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

Paperdolls...

Regency paper dolls Made for me by Mabel. 

♥Emaline

1840's Bonnet and Belt

Here are some pictures of the accessories I made for my Orange and Cream 1840's dress. I had completely forgotten to post them! I hope you like!

 I added new trimmings to my plain, linen bonnet. 

The bonnet, belt (and outfit) were partly inspired by this costume from Cranford worn by the hilarious Miss Pole.

 

The feathers are real Peacock feathers and Goose feathers that I cut down to size. 

 

The ties are organza ribbon and a loose-woven blue cotton seam tape. 

(I love mixing blue and orange! Have you noticed?) 

The medallion I made with organza ribbon, flat seam lace, and seed beads. I loved adding the beads! I hope to do more of this in the future!

 

I added a gathered organza ribbon around the inside of the brim and at the back of the neck. Everything is tacked in place with large stitches so that when I wish to change the trim, I can simply snip the thread and pull it off.

The belt is made of darker organza ribbon and the same blue cotton seam tape. The 'buckle' in the front is brown embroidery floss covering a plastic ring off of an old camisole. That back is secured with a snap. 

 

(I love snaps for doll clothes! And here's a little tid bit...  Snaps for clothing were invented by Heribert Bauer in 1885. Unfortunately, they would not have been around in the 1840's... However.. I am not too worried about ALL my accoutrements being so very accurate! And besides, snaps are so much easier to use AND easier to hide than hooks and eyes!)

Love to you all!
Emaline

Emaline's "Bosom Friend" - Finished!

ANNE: "My greatest wish, apart from staying at Green Gables, would be to have a bosom friend."
MARILLA: "A what kind of friend?"
ANNE: "A bosom friend; a really kindred spirit. I've dreamt of meeting her all my life."

   I love this quote from Anne of Green Gables. And Marilla's face when she says it! Oh, it's too precious!
 
 I have finished my Winter Accessory Craft-Along Project! Hooray! Hooray!
 I am quite tickled and pleased with how it turned out!

I did block it, but I only used 3 pins because it knitted so well into the right shape already.

Since I used a shawl pattern, I added braided ties and tassels (yay!), and then poked them through the holes in the middle, at the point and tied them in a bow to make it into a Heart Warmer. (Oh! I just can't decide what name I like the best! They're all so charming!)

I love this yarn so much! And now I have a "bosom friend" to be with me all the time! he he!

And speaking of bosom friends...  I have been reading the Anne of Green Gables series and I am absolutely in love with them!
Especially the first book. It is out of a dream!
 And... look what I found! My favorite part in Anne of Avonlea. Well, the whole movie is practically my favorite part, but you know how that goes... :)
Here it is... (watch from 2:58) Where Anne and Marilla are reunited. So wonderful! Makes me cry every time.

Well, I hope everyone has enjoyed this little craft along as much as I have. It certainly gave me a boost on some projects I've wanted to make for a long time!

We are certainly not done yet! There are still quite a few good days left in March, so if you haven't added your accessory yet, please do! We'd love to see them!

And now.... since March is departing and Winter is dwindling... I am thinking of what we should do next!

Does anyone have any ideas for our next blog party?

♥Emaline

Pride and Prejudice: 200 years

 "It is a truth uni­ver­sally ac­know­ledged, that a single man in pos­ses­sion of a good for­tune, must be in want of a wife.”- Jane Austen (The opening words from her 2nd novel, Pride and Prejudice.)

Today, January 28, 2013, is the 200th anniversary of when Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice was first published.

It is a delightful story and a wonderful book.

One of the most loveable and quotable movies I've ever seen.

My favorite happens to be The 1995 A&E miniseries. But I really do love them all.

 It is our most favorite "sewing movie" because we've seen it so many times that we can turn it on and sew for hours and know exactly what's going on even without looking. It's beautiful and pleasant and the costumes are so inspiring.

 I also love the music.
And of course we had the 6 VHS set which had the Main Theme and Credits before AND after each episode. So it is one that I've heard many, MANY times. =]
It has so many memories attached to it... Tea parties, sewing days and movie nights with friends are what come to mind.
And notably...
Aunt K. singing "SLUUUUUUMBER DE-A' MAAAID...." which had all of us laughing hysterically and then running out of the room when certain brothers creeped us all out by doing the Mr. Collins wave. (You know who you are.)  :)

Ha ha! I thought this picture from Old Fashioned Charm was great (and oh-so-creepy)!

One day I'd love to make a doll size regency dress, maybe even a replica of one from the movie.
I am particularly fond of this costume:

Well, I hope everyone already loves this story as much as I do and if you haven't read or watched it yet, then you are in for an unparallelled pleasure!

  There's been all sorts of fun Pride and Prejudice themed posts and events on different blogs. For instance here is one: Elegance of Fashion: 200 Years of Pride and Prejudice. It is full of very interesting articles, pictures and some very fun comparisons of the different films and the like.



Thanks for reading!
♥Miss Emaline

A Happy Christmas to All...

 

Merry Christmas!

My house is decorated, the tree is lit, and the smell of homemade cookies and fudge is filling the air.... 

It is Christmas!

 

My sisters and I had a little party and we made this video for you to watch! We had so much fun! I hope you like it too.

Have a splendid Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Love, 

Miss Emaline

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

Gardening

 Hello my friends. If you've been wondering where I've been, I've been gardening.

And making dresses out of strips of fabric and scarves. That's what this ensemble is.

 I was inspired by the costumes in an episode from Larkrise to Candleford. Season 3, Episode 4. To be exact. One of the sadder, better and more moving episodes.

 However... I was quite joyful and full of glee whilst working away in the flower beds.

 Here is a wooden wheelbarrow that my Great Grandpa made. It has a cast iron wheel. Isn't it beautiful?

Taking a rest in the shade.

 Happy late summer! 

I hope everyone is enjoying these last warm summery days to their full advantage.

I know I'll do my best to! It's such a lovely time of year.

 Love, Emaline