Cold Hands, Warm Heart

Many parts of the U.S. -- including Michigan -- 

continue to experience extremely cold temperatures

so I though this was a good time to share a small wall hanging

that I made to bring a bit of cold weather whimsy into my home.

Here is a closeup of the hand embroidery that was used

to give this snowman personality.

His hands may be cold, but he delivers

a heartfelt "Winter Blessings" greeting.

A chain stitch was used on his hat and gloves to mimic

 the cable stitch in knit garments.

Pearls and bugle beads embellish the body of the snowman.

And his heart is stitched with closely spaced french knots.

Crab-apple Hill created the pattern for this project, 

#410 Crazy Quilt Snowman.  

It was intended to be a pillow top

but by adding a few borders

it is just the right size to display in my foyer. 

Until next time, live and love well.

This week you will find me at these gatherings:

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
Share Your Cup at 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!

Ringing In 2014

Happy New Year -- 2014!

The bells were gathered to make a celebratory noise

as a new year commences.  

The celebration of New Year has long been associated

with extending good wishes and visiting with friends.

   The lovely ladies pictured on these vintage postcards

 are dressed in their finest attire to wish you

love, happiness and peace during 2014.

The postcards were published by John Winsch, copyright 1910.

Until next time, live and love well.

Please join me in ringing in the New Year at:

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!

White Christmas

When dreaming of a white Christmas, 

people typically envision an outdoor landscape

covered in a deep blanket of glistening snow.

Looking around my holiday decor,

a white Christmas is celebrated indoors.

Let's begin with this fabric angel 

dressed in white eyelet and lace. 

The angel is paired with glittery snowflake candles

and a vintage postcard.

The postcard is the focal point of this display,

featuring a nativity scene with a trio of angels

watching over Baby Jesus.

A pair of Old World Santa figurines 

are also dressed in white.  

The framed image in the background is a modern greeting card mounted on a sheet of neutral scrapbook paper.

This Santa with the curly flowing beard and a golden robe 

has a place of honor on the dining room table.

The cover of a decorative storage box features

an image of a Santa dressed in neutral colors.

Whatever your personal holiday traditions,

enjoy the season and CELEBRATE!

Wishing you a Merry and WHITE Christmas!

Celebrating the holiday season with:

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!

Thanksgiving Blessings

A whimsical image that brought a smile to my face

is my lighthearted message wishing

Thanksgiving Blessings to you and your family.

The design on this antique postcard was drawn by

Frances Brundage, copyright 1910.



HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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!

In Honor of Veteran's Day 2013

Extending a "THANK YOU"

 to all of our veterans and those currently serving.

Until next time, live and love well.

Mysterious Companions

My last post showcased postcards of children

and their beloved dogs.  Read Puppy Dog Tails.

To give equal attention, the postcards in this post feature cats.

Specifically, BLACK CATS, because this week is Halloween.

When the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock

they demonstrated devout faith and were deeply suspicious

of anything deemed from the devil.

Black cats were considered companions of witches

and anyone caught with a black cat

would be severely punished or even killed.

Images of witches are often depicted

with a black cat as a companion.

This postcard is photographed with a prop

of a witch's handbook of spells.

Thanks to Chickabug blog

 for creating this enchanting Halloween book cover.

You can get a free download here.

Is a black cat your friend or foe?

Not certain who is more frightened -- 

the little boy or the black cat 

-- as they encounter each other in the darkness of bedtime.

These not-so-frightening kitties get in formation

to extend greetings of the season.

Happy Halloween!

Until next time, live and love well.

Join me in sharing Halloween greetings this week at:

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

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!

Puppy Dog Tails

It has been quite a while since I shared some vintage postcards with you.  Today’s offering is a group of cards showcasing children and their beloved family dogs.

These cards were printed by varied publishers and

those that bear postmarks are dated 1911 or 1912.

The title of the post “Puppy Dog Tails” was inspired by the nursery rhyme “What Are Little Boys Made Of”.

As the related girls poem states,

little girls are made of sugar and spice.

The postcards are photographed against a backdrop

of some of the frilly doll dresses

that just arrived in my doll boutique.

I thought these dresses with ribbons and lace

represented the “sugar and spice” of little girls.

Did you know that these nursery rhyme verses 

are actually part of a much longer poem? 

The poem “What Folks Are Made of” is attributed to Robert Southey, 

an English poet and historian, who became poet laureate in 1813.  Although the entire rhyme cannot be absolutely verified

as being by Southey

 it is generally thought to be by him, circa 1820.

Although I don't understand the meaning behind all of the verses

 (why are nurses made of bushes and thorns and old cow horns?),

I thought you might enjoy reading the entire poem.

What Folks Are Made Of 

Attributed to Robert Southey, About 1820

Authorship cannot be absolutely verified 

                                                                                  

        What are little babies made of?

             Diapers and crumbs and sucking their thumbs;

          That's what little babies are made of.

                                                  

          What are little boys made of?

             Snips and snails and puppy-dog tails;

          That's what little boys are made of.                                              

         

          What are little girls made of?

             Sugar and spice and everything nice;

          That's what little girls are made of.

         

          What are young men made of?

             Sighs and leers and crocodile tears;

          That's what young men are made of.

                                            

          What are young women made of?

             Rings and jings and other fine things;                                         

          That's what young women are made of.                                        

         

          What are our sailors made of?

             Pitch and tar, pig-tail and scar;

          That's what our sailors are made of.

         

          What are our soldiers made of?

             Pipeclay and drill, the foeman to kill;

          That's what our soldiers are made of.

         

          What are our nurses made of?

             Bushes and thorns and old cow's horns;

          That's what our nurses are made of.

         

          What are our fathers made of?

             Pipes and smoke and collars choke;

          That's what our fathers are made of.

         

          What are our mothers made of?

             Ribbons and laces and sweet pretty faces;

          That's what our mothers are made of.

         

          What are old men made of?

             Slippers that flop and a bald-headed top;

          That's what old men are made of.

         

          What are old women made of?

             Reels, and jeels, and old spinning wheels;

          That's what old women are made of.

         

          What are all folks made of?

             Fighting a spot and loving a lot,

          That's what all folks are made of.

Until next time, live and love well.

Join me in meeting some great people this week at these events:

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!