I have loved dolls, history, and the Victorian Era since I was little and can credit my grandmother for that. As a young girl she gave me a Godey’s Fashion print for August 1870 from my great, great Aunt Flossie. I was captivated by the dresses and became hooked. I just love to research everything and anything about the Victorian Era. I also love to design Victorian dolls. I hope you enjoy my Victorian Dolls, Victorian Traditions,The Victorian Era, and Me blog.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Reminded How Much I Love My Victorian Village Cross-Stitch




In putting my Christmas decorations out this year I had decided to put my Victorian Village cross-stitch shadow boxes on the mantle in my dining room next to the two nutcrackers and one snowman nutcracker.

In setting them up I was reminded about how beautiful the cross-stitch design was and how beautiful they looked in the shadow boxes my younger brother have made for me and which I had sponge painted.

My Victorian house village was created based upon a Dimensions cross-stitch Gold Collection kit called "Christmas Village Ornaments." It was supposed to be a series of Victorian house ornaments with a cross-stitch front and felt cloth back outlined with a braided gold band.

However, I didn't make my Victorian village as cloth ornaments. Instead, I enlisted the help of my younger brother to create wood shadowboxes that I painted with a blue/white/green sponge affect.



I had purchased this kit with the thought of giving the finished projects as Christmas gifts several years ago.

However, like everything else I create cross-stitch I tend to fall in love with the finished products. Some more so than others. Some so much so that, sometimes, I selfishly decide to keep them for myself and my home decor. Okay, to be honest, make that many times.

However, it's not always my fault. Sometimes it's hubbies fault. He, too, tends to fall in love with some of my creations and doesn't want to give them away. So, I guess I'll have to thank hubby for convincing me to keep the Victorian Village.

Now if you really believe I kept the Victorian Village just because hubby loved them and not because they had something to do with the Victorian era I have a bridge I could sell you.....

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Gotta Love Fall Dolls


Fall is my favorite season of the year. There's just something about the Fall that makes me want to create something. Maybe it's all the vivid colors or all the holidays and the decorations you can make for all of them.

Whatever it is I LOVE the Fall.  So, of course, I love creating dolls with Fall themes, Fall colored clothing, etc.

Here's some of the Fall and Colonial dolls I created this Spring::

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Gotta Love Good Housekeeping Vintage Covers


I don't know if my Great Grandmothers and Great Great Grandmothers subscribed to Good Housekeeping back in the early years of the magazine.  I know both my Mother and my Grandmother on my mother's side did for many, many years.  As a child I can remember flipping through the pages looking at all the pictures.

So when I stumbled upon the Good Housekeeping Vintage Cover Gallery I couldn't help but show you some of the cover I love.

I just love the cover above from the February 1918 issue of Good Housekeeping and the November 1921 issue. Every time I look at them I think of my sister and I. How sweet are they?


The cover below from March 1920 is also a favorite of mine. Now I wonder why that is? Could it be a little girl sewing?

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Peter With The Big Eyes Loves His Fall Outfit - New Handmade Colonial Doll and E-Pattern


"Pamela With The Big Eyes Loves Her Fall Colors" and her brother, "Peter With The Big Eyes Loves His Fall Outfit",  are unusually close.  They're fraternal twins, born two minutes apart on October 12 - Columbus Day. As a result they love the Fall and it's bright, beautiful colors, and they love being Colonial. Born and bred in Salem, MA.

So, it is no surprise that they love to wear their best Fall outfits when out for a walk on a beautiful Fall day. They love to walk down near the pier and the harbor. It's just so beautiful and peaceful down there. Plus, when they get hungry they can have afternoon tea and one of their favorite scones at a local cafe.

Pamela is a quiet, shy but  proper, colonial girl. She was taught how to be a gracious lady and believes in being proper,  friendly and courteous at all times - especially when out in public. Her only problem is that everyone keeps looking at her and her big, beautiful eyes - especially the young "gentlemen.". With all the eyes on her she gets self-conscious and starts to blush.  And, when that happens she blushes from head to toe. Then all the young gentleman can't help themselves and vie for her attention - which irks her brother, Peter, to no end.

Pamela With The Big Eyes Loves Her Fall Colors - New Handmade Colonial Doll and E-Pattern


"Pamela With The Big Eyes Loves Her Fall Colors" and her brother, "Peter With The Big Eyes Loves His Fall Outfit",  are unusually close.  They're fraternal twins, born two minutes apart on October 12 - Columbus Day. As a result they love the Fall and it's bright, beautiful colors, and they love being Colonial. Born and bred in Salem, MA.

So, it is no surprise that they love to wear their best Fall outfits when out for a walk on a beautiful Fall day. They love to walk down near the pier and the harbor. It's just so beautiful and peaceful down there. Plus, when they get hungry they can have afternoon tea and one of their favorite scones at a local cafe.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

My Celia's Art Doll


Celia has been a member of The Red Hat Society for a long time and thoroughly enjoys the times they get together. She and the other ladies of the club love dressing up in their purple dresses and red hats, and letting their hair down. Sometimes things get a little wild, but that doesn't deter any of the ladies. They love their lives, they love each other, and best of all they love happy fun - especially when it's the dress-up kind.

"Celia - Art Doll" is a 19" art doll with a cloth body, embroidered face with wire glasses, fully wired and bendable cloth body, and thick white curly hair. She is wearing red print bloomers gathered at the waist and ankles. Her black felt boots are criss-crossed with DMC embroidery floss for laces.