I blame it on being an empty nester. No little bambinos to dress in cute little outfits. And because I had boys I’ve never had the joy of cute little dresses. So this Christmas, I went nuts and hacked up a babies dress and made a dress for my fur baby.
I think she looks adorable!
I was hunting in a thrift store with this very project in mind when I found a Christmas red dress with hearts and dogs on it. Destiny!
She was very comfy in her little dress.
Have yourselves a Merry Little Christmas!
Last year, I was a bit Grinchy and didn’t bother with a tree but I mustered up enough drive to get one up this year.
May be it was my Christmas cactus that got me motivated. If it could go nuts when it wants to be warm, I can too.
I got some Christmas gifts finished last week. I’ll show you once the receivers get their first look.
Not much costuming has happened this year but I can always count on Halloween for an excuse to get a costume out. This year I wore 1838-40 Green Queen V. My seniors were impressed!
“Is my tiara on straight?”
HAPPY CANADA DAY!
A few weeks ago, I went on a family outing for lunch in a small city north of Winnipeg. After a pleasant lunch, I convinced my clan to stop at a local antique shop. I saw many things I wanted to buy but I had to put it all back so I could afford a cabinet card album.
Unfortunately, there is some damage.
I’d like to fix it but I don’t want to make it worse so that will involve some research on my part.
The title page…
The first photo. Unfortunately, it is also in bad shape. Too much sun perhaps?
You can still make out the figures. 
Mother and child. I can’t make out if it is a boy or a girl. Seems to be a fairly big child and I would think a boy would have been in pants by that size. I could be wrong. I wish I could make out more details on the dress and hat. That hat has some serious height!
Rest assured, there are better photos in this album, that I will share later on.
Hi guys! Just me wishing you a Happy Easter! Hope you are with loved ones!
Before I pop of to begin my weekend of eating and chocolate induced sugar highs, I wanted to share another find from…
…Mike’s General Store.
I think this is an ambrotype (anyone more knowledgeable are welcome to chime in). It is missing its frame but I liked the subjects.
I am assuming it is a mother with her children and family in the background. She is wearing an apron that seems a bit tattered and the location seems rustic (outdoors on dirt) but she has nice jewelry. The hair says 1880’s to me. I’d love to know their story. Maybe they are land owning farmers taking advantage of a travelling photographer who came by during a busy season?
Just a quick note to thank my readers for joining me this past year and to wish you all a happy 2019. My life will be different this year. Perhaps, there will be more time for the things I love which hopefully translates into more interesting posts for you! Have a good one friends!
Happy Canada Day and good wishes for July 4th to my US readers.
My holiday weekend has begun with some computer issues. I am attempting to fix them myself so Lord knows how that will go. The experts either want a ton of money to fix it or they want you to buy a new one. Grumble, grumble, grumble. In the meantime, I will use my phone.
I took some of my seniors out for a jaunt in the park last week and I saw two woodpeckers. In fact I was dive bombed by the little darlings!
My group, Victorian at Heart, launched our costuming season this past Victoria Day. We dolled ourselves up and headed out to Lower Fort Garry to tour and take photos.
Here is Shirley in her lovely plaid ensemble. Love the jaunty hat!
Lottie is in a lovely golden print. She had fabulous curls under her hat!
These lovely ladies were not to proud to shake the hands of the day maids.
I wore my 1861 Señora dress. I left off the jacket because it was just too hot.
I had fun with my phone afterwards, playing with filters and frames.
The highlight of the day was the dance in the men’s quarters.
And after a little of the Governor’s rum (aka iced tea) I took a twirl on the dance floor too. 
I really thought more of my costumes got out of the closet this year but I guess not. I think it was because there were no events like the Dicken’s Festival or Coco where multiple costumes get worn. Here are the ones that did get out.
Seven in total. Eight if you count the time I played a hooker at the old jail and stood in my undies for the audience.
I’m hoping, this new year, my costuming buddies and I will make it out to the Dicken’s Festival in Saskatchewan. That will increase the number of dresses that get worn! I also hope that I will have the opportunity to wear the ones that didn’t get used this year. I don’t like the idea of dresses languishing in the closet too long. But perhaps that may encourage me to part with the ones that no longer thrill me. The ones that have flaws that now seem glaringly obvious.
PS. I hope you folks had a good New Year’s celebration and you enjoy this new one. May your troubles be few and your joys be many!
I like these posts. I’m always surprised at how much I’ve actually done in a year! So lets see if this year holds true-in spite of the extra stresses and giving up on Historical Sew Monthly.
Lets start with the non wearable items: rock painting.
Next up: modern sewing projects.
Modern knitting and crochet. There were quite a few of these, including one where I spun the wool myself.
There were a few historical knitting projects.
There were not as many historical sewing projects as in years past but more than I thought!
The total is 25 which works about to be about 2 a month. Not to shabby! I’m happy with that.
I hope for myself another productive year and I wish it for you readers as well. I also wish happiness and peace!
