Tuesday 20 September 2016

Oh Deer!


If you visited expecting a post about V Dubs in the Valley, what was to be our last festival of Summer 2016, you'll be a tad confused. There's something I omitted from last Tuesday's "A Day in the Life" blog, while I was clearing up after our tea Jon had taken Polly Piglet to the vet as she'd completely gone off her food.


What we initially assumed would be a routine trip to the vets rapidly descended into a frightening succession of blood tests, antibiotic & steroid injections, ultrasound scans and eventually, still lethargic and not eating, an emergency admission on Sunday night for an overnight stay, wired to an IV drip. Needless to say it's been seven days of incessant worry and sleepless nights. There was no way we could have left her with the cat sitter to swan off to V Dubs in the Valley so we pulled out, requesting the organisers donate our pitch fee to a charity of their choice. After all those tests the results are still inconclusive so she's being monitored at home for 48 hours and is due back with the vet tomorrow morning. She was quite lively last night and ate well so maybe we've reached a turning point. All I can say is thank f*ck for pet insurance.


Last weekend, which now seems like a lifetime ago, I found a pair of chintzy pastoral print curtains featuring deer and dogs in one of those clearance charity shops where everything is £1.99. Bordering on granny, I thought they'd work far better as a mini dress than as a window dressing.

Nail paint: Barry M's Cancun; Vintage Murano bead & beaten brass pendant (our friend, neighbour and occasional cat-sitter, Jolene Smith)

No sooner did I make the dress then a heatwave hit Britain and it's been hanging in the wardrobe as the fabric was far too thick to wear. While I'm not exactly thrilled that it's chilly this morning,  at least the dress got its first airing.


There's not a lot else to report in the life of Vix, I haven't left the house except to visit the vet and empty the bin. When suffering from mental turmoil I've done what I always do, work until I'm absolutely knackered. Since Thursday, I've taken over 300 photos, written a hundred descriptions and, after our Summer hiatus, relaunched the Kinky website.


This is just the tip of the iceberg. We must have over a thousand pieces of vintage in the Kinky shed.


I'll be adding fresh stock every day from now on but don't worry, I won't be turning my blog into some kind of marketplace. If you are interested you can click on the link in my side bar or you can find us HERE. I've also updated our itinerary for the rest of the year so if you want to drop by and say hello click HERE or on the *Meet Kinky* link in my side bar.

Curtain Couture dress (made from 1960s Sanderson "Glade" curtains and a 1971 dressmaking pattern, a zip & some 1960s lurex braid salvaged from a tatty vintage dress); 1960s Lime green suede go-go boots (from blog reader Vonda)

Linking to Patti & the Gang for Visible Monday and sending big love to Shelley for making my day with her blog post HERE.


See you soon!

123 comments:

  1. oh no! poor polly!!!! i´m so happy she´s better by now! the sweet little thing - we send her all our health wishes!!!
    .......
    love your woodsy dress! and will have a look at your shop....
    hugs and paw caress... xxxxxx

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    1. Hello Beate. We're so worried. Thank you for your lovely thoughts! xxx

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  2. That is terrible when your furry family member is sick. I hope she continues her road to recovery! That is so stressful.

    That dress turned out spectacular! And the boots...well if I were in your area I would have to wrestle you for those. Lookin' mighty fine!

    Shame about missing the show, but glad to see you're back up listing away for the site.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. I remember you going through it with Zoe, it's a nightmare.
      I'm scared of wearing those boots, they're an art form! xxx

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  3. I hope that Polly is continuing to get better, what an awful scare for you. I'm so glad you have pet insurance, I can't understand why people wouldn't have it.

    You look so good in that mini! I love the pattern, but probably not on curtains.

    I'm drooling over that '30s blouse you've listed, but it's too small for me, sigh..

    Wishing you a smoother week this week! xx

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    1. Thank you!
      I did think of you when I discovered that blouse. Damned tiny sizes back in the 1930s. xxx

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  4. Best wishes for poor Polly Piglet. I hope she's on the mend soon. I'm in a parallell universe here and going through hell with my Connie.

