My Christmas Victorian Themed Mixed Media and Collage Embellished Bottles

As you all know from my previous posts I spent the last two months blissfully creating mixed media Christmas crafts.  I was in crafting heaven.  So, in thinking about some of the bottle crafts I wanted to make now I decided I would make some Victorian themed Christmas mixed media bottles that could function as vases with embellished paper flowers.

However, after creating four Christmas bottles I decided they would stay as bottles as I loved them just the way they were and hope after reading this post and seeing the pictures you'll agree.

I decided that I wanted all four of the bottles to have a stamped oval or round paper-clay Christmas words saying in the front of the bottle.  I chose "Joy, Peace On Earth, and Merry Christmas" word stamps.

I also decided I wanted all four sides of the four bottles to be covered with scrapbook papers with Victorian Christmas images or Victorian graphic images and with various mixed media trims, ropes, ribbons and different paint embellishments.

For the bottles above first I added old book page collage papers to them.  Then I sponge painted them with a dark green acrylic paint and then a combination of different metallic green paints, metallic red paint, metallic gold or silver paint, red acrylic paint and white acrylic paint.  After the Victorian Christmas images were added I sealed the bottles with a glazing medium.

Victorian Girls and Dolls Pictures From The Harper's Young People Illustrations Book From 1889

I love dolls.  I love making dolls and I always loved playing with my dolls.  I also love the Victorian Era, history, and books.  So, it should come as no surprise that I would love illustrations from the Harper's Young People Illustrations Book From 1889 that I found recently.

As you might recall from a previous Linda's Blog post Some of the mixed media projects this summer I created some mixed media items that required quite a bit of old book papers for collage purposes.  So much so I ran out of the book pages.

Well, in looking around the house I found an old Harper's Young People Illustrations Book from 1889 that was in poor condition and with some of the pages already missing.

I don't know where this book came from and who it belonged to.  Most of the old books I have belonged to my great Aunt Flossie but I didn't think this was one of hers.  The time-frame was right but the book wasn't signed with her name - which she always did on the inside of the front cover.

Victorian Happy New Year Illustration From The Harper's Young People Illustrations Book From 1889

What better way to send a "Happy New Year" greeting than with a beautiful illustration from the cover of the February 2, 1889 weekly in the Harper's Young People Illustrated Book on page 177.  It was entitled "New Year Greeting" and was drawn by F.S. Church, N.A.

I, too wish you all a Happy New Year.

Victorian Christmas Illustrations From The Harper's Young People Illustrations Book From 1889

I decided that one of my all time favorite illustrations that I saw in the Harper's Young People Illustrated Books was the one that appeared on page 97 of the December 29, 1888 weekly.

I love it for three reasons: 1) The most adorable Santa figure I've seen;

My Halloween Embellished Bottles With Victorian Graphic Images

This past weekend I finally put out my fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving decorations.  Well, two of those decorations were two new Halloween mixed media and collage embellished bottles with Victorian graphic images.

These two will remain as Halloween mixed media bottles and will not become Halloween bottle vases with paper flowers.

I had decided that for these two mixed media bottles I would make them a combination of sponge painted collage bottles with paper-clay and mixed media fiber embellishments as well as Victorian Halloween images.

Victorian Mother's and Children Illustrations From The Harper's Young People Illustrations Book From 1889

There's nothing quite like looking at the different expressions of family members within gatherings - especially the expressions of mother's and children.

You cannot help but feel the despair in the face of the mother from the illustration above that appeared in the July 27, 1889 weekly in the Harper's Young People Illustrated Book on page 580. It was entitled "Homeless" and was drawn for the poem "Homeless" written by Dora Read Goodale.

The illustration above appeared in the February 9, 1889 weekly in the Harper's Young People Illustrated Book on page 670. It was entitled "Celestial Geography." The captions were: "Charlie (recently promoted to the study of geography, and much interested in the same.) "Mamma, do all the big countries have capitals?" Mamma. 'Yes, Dear."  Charlie. "Then what's the capital of heaven?"

For the above you can see the questioning look on the boy and the surprised look on the mother who is trying to decide how to answer that question.

Victorian Children At School Illustrations From The Harper's Young People Illustrations Book From 1889

I don't really think it matters what the time frame is when it comes to school being difficult at times for students.  The look on the face of the little girl in the illustration above could just as well be from 2019 as 1889.  All you have to see is the expression on her face to feel her distress.

The illustration above is from the December 1, 1888 weekly of the Harper's Young People Illustrated book on page 45.  It was entitled "Katy's First Recitation in Geography After Vacation." (Or something that sounds very much like it.)

