There are times when I feel like the "random acts" are meant to be.
These are my kitchen valances.... they have been up for a very... very... very long time.
Yesterday with a pop, slide, and bang... one spring rod hit the dust.
I really love this fabric as it reminds me of the beach all year long.. it has that vintage feel.
... BUT I think it's time to retire them. So I may go with naked windows for awhile...
and what do I do with this fabric? Would you keep it?
CLICK HERE for my interview with
the August Aurifil Designer of the Month Bari J.!
The Winner of Linda Lum DeBono's "Sew Merry Sew Bright" book is Barbara who wrote
"Every year my husband gives me a porcelain dachshund ornament from Danbury Mint. Right after one of my dogs died, the ornament he gave me was of a doxie in a hot air balloon with Sparky's dog tag around it. I bawled like a baby. A few years later my tree fell over and I lost a couple of those ornaments but luckily that one was spared. I still get teary eyed thinking of that ornament and Sparky."
And the Winner of the Fat Quarterly Digitial magazine is Janet who wrote
"Definitely free motion quilting. I am getting better at it slowly, but you know I want it to happen fast..."
I would get a new rod too. Love how fun and beachy the fabric is. Also love the vintage feel of it.
Posted by: Beth | Thursday, August 09, 2012 at 09:02 PM
I would either hang it right back up, or use it as applique on something, like a pocket on a boxy shirt so it would feel like a beachy shirt.
Posted by: Whitney | Thursday, August 09, 2012 at 06:30 AM
1) buy new rod and put them back up
2) plan for replacements some time in the future
3) when future arrives, wash and save the fabric for a new-purposed life in a quilt
I'm still hanging on to the sheets/curtains and valences I made for my daughter's nursery - will use them someday in a wedding quilt for her . . .
Posted by: Karen Em K | Wednesday, August 08, 2012 at 10:13 PM
Thanks Pat for the book. I can't wait to get it and start working on some ornaments. Congrats to Janet too for winning the digital book.
Keep the fabric and I like the suggestion above about using it for placemats or something. I'm not a curtain person or a valance person so I would leave the windows bare too.
Posted by: Barbara Sindlinger | Wednesday, August 08, 2012 at 01:09 PM
I keep everything so would wash the fabric and save it in case you ever want to switch out a future valance. We like bare windows, so wait a while until the inspiration (or too much sun) hits you to make something.
Posted by: MarciaW | Wednesday, August 08, 2012 at 11:06 AM
Keep that fabric. Really would you dump it? Give it to me! LOL
Posted by: Sharon Hughson | Wednesday, August 08, 2012 at 10:55 AM
I agree with some of the others - get a new rod and put them back up! I have too many fun new things to do on my list to do and I'm sure you have even more! If you really want to take them down then, absolutely keep the fabric - What were you thinking?
Posted by: Sarah in Houston | Wednesday, August 08, 2012 at 10:44 AM
oh yes keep it! it can be part of your next quilt!
Posted by: helenmarie | Wednesday, August 08, 2012 at 10:41 AM
If you love the fabric, keep it. Maybe you could use it in a quilt? Yes, if it makes you think of the beach and makes you smile...definitely keep it! :-)
Posted by: Sandi | Wednesday, August 08, 2012 at 10:27 AM
How about taking the valances and making them into some placemats so you can still dream of the beach. All of my windows are naked because I hate home dec sewing!
Posted by: Vicki W | Wednesday, August 08, 2012 at 10:23 AM
Yep! If you love the fabric, keep it!
Posted by: Gretchen F | Wednesday, August 08, 2012 at 08:51 AM
there are so many GREAT stories about ornaments ... thank you everyone who left a comment.. YOU ROCK!!
Mmmmm... I bet I DO have red/white with veggies for my kitchen....mmmmm....
Posted by: pat sloan | Wednesday, August 08, 2012 at 08:10 AM
:D
Must you ask......it's fabric.....Yes, I would keep it!
:D
Posted by: Beulah | Wednesday, August 08, 2012 at 07:36 AM
Pat... you know you are busy, so just get another rod and then put it in your "plan" to make a new one later :)
Posted by: Shirley in Canada | Wednesday, August 08, 2012 at 07:32 AM
If you still love the valance and it's not thread bare, just get another rod..... on the other hand - I'll bet you have some Eat Your Fruits and Veggies that would be perfect for your kitchen!!!
I read your interview with Bari last night - I really like her lily, can't wait to start it.
Congrats to Barbara and Janet! I got teary for Barbara also - the 29th will mark a year since we lost our little furry guy. I can understand, as I have lots of maltese things around also.
Posted by: Linda P | Wednesday, August 08, 2012 at 07:25 AM