Bits and Bobs

I seem to be spending a lot of time researching things online at the moment and as I'm sure you know, one Net search can lead to any number of rabbit holes to rush down...

One thing I have discovered is that the Moomin characters I love so much also featured in their own cartoon strips. Did you know that? Have you read them? So now I have a whole other set of Moominalia to collect (yes, I just invented that word)! The cartoon strips above were a part of a very sweet article from the pop culture site Buzzfeed called "50 Lessons that Moomins can teach you about life" (http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/50-lessons-that-moomins-can-teach-you-about-life)

I am often obsessed with one historical period or another, and when I was looking at these pictures of Edwardian hairstyles the other day, I was struck by how close most of them are (with a little modification) to long hair styles today. What do you think?

I found these illustrations here: http://blossomgraphicdesign.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/trend-alert-edwardian-fashion-and-style.html

But I haven't been deskbound and square-eyed all week. I have also been doing some practical things and crossing a few craft want-to-do's off the list...

This is a little pouch I made from the wool I bought in Beechworth. I attached blue wren and possum charms to it.

And these are some metal bangles I wrapped in fabric and gold embroidery thread. I have to say, at the risk of blowing my own trumpet, I rather like them! Tomorrow I'll show you a Dr Who style scarf I've just finished which I might, might, might be able to convert into a sontag. I think...

PS Have you heard we are to get a new doctor on Dr Who? Will you miss Matt Smith? I think I will, but not as much as I did David Tennant...

Winter Musings

Even if the novel I'm in the process of writing is never published, I have to say it is a most excellent journey to be on. I have so much on my reading list at the moment that I really don't know where to start and I have all sorts of ideas coursing through my mind! Which is just as well because this winter is super dreary with rain, grey skies and low temperatures almost every day.

As well as or in conjunction with my writing, I have been getting creative in my Etsy shop, being inspired still by all things Victorian and Edwardian. I think I may have posted some Ernst Haeckel images before, but I couldn't resist these, so typical of the Victorian habit of documenting nature with extraordinary detail.

These images are from http://shewalkssoftly.com/2011/05/19/ernst-haeckel/

So, here are just a couple of images of bits and bobs I have made for the shop, with a photograph of some of my ancestors in the middle. I love his moustache in particular and so I am now using this as my Etsy logo.

This necklace is available at http://www.etsy.com/listing/103953678/edwardian-downton-abbey-style-necklace?ref=pr_shop

This necklace is available at http://www.etsy.com/listing/103953879/downton-abbey-style-necklace?ref=v1_other_1

As well as continuing on with A.S. Byatt's The Children's Book, I am also getting stuck into Virginia Woolf's stream-of-consciousness novel Mrs Dalloway. Have you read it? I've just found a lovely clip from the film version with the always wonderful Vanessa Redgrave as Clarissa Dalloway.

The Past is a foreign country

As you know, I have a great love for vintage clothes and jewellery. My current obsession is all things Edwardian (thank you Downton Abbey) - not as frilly and fussy as the Victorian era but still very pretty. I have been looking at sewing patterns for Edwardian style blouses with a view to finally mastering my sewing machine as well as knitting patterns for Edwardian cardigans and sweaters with a view to...well, finally finishing a knitting project. The question is, though,

How do you wear vintage in everyday life?

I know this topic has been covered elsewhere many times before but I have never found it to be satisfactorily answered. In my own case, I want to wear something a little different, but I don't want to look like I am a fully-fledged member of a re-enactment society on my way to an event. Neither, and there is no nice way to say this, do I want to look...barmy.

So, what do you think? Do you wear vintage? How do you do it?

Image from http://www.vintagevixen.com

Image from http://www.wearinghistory.com

Image from http://www.vintagefashionlibrary.com

Image from http://www.pastpatterns.com

 Image from http://www.erasofelegance.com

Image from http://www.becomegorgeous.com

"This fascinating terrier..."

Image of Miss F.S. Sterling with King Charles St Anthony Sun Spot from the Library of Congress.

I am not really a 'dog person'. I don't dislike them (though big ones give me the heebee-jeebies) but I don't actually own one either. Last night though, while trying to tidy up our considerable book shelves, I happened across The West Highland Terrier by Holland Buckley. Written in 1911, I picked up a reprint of it some years ago when I was hooked on Hamish Macbeth and his little westie, Wee Jock. The photographs of beautifully dressed Edwardian ladies with their little bands of westies gathered round are so sweet and the very serious photo of Mr W. Baker, Honourable Secretary of the West Highland White Terrier Club is just splendid. The dogs' names are lovely too -

Morova and Mora
Snowball
Atholl
Dazzler Sands
Tiny and Jean
Roy
Minnie and Flora
Crofter
Ardmore
Padraig
Lagavulin
Glengarry
Groncach

This little book is such a sweet expression of how much people connect with and love animals.

Are you a dog person or a cat person?