While you can easily feel the young girls distress in the recitation illustration at the beginning of this post you certainly can feel the sorry for the little girl in the engraving above who is so distressed she's sobbing while a friend tries to comfort her.  She's in detention for whatever reason and is upset by this.  I think we've all had times at school where as young children we were brought to tears.  I just want to go over to her, put my arms around her and comfort her.  I doubt the school mistress did that.

The Dolls Christmas Dinner Illustration From The Harper's Young People Illustrations Book From 1889

Some of the mixed media projects I created this summer required quite a bit of old book papers for collage purposes.  So much so I ran out of the book pages.  Truth be told it wasn't the projects themselves that used up the paper it was the number of projects I was creating..... lol

Well, in looking around the house I found an old Harper's Young People Illustrations Book from 1889 that was in poor condition and with some of the pages already missing.

I don't know where this book came from and who it belonged to.  Most of the old books I have belonged to my great Aunt Flossie but I didn't think this was one of hers.  The time-frame was right but the book wasn't signed with her name - which she always did on the inside of the front cover.

I can remember as a young girl asking her why she signed all her books and she said; "so that anyone who borrows them will know who the books belong to."  Makes sense to me.  So, for my whole life every book I've ever bought I've signed the inside of the front cover, too.  Kind of a sweet tribute to my great Aunt.

I was pretty sure this book didn't belong to my great Aunt but had no idea where it came from or who gave it to me.  After all this time suffice to say I'll probably never know.

Susanna - Handmade Victorian Or Shabby Chic Angel Doll and E-Pattern

"Susanna" is a young, but very special angel with some very beautiful qualities and a very special charge. She is a kind and loving angel who has a very special heart. One who manifests nothing but goodness in everyone and everything.

Her charge is to spread compassion, love, understanding, peace, contentment, and grace to everyone she meets. It's a tall order for such a young angel, but Susanna feels she is up to it.

"Susanna" is a 12" Victorian faceless cloth angel doll. She has a muslin body and her boots are black and cross laced. Her blond hair is fashioned into bangs in the front and long pigtails tied in the front with ribbon. Wrapped around the top of her head is a floral garland.

She is wearing lace trimmed pinafore bloomers that are gathered at the waist and a lace trimmed pinafore slip that is also gathered at the waist.

Her beautiful white dress has a lace trimmed center bodice with lace trimmed front to back straps, lined and lace trimmed over sleeves, and lace trimmed sleeves. Her dress is three tiered with lace trimming on each tier and gathered along the waistline. It is gathered at the neck edge and then adorned with a pearl and lace ribbon trim.

Her wings are wired satin ribbons and fashioned in a bow in the back. She is carrying a small pink floral bouquet.

Susanna is anxious to fulfill her mission. Spreading compassion, love, understanding, peace, contentment, and grace to everyone she meets is a tall order but Susanna feels she can do it with your help. Will you help her?

Designer - Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals

My Victorian Images, Ephemera and Vintage Images and Victorian Doll & Craft Tutorials, Shabby Chic & Vintage Tutorials, Video's, Pictures & How-To's Pinterest Boards

It is no secret that everything and anything Victorian is my passion. I just can't get enough of Victorian dresses, Victorian crafts, Victorian history, and Victorian images. I absolutely LOVE it all. And, I absolutely want to make everything I find.

I look at the beautiful Victorian dresses display on all the museum websites and find myself wanting to make a miniature version for a doll of mine. There are so many beautiful Victorian dresses out there it would be nearly impossible to make them all. That doesn't stop me from dreaming about it.

I also love Victorian images and saving all the Victorian images that I find on different websites that are sharing images in the public domain on my Pinterest board. Here, too I find myself dreaming of beautiful mixed media crafts I could make with them. I wish I could use each and every one of them. Use them all - I can't. Collect them on Pinterest - that I can do.

Victorian Images, Ephemera and Vintage Images

I just LOVE Victorian images, ephemera and vintage pictures - especially Victorian images that I can use with my mixed media creations and pictures of flowers or little girls and their dolls. Here's a few of my favorites.

If you love my Victorian Images, Ephemera and Vintage Images board please follow my board by clicking on the link above.

I also love searching the web for all the wonderful tutorials, patterns, articles, how-to's and printables there are for making Victorian arts and crafts. Some I have tried to make. Some are on my wish list. But, they are all fabulous and I want to make them all.

Again, this is impossible but I can continue to collect them on my Pinterest board. When I dream of Victorian crafts and want to see beautiful Victorian eye candy I can always visit my boards.