    The dress is beyond awesome and my God! Those boots! xxx

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    1. I'm keeping everything crossed for Connie. Poor baby. xxx

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  5. I hope Polly is okay, we've been in your shoes far to often so know how you are feeling. It's horrible when they can't tell you what's wrong. Give her a big kiss from us.
    The dress has worked really well, it's gorgeous. I wear my curtain frocks, tops and skirts a lot thanks to the wonderful Val for making them for me.
    Off to to Witney next week to stay with sis again. If I talk nicely to the welder maybe we can stop by again on the way back. Xxx

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    1. Thanks, Lynn! Curtains are the best, cheap enough to cut up and not to worry if they don't work out.
      Be fab to see you if the welder is feeling like a detour! xxx

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  6. We can concentrate on anything else when our fur children are sick! I am sending positive and healing thoughts to Polly, and that she will rally! CAts are resilient.
    And you look fab in your new cool weather dress, natch. Hugs to all at house of Vix and Jon, xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Thanks so much, Patti! Blogging is a welcome distraction. xxx

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  7. Oh my! I hope Polly us back to normal soon! Give her lots of love from me xoxo! That fabric makes a great dress by the way. :)

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    1. I wish she would get batter, Laurie. They really are a huge worry. xxx

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  8. Poor Polly, it is terrible when our pets are sick, we feel so helpless. I hope this crisis is over and your baby is well again soon.
    Love the dress so much, glad I am not the only one to turn curtains into a dress. You look so fabulous in it. Hope your stressful time is over and Polly Piglet is back to healthy cat form soon. Big hugs to you all, Cheers, Michele

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    1. Thanks, Michele from one curtain cutter-upper to another. xxx

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  9. Cats are tough, especially the torties! How very fortunate you and Jon made Polly's condition a priority before leaving town, so that now the old lady has a fighting chance. I do empathize with the housecleaning/sewing frenzy. I lost both my eldest cats during the past 3 months -- and my house has never been cleaner.

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    1. Oh Beth, how awful to lose two. Sewing and cleaning are a great distraction, aren't they? xxx

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  10. Sorry to hear about Polly, I hope she gets better soon.

    Your curtain dress is fab, I just love the fabric. I see that you will be in my neck of the woods in October so will see you there! xxx

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    1. Be lovely to see you in Bethnal Green if you can make it. xxx

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  11. Wishing the best for Polly.
    That dress is spectacular, and those boots!! Wowza.
    Been seeing your tweets so I click on them and drool over your stock.
    xoxox

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    1. Thanks Carol! Hope I'm not spamming you too much, I've been playing with an app that automatically posts to Twitter - I'm a bit rubbish with social media. xxx

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  12. pet insurance? I've never heard for that before. Get better, kitty.

    You're getting really good at sewing. The back seam for the dress matching up quite nicely. You did save the best photo for last.....those crazy boots.

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    1. Yes, £7 a month and you can claim most vet's costs back (minus a £75 excess). xxx

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  13. I hope Polly is feeling better now, don't furbabies scare us?

    Love your deer dress! xxx

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    1. Thanks, Melanie. I know you've been through it with the bunnies recently. xxx

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  14. Oh Polly Piglet. Hope she's feeling better and better. What a scare.
    So nice you get productive during times of stress. I go the opposite and collapse in naps. Your curtain dress is fab, the print gorgeous, but those boots...delish. And look at all that stock you've put up. Here's to selling well wherever you are!

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  15. I'm sorry to hear about Polly Piglet. Hope she gets better soon. I can fully understand you wanted to be with her. You did a good job on the dress, and those boots are fantastic! xxx

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  16. Love, love, love the colour of these boots! And lots of love and best wishes to Miss Polly Piglet x

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  17. Get well soon to Ms Polly!
    I love your deer & dog mini & those lime gogo boots are sublime! (get it?)
    Bibi
    xox

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  18. Hey up, love - remember me?!
    Looking gorgeous as ever, that Oh Deer frock is a joy, and I'm mightily relieved to hear that Miss Polly Piglet is on the mend. Those naughty torties, they do make us worry...
    Been drooling over your stock on FB, so much loveliness. But no no no, I can't buy!
    I'll be in touch with an update - missed you soooooo much, love you! xxx

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    1. Err...name seems familiar!! Lovely to have you back in Blogland. you've been terribly missed. xxx

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  19. So sorry about little kitty :(
    Loving the revamped deer mini dress and your boots are killer--just love 'em
    Sounds like you really just worked your ass off---congrats! I'm reorganizing my store stock now and it sucks to say the least lol

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  20. So sorry to hear about your fur baby - I would have done the same thing by pulling out. Hopefully Polly Piglet is over the worst. Very tough when animals are sick and can't tell us what hurts. How old is Polly? Love the dress and those boots are pretty amazing too!

