Leap Day Legend

St. Patrick's Day is not quite here yet but I want to share a bit of old Irish folklore.  The legend involves St. Brigid, St. Patrick and Leap Day, February 29.

Traditionally it was the responsibility of the man to ask his sweetheart for her hand in marriage.   Women often became frustrated waiting for their suitor to propose marriage.  St. Brigid stepped forward and made a deal with St. Patrick that gave women the privilege of proposing marriage -- but only on February 29 -- a date that came around only every four years. 

Legend states that men were subjected to a fine if they refused a February 29 marriage proposal.  The fine could be money, enough fabric for a gown or twelve pair of gloves.  The story states the reason for the gloves is to prevent embarrassment by hiding the lack of a ring on the woman's hand.

The postcards pictured here are from 1916 and celebrate the opportunity for women to approach their sweetheart with a marriage proposal .  Were these postcards actually used to initiate a proposal of marriage?   The back side of two of these cards do not contain a message.  The remaining card was sent by a woman to a man in April of 1916 and contains an invitation to stop by her home to prepare for a potluck supper they both were planning to attend. 

Hope you find a special way to celebrate Leap Day, February 29.

Until next time, live and love well.

Join me this week at:

Let's Talk Vintage at Bella Rosa Antiques
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

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!

Close to Our Heart

 When a heart is full of love, that special person of affection is held close to our heart throughout the day. 

 While doing our exercise routine, 
loving thoughts may drift through our minds. 

 A simple act of doing laundry can be love filled 

when viewed it as a way to show we care.

Oh, let's not forget pressing those freshly laundered clothes

 to give them a crisp finish. 

Time to go out and gather the ingredients for a favorite meal.

Nourish the physical body while creating an environment

 for sharing conversation with those we love.

A few minutes of renovation projects so our house can truly become the "home where the heart is".

I enjoyed sharing these vintage Valentine postcards with you.

Until next time, live and love well.

Join me this week at:

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home 
Let's Talk Vintage at Bella Rosa Antiques
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

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!

Childhood Revisited

The second Saturday in June is recognized as World Doll Day.

The day was established in 1986 by Mildred Seeley

to spread the universal message 

of happiness and love around the world.

It is a celebration of caring, nurturing love.

Dolls have been a traditional tool for teaching these skills.

Although the day is an opportunity to give a doll

 to someone close to you,

World Doll Day was also intended to be a day to exhibit dolls.

In that spirit, I am showcasing

one of my dearly loved childhood dolls.

Do you remember Tiny Tears?

 Tiny Tears was one of the most popular baby dolls

 during the 1950s and early 1960s.

In this close-up photo you will notice the two holes

 on each side of the bridge of the doll's nose.

This feature allowed Tiny Tears to cry real tears.

After feeding her a bottle of water,

a gentle squeeze of her tummy would result

 in tears streaming from these openings.

My doll is dressed in a silky blue coat and bonnet.

Beneath her coat, she wears a simple pink dress.

The button hints at the original brighter dress color.

The fabric has mellowed to a soft salmon pink.

Tiny Tears will always be a special keepsake of my childhood. 

Do you still have one of your childhood dolls to cherish?

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

Until next time, live and love well.

Join me this week at:

Let's Talk Vintage at Bella Rosa Antiques
What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

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!

Row by Row

To celebrate National Quilt Month,

I wanted to share a recent project.

The pattern and all the fabrics

were purchased from a charming quilt shop discovered 

while vacationing in South Carolina several years ago. 

The sample quilt they had displayed on their wall

used all of the favorite colors

I selected when decorating my bedroom 

so I couldn't leave the shop 

without everything to complete the project.

The quilt features a center medallion 

embroidered entirely in a single medium shade of blue.

Here's a closeup of the partially completed embroidery

along with some of the fabrics for piecing the quilt.

The medallion is framed by a delicate floral border 

and a second frame of diamonds

 set in a neutral background fabric.

Here's the first border sewn to the center embroidery.

The quilt is growing with the addition of the diamond border.

A variety of checkerboard blocks were sewn next.

The quilt is finished with a ribbon border

featuring three fabrics. 

The completed quilt adds a bit of muted color

to the neutral bedspread.

Yes, all ten pillows are removed from the bed each night

and carefully replaced each morning.

  This pillow features a vintage postcard

that was printed on the center fabric.

I didn't make this pillow but it certainly belongs

in the home of a collector of antique postcards.

The pillow with the three hearts is one of my creations.

The hearts are formed using 

a package of ivory buttons, scrap fabric and fringe.   

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

Until next time, live and love well.

Join me this week at:

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

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!

Innocent Love

I haven't been writing posts recently but I couldn't let Valentine's Day pass without sending a greeting to all you special people I've gotten to know through linky parties.  

Searching through my box of vintage Valentine postcards, this  delightful series of greetings remind me of the tokens that children would swap with their school mates.

  

Based on copyright marks and postmarks,

 these postcards date during the 1911-1912 time frame.

Don't you love the sailor suits that young boys wore in this era?

This shy miss is hopeful ...

And, even at such a tender age, a heart can be broken.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Until next time, live and love well.

Join me this week and share your heartfelt greeting at:

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

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!

Greetings of the Season 2014

Here's to the season

Of good-will and joy

Here's to the Christmas 

That's dawning.

Here's to your health

And may nothing destroy

The pleasures I wish you

this morning.

I chose this vintage postcard because the greeting 

expressed the sentiment I wish for each of you. 

The card was written and sent to a family

 in Stockbridge, Michigan

 on December 24, 1914 -- exactly 100 years ago today.

Merry Christmas!

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!

Slow Dance

This week I received an e-mail that included a poem written by a teenager with cancer in a hospital in New York.  This young girl has less than 6 months to live and wanted to spread the message telling everyone to live their life to the fullest since she never will.  She'll never make it to prom, graduate from high school, or get married and have a family of her own. Please take a moment to read this beautiful message, share it with your friends and family and pass it on as her last request.

SLOW DANCE

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Do you run through each day

On the fly?

When you ask how are you?

Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done

Do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores

Running through your head?

You'd better slow down

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Ever told your child,

We'll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste,

Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,

Let a good friendship die

Cause you never had time

To call and say,'Hi'

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last..

When you run so fast to get somewhere

You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

It is like an unopened gift....

Thrown away.

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower

Hear the music

Before the song is over.

--------------

Until next time, live and love well.

Join me this week and meet some lovely people:

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

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!