Victorian Doll & Craft Tutorials, Shabby Chic & Vintage Tutorials, Videos, Pictures & How-To's

I just LOVE everything and anything Victorian, Vintage, Shabby Chic or Cottage. I especially love watching video's, reading tutorials, patterns, articles, and how-to's on making Victorian dolls & crafts. I hope you like some of the ones I've found.

If you love my Victorian Doll & Craft Tutorials, Shabby Chic & Vintage Tutorials, Video's, Pictures & How-To's board please follow my board by clicking on the link above.

Victorian Bride picture courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

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.....

A Day For Lilies

Easter - the end of the winter and the beginning of spring. What a wonderful time of the year. When I think of Easter I think of Easter outfits, Easter baskets, church services,  and Easter lilies.

My favorite, of course, is Victorian Easter dresses. Second to that is the Easter lily. I can remember coming home each Easter from church with an Easter Lily. I loved them then and I love them now. In fact, I have a garden filled with them along with tiger lilies, daffodils, tulips and day lilies.

The reason my garden is filled with them is because each and every Easter for the last 30 years or so my Mother would bring one to me. After the blooms were gone I'd plant it in my garden. That way, every year I got to marvel at the sheer beauty and delicacy of its blooms. They are magnificent.

The lily is a symbol of purity because of its whiteness and very delicate form. It symbolizes innocence. It's called the Easter lily because the flowers bloom in early Spring, around Easter. The white lily, or Bermuda trumpet, was brought to the United States from Bermuda in 1880 by Mrs. Thomas P. Sargent of Philadelphia, Pa. It has become the mainstay of Easter floral arrangements and church decorations.

This will be the second year without an Easter lily from Mom.  While we won't have a lily to look at we will have many, many wonderful memories of beautiful Easter Sunday's with Mom.  Sitting in our sun-room or outside in the gardens we will always have treasured memories of times filled with love, laughter, and beautiful lilies.

If you have an Easter lily or have been given one make sure that you plant it in your garden. That way you'll see it bloom time and time again. So, each year you can't help but marvel at its magnificence.

We hope everyone has a very Happy Easter.

Graphics - Courtesy of The Graphics Fairy at http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/

My Victorian Houses - I Had To Keep Them!

During the last few months I have been happily creating some of the items from punch-needle, cross-stitch, and needle felting kits I had purchased during the spring. All of the kits were purchased with the thought of giving the finished projects as Christmas gifts this year or next.

Of course, like everything I create I tend to fall in love with the finished products. Some more so than others. Some so much so that I selfishly decide to keep them for myself and my home decor.

Well, I have to tell you that I absolutely fell in love with my Victorian cross-stitch village. Now I know that wasn't the intent, but I couldn't help myself with my Victorian houses. If it's Victorian it's right up my alley. Ya think!!!! LOL LOL

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.

My Victorian village includes the following:

I Lost My Head! Abraham, The Headless Horseman! - Victorian Doll

"I Lost My Head! Abraham" could hardly wait for his Victorian debut. He was just dying to show you his extremely coordinated Victorian outfit - amongst other things he was dying to show you. Like his heads!!!!!  Why, he didn't even get any blood on his outfit? Now, that's gentlemanly - don't you think?

What's the problem? Are the heads throwing you off? Actually, Abraham otherwise know as the "Headless horseman" is quite the Victorian gentleman.

He always dresses in his Victorian best. He's always coordinated. And, he's always the PERFECT gentleman. Except when he can't find "Ichabod Crane!" Then he gets - well, a little nasty.

You'd think "Ichabod Crane" would make it easy on him. Oh, no! He has to see a therapist who's trying to help him overcome his fears of the "headless horseman." Now how's Abraham supposed to do his job if Ichabod manages to overcome his fears?

"I Lost My head! Abraham, The Headless Horseman!" is a 14" Victorian Horseman doll. Abraham is a self-standing horseman cloth doll - albeit without a head!

He is wearing a multi layered lace trimmed shirt with lace trimmed sleeves and coordinating lace trimmed ascot. His cummerbund is a wide gold trimmed ribbon. His brown corduroy jacket is lined and top stitched with rolled cuffs and folded back lapels with buttons. He's also sporting a lined black cape.

Abraham is carrying the heads of two of his latest victims in his left hand and his favorite ax in his right hand. He just wants to show them to Ichabod Crane. Now why can't he find him?

Designer - Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals

Call Me - Your Count Dracula! - Victorian Dracula Doll

Now here's a handsome Victorian gentleman - don't you think? So what if he's "Count Dracula!" He's still dressed very chic and very much the Victorian Gentleman - don't you think?