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    1. Thanks, CC! She's 11 - classed as a older cat but I've owned cats that have lived well into their 20s so she's still a kitten to us. xxx

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  21. So sorry to hear about polly piglet - I hope she has indeed turned a corner.
    love the dress - and OMG those boots. they are amazing!

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  22. Polly is eating again?!! Throw a party! What good news. I hope too that whatever it was has passed. The stress of pet illness is overwhelming. But I'm glad you turned it into getting things done. I'm in love with your rocking mini bell-sleeved wonder. AND those boots with it! Big hugs to Polly.

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  23. Oh, flippin' 'eck, Vix, what a worrying time you and Jon have had with poor old Polly. Sending all my very best wishes for her speed recovery.

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    1. I know, it's blinking awful, it really is. Thanks, Elizabeth. xxx

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  24. So sorry about Polly, but the latest news are good. Animals, unlike people really only eat when they are well, so It all be just a bad dream. I didn´t know about pet insurance, another world, puff.
    About the curtains, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh what to say? I love the print, and much better enhancing your body than catching dust on a window. You are such a wise woman.
    Much love.

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    1. I do hope so, Sacramento. Thank you for you kind words. xxx

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  25. Oh deer indeed! The dress is brilliant! I remember seeing this exact pattern on some website - love the colors. I'd never think of making a mini dress from them, but it's gorgeous! You are a genius, Vix!

    And I am so relieved that at the end, Polly Piglet is recovering! She is like a sister to our Bagheera, sending her all our cat's and human's warmest wishes!! Our cats spent only one night at the vet (for a routine surgery), but it was unsettling. Fast recovery!

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    1. Bagheera and Polly Piglet are sisters from another mother. xxx

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  26. Oh no...poor Polly. Glad she's on the mend.
    Love the deer mini. The fabric works brilliantly and it it looks blinding with those boots.
    Liking the Kinky stock too...it's about time I had some new to me gear, I've not shopped in ages.
    Loves ya.
    xxxxx

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  27. Poor Polly Piglet...and poor you too, can imagine just how worried you have been, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for a full recovery. That frock is cosmic! My nan didn't have one just like it... but my auntie did! She made hers too and there's a photo of her bending over and unknowingly flashing her drawers...my uncle leering in the corner! Lots of love xxx

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    1. I'm liking your saucy auntie and that naughty uncle, too. xxx

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  28. That's a nice bit of Sanderson you're wearing......not that I have a Sanderson horde hidden away

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    1. Get it out and chop it up, no sense in hoarding it! x

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  29. Poor Polly! Hope she has a speedy recovery!! She looks content sprawled on the ground.

    Hope all goes well!!

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    1. hard to think that photo was only a week or so ago. xxx

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  30. Aw, it's awful when one of the little hairy people is poorly. Hope she's ok soon. Love the curtain couture and those green boots are fabulous. Xx

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  31. Poor lil' Polly. Please don't tell my human children but I think I got more upset when my pets were sick than when my kids were. Pets can't tell you where it hurts and it is so heartbreaking when they are confused about their situation. Meanwhile, back at your dress! I am so happy that you decided to put that beautiful fabric on your body instead of making it spend its life hanging in a window or being sat upon. Beauty!

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    1. Thanks Connie, your secret's safe with me. xxx

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  32. I do hope everything comes back OK for Polly Piglet and she's on the mend soon!
    That dress is fab, I can't even imagine as a pair of curtains!

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  33. Here's hoping Polly has a quick recovery. Pet insurance is a wonderful thing (I wish I could get a human policy that covered as much).

    I'm gathering my "overstock" to get set up on a website over the next month as well. I need to clear out tonnes of clothing, so I hope you don't mind if I study your presentation skills as I know absolutely nothing about photographing and posting items for sale. You're a professional.

