New Years Motto

More Yarncraft Sweaters - Classic, Peasant, Tailleur

More lovely sweaters with lovely different shapes...I think the Classic speaks for itself, the Peasant has to do with the embroidery and Tailleur was an unfamiliar term, but is defined as "a woman's tailored suit". So there you have it!

Peasent

Tailleur

Yarncraft Sweaters - Cablette, Harlequin, Evening Star, Sport Bolero!

Some more good looking gals from the forties!

Yarncraft Sweaters - Tyrolean, Moderne, Springtime

Look at these lovely gals in their favorite sweaters!

A Very Merry Christmas

I'm lucky enough to have family around and we are having a wonderful Christmas. I hope that whatever your holiday is like that it includes good people, good food and good times!

Betsy McCall Paper Doll -1963- Christmas Morning!

Do you have an ansty kid who needs a project while you're trying to wrap presents? Here you go...click twice and print!

Gimmie, Gimmie, Gimmie!

Go ahead...tell what you want under your tree...it's just between us. ;-)

Arts and Craft Education - 1955 - Hanging Masks!

Got any snowbound kids who need a project? These are fun!
(Click Twice to Enlarge)

Arts and Craft Education - 1955 - Fold and Cut Your Christmas Decorations - Paper Chains!

This look so very fancy, but also very do-able. Have fun!

Arts and Craft Education - 1955 - Make a Nativity Scene

Here's a project that comes to us from a small 1955 magazine "Arts & Craft Education" With this how-to article by Geoffrey Tucker. If you click on the images twice you can print these out and create a memory.

MAKING A CHRISTMAS CRIB
This Christmas group is in the simplest form of the series " Postcard Handwork ". Even the very young will find little difficulty in making the figures stand up, the older child will find more interest in making the Baby's crib and the manger. The directions for this are on page 6.

The photograph here shows the setting made from the actual drawings on the following page, cut out and pasted on to thin card. It will be more interesting for the children to trace off these figures on to postcards so that they can enjoy the added task of colouring them, remembering that the Three Kings would certainly wear the richest possible colours while Joseph, a poor man, will be in faded dra ~colours as contrast. Mary would most certainly be in a blue mantle, the rest the childrei can imagine to their hearts' delight. If a reproduction of a painting of the scene by an Old Master can be found so much the better.

If the grouping is to be in a stage effect made from a box many more angels could be made with some (still slightly curved) suspended by cotton from the top to float, these will not need the stands attached. More shepherds could be added by tracing off the main shapes of the Kings and dressing them differently and instead of their costly gifts, carrying a staff or young lamb as offering. In fact, the older children will enjoy inventing their own characters and grouping after using the following drawings as a basic idea.

Butterick - 1953- Gifts for the Whole Family!

But you better get busy if you're going to make those Eisenhower jackets!

It's Butterick for the Greatest Selection of Christmas Gifts! - 1953

Might still be true...are you sewing for Christmas?

Dolls and Aprons from 1953 Buttericks

Keep all the girls happy!

Holiday Excitement - Butterick Patterns - 1953

"...look as gala as you like."

Butterick 6738-Look delightfully feminine in this dress that has all the magic, yet isn't too bare. Size 16, 3 5/8 yds. 45 in. 12 to 20. 50¢. 6711 -Gay stripes for a party dress. New , "standaway" neckline does wonderful things. 16. 4 1/2 yds. 39"; 3/4 yd. collar. 12-18. 50¢. 6769-Faille dress with a festive note... ribbon laced through the wing collar. Size 16, 4 1/4 yds. 39 in. Sizes 12 to. 20. Price, 50¢.

Butterick 6714 -The season to go all out ... with that great flatterer - lace. 16, 3 yds. 35" lace, 2 yds. 39" (slip), 1 3/4 yds. ribbon. 12-18. 50¢. 6737-For soft wool ... a dress to wear with or without a petticoat ... to look as gala as you like. 16, 3/8 yds. 54 in. 12 to 20. 50¢. 6735-Velveteen sheath plus add-on accessories. See what white touches do! 16, 3 1/2 yds. 35" nap: 3/4 yd. 39" trim. 12 to 20. 50¢. 6770-Very new: slim-flowing lines, back-diving "standaway" neckline. Size 16, 4 yds. 39 in., 1 yd. contrast. 12 to 18. 50¢. 6768-Crisp ottoman punctuated with white. It's the favorite "big collar" dress. 16, 41/4 yds. 45"; 3/4 yd. 39" collar. 12-20. 50c. 6736-Just the dress for your best shade of pastel jersey. Fits beautifully, softly. Size 16, 3 1/8 yds. 54 in. Sizes 12 to 18. Price, 50¢.

"Your personal holiday excitement"

Just a grand dress from 1953...fancy or casual, it's a snap to make!

"Butterick 6796-Your personal holiday excitement ... the dress you'll wear to family dinners and rounds of parties... the dress that fits like a dream and looks like one ... and, above all, a pattern that is a snap to make up in any of the store's exciting fabrics. Size 16, 5 yds. 45 in. or 6 3/4 yds. 35 in. lace; 11/2 yd. 39 in. decorative binding. Sizes 12 to 18. 50¢."

Charm Magazine - 1944 - For A Warm and Wonderful Christmas

Really, it's true, who doesn't want a cozy new robe? Or fuzzy slippers and gloves? The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Santa plays Sandman

This is a nightgown that Santa approves of. (Who wouldn't?)

,br>

Santa doesn't approve of your Slip.

If only she had worn a Mary Barron slip she'd still be on Santa's Good List. But instead she's committed a social error! Don't make the same mistake. "...just the good behavior of perfect design".

Betsy McCall Paper Doll -1960-Betsy Visits Grandma for Christmas

Here's a fun little early gift for a kid who's anxious for Christmas. Click twice on these and print them out. They'll be busy for awhile, letting you get some stuff done!

Simplicity Fashion Preview - 1956 -"Socks full-of-gifts"

These are such a good idea! You got the pattern for the stocking and then all the goodies to fill it. And some very clever ideas too, I like the stockings!

Simplicity Fashion Preview - 1956 -"Christmas Dreamers"

These are wonderful pajamas and robes. And they are the perfect Christmas gift. (Hint, hint!)

Simplicity Fashion Preview - 1956 -"...and lots of dolls too!"

What's more endearing than doll clothes? These are for Miss Revlon, Cissy, Ginny, Muffie, Alexander-Kins, Betsy-Wetsy, and Tiny Tears. Which doll did you have and love?

Simplicity Fashion Preview - 1956 -"Santa Express arrives with gifts for everyone"

These were cool gifts then ...and now. Aprons, stuffed toys, slippers, pajamas, hat, clothes...these will all be favorites today too!

Simplicity Fashion Preview - 1956 -There's Christmas In The Air!

This handout has lot's of good Christmas ideas from Simplicity and the dresses shown are amazing. I think 1956 is a high point for fashion!

Chen Yu Nail Lacquer - 1943

"Chen Yu

For centuries and despite all wars, beautiful hands with long and well cared for have been attractive.
These hands are an inspiration ...
And now they can be more charming than ever
Use Lacquerol basis.

The most beautiful varnish to your nails"

This is from a 1943 La Familia, a magazine that comes from Chile. But we don't need to translate this to get the message. These are some nails!

Johnny Cash sings about Thanksgiving

This is a little out of character for this blog, but it's lovely and I wanted you to see it.

"Costumes Parisiens" from 1831 - Three Fabulous Gowns!

This trio just gets better the more you look. The shoulders, that hair-do(!), the hats and the amazing amount of work that it took to make these pieces. Please do click twice and imagine the team of people it took to achieve this.

Would the white ensemble have been a wedding dress?