He's got the lace ascot, coordinating outfit, and marvelous hairdo. That makes him a wonderful Victorian Dracula - don't you think?

What's the problem? Are the bloody fangs throwing you off? He's still kind of cute - don't you think?

Come on now. Yo have to admit that he is rather debonair in his black and orange coordinated outfit!

Why, he's suave, he's swank, he's charming and beguiling. He's "Call Me - Your Count Dracula!" and he just wants a wee small bit of your blood. Is that too much to ask?

"Call Me - Your Count Dracula!" is a 13" Victorian Dracula. Dracula is a self-standing Victorian gentleman cloth doll. He has an embroidered and watercolor pencil painted face with red painted fangs. He is wearing a multi colored and coordinating shirt with a stand-up collar. He has a lined orange vest with lapels and a button.

His lace trimmed ascot matches his shirt and his black satin jacket is lined, top stitched, and has a collar, lapels and rolled up cuffs. His black satin cape is lined and top stitched as well and sits wonderfully above his shoulders. He's also sporting a lined and coordinating top hat. Dracula has a full head of thick wool yarn hair.

"Call Me - Your Count Dracula!" wants you to think he is a gentleman but his appearance says otherwise - don't you think? He really is a handsome Victorian gentleman - don't you think? Come on now - don't let a couple bloody fangs throw you off? He just wants a little bite!

Designer - Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals

Ichabod, I'm Not Afraid Of You Crane - Victorian Gentleman Doll

"Ichabod - I'm Not Afraid Of You Crane!" is hoping that by being very forthright and honest about his fears that he can enlist every one's help in getting over his fear of the dreaded "Headless Horseman." He is so tired and just wants to get a good night's sleep and hasn't been able to do that in so very, very long.

You see, he's been afraid of the "headless horseman" for hundreds of years and figures that it's time he got over that. It's time he was able to get a good night's sleep without having nightmares about the "headless horseman" chopping off his head. He's hoping that with your help he'll finally be able to conquer and overcome his fears.

So, with the help of his therapist he decided that he should confront the "headless horseman" and let him know that he's no longer afraid of him. He can't invade his dreams anymore and can't try to scare him to death. And, if he tells him that and you tell him that then, maybe, Ichabod can get a good night's sleep.

Unfortunately, the one night he tried to confront the headless horseman on his own he awoke to find the tombstone and pumpkins at the foot of his bed. YIKES! "Here lies the body of Ichabod Crane - never to be seen AGAIN!" YIKES! How is Ichabod ever to get over his fear?

"Ichabod - I'm Not Afraid Of You Crane!!" is a 16" Victorian gentleman doll. "Ichabod - I'm Not Afraid Of You Crane!" is a self standing cloth doll. He has an embroidered and watercolor pencil painted face. He is wearing a brushed black denim outfit with a coordinated and multiple lace trimmed shirt with lace trimmed sleeves and cummerbund.

He's wearing an olive colored felt vest with button and lace trimmed coordinating black check ascot. His brushed black denim jacket is lined with coordinating black check fabric, is top stitched, has rolled cuff sleeves, and two buttons. He's also sporting a lined and coordinating top hat and fringed flannel scarf. He has a full head of curly gray mohair hair. He is very refined and Victorian like.

At the bottom of Ichabod's body is a tombstone inscribed with "Here Lies The Body of Ichabod Crane - Never To Be Seen Again!" His tombstone is surrounded by plastic pumpkins and fall floral leaves.

Designer - Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals

Lady Amanda, The Mannerly Witch! Victorian Witch Doll

I think most witches will tell you that over the hundreds of years that they have gotten a really bad rap!

You see, most people are afraid of witches and afraid that either a spell will be cast on them or they'll be turned into a toad!  That is just NOT so for most witches. You see, most are gentle and kind. And, most are really very humanitarian. In fact, most are very polite and VERY well mannered.

At least that's what "Lady Amanda, The Mannerly Witch!" tells us. She is anything but mean spirited and doesn't have a nasty bone in her body. Again, that's what she tells us!

In fact she loves life, loves people, kisses babies and loves everything and anything Victorian. So, she commissioned a whole bunch of Victorian outfits to be made for her. She figures that if she's going to be a Victorian witch then at least she should be stylish.