    That fabric from the curtains...I mean, just WOW!

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    1. Thanks Goody.
      What a tremendous compliment, too. You've got a great eye for vintage and I bet you're website will be amazing. xxx

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  34. Love the dress and especially the green boots - my color!

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  35. Good luck for kitty! As always, your style is impeccable. Much love xx

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  36. Good luck for kitty! As always, your style is impeccable. Much love xx

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    1. Than you! Lovely to hear from you, Sara. xxx

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  37. Those fur babies can give us a lot of stress and worry. Glad she is on the mend. Love the dress, though with my thighs, a mid calf would be better, but you rock it.

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    1. They really do, don't they, Sam?
      I bet your legs are just fine! xxx

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  38. I imagine people see a cute woodland scene complete with stag walk down the street with a swish and a kick of their lime green legs! How I envy them! But a blog is the next best thing.
    Many recovery kisses to your kitty cat.
    Xo Jazzy Jack

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  39. Hope Polly is feeling better. That dress is marvelous! Fabulous job, Vix! xxx

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  40. Poor Polly Piglet, off her food and all that treatment. So pleased to hear she's on the mend. It's a rollercoaster when our furry friends are poorly, that's for sure. I hated leaving my Wellington almost as much as he hated me going anywhere. There will be lots of festivals to come. You have a cat sitter called Jolene, how fab. I really hope she has auburn hair. Your tapestry fabric and dress is beautiful, just perfect for this time of year. Wow! 1000 pieces. You know we all just got a bit excited about that!!! Xxxxx

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    1. I know, I feel so guilty for making her go through it all, too.
      Jolene is very cool and hip and her daughter, Jorja (a Kinky melon customer and occasional cat sitter), is about to be a huge star, she's just been nominated for a Mobo award. xxx

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  41. Oh my word, the poor, sweet dear. I'm so immensely sorry that she's been ill and that you guys have been going through a true ordeal trying to get to the root of her poor health. Fingers (and paws - from my girl, Stella) crosses that she makes a full recovery.

    Sending countless hugs & healing wishes your way,
    ♥ Jessica

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  42. Hello dear Vix! I wish your Polly Piglet was already doing much better! Keeping my fingers crossed. Your Curtain Couture dress is one of the most beautiful dresses I've ever seen. And how well it suits you. xxx

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    1. Hello A-m! Glad you like the dress and thank you for your kind thoughts! xxx

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  43. Oh dear, Polly Piglet! I'm sorry to hear she's been unwell and am glad that she's now feeling better. Must have been quite the worry for you guys.

    That fabric is great. I love the dress you made with it. It looks terrific on you. And those boots .... wow!

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  44. I hope your Polly Piglet gets better soon. I'm lighting candles and sending healing thoughts. Blessings

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  45. My fingers are crossed that little Polly continues to improve. For most of us, our pets are family members and if they are ill, we worry like crazy. Thank goodness you have pet insurance as I can't imagine how much all those tests cost. When I took my rat Ruby to the vet last month when she had a respiratory infection, it was $100.

    Good call on making that fabric into a mini dress. I really like the forest-y colours and the bell sleeves make it very "Vix". If my feet weren't a couple of sizes larger than yours, I would arm wrestle you for those amazing boots.

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    1. There was a rat at the vet's surgery yesterday, such a pretty thing, sitting on her Mum's shoulder. All three cats in the waiting room were licking their lips! xxx

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  46. so sorry to hear that Polly hasn't been doing well, I hope she gets healthy and feels better soon. It's so stressful when our pets get sick, there is always this feeling of helplessness but I guess we must just hope for the best and trust the vets. Sometimes animals have a way of getting better suddenly and some of them recover quickly, forgetting they have ever had a problem.

    This dress you made from a vintage curtain is gorgeous. It looks fantastic on you. Plus, I really like those green summer boots you have paired it with. You look stunning.

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  47. Oh, poor Polly Piglet! It's good to know she looks like she's recovering and eating again. I don't blame you chaps for pulling out of the festival, I'd have done the same.

    Your deer dress is splendid. Perfect for the autumn. And I've already snapped up something from your website - my crimplene suit arrived and it fits and is FAB. I used to detest crimplene, and now I've gone completely the other way. (I'm largely holding Curtise and Ann responsible for the conversion.)

