I've been pinning things...

...Not dress seams like I was supposed to do today... I've been "pinning" pictures. Photos from the 1840's-1860's. I know. I've been naughty. But wait till you see the photos. :)

I am utterly in love with these beautiful photos.
You can see the pictures of girls with dolls I pinned HERE. And the portraits HERE. They are all so amazing. I'm looking for ideas...

Hug.

Emaline

Tasha Tudor Day...

The gloom of the world is but a shadow.
Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy. Take Joy!

{Tasha's favorite quote} by Fra Giovanni

Is anyone besides me excited? *smiles with giddy joy*

Even though for the past few years something always prevents me from doing exactly what I want to do for Tasha Tudor day, ON Tasha Tudor Day... I usually find a way to do something special for it during the month of August... {Click here to view our first Tasha Tudor Day party}

 {"Thumbelina" illustration - Isn't this a cute idea?)

 But for today, (since I just came down with the flu *ugh*) I'll just imagine the perfect day...

Ideally... My day would start with waking up in early morning.. slipping into my slippers and putting the kettle on for tea. Then sitting in the warm morning sun, reading my Bible for half an hour with tea in my hand and a warm fuzzy cat rubbing against my feet.

Then, after a breakfast of porridge, putting on my homespun work dress and sun bonnet, heading out to the garden to pull some weeds and gather vegetables for lunch.

“I enjoy doing housework, ironing, washing, cooking, dishwashing. Whenever I get one of those questionnaires and they ask what is your profession, I always put down housewife. It's an admirable profession, why apologize for it. You aren't stupid because you're a housewife. When you're stirring the jam you can read Shakespeare.”  - Tasha Tudor

Next of course, I would go for a swim in the pond to cool off and stretch out. (There is nothing equal to this.)

Watermelon comes next, and spitting the seeds at my sisters naturally follows...

 After I rinse the pond water off, I put on my pretty afternoon dress with yards and yards of skirt and an apron and make delectable things for lunch which we eat in a shady place in the garden.

I would drink guava green tea with my family and friends and work a few rows of knitting or maybe try my hand at watercolor while the scent of rose and mint filled the air and the summer breeze floated by like a happy phrase of delicious music.

Then perhaps go for a canoe ride...

And do every creative thing I could think of...

 After several hours of this, we would cook our dinner.

We'd make a salad with fresh greens from the garden and cook a beef and vegetable stew using only ingredients that we've grown to make a heavenly tasting meal that we'd enjoy while watching the fire and rose colored sun set through the trees.

After the dishes are done and darkness has fallen among the living things... I would like to go out and lay down on the sweet smelling grass to gaze up at the stars and be swept away by the wonder of the work of my Saviors hands...

And before I have gotten quite sleepy, I would like to make some hot chocolate with a pinch of cinnamon and a few marshmallows and light the oil lamps and a few candles and cuddle up on the couch with my Mama and sisters and talk a while before heading up the stairs to my soft bed and beautiful, blissful, (hopefully) well earned... sleep.

What are you doing for Tasha Tudor Day? I would dearly love to know!

All my love,

♥Emaline

sewing, sewing...

Here's a peek at what I've been sewing...  I'm making a late 1840's afternoon dress.

I've had the fabric for a long time and I've always known exactly what I wanted to make with it... So, I finally started it. The skirt is finished. *sigh*... :)

Besides my love of this era of fashion, my inspiration came from a paper doll book I have.

(Which you can find here on Amazon.)

The dolls and dresses in it are the original drawings from the magazines and so completely historically wonderful!

I was also inspired by this dress from Cranford worn by the inimitable Miss Pole.

 And the dresses from Martin Chuzzlewit.

And because I couldn't resist this picture.. My two favorite characters in Martin Chuzzlewit. =]

Sarie Gamp and Betsy Prigg

Oh, so funny! Elizabeth Spriggs is one of my most favorite actresses in the world. (She's on the left -- you probably know her as Mrs. Jennings from Sense and Sensibility -- but might not recognize her with that "..'eavenly dispogition..." as she would say.)  She is so brilliantly funny!
And that Mr. Dickens.. I declare!

I am busily working on my dress and am happy to say it is coming along nicely. I can't wait to show it to you!

Please tell me...

What have you been sewing?  

or even... 

been wanting to sew? I'd love to know!

I hope you are all well and happy!

All my love,

Emaline

Something of interest...

My sisters and I have started a pinterest board and are having quite a lot of fun with it! 

