Tribute to Our Soldiers

On Memorial Day, sending THANKS and GRATITUDE

to those who are or have bravely served our country.

The images are vintage postcards published about 1909

by Raphael Tuck & Sons,

"Decoration Day" Series of Post Cards, No. 158.

The sentiments are printed on the face of this postcard series 

but the message rings true today as well.

And never may they rest unsung

While Liberty can find a tongue.

For us their precious lives they gave,

For Freedom's sacred cause they died.

Their Memory shines like a radiant star

O'er the land they died to save.

Ah! Never shall the land forget

How gushed the life-blood of the brave!

Let the stars and stripes be waving

O'er their generous sacrifice.

And blazoned on the scroll of fame

Shall shine each martyred soldier's name.

Until next time, live and love well.

This week I'll be participating in these events:
What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
Share Your Cup at 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!

Tiskets, Taskets

Tiskets, Taskets

Time to Share

May Day Baskets!

Each basket was made from a 9-inch circle cut from scrapbook paper then rolled into a cone.  I just used a glue stick to fasten the edges and then decorated and filled with whatever pretties were found in my stash of craft supplies.

Here, a no longer worn piece of costume jewelry

adorns the front of the basket.  

Some fairy scrapbook embellishments inspired this basket. 

White daisies fill the cone

repeating the fairies' resting spot. 

A small crochet doily trails from the base and is accented with a gold tassel. Gold and cream twisted cord circles the basket that is filled with grape leaves.

  

Note cards printed with images of antique maps were rolled to fill this cone.



Possibly the butterflies used the maps to plan the route for their migration North to welcome Spring!

Happy May Day!















Until next time, live and love well.

This week I'll be joining these events:

 Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
You're Gonna Love It at Kathe with an E

Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House

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!

It Started with the Pail

I walked the aisles of the craft store 

carefully examining the shelves of Spring merchandise

the had been marked down to make way

for the fresh look of Summer.

It called my name --

just as I am certain each of you have been called

at some point in time by that special item

that you didn't know you were looking for.

What called my name?  

A METAL PAIL

 printed with an image of a charming child,

soft flowers,

and the writing from the back of a vintage postcard. 

I soon located some faux blooms in the softest of hues ...

creamy white and blush pink.

With accents of lace ribbon and a plump tassel.  

And, yes, a pink cabbage plant.

My box of vintage postcards was searched.

Looking for Springtime images

that carried the same delicate colors.

Did you spot him?

Where cabbages grow,

you are sure to find a rabbit

looking to satisfy his hunger.

I'll gladly share the bounty with this dapper fellow.

Until next time, live and love well.

This week I'll be joining these events:

 Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

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

Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Song

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!

The Cross, the Egg, and the Lamb

"Look up from earth, O weary souls,"

Sweet Easter angels sing, 

"Jesus the Lord is risen indeed,

Of men and angels king."

Greeting from an Antique Postcard

When Jesus was crucified, the cross was a symbol of suffering.  
After the resurrection of Christ,
the cross became a symbol of Jesus' victory over death.

The colorful eggs that are associated with Easter 

are a symbol of the rock tomb out of which Christ emerged

to the new life of His Resurrection.

The lamb is the most significant symbol of the Easter holiday

since the lamb is said to represent Christ --

The Lamb of God.

Wishing you a Blessed Easter!

Until next time, live and love well.

Sharing Easter greetings at these events:

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House

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!

Celebrating the Emerald Holiday

Although I don't have any Irish heritage, like so many others

I join my friends in the celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

The ways to celebrate this holiday are many.  

The celebration can be as simple as

sitting at your desk and making a few phone calls

to extend your greetings.

Or the gardeners among us may decide to 

give extra attention to the shamrock plants in the garden.  

Extroverts may choose to make beautiful music

and wear their green parading down Main Street.

With all of that music, those who are light on their feet 
will choose to kick up their heels in dance.

Whispering a quiet prayer
to honor St. Patrick might be your style.

On a lovely afternoon, you may decide to tour the countryside

in a vehicle that exhibits seasonal spirit.

Some will choose to proudly display a flag to honor Ireland.

And "Good Luck, Health and Happiness"

will be the heartfelt toast for the day.

But my personal favorite way to celebrate the day

is by sharing a romantic kiss with my sweetheart.

How do YOU celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

I would be delighted if you would leave a comment
to share your story.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Until next time, live and love well.

Join the party at:

You're Gonna Love It at Kathe with an E
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!

Red, White and Blue Celebration

To recognize President's Day, I selected some vintage postcard images to honor our 1st and our 16th Presidents. 

Inspirational Quotes Attributable to George Washington:
"I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is the best policy."

"Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company."

"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence."

"Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected."

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
No. 414, Copyright P. Sander
Postally Unused

Inspirational Quotes Attributed to Abraham Lincoln:

“People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

“Whatever you are, be a good one.”

“And in the end it is not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years.” 

“I'm a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn't have the heart to let him down.” 

“Every man's happiness is his own responsibility.”

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Lincolns Birthday Series No. 1
Copyright 1908 by E. Nash
Postally Unused

Happy President's Day 2013!

Until next time, live and love well.

Celebrating this patriotic holiday with

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!

Greetings from the Heart

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
Valentine's Day wishes are being sent to you

 via some vintage postcard images.

This first series of postcards feature three lovely ladies

 receiving bouquets from Cupid.

They are unusual because the postcards
are paper with a silk inlay.

The heart and oval shaped images are printed on silk. 

This close-up shows the muted colors selected by the artist for both the focus artwork and the background.

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
John Winch Publishers
Postally Unused

Golden hearts are sprinkled across deep green and blue.
Certainly not the typical color palette

 associated with Valentine's Day.
Look closely and notice the spider webs
suspending the hearts within the green band.  
Spiders were considered a symbol of good luck during this era.

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
John Winch Publishers
Postmarked from Michigan, 1910

This card brings a bit of traditional color 

with red and pink hearts gracing the top of the frame.
But to me, the pop of color almost looks like an afterthought.

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
John Winch Publishers
Postally Unused

Here are two additional cards by the same publisher, John Winch.

Dutch children are sharing love tokens.

Although these cards have a totally different theme,

they repeat the golden hearts on a field of green.

The handwritten note on the back of this card states,

"Dress in something new and fine 

Then you'll be my Valentine".

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
John Winch Publishers
Hand Written Message on Back Dated February 14, 1908

And nothing says "I love you" like a basket of fish! 

This lad certainly is proud of his catch.

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
John Winch Publishers
Postmarked  from Collins, NY on March 3, 1908

Until next time, live and love well.

Sharing Valentine greetings with

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound
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!