Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Jenny Wren - Dickens Dolls' Dressmaker
Jenny Wren was a character in Charles Dickens last novel Our Mutual Friend. She is a "dolls' dressmaker, with whom Lizzie lives after her father dies; crippled with a bad back, though not ugly in her deformities; acts very motherly toward her drunken father whom she calls her “bad child”... Her role is a creator and a caretaker, and her “pleasant fancies” of “flowers, bird song, numbers of blessed, white-clad children”" via
This delightful illustration was done by Mary Sherwood Wright Jones (1892-1985). She lived in Licking County, Ohio and "was a noted muralist and illustrator for children's books, including the renowned national publication of Weekly Reader". via
Her distinctive deco style can be seen on other Home Arts covers.
This delightful illustration was done by Mary Sherwood Wright Jones (1892-1985). She lived in Licking County, Ohio and "was a noted muralist and illustrator for children's books, including the renowned national publication of Weekly Reader". via
Her distinctive deco style can be seen on other Home Arts covers.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Butterick 2336 - Girls Play Dress with Flower Applique
This is from a promotion booklet put out by Butterick to encourage adding applique and cross-stitch designs to kids clothes. Pretty cute!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
"add fascination, thrills and zest" to your life!
You can tell she's designing "smart" clothes...she's wearing glasses!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
We've Picked Pockets For Spring - Butterick 1940
While you may get mesmerized by these wonderful pockets, don't miss the hats!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Clean Cowboy Cut! 1958 Levi's
"Look right in Levi's - They're neat, trim and easy to keep that way!"
Monday, June 22, 2009
Perfection's Drip Dry Polka Dot Pinafore
The dress is darling, but how cool could you be wearing all the undergarments it would take to fit into this?
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Mad Hatter Fashions - 1958
In 1958 this was all the rage! "to take Alices of every age to mad tea parties and all glad summer times!"
Friday, June 19, 2009
"For Days In The Sun" 1957
A beachcomber outfit and some "little boy shorts" to get us ready for summer.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
"At the Horse Show" Charles Dana Gibson
Here's the last of these in this magazine. But this is the best one I think...she's very beautiful, but also very interesting. What's on her mind?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
"Going Home from The Shop" Charles Dana Gibson
Here's another of Charles Dana Gibson's illustrations. Quite a different gal than yesterday. Not one of his typical pretty ladies, she sure tells a story doesn't she?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
"She Looks Well At A Ball"
This is a Charles Dana Gibson illustration. You might know that his drawings of his wife and her sister were the inspiration for the famous Gibson Girls, but did you know the Gibson Martini was named after him?
Monday, June 15, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
"The Most Wonderful Value Ever Offered For $3.00"
"The Famous Queen Quality Shoe For Women" "...a shoe which is a revelation to the wearer."
A trifle mannish?
A trifle mannish?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
The Countess of Craven- 1898
"AN AMERICAN COUNTESS"
"One of the American girls who are factors in English society is the Countess of Craven, who was Miss Cornelia Bradley-Martin. This was one of the international marriages quite untainted with financial considerations. While Miss Bradley-Martin's parents are wealthy, the young Earl of Craven was in no need of money and was quite able to marry as he chose. He is only twenty nine years old now, and his wife is about eight years younger. They met before Miss Bradley-Martin was out of the school room at her father's shooting lodge in Scotland, and after that it was merely a matter of "old enough to marry".
They are very gay young people, with beautiful homes in England. At Coombe Abbey is the famous collection of paintings, which belonged to Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, who married one Lord Craven and left him her pictures. Lady Craven is said to have all the sweetness of disposition that made Mrs. Bradley-Martin well liked in New York, added to a keen sense of humor. Nothing amused her more than her mother's famous ball last year, which she elected to find a joke instead of the serious affair that certain clergymen and political economists made of it. She and Lord Craven are members of the most fashionable set in England, which cannot be said of every girl who has married a title. She recently presented her husband with a son and heir."
What an interesting woman! Here's more about that famous party. And here's a look at the Craven estates.
"Within the village Cornelia Craven was loved and respected for taking a close personal interest in people's lives. By modern standards this might seem overbearing; if, for example, a villager failed to appear in church on Sunday morning the dowager countess would call round in her carriage and pair to find out why. However her motives were clearly warm-hearted. Employees in failing health could rely on her support for medical attention. Hampers were distributed at Christmas, and the countess financed a Christmas party and conjuror for the children in the village hall. Each could choose a Christmas present to the value of seven shillings and sixpence."
"One of the American girls who are factors in English society is the Countess of Craven, who was Miss Cornelia Bradley-Martin. This was one of the international marriages quite untainted with financial considerations. While Miss Bradley-Martin's parents are wealthy, the young Earl of Craven was in no need of money and was quite able to marry as he chose. He is only twenty nine years old now, and his wife is about eight years younger. They met before Miss Bradley-Martin was out of the school room at her father's shooting lodge in Scotland, and after that it was merely a matter of "old enough to marry".
They are very gay young people, with beautiful homes in England. At Coombe Abbey is the famous collection of paintings, which belonged to Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, who married one Lord Craven and left him her pictures. Lady Craven is said to have all the sweetness of disposition that made Mrs. Bradley-Martin well liked in New York, added to a keen sense of humor. Nothing amused her more than her mother's famous ball last year, which she elected to find a joke instead of the serious affair that certain clergymen and political economists made of it. She and Lord Craven are members of the most fashionable set in England, which cannot be said of every girl who has married a title. She recently presented her husband with a son and heir."
What an interesting woman! Here's more about that famous party. And here's a look at the Craven estates.
"Within the village Cornelia Craven was loved and respected for taking a close personal interest in people's lives. By modern standards this might seem overbearing; if, for example, a villager failed to appear in church on Sunday morning the dowager countess would call round in her carriage and pair to find out why. However her motives were clearly warm-hearted. Employees in failing health could rely on her support for medical attention. Hampers were distributed at Christmas, and the countess financed a Christmas party and conjuror for the children in the village hall. Each could choose a Christmas present to the value of seven shillings and sixpence."
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Mens Hats With Character - 1908
"Hawes" must have been the company name and "von Gal" the line? Not too catchy. Maybe that's why they aren't a household name now. Because the hats were great!
(But why did they need height, weight and waist measurement to fit a hat?)
(But why did they need height, weight and waist measurement to fit a hat?)
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
She's like a REAL baby - she's a REAL bargain!
Prize winning " Baby Blue Eyes" Mystic Skin Doll
(Mystic Skin? Ewww!)
(Mystic Skin? Ewww!)