The surprise...

 Here it is my lovelies. 

My early birthday present from my Mama, sisters and myself. Isn't she a beauty? I was so lucky to find her!
She is a cast iron "EAGLE" salesman sample of a wood cookstove from the early 1900's (I think). She also came with so many cast iron pots, pans, skillets and even a couple cauldrons!
What a joy she is! I cannot wait to fill up my new kitchen with every thing a kitchen needs! (And it is a VERY long list of things I don't have yet... But, so much the better!)
 

I meant to show you much sooner (honest, I did.) But I got sick and was in bed for two days unable to do anything productive.

But I'm feeling so much better today and I would like to invite you to see my new house! 

 The same location, but now I have 2 floors and 2 rooms!

Here is the kitchen. As you can see I am still unpacking, putting candles in all the holders and washing the dust off the silver.

 Here is another treasure I found. It is a handmade, antique rocking chair. A tiny bit lopsided and obviously been "fixed" in places, but lovable all the same.

 And my bedroom, also still in the unpacking stage.

 I hope to have it all finished and decorated for Christmas very soon!

In the meantime.... Do sign up for the giveaway at Rookery Ramblings.

They're giving away a delightful Turkey Red table cloth from the 1800's.

Here is the link: 

Please tell me what you've been doing this Christmas season! I'm simply aching to know! Whatever you are doing, I hope you are having a very Merry Christmas!
Love always,
Emaline

A coverlet and other belonglings

It is so nice to be here again. 

Thank you to all of our faithful friends who've been commenting and bringing us cheer!

Here's something new!

My Dahling cousin Mabel made me this divine coverlet for my bed.

Isn't it beautiful? She crocheted it by hand out of tiny bamboo thread. It is heavenly soft.

Unfortunately, I still haven't made any bed clothes because I haven't had the right scraps.

 But at least my mattress may be covered now.

 And here is a box I made (well, covered anyway) for my deck of cards to go in.

And here are some more trinkets around my boudoir that I thought you might enjoy.

Some are mine, some I borrowed from Marmee.

 This origami box was made by my friend Kacie. It works perfectly for holding my china plates and it looks splendid besides. Underneath it is my big fluffy soft cushion which comes in handy in many situations (especially if you happen to be made of china), remade from a vintage quilt by my other lovely friend at May Farm Cottage.

 I hope you are all enjoying the Fall as much as I am! 

This weekend we went over the Mountains to get some apples for baking and canning! Oh! The colors we saw on the trees! So magnificent! It rained all weekend which made it even more of an adventure and made me quite glad I brought my woolies. :)

Now that we're home, I am so much looking forward to doing some baking, sewing, getting started on Christmas presents, redecorating my boudoir and crocheting some coziness for the cold months ahead.

What are your plans for the frosty afternoons?

I would love to know. =]

All my love,

Emaline

a fairy banquet

This quiet place by the river was so perfect and serene, I could've spent all day arranging leaves, tree bark and stones into tiny little houses. It is one of my favorite things to do whilst enjoying nature's fair splendor.

Here is the banqueting hall, all ready for the feast!

A tree bark roof will protect them from the sun and rain and a fire place with logs neatly stacked is an assurance of warmth for the cool night.

 The table is arrayed with forest finery and seats of stone to sit upon are there, ready for the arrival of the fair guests. The ground is carpeted with soft leaves and the fairies are all preparing their gowns of sparkling gossamer threads and soft petal shoes for the starlight fairy dance.  

 

Love, 

Emaline

Queen Mary's Doll House 1924

Hello my dear friends!

 I hope you are sitting down, because you must be quite prepared for what I am about to show you. 

In fact... you should probably make some strong tea and maybe get a few truffles from the cupboard.... just to be safe. Alright, are you quite ready?

 Here is a video I've found of Queen Mary's Doll house which was designed in 1924. The details are simply stunning! Very inspiring, wot? I hope you all enjoy, and have another truffle for the after-effects.
But you mustn't watch it here, it is much too small. Watch it on YouTube and make it as big as it goes. You will be much better able to see the details.

Are you astounded? I still am in a state of disbelief. The tiny Hoover vacuum had my mouth completely dropped open in a very unladylike manner. Likewise, the marble bath tub, the suit of armor, the dishes and glasses, the cars and last but certainly not least the bicycle! Oh! That I had a bicycle! What beautiful things people can make... I am inspired.

It has been a very whirlwind-y sort of month so, I do apologize for being quite absent! I will post more of my 1700's dress as soon as I possibly can! Thank you for being so patient!

Love, Emaline

Look at this

 Here are two Queen's doll houses. Aren't they wonderful?

 Queen Victoria's doll house (or part of it anyway...)

Queen Mary's doll house ....oh my...  

I'm definitely going to delve into these one day. 

♥Emaline

a room with a view

Good day my fashionable friends! Here is something I've been wanting to show you for an age! It is my very own room. 

 

For my last birthday my wonderful and handsome brothers-in-law made for me this lovely wrought iron bed! Isn't it spectacular? It is just what I would wish a bed to be! 

My Darling eldest sister designed the bed and made me the feather down mattress and pillows! 

The most wonderful thing about them is that they are made out of my Great Grandmothers pillows and stuffed with the very same feathers too! Isn't that extraordinary? It makes it even more special!

All of it is so nicely made.

The mattress has piping around the edges and is tied in various places in the middle to keep it from becoming lumpy. She even made a bolster! 

I have not yet made the bed clothes for it, but to tell the truth, I was not ready to cover it up! I love the ticking and piping and the little wear spots! It makes it look so real and wonderful! 

I do, of course, have the quilt Olive made for me on it so it is nice and cozy.

However, I will (one day) make the sheets and covers for it. And it will be splendid! Oh, dear... I am sounding quite vain...

 I also have this nice bedside table also made by my Brother-in-law (although, he originally made it as a box and gave it to my family and I). Somehow it conveniently made it up to my room. *blushing quite guiltily*

 My room is quite nicely placed in a corner of my "seamstress's" room next to her "jungle". I like it quite a bit, although sometimes the plants drop their huge flowers right in the middle of my floor which makes for a lot of sweeping.

 I hope you've enjoyed seeing my room. One day I shall take some more photos and show you a few of my treasures!

Now, I am off to finish the sleeves on my 18th century dress! 

Auf Wiedersehen!

Emaline

18th Century Milliner's Shop

 I just stumbled upon this charming set of pictures when I was looking for 18th century dress inspiration. It is from this lady's lovely photography site  Fashionable Frolick's Photostream. She makes very pretty 18th century clothing and also has some wonderful pictures from Colonial Williamsburg which is where these pictures were taken I believe.

 These are pictures of a doll size milliner's shop which is a display inside a life size Milliner and Dressmaker's shop. Are they not delightful?

(If you click on the pictures they will take you to Fashionable Frolick's flicker account so you can see them a lot bigger.)

Isn't this dress gorgeous?

I am currently working on a mid 18th century dress for myself (Emaline), and I'm doing my best to actually finish a whole outfit including underpinnings, dress, hat, shoes, and accessories. I have completed the underpinnings and the skirt and I'm almost finished with the bodice. I've just started the shoes, and am dreaming up ideas for a hat! It is a dress for springtime so I'm hoping to have it finished before then. *smile* 

So, for right now, my fingers are sewing busily and my head is thinking dreamily while my heart is sighing contentedly. I'm having such fun! I hope everyone is having a lovely January. Our January, or Winter weather, is just getting here. So I'm looking forward to some nice long snowy afternoons of reading, sewing, playing my violin and drinking tea. 

*******

Please tell me of your past, current or future projects! I'm aching to know what you all are doing!

So, Happy days and pleasant evenings to you all!

Love, Miss Emaline

a rainy day

There's nothing quite like staying at home on a rainy day. The world outside is chill and wet and the rain seems to drizzle endlessly.


Inside it is still and cozy and the light which comes from the windows is bright and cold.



The only thing to do on this sort of day is to muse calmly, while nestled under many blankets, drinking steaming hot tea and knitting just for the pleasure of it.

The attic, which usually makes you think of cobwebs, old boxes of baby clothes and the need of organization, now looks quite inviting...


























and with the large windows overlooking the pond it is the perfect spot for watching the rain drops fall while eating fudge and doing absolutely nothing.





Every once in while a carriage might drive by and for a moment you wonder, "What can they be thinking of, being out and about in such weather?"


And then dismiss the thought and calmly resume your handwork thinking, "Such a lovely day...".

I hope you have a lovely day too. =]
Love, Miss Emaline