Loving the Lumiere

I could watch these all day.....



1895......so very long ago...and you can see the same wind blowing, the same smiles of the passing people (and that seemingly giant dog!)....and how life was not all that very different (and yet, how it was).

I thought you might enjoy watching a little snippet of the 19th century in motion this morning....and a little snippet of the early 20th century...... in colour:

Autochrome photographs...
that have been inspiring me beyond words this week! I'm also quite in love with the dresses of the group of lovely ladies atop.
(must resist urge to start another sewing project!) ; )

I hope everyone is having a darling week so far...I've been working on some new prints and originals and hope to have some new pretties to share with you all quite soon! : )

Time for tea! Off I scamper for more Lumiere Love!

Outside my Window....

Happy Monday mornings to You all, my Lovelies! : )

I do hope everyone had darling weekends, indeed....we did a little of this and a wee bit of that. I did a little sewing and baking, as well! : ) Hooray! Now, it's time to get back to work in my little studio....off I scamper...new ideas are swirling in my mind!

But what's that munching sound at the window?? Oh dear! Could it be a jungle monster who loves to eat girls with sketchbooks wearing hoop skirts and stripey stockings!?? Oh my!

I'll be brave.....and take a look.....Oh! Thank Goodness....it's only our Dear Mr. Squirrel having his rather crunchy, seedy breakfast outside my little studio window...Good Day to You, Mr. Squirrel...do say hello to the Misses! : )

Have a beautiful beginning of the week, Dears!

Dreamy Friday...

One of my favorite songs, by one of my favorite singers, Yves Montand

Enjoy your weekends....I'm hoping ours will be full of many dreamy things, indeed!

See you next week! : )

Sheer Dresses, Oh My!

Oh dear! I haven't even finished work on my last reproduction 1880's project (you remember, don't you? That linen and velvety-trimmed cupcake of a bustle dress I've been slowly working on) And I'm already flying off to another project!

Earlier this week I came upon a dreamy new dainty by Past Patterns (which is one of the loveliest and authentic reproduction pattern makers around) so I always jump for joy when I see them release a new pattern:

(Image from Past Patterns)

I used to be in the know about when new patterns were coming out....however this little gem crept up on me and was a complete surprise! I held off buying it as I am working on so many other things right now....painting, drawing, general MarmeeCraft workings. However, when I found the perfect semi-sheer cotton lawn at Fashion Fabrics (aka my favorite source for lawn and silk) yesterday my already weak costume-shopping defenses withered and... I caved.....ordered the fabric and the pattern...now I'm in the market for 4-6 yards of white cotton lawn for lining and new underthings....I have quite a fancy for cotton lawn: it is the dreamiest of fabrics, methinks!

So, for the time being at least, I've one foot in my little studio and the other (daintily booted) foot in the 1850's! Of course, all this while I'm also planning on sewing a 1940's summer romper/playsuit and various other mid-20th century frocks and things....I can never really stay put in one historical era with my costume loves....My closet remains inevitably scattered all across the ages! : )



P.S.
I've been adhered to the computer for the last half hour perusing this amazing site I found by way of Anna's lovely blog. I can sit and ponder over old images for hours and hours (especially 19th century ones)...and there are so many random and beautiful things there...I just had to share it with You, my Sweetlings!

Well then, my Dears....See you all soon! Thanks oh so much (with whipped cream and berries atop) for all your kind words about my little acorn keeper last time!

Bits of Nature and Calico....

This morning I finished work on two new prints that I'm ever so excited about....one I hinted at with my little snippet posting yesterday...and the other is something I'm just so over the moon with inspiration with....I'm already sketching out similarly themed works and thinking of little originals for the next shop update...hooray, hoorah!

Violet is a keeper of acorns, keys, calico and loves to wear Gunne Sax dresses above all other frocks. Though, she sometimes alters them to remove the zippers....you see, she has an unnatural abhorrence to zippers and much prefers buttons or snaps! ; )

The Acorn Keeper, Print

I love painting tiny pictures inside pictures....this idea has my sketchbook quite filled up for the last few pages....it excites me so...like miniature worlds within worlds!

Detail:

And......the acorns make their debut:

My Darling Acorn, Print

Both new prints are freshly added to my little shopling as of this morning....do take a peep!

Well, my Sweets, off I scamper!
Enjoy your Day...Thanks so much for visiting me!