"Lady Amanda, The Mannerly Witch!" is a 14" Victorian witch doll. Lady Amanda is a self-standing witch cloth doll. She has an embroidered and watercolor pencil painted face. She is wearing a cotton slip with black fringe trim. Her beautifully coordinated outfit includes a fashionable dress with black lace overskirt and satin skirt, coordinated orange plaid dress bodice, ribbon bow tied at the high waistline, and lace trimmed sleeves. Her short waisted jacket is lined and has gathered and puffy lined sleeves.

Her lined cape is made of black satin and drapes beautifully from her neck. She has a full head of thick and flowing gray mohair hair. Her witches hat is really anything but a true witches hat. It is a rounded black stain and lined bonnet with black lace trim, and 6 black lace and orange plaid bows and coordinated beautifully with her outfit.

Lady Amanda, is the epitome of stylishness. Or, at least she thinks she is. In fact, she'd argue with you that since the Queen made her a "Lady" with full title and benefits that she deserves respect. Of course, she'll never tell us who the "Queen" was that so endowed her with her "lady" title. The Queen of the witches perhaps? Hmmmm......

Designer - Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals

Valerie, The Proper Victorian Lady Ghost - Victorian Ghost Doll

The Victorian side of "Valerie, The Proper Lady Ghost!" has her waiting patiently for her introduction while the "ghostly" side of her has been rather impatient.

"Valerie, The Proper Lady Ghost!" wants desperately to be thought of as a "lady" and being accepted by all the proper "ladies" of society.

She doesn't want to be thought of as a ghost and figures that if she gets accepted as a member of the "Victorian Ladies Tea Society" that the other "ladies" in her social circle will have to accept her.

So, she has been petitioning the "Victorian Ladies Tea Club" to let her join. For some reason, however, they have been reluctant to do so citing some old rule against ghosts becoming members.

"Valerie, The Proper Lady Ghost!" has been working endless hours on meeting all the members and showing them just what a wonderful "lady" ghost that she is.

She figures if they get to know her they will love her and will have to agree that she is in fact a proper lady ghost and entitled to membership. So, she is waiting patiently - ever so patiently. She's just hoping they decide soon before her "ghostly" side has just had too much waiting.

"Valerie, The Proper Lady Ghost" is a 13" Victorian ghost doll. Valerie is a self-standing ghost cloth doll. She has an embroidered and watercolor pencil painted face. She is wearing a cotton slip with black tassel trim and a lace trimmed black diamond printed dress. She has a fashionable hooded and lined multi-sectional cape with black tassel trim and a lined bonnet with matching black tassel trim.

Valerie is the epitome of class and style, if she doesn't so so herself! She just wishes they would hurry up and decide. "Valerie, The Proper Lady Ghost!" figures if the "Victorian Ladies Tea Society" doesn't allow her into their membership she'll just have to resort to her counter measures. However, she won't tell us what they are. We just hope they haven't been thought up by her "ghostly" side. YIKES! That might not be pretty or lady-like!

Designer - Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals

Be Very Afraid, Dennis! Victorian Ghost Doll

If you've never seen a proper and dignified, gentleman ghost get ready for "Be Very Afraid, Dennis!" He's every bit the Victorian ghost that be seems.

But, be very afraid! Hmmmm..... I don't think so. You see, you don't have to be afraid of him because he's not terrifying or nasty. No! No! No! It's more like - be very afraid because he'll try to charm the socks off of you.

And, once he's charmed you - well, you're his! And, then, maybe you should be very afraid!

He's a charmer, he's a gentleman, and he's very much a proper Victorian. So what if he's a ghost? That doesn't mean anything. Or does it? Be very afraid! Don't be very afraid! Be charmed! Hmmmmm......

"Be Very Afraid, Dennis!" is a 14" Victorian ghost doll. "Be Very Afraid, Dennis!" is a self-standing ghost cloth doll. He has an embroidered and watercolor pencil painted face. He is wearing a coordinated Victorian outfit. He has a black shirt with a coordinating black lace trimmed ascot, a lined and coordinating vest with a button and lapels.

His ghostly jacket is lined and coordinates with his lined vest and is top stitched with flaps, lapels, collar and cuffs. He's also sporting a lined and coordinating top hat. He's wearing his top hat slightly to the right hand side of his head so you can see his wonderful, ghostly head. You see, he thinks that's his best asset.

In fact, "Be Very Afraid, Dennis!" thinks he's got lots of assets and is down right dapper. "Dapper Dennis!" Hmmmm...... I don't know about that.

I still think it's smart to warn everyone - "Be Very Afraid, Dennis!" is on the loose and might just try to charm you. I hope you like "Be Very Afraid, Dennis!" You didn't let him charm you - did you?

Designer - Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals