Saturday, April 4, 2009

Brenda, The Trendsetter

Sweetheart wanted a turquoise and hot pink room a few years ago. Two years ago we painted it and I started yammering about a duvet cover.

I only finished that duvet cover a little over a year ago. I cannot believe that! It seems like much longer ago that I did that but that could be because I talked about it for a lifetime before I actually finished it.

Anyway, I knew I wanted stripes on the comforter and I could just picture it all in my head. However, I couldn't FIND what I was picturing. At least not for less than a down payment on a car. So I ended up sewing that duvet cover made out of decorator fabric from Hancock.

It's really pretty and just what I wanted.
Wouldn't it have been great if Wal-Mart had offered a bed-in-a-bag striped comforter that I could have just plucked off the shelf, pulled out of the bag and thrown on the bed?

Like, say....this one:

Thank you Wal-Mart. You are about 2 years late.

It's not the first time that has happened to me either. I decorated Sweetheart's nursery in Raggedy Ann and Andy. I sewed and scoured antique shops and internet sites and worked my tail off for that nursery. Nothing came easy. (I know...I loved it.) And then when she was about 2 or 3, Wal-Mart came out with a very cute nursery in a bag of Raggedy Ann and Andy.

Grrrr.

But wait! There's more!

When I was pregnant with Little Bit, I dreamily looked through the Pottery Barn catalog until I couldn't stand it. Even if we were richer than kings, I couldn't spend the money they charge for some of their stuff. But I found star fabric EXACTLY like the PB catalog at Hobby Lobby and sewed curtains. And then my sister and I re-created these letters painted on canvas for the wall (MUCH cheaper than PB! Sister and I obviously need to go into business.)

And now, Wal-Mart has caught up to us:


FIVE YEARS WAL-MART!!!! WHY ARE YOU RUNNING BEHIND ME LIKE THIS????

I know, I know...I'm SUCH a trendsetter that America's largest bargain shopping chain can't keep up with me.

Not sure what to make of that, really.

8 comments:

  1. The difference here is that it was made with love by mom and your girls will always remember that. Hopefully they will remember , well, if not , you can always remind them of the hours you slaved over a craft table/sewing machine and all just for their happy smiling little faces !!! Good job Brenda they all look great. And... you are a trendsetter.. if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have a new blog. You are an inspiration... have you sent your resume to Walmart's designing team yet???

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  2. I am super impressed, Brenda! Wal-Mart should hire you to work from home!

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  3. Isn't that the way it always happens?? Seems like it :) Your rooms are beautiful and so cute! Lucky girls you have there!

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  4. Personally, I'd be a little creeped out that they were spying on me. But that's just me... ;)

    2 and 5 years sounds like they have bureaucracy issues getting it from idea to production. Heh heh.

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  5. You're just ahead of your time, Brenda...and maybe they read your blog. :)

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  6. Ahead of your time!! Amazing...lol.

    So, what are you gonna do in the girls' room now to start a re-decorating frenzy?? Can't wait to see!

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  7. Wow! You are a trendsetter, Brenda.

    And I agree with Giovanna that your girls have the added bonus of knowing their mother lovingly designed and made by hand the decorations that make their rooms so great.

    You are a creative woman, Brenda. Really good stuff.

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I don't get to talk to a lot of actual grown-ups during the day, so your comments make me really happy! :)