GREEN SILK DRESS

This is a design I drew for a dress I am sewing for my little fashion doll. I am having a bit of a time with it. My hands sometimes don't want to do what need them to do. The picture is of the page in my journal, where I am keeping a record of what I make this year.
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MARDI GRAS

Now, I am not fixated about the Mardi Gras. We did go once. Back in 1977. It was great. I think though, that that was the last time The celebration was safe to attend. We had a lot of fun. Saw a lot of super costumes. ate too much rich food, and really enjoyed the sights around town. We even got to go out to a real working plantation. I think it is still around. Our travel agent had gotten permission for our group to attend and observe, a real Crewe party. We didn't mingle, but had to watch from a balcony. Although, what was nice, some of the main crewe members came up to talk with us. And to show us there costumes. I was totally delighted. I don't have have photos, as we don't do that. Because, well, other people really are not interested in seeing other people's vacation pics.
Because of the type of diary I was using back then, I never made any drawings or decorations in the books. No room. And all of this collage and altered book craft wasn't around. Even with my now using just the school style composition books. The first book, I began in June-1997. I only used as a straight journal. I didn't write much. I used that book for ten years. But, during the last two years, I began to decorate and do drawings and illustrations in my Journal, as I now call it. Therefore as I had never yet wrote a real entry to Mardi Gras. I finally got aound to it this month. So, even though Tuesday was " FAT TUESDAY'. I went ahead and made my collage and entry today. I think it came out, quite evocative of the celebration.

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VALENTINE TULIPS

I forgot to do something for Valentine's. My Hb., instead of buying us cut flowers, he brought us two pots of lovely tulips. And I love tulips. Besides, the potted plants last much longer than cut flowers. None of the tulips in the garden, returned this year. So, I am happy to have these.
he brought these home Valentine's. They are still blooming. They open and close. And they have grown to be about 2 ft. tall.

EITHNE-the fashion doll

Here is Eithne. She is the 9 1/2 inch F.G. french fashion mini re pro, that I am sewing a wardrobe for. Her clothes are very intricate. I copy authentic 19th. century styles for her. Although, I have enough experience and knowledge, that I do also, design original fashions for her, based on antique fashion plates.

The dress she is wearing in the picture, is my own design. It is more of a mid-19th. century style. And yes, her clothes are mostly hand sewn.

The doll was made especially for me and given to me as a surprise gift. By my friend Caro and her sweet daughter.

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COMPETITON

You know what? One of the main reasons I got fed up with blogging? I became fed up with all of the competition. If you wrote a poem, someone Else's claimed to be better. That is no way to make friends. If someone made a doll, oh, someone Else's you had to see, because theirs was so much more artistic and better made. And the giving a "prize' for having the best blog on the Internet. Puulleeas?? So everyone else might as well just give up and shut down???
Blogging was supposed to be fun, and maybe a way to find and connect with others of similar interests. Although, I must say, I never have seen any bullying among bloggers, which is a good thing. Unlike those other websites.
That's why, on this site. I just write for myself. If everyone who runs across it, finds it boring.
I am me.

NEW DRESS

It turned out very nice. I made it in a week. And that was with interruptions. The dress is of a cotton fabric. Really cute tiny pink rosebud print on a Lt. tan background. Very period looking. I chose the fabric because it is a pattern that is suitable for 18th. and 19th. century styles. It is very flattering to Philanthe. I already have another dress cut out and I am sewing on the bodice.
This dress is, of course, all handstitched. As will be all of her clothes.

THE SWING

THE SWING
How do you like to go up in a swing.
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it is the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!
Up in the Air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide
River and trees and the cattle and all
Over the countryside.
Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown--
Up in the air I go flying again.
Up in air and down!
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

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Swinging was something I so liked to do when I was a kid. My Dad built us a swing in the front yard. But, our Mom didn't like it. It was an eyesore and a deathtrap, as far as she was concerned. We had it for awhile during one summer, until Mom got so nervous and skittish, Poppa took it down. My cousin had a small swing out in back of her house. So, I could swing there if she was home. It was a low swing. Just small child size, for her, as she is 5 yrs. younger than I am.
The tract where we bought our first house, had a great park. And in the park was a wonderful set of swings. So, for the time we lived there, I could swing anytime I wanted to. But, since we moved from there, I had not had anyplace with swings.
And yes, I miss it. Swinging, believe it or not, is a very good way to exercise.