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    1. Hello Mim! I'm delighted that the suit fits and you love it. I was thrilled to find it, 1960s two pieces are like hen's teeth! xxx

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  48. I'm sorry to hear about Polly Piglet. It does seem she is on the road to recovery and she looks very healthy in the photos and yes thank fu*k for pet insurance!

    That mini dress is so gorgeous and looks fabulous on you. I think they must have been great curtains; they make a fabulous dress and it looks brilliant with those green shoe/sandalboots.

    I'm definitely going to check out your online shop and where Kinky Melon are next.

    Have a great week and I hope Polly P continues to make good progress.

    xxxxxxx

    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Veronica! Those are old photos, she's got so many bald patches from all her tests she looks a sorry state.
      Be lovely to see you if we're in your neck of the woods. I feel like we've been friends for years. xxx

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  49. So sorry Polly is having health issues. I can totally relate. My kitty Priscilla went off her food a couple years ago and we went through the same thing with the multiple vet visits, shots, medications, overnight stays etc.I remember how stressful it was and how helpless I felt. She ended up being anemic and we've still never figured out what caused it. But she's fine now as I'm sure your kitty will be soon. Am sending positive thoughts your way for her quite recovery!

    As far as your dress, I've collected many vintage curtain panels in my day and never attempted to repurpose them. That vintage print translates so well to a mini dress. Love the bell sleeves. And, those lime green boots are amazing!

    Theresa

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    1. Theresa, I really hope Polly is suffering from a similar thing to Priscilla, it's such a worry.
      Get chopping some curtains, you'll be glad you did. xxx

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  50. Love your cats , I hope she is on the mend now , Our nikki did have two and she lost one last year to cancer , She had pet insurance too , Its a good job as the bill for mias treatment before they found out it was terminal was huge xxx

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    1. I don't think she's out of the woods yet but yes, pet insurance is a huge help. We'll try anything to make her better. xxx

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  51. Get well son Polly kitty. Hope all is well now and that you can get back on track. I love your green boots!

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  52. What a worry those furry friends are, I'm sorry to hear Miss Polly has been poorly but hope she is well on the mend now.
    I love the deer dress what a great use of a mad curtain!

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    1. I know, they are such a worry. I honestly can't remember the last time I had a good night's sleep.
      Mad curtains. Always a joy to find. xxx

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  53. Oh, I'm glad she's okay ♥
    I love your new creation, it does look much better as a dress than a window dressing, and wow! to all those lovely finds xx

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  54. Poorly pets are so heartrending - we have cancelled holidays! Pleased Polly P seems to be on the mend

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    1. Aren't they just? I feel like life's on hold at the moment. xxx

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  55. Your blog is quiet interesting and the dress you made from vintage curtain is adorable.I liked your post as it is very helpful.

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  56. Another piece of curtain couture and very nice indeed. Pet Insurance sounds like a good idea, and it was obviously a great help for you with Polly P, bless her.

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  57. Lots of hugs to Polly Piglet, hope she stays well. You are SOOO creative and clever, Vix - turning curtain fabric into such a fabulous 60's style dress. I am such a fan of yours and here is yet another confirmation about why I am!! xx

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  58. Poor wee furry face. They are such a worry when they are not well and it is doubly hard as they can't tell us what is wrong. I am glad Polly Piglet is feeling a bit better. That dress is a belter. I love the curtain print and it really does look amazing as a mini. Those matching boots are lovely, what a vibrant colour. Shame that they don't make ones like that anymore. You are a very talented stitcher. Xx

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  59. Oooooohhh!! I hope your little sweetie continues to recover. I love the way you turn the moment into creative time. Your stock looks amazing and I'm sure it will fly off the rails when you're ready. Those boots are insanely wonderful too.

    You look fab, my Love, as always. Sending huge hugs to you and yours. xoxoxo

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  60. Oh goodness, I hope Polly Piglet continues to improve and makes a swift recovery. It's so awful when a pet is ill, so worrying and heartbreaking that they can't tell you what's wrong. I wouldn't have been able to go away for the weekend either.
    That dress is a work of art, definitely much better than curtains! I love it.

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix