Glad Rags Vintage Clothing Documentary Filming

(Photo courtesy Glad Rags)

 

The Glad Rags team (that's Vallerie Perrault on the left and Brianne Richard on the right) visited Retro Revival to film a segment for their documentary film series, "Glad Rags."  The gals are traveling across the USA, from Boston to Los Angeles, exploring the history of textile production and sustainability of vintage clothing, by interviewing people who buy, sell, live and love vintage.

 

Brianne contacted me a few months ago after discovering this blog.  Isn't Blogville an amazing place?!  She and Vallerie were interested in filming me and learning more about how I collect and upcycle my found vintage linens into aprons.

 

I was nervous about their visit, not knowing what to expect and never having been filmed before this.  Turns out, I had no reason for worry because they were the sweetest young ladies!  So smart and passionate about vintage linens and clothing, and within minutes we were laughing and chatting like old friends!

 

(Photo courtesy Glad Rags)

 

They're heading to Raleigh and Florida next, and then on to Atlanta, Tennessee, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and ending in Los Angeles.  If you know a person or place of textile interest, please let them know!  Their email is gladragsdoc@gmail.com.

 

(Image courtesy Glad Rags)

 

 

The team, including their friend Heather on the left, wrapped filming by playing a bit of dress up in my aprons ~ so fun!

 

You can learn more about Glad Rags and their mission by visiting their website.  You can also follow the adventure on their Facebook page, Flickr page, and Instagram.  The documentary series will hopefully be ready to debut sometime after the new year ~ of course I'll keep you posted.

 

Apron Giveaway!

Today I'm thrilled to have a generous guest post from one of my favorite bloggers, Heather of The Vintage Sheet Blog, a community she hosts to encourage creative women and support their small businesses.  She lives at the beach (lucky!), successfully balancing family, working with special needs children, blogging and crafting.

I hope you all will Go!  Visit her blog ~ you'll love it.  Please also visit her Etsy shop, Facebook page, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Hi, I'm Heather Grow, the girl behind the curtain (or sheet?) of The Vintage Sheet Blog.  I live in Huntington Beach, California.  I love collecting vintage linens but I also love baking, so I'm super excited to bring all of you Retro Revival ladies a fun recipe for an easy dessert.



Orange Margarita Squares

Serves 15

You’ll need:

For the Crust

1 cup crushed pretzels

1 stick of butter

¼ cup brown sugar

For the Creamy Margarita Layer

½ cup thawed frozen margarita mix

16 oz. cream cheese

2 cups Cool Whip or fresh whipped cream

For the Orange Layer

1.3 oz. box of orange Jell-O

½ cup boiling water

10.5 oz. can of mandarin oranges, frozen

2 cups of Cool Whip

The Crust

Combine crushed pretzels (I used the rolling pin and Ziplock trick), butter, and brown sugar. Press into the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or until slightly brown.  Let cool.

Creamy Margarita Layer

Combine the ½ cup margarita mix with the cream cheese.  Fold in the Cool Whip.  Spread evenly over the crust.

Orange Layer

Mix Jell-O with boiling water and stir until dissolved.  Add the canned oranges and stir to combine.  (*Just a note, the first time I made these my oranges were not frozen so I had to chill this mixture in the freezer for about 15 minutes.)  Allow this mixture to set slightly for 5 minutes, then, fold in Cool Whip and spread over creamy layer.

Refrigerate 2-3 hours to set.  Slice into squares and enjoy.  They are creamy, refreshing and the perfect refreshing dessert.

Do you like my apron?  I made it from a vintage pillowcase using Betz White’s 10 minute pillowcase apron tutorial.  Guess what?  I made one for one of Cindy’s readers so you can wear your apron when you make your Orange Margarita Squares.

Thank you for guest-blogging, Heather.  This recipe looks delicious, especially for us since it's everlasting summer here in Florida.  The apron you made is as sweet as you and the Margarita Squares!  You're so generous to give it away to one of my wonderful blog followers!

Enter to win:

Pin it

Share it on your Facebook page

Tweet it

Blog about it

Do 1 or all 4!

Leave a comment telling me how you shared it and I'll enter you to win.  I'll randomly draw a winner on Sunday night, October 28th.  Good luck!

 

Antique Petticoat Turned Apron

Eke!  Look at my most favorite score ever!  I've been so obsessed with this that I totally forgot to announce the winner of my July blog giveaway ~ sorry about that (scroll to the bottom of this post for details).

Deep breath.  Here is my antique petticoat!



Amazing pin tuck detail.  Gorgeous crochet.



Remember a while back when I was collecting hundreds of crocheted doilies for my big table runners order?  I bought a lot of 50 of them from eBay and the generous seller included, for free, this petticoat!

I've been admiring it and cooing over it for weeks now.  I did a little research and learned that the crochet is Irish Crochet and that it's very unusual to find it on a petticoat.

I knew from the get-go that I'd use it to make two aprons.  Before anyone has a heart attack at the thought of me cutting into this beauty, it has quite a few holes, some repair work, and rust stains that, despite my best efforts, just wouldn't budge!  Besides, I couldn't bear folding her up in a cupboard.

Using every inch possible of this petticoat, I transformed it into what I think is my prettiest apron ever!  I'm planning on wearing her at my show next week and after that, I'll sew her twin.



I created pockets using a couple of doilies, but when I pinned them to the skirt, decided they detracted too much from the pin tuck detailing.  For the waist band/ties, I used some new muslin that I bleached to better match the petticoat.



I carefully snipped some of the crocheted hem and placed it on the neck of the bib and some of the big banded crochet across the bust line.







Now to make one of you go "eke!"  Congratulations to Elizabeth of At Home With Elizabeth and Gary!  You are the winner of my July blog giveaway:



Elizabeth, please send me an email with your address so I can ship you these little pretties.

This month, I'm giving away Beth Howard's wonderful book:



If you haven't entered yet, click here for the rules.  Drawing is August 31st ~ good luck!

Cuties In the Kitchen

I must begin today's blog by thanking you for all of your sweet (and many funny) comments on my last post.  Because of you, I now have additional wrinkles ~ yes, you made me smile.  A lot!

I met Kathy at one of my arts & craft shows last fall when she bought my 1950's style "Cherry Poppin' Fresh" apron.  Last month, she custom-ordered a pink and black apron for her daughter:

What fun to mix and match hot pink polka dots with zebra stripes and different black polka dots!

Kathy made my day recently by sharing these pictures:

How can I not smile seeing this?  Absolutely adorable!

Seems the trend of home cooking (less going out to eat) continues, and what better way to make it a little more fun than by wearing a Retro Revival apron?

Leave a comment for a chance to win this month's blog giveaway.  Every comment you leave on any of my May blog posts counts as one, so the more you comment, the more chances you have to win this lovely book!

Aprons Upcycled from Vintage Pillowcases

When I design my aprons I am inspired by so many things, including my stash of vintage pillow cases:

These lovely, vintage pillowcases have really stimulated my sense of whimsy!  I've been collecting them for years as I've traveled across the country and picked through many dozens of antique and thrift stores.  So many of them have exquisite hand tatted details and are in remarkably great condition, including vivid color!  I've been giddy with excitement as I've upcycled each of them into unique, one-of-a-kind aprons; here's a peek at a few of them:

And here's a closer look at my two favorites:

(I've name this one "Sweet Rose," and you can see why!  The top layer has this incredibly beautiful, hand crocheted rose pillowcase; the bottom layer is a vintage tablecloth with a softly scalloped edge.)

("Pink Daisys" also has two layers, both from the same sweet pillowcase.  I stitched on coordinating green pom poms and pink ric rac for some added whimsy!)

I have lots of these luveries available on Retro Revival, but please keep checking back because I still have many more pillowcases to pull and upcycle from my stash - yay!

This month's free blog giveaway:

I'll randomly draw a winner for two vials of lavender-infused bath salts from all of my January blog entry comments.  Leave a comment for a chance to win - each comment counts as one entry so the more you comment, the more chances you have to win!  Drawing is January 31st.  Good luck!

What a Deal! 2010 "Black Friday" Event at Retro Revival!

Woo hoo!  What a deal!  For orders placed on November 26th only, Retro Revival will ship your order for FREE!

To get in on this deal, just email me your order - simple!

Remember, everyone loves an apron - wives, moms, grandmothers, sisters, daughters and friends.  I offer all sorts of colors, pretty and kitschy motifs - something for just about anyone!  I designed all of my patterns myself so that they fit most women up to size 18 (waist ties are generously cut and can be tied at the back or wrapped around to the front) and sew them all myself.  A few of my favorites for your consideration...

And many, many women also love shower caps! I have over 20 fabric options available for these waterproof, washable caps.  In 13 months, I've sold close to 400!  Here are my best sellers:

If you're looking for another option, I am offering these ah-mazing handmade bath salts!

I make them with, among other ingredients, real lavender buds, essential oil and baking soda so your skin stays silky soft all day long!  Each vial contains enough for up to four baths.  ($6 each or two for $10.)

Happy shopping!  Here's to hoping you find the perfect gifts for the special people in your life!

November's almost over (yikes!) so please remember to leave a comment here for a chance to win this month's free blog giveaway: