shoes and bonnets) from garage sales, estate sales, thrift shops, or on eBay. I get them home and wash and iron them like crazy!! This is a job that I have never liked very much (being a mother of boys), but for some reason when you’re washing sweet, dainty little girl things it’s quite fun! Anyway, many of the items I purchase are missing buttons, have stains, tears, or are damaged in some way. In those cases it’s up to me to use my creative mind and sewing skills to fix or sometimes even re-make some of these wonderful clothing items, into new revitalized pieces of fashion! You remember the old saying “what’s old is new again”. Well, that’s kinda what I do. Some of these pieces are so amazing too, I just hate to see them unused or thrown out! These vintage baby items are from the 1930’s, 40’s, 50’s , 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. They are true pieces of history. I think it is so fun to see the adorable baby girls of today wearing and using these vintage treasures of the past.

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