Hanging curtains but thinking of quilts.
Hello!
Here I am...
behind the curtains!!
I know I've been quiet on the blogfront. My sewing machine has been getting a workout... but not for very exciting sewing. Like most quilters I have a long list of quilts I want to make, and a list of UFO's lurking in the cupboards, and a list of projects underway in various stages. Hidden underneath all these quilty lists there is also an ever growing list of things that need doing around the house... sigh... and I've decided 2015 is the year to tackle this list. The year of the Happy Home!
First job on the list was hanging curtains, We have blinds for all our windows so I've been able to put off making curtains, but finally decided the windows do need curtains. It's a a chance to play with fabric after all, Yay! I've collected a few curtains over the years through thrifty finds, so it's been a matter of matching up what I have with the sizes of our windows. We have a classic early 70's brick house so retro orange is right at home and psychedelic prints are perfect!!
I wrote about these curtains in one of my very earliest blog posts.
Any curtains that I don't use will no doubt be sewn into a quilt one day.
We haven't got a window to give this bird a home, but he will make a wonderful center for a medallion quilt.
I can see these ferns as big flashy borders. (See, this is why I don't get very far with house chores, I'm always thinking of quilts!)
But I couldn't help wishing these curtains had been the right size to fit the sewing room windows, just look at that big daisy!
It's hard to photograph the patterns on the sheer curtains I'm using in the office.
This curtain fabric caught me by surprise. Usually I'm a flower or geometric type of gal, or love a textural woven fabric, but there was something cute and kitschy about this animal print that said "Take Me Home".
They look great, I like the orderly pattern and the eclectic mix of animals.
And every evening when I close the curtains I giggle at the two headed camel made by the edges meeting in the center.
So that's me playing with curtains. There's quite a few things that need sewing around the house so you'll be getting more than just quilts this year.
I'll leave you with some photos of a visitor I had this morning.
I was painting a cupboard on our deck and this cockatoo was so interested in what I was doing that he flew from tree to tree to get a closer look. Finally came right up to our deck.
Where he kept me company while I continued to paint.
In the meantime I have cupboards to paint and curtains to hang :)
43 Comments
The Bird curtain fabric reminds me so much of Kathy Doughty's new feature fabric. What a great collection you have. Curtain sewing is something I can't seem to manage - always getting the lenght wrong.
ReplyDeleteHi Racheal love all your lovely fabrics the 2 headed camel is funny,enjoy your evening my friend xx
ReplyDeleteLets hope your visitor doesn't eat your railings!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are having great fun with your curtains. When I was a teenager, we got a new house. My room was lime green themed and by brother had orange. Those orange curtains remind me of his, although they were a bit different. Mine were a chunky lacy style with lime green running through them. I always loved the fern patterned fabrics. I'm showing my age now. LOL. How nice for the cocky to come and visit.
ReplyDeleteAt least you are having some fun while making those curtains! I've certainly made my fair share of those in my sewing career! I love Mr Cocky- do you think he was tame?
ReplyDeleteoh girl what fabulous fabric to work with!!!
ReplyDeletecan't wait to see how it all comes together.
i adore the oranges and the patterns!
i love seeing the 70's popping up all over the place.
the 2 headed camel. perfect!!
the cockatoo. cannot even fathom that!
Good luck with all the curtain making. It is not my favourite task. For many years we lived in school houses and each time we moved i had to make new curtains because, of course, no windows were ever the same size.
ReplyDeleteI really like the choices you have made and I think the two headed camel is perfect!
And good luck with the painting, too!
oh I think we might have had curtains similar to those orange ones in our house !! love the two headed camel and I can definitely see those flower blocks being cut up and used in a quilt !! what fun being able to use cool vintage fabric for your curtains :) I live in a rental with those UGLY column blinds !
ReplyDeleteEven though you might not be making quilts right now you are making "A Home" and that is fun too! Right not I am in and out traveling (for fun)--so maybe it will recharge my inspiration battery! Yous never seems to end. Love your curtains!
ReplyDeleteThey are great! I love that your curtains are all different, yet all so 'you'. I was looking at my falling down 1980's curtains recently and thinking that they should be replaced. But I think that should be a job for 2016!!
ReplyDeleteRachael, I love your retro style and love your phrase about a happy home. I've been seeing orange pop up everywhere this year, I wonder if it's the color of 2015 ? I am in complete awe that cockatoo just flew up to see what your doing ! Here we spend thousands to obtain parrots ! I used to raise and trade a few parrots and cockatiels, what a lot of work, but what a lot of fun !
ReplyDeleteI love that animal print too! It would never have occurred to me to use it as a curtain, but I'm glad you did - it's perfect!
ReplyDeleteI can tell I like in a boring place, the most exciting bird we have is the cardinal. I only see birds like yours in a pet store and it took me a minute to even realize he was wild! :)
Rachael, The orange curtains remind me of the dress I wore when I was a little girl in 70's! What a beautiful collection of vintage prints. I think making the house fit your lifestyle and nesting is as soothing as making a quilt. I would have never bought the animal print but then again, I love the textural appeal of it when it's hung.
ReplyDeleteYou get such exotic visitors!
Oh Rachael, your visitor is so regal! I've never seen a cockatoo up close and a visit to Australia is on my list for a family vacation in the next 8 years.
ReplyDeleteLove all the interesting curtains you've collected. We don't have one curtain in our house--it was my husband's home before we got married and blinds are installed everywhere. Curtains are a lot more fun!
I've decided to make this the year of the happy home too, but in a different way...I'm hiring a cleaning person. It's too much anymore with three kids and a fourth about to make an appearance. I need a break for a year or two!
I don't have any curtains in my house, but I would like to change that this year. You have picked up some gorgeous ones, I love the animal print, and how cool is it that you end up with a two headed camel.
ReplyDeleteI think it is very important to make your home beautiful and comfortable. I need to do some of that too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great selection of fabrics!
You're so funny -- now I can say I've seen a two-headed camel! Looks like you're having fun decorating your house -- I love stuff like that. I'd really love it if I had a fun bird watching me though -- you lucky girl!!!
ReplyDeleteYour two-headed camel is hilarious! Bet your home is starting to feel a lot cozier these days.:)
ReplyDeleteHa, I have curtains, but need to make some blinds for my living room. I bought the fabric in a Provencal Market 18 months ago, I suppose I'd best get to it...
ReplyDeleteThe two headed camel is actually known as a "pushmepullyou" for those who read Dr. Dolittle in their misspent youth. That would make me chuckle too. Very clever of you to cut and plan it that way!! :-) I am waiting for my mother to finally gift me some fab curtain material when she ever gets around to making her new ones....I also know why we put these chores off. Those finds on the op shop were pure genius...now of course I will be hoarding curtains as well as blankets......one day you will read the news..."local elderly lady smothered by fabric rescuers on the scene, but can only hear the whirring of a sewing machine....she says she will stistch her way out just send chocolate" "details at ten" slow news day of course. Hahahaha.
ReplyDeleteLove your happy accident of the two headed camel, it lined uo so well.
ReplyDeleteYour cockatiel photos are great, my girlfriend used to have a pair of greys but I never took any pictures of them.
I'm sure you will find just the perfect olace for that Daisy fabric in one of your creations,
What a cute visitor! I would have loved to have met him. Your curtains are fun and I enjoyed the array of fabrics you have found for them. I should find the same motivation around here. Think I'll go look in my sewing room...LOL
ReplyDeleteI can't think of anyone else who could make curtain sewing look like fun. You had collected some fun fabrics. I had a downy woodpecker at my bird feeder today which is nothing compared to your cockatoo and, of course, to your two headed camel!
ReplyDeletel'orange !!! FAR OUT!! what a cheery colour, no matter what room and those animals are a kick. What a pile of fun you are having. Esp. with an interested observer :0
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your Agapanthus post, haven't seen one in years and yes, a firecracker explosion. carry on.....
The birds & beasts of Oz amaze me! We have greenish Monk Parrots -- released or escaped pets that now have populations all over the US. But no cockatiels or kangaroos.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much one for curtains, but if I found some of that crazy animal print, there might be one window in my home properly dressed!
It looks like you've been having fun creating curtains! And I can see why you'd start dreaming of quilts with those fun fabrics, especially the daisy one. How cool is that to have a visitor like that??
ReplyDeleteAll of your window coverings look great! Home Dec fabrics are so fun to include in quilts.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your 2015 projects!
What a great fabric collection you have for curtains! Although I would expect nothing less from you! I always tend to put off making curtains too. There is always something not quite right about mine. Maybe I just need more practice. Lovely shots of the cockatoo. They are so cheeky!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the walk down memory lane. Your wonderful mix will look great in the house.
ReplyDeleteHappy New year Rachael. I'm looking forward to seeing all your creativity around your home :-)
ReplyDeleteGod to see you back, Rachael. I just adore every single curtain you have shown us on this post - makes me want to rush out to the second hand stores and start rummaging for some of my own - must do that tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteHope that cockatoo somes back soon!
I have such a difficult time with curtains. If I had my way we wouldn't have any on the windows at all. My husband is just the opposite...he closes the curtains the minute the sun starts to go down. I am never happy with what I hang up at the windows so all of my curtains in every room are white! LOL! I like your bright colorful windows...I wish I could make bold decisions :)
ReplyDeleteYou have collected such fun curtains! It will be so nice to see them everyday. Best wishes with the home projects. I'll look forward to seeing them!
ReplyDeleteStrange...I do not see any snow out your windows....(haha)
ReplyDeleteI just came here from ColorGirlQuilts and just had to let you know that your Happy as a Clam quilt is quite amazing!!! I'm so happy that she posted about it so I could see it! And I love the bouquet you made for you wedding: so beautiful!! (My daughter took floristry classes, and it makes me look at all arrangements differently now, knowing how much work goes into them!) I've enjoyed reading through your blog posts (I went back to the Halloween one.) Thanks for all your lovely posts: it's been fun!! Hugs, H in Healdsburg, Ca
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun collection of curtains and fabrics. I just love the bird print, perfect for a medallion center.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the out loud laugh at your two headed camel!! You couldn't have done that if you'd tried! Great curtain prints - particularly love the fabulous bird. What a lovely visitor.
ReplyDeleteSo now you have a museum of marvelous curtains! You are a living breathing fabric archive Rachael. Your eyes must be like lasers when you go to an opshop, boring through racks and shelves to find the treasures. Wonderful curtains Rachael.
ReplyDeleteOH MY!!! To have such an exotic bird visit is incredible!! I love him - wow.
ReplyDeleteI love your curtain fabrics. The birds and animals are my favorites, but the plants and flowers are lovely too. You have such a great eye for color and pattern. Have fun with your house projects!
You couldn't have planned the two headed camel any better! Love it!Yep that bird would make a great quilt centre. Much more exciting than being a curtain. I hope you get them all done before you run out of mojo.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lot of fun there Rachael with your curtains.....the daisy fabric is so you! Hope your visitor does come back...I'm sure hewill!
ReplyDeletegood heavens girl...41 people around the world are interested in your curtains??? You are indeed special and wonderful. I too, am interested...especially in the two headed camel:) and your visitor
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely post-it started my day on such a positive note! Luv ALL the fabrics!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for leaving me a comment. Your kind words encourage me to keep sharing my work and stories.