Sing a Song for Easter

Bunnies and chicks are expressing their Easter joy in song!

Hurray, It's Easter Day!

Words and Music by: Patty S. and Mildred J. Hill
Adapted By: Terry Kluytmans
Copyright © 2002 KIDiddles.com

The seeds and flow'rs all sleep so sound,

'Til Easter time, glad Easter time,

And then they spring up from the ground

At happy Easter time,

And as they rise, they seem to say

"Hurray, it's Easter Day!"

The songbirds all return again,

At Easter time, glad Easter time,

The chicks peep 'round their mother hen,

At happy Easter time,

And as they sing, they seem to say,

"Hurray, it's Easter Day!"

The butterflies and bees arise,

At Easter time, glad Easter time,

And spread their wee wings in surprise,

At happy Easter time,

And as they fly, they seem to say,

"Hurray, it's Easter Day!"

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Raphael Tuck & Sons
"Easter Post Cards" Series No. 112
Postally Unused

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Printed in Germany

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Printed in Germany

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining a special group of friends at:

Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop 
Spring & Easter Blog Party at A Holiday Haven

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Twilight Garden Quilt

March is National Quilting Month.

Although I haven't done any new quilting this month,

I thought this was an appropriate occasion to share the quilt

that is currently hanging in my family room.

The name of the quilt is Twilight Garden.

This is a lovely pattern designed by Jeanne Rae Crafts

that was a block-of-the month published on-line during 2005.

Keep scrolling down to see a close-up photo of each of the blocks.

This quilt was finished in 2011.

I did all of the hand applique.  

I am almost embarrassed to tell you

I worked on this quilt on and off for five years.

The lovely quilting in the background

was done by a local long-arm quilter.

The variegated multi-colored thread picks up the

varied colors used in the individual blocks.

All of the leaves were quilted with variegated green thread.

The pattern instructions said to use your
favorite applique method.
I have always liked the look of needle-turned applique.
This was my first project using this method.
I chose to try needle-turned applique.

This means that each piece has raw edges

that have to be turned under to finish the edge

 while you are sewing the piece to the background fabric.

All of the stitches are hidden -- 

at least they are supposed to be hidden.

  

Did I tell you it took five years?

Oh yes, I thought I did.

There are little pieces in this quilt.

Little pieces that still need to look somewhat like a flower

after they are sewn to the background.

This will be my only project using needle-turned applique.

Unique fabrics were used in every block.

Good to have a large scrap box since not very much

of any single fabric was used in the quilt.

The border's striped fabric 

 repeats all of the colors from the individual blocks.

All in all, I am happy with the end result.   

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining a special group of friends at:

Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop 

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Irish Glory and Pride

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sharing just a few images as a salute to all things Irish.  

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Printed in Germany
Leubrie & Elkus Publishers, 2259
Postmarked March 18, 1912 Ludington, Michigan

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Printed in Germany
Leubrie & Elkus Publishers, 2259
Postmarked March 18, 1912 Ludington, Michigan

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Printed in Germany
Leubrie & Elkus Publishers, 2259
Postally Unused

The postcard with the young man was mailed to Marguerite and the postcard showing the lady carrying a bouquet was sent to her younger sister Mable, residing in Deward, Michigan.  The note written to Mable references being a flower girl.   The message to Marguerite discusses leaving Deward "for good".  Reading "between the lines", the comments cause one to wonder whether Marguerite is the bride in the upcoming wedding who is preparing to relocate when she sets up her own household.


Wear your green today and celebrate!




Until next time, live and love well.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Color of the Season

Everyone is a wee bit Irish 

for St. Patrick's Day.

Adding a spot of green is a quick way

to bring the spirit of this holiday into my home.

Inspired by all of the faux cookies that several bloggers

created for Valentine's day,

I decided to try my hand at crafting some felt shamrock "treats". 

Three colors of felt were the only supplies

I needed to purchase.

All other embellishments were already in my stash --

 leftover from prior projects.

The cute little leprechaun was hand painted in 1976

 --- by yours truly.

Doing ceramic painting was a popular pass time.

At one time there were a couple of shops in our area

dedicated solely to greenware molds, paints and firing ceramics.  Today, I wouldn't know where to go for these types of supplies.

It is interesting to look back

 at how people spend their leisure time

and the changes over time.

For St. Patrick's Day,

a green-eyed redhead has a seat of honor in my foyer.

Plaques bearing Irish Blessings

are displayed at the foot of the stairway.

Lacy paper shamrocks

and wooden Celtic crosses

bring the color of the season to the mantle.

I'm so pleased you stopped by to visit.  Come again soon!

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining:

St. Patrick's Day Party at A Holiday Haven

Luck O'The Irish Link Party

at happy hour projects and Mrs. Fox's Sweets


The Bunny Hop at Bunny Jean's Decor and More


Potpourri Friday at 2805

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Tika in the Spotlight

Tika wanted to stop over and meet

 all of the friends who visit 

the Doll in the Looking Glass blog.

Tika is a lovely toddler

with Ocean Green eyes and Chestnut Brown hair.

Her hair is pulled back and falls in a cascade of wavy curls.

Like every little girl, she loves to play dress-up!

For her visit, she picked out a couple of favorite outfits

to model for you.

She looks picture perfect for dress-up occasions

wearing a pastel yellow crystal-organza dress

that is trimmed with white beading lace.

Tika can also be ready for play

in a casual brown corduroy jumper

with a giraffe applique on the front.

The outfit has a coordinating turtle-neck shirt

that repeats the markings found on the giraffe applique.

Tika is one of the Dress-Up Toddlers

available through Doll in the Looking Glass,

a custom doll boutique.  

Purchase Tika 

-- or any of the other Dress-Up Toddler dolls --

 and choose your favorite clothing outfit

from our current selections to dress your doll.

Your doll will be delivered lovingly dressed

 complete with coordinating shoes and socks/tights.   

Tika was fond of the color yellow for this photo shoot

but there are lots of clothing selections available.

You  are certain to find a special outfit

to make your doll uniquely yours.

Tika sends her love!

Until next time, live and love well.

Participating at Monday Marketplace at Common Ground

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

St. Patrick's Day Symbols and Traditions

Have you ever wondered about the meaning behind the greeting

"Erin go bragh"

 that we often see on St. Patrick's Day?

The meaning is "Ireland for ever."  

The Irish immigrated to America

to escape poverty, disease and English oppression.

But coming to America was not a joyful event

because they knew they would never see Ireland again.

Although those who came loved America

 and described it as a land of opportunity,

they never gave up their allegiance to Ireland.

The postcards I am sharing today are not part of a series.
They were selected for this post
because they have several things in common. 

First, all depict a scene of the Irish countryside.
These cards would have been printed for the American market.  One Irish American would have sent the postcard to another
to refresh memories of their home land.

Second, the cards are rich in symbols.
St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland
and the shamrock plant was used
to explain the Holy Trinity.

Four-leaf clovers are also shown
and it is thought that finding one of these rare plants
leads to extremely good luck.
Each leaf of a four-leaf clover brings a different blessing:
hope, faith, love and happiness.

Clay pipes, called Dúidíns,  were manufactured
in the village of Knockcroghery, Ireland  for over 300 years.
Both men and women smoked the pipes
and they were an important part of an Irish wake ceremony.
The pipe was an inexpensive luxury for the poor
and demonstrated they had sufficient food
to be able to enjoy something extra in their life.

The color green became the national color
because of the green landscape that results
from the plentiful rain and mist that Ireland experiences.
Because of these lush landscapes,
Ireland was bestowed the nickname,
"Emerald Isle".

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Postmarked Minnesota March 4, 1910

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Postally Unused

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Postally Unused

Antique Postcard from My Personal Collection
Postmarked Traverse City, Michigan March 18, 1912

St. Patrick's Day was traditionally a religious holiday commemorating the death of St. Patrick.

St. Patrick's Day as we now know it

with parades and celebrations was created in America

by Irish-Americans seeking to create bonds

within their Irish immigrant communities.

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining the Festivities at:

St. Patricks Day Party at A Holiday Haven

St. Patrick's Day Blessings at Scribbleprints

The Bunny Hop at Bunny Jean's Decor and More

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

St. Patricks Day Blogging Carnival 2012 by Janmary

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

March's Promise

Yesterday delivered a wet, sloppy snowfall.
The remnants of that icy mix remain on the ground.  

But my heart danced when I noticed 
the first spring-flowering bulbs blooming this morning.

The miniature cyclamens have awoken

from their protected sleep under the Japanese Maple tree.  

Winter in Michigan has not been
very cold or snow-covered this year.

None the less, everyone is anxiously awaiting
some color in the landscape.

 The cheery rose-colored petals of the cyclamens
signal that Spring is indeed on the way!

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining friends at the these lovely gatherings:

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Potpourri Friday at 2805

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!