If you're like me, you might say.. What's Pinterest? Or perhaps: Oh, please... ANOTHER online time-vortex? 

Which... truthfully, isn't too far from the truth since I spend much too much time on it because it's so much fun. :) 

However, it is an invaluable tool for saving your favorite pictures and ideas in an easily accessible place. It's like a bulletin board or an idea board where you can go to be inspired.

If you're not like me, then you've probably skipped this because you already know all of it. =]

Anyway, all that to say that I've started a board on pinterest for all things doll. *smile* So, if you'd like to see it just click here>> Pretty Wit on Pinterest. Eventually, I'll put a link on the sidebar for it too when I have more time. It's just for fun really.

Here's something I found on there recently whilst searching for dolls...

 It's a handmade reproduction Queen Anne style doll. Isn't it gorgeous?

The blog it's on is called The Old Pretenders. You must go check it out. It is simply fabulous.

A lovely November day to you all!

Emaline

Scandinavian Folklore Fashion

This is such a fun, beautiful website that I wanted to share with you. If you like embroidery or weaving or costuming or anything folksy or pretty, (pretty much everyone in other words) you will love this blog! Click on this link for a frolic through Scandinavia!  - Folklore Fashion -

Love to you all!

♥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

Don'ts for Lady Bicyclists 1895

 Well... Here is a real gem!

I was so thrilled when I found this article!

'Don'ts for the Victorian Lady Bicyclist' 

...Some of these should be embroidered on a cushion. :] 

• Don’t be a fright.
• Don’t faint on the road.
• Don’t wear a man’s cap.
• Don’t wear tight garters.
• Don’t forget your toolbag.
• Don’t attempt a “century.”
• Don’t coast. It is dangerous.
• Don’t boast of your long rides.
• Don’t criticize people’s “legs.”
• Don’t wear loud hued leggings.
• Don’t cultivate a “bicycle face.”
• Don’t refuse assistance up a hill.
• Don’t wear clothes that don’t fit.
• Don’t neglect a “light’s out” cry.
• Don’t wear jewelry while on a tour.
• Don’t race. Leave that to the scorchers.
• Don’t wear laced boots. They are tiresome.
• Don’t imagine everybody is looking at you.
• Don’t go to church in your bicycle costume.
• Don’t wear a garden party hat with bloomers.
• Don’t contest the right of way with cable cars.
• Don’t chew gum. Exercise your jaws in private.
• Don’t wear white kid gloves. Silk is the thing.
• Don’t ask, “What do you think of my bloomers?”
• Don’t use bicycle slang. Leave that to the boys.
• Don’t go out after dark without a male escort.
• Don’t go out without a needle, thread and thimble.
• Don’t try to have every article of your attire “match.”
• Don’t let your golden hair be hanging down your back.
• Don’t allow dear little Fido to accompany you
• Don’t scratch a match on the seat of your bloomers.
• Don’t discuss bloomers with every man you know.
• Don’t appear in public until you have learned to ride well.
• Don’t overdo things. Let cycling be a recreation, not a labor.
• Don’t ignore the laws of the road because you are a woman.
• Don’t try to ride in your brother’s clothes “to see how it feels.”
• Don’t scream if you meet a cow. If she sees you first, she will run.
• Don’t cultivate everything that is up to date because you ride a wheel.
• Don’t emulate your brother’s attitude if he rides parallel with the ground.
• Don’t undertake a long ride if you are not confident of performing it easily.
• Don’t appear to be up on “records” and “record smashing.” That is sporty.

article found here 

 Now, you are fully informed of what not to do when riding a bicycle. ♥

My bicycle is beckoning me from the shed! What do you like to do in April?

♥Emaline

 

 

Things to do in March...

Go sight seeing..

 make or write music..

 Go for country walks with friends..

 Look fabulous..

 Do something spontaneous..

 Write a letter or two or three..

 Go out for tea..

 Stay in for tea..

 Dance..

 Go hunting..

 Read books..

 Go for a bike ride..

Aren't these good ideas? Aren't you inspired? Ha ha! I must say I have been inspired to do all of these things and have done some. ♥ 

Reading, drinking tea ("Obviously." - Mary Poppins), writing letters, making music, going for walks, looking fabulous ;), dancing, and even spontaneity.... Next on the list- sight seeing, going out for tea, "hunting" for some essential clothes for spring and bicycling.♥

Love to you all, Emaline