Good Reads

These past few weeks, I've been so enjoying exploring some 'new' books by one of my favorite authors, Gene Stratton-Porter. 

I first read one of her most famous books, 'A Girl of the Limberlost', when I was about 10 years old, and probably 15 times since then. The story I know by heart, but I never get tired of reading it again. Besides the delicious romance and heart of the story, I love hearing the wonders of the woods described, as well as the different personalites and plots of the tale twining together....

A few years later, I discovered the prequel, 'Freckles', and loved it too.

But, since then I've had a shameful lapse in discovering what other delightful treasures were penned by this same authoress. Just a few weeks ago, when hungering for something new and good to read, I was scanning my crowded bookshelves, when I saw a very old tattered copy of 'Her Father's Daughter', by Porter that Mom had found for me at a garage sale a few years before.... I was soon enjoying it very much, and wondering why I hadn't long before. Her stories always are so fascinating, and I never can guess what twist or turn they are going to take next!

So, now I've been listening to 'The Harvester' on audio book while sewing, and found it quite wonderful as well. She has many other novels that I am longing to find out now:

The Song of the Cardinal, 1903

Freckles, 1904
At the Foot of the Rainbow, 1907

A Girl of the Limberlost, 1909

The Harvester, 1911

Laddie, 1913

Michael O'Halloran, 1915

A Daughter of the Land, 1918

Her Father's Daughter, 1921

The White Flag, 1923

The Keeper of the Bees, 1925

The Magic Garden, 1927

While there is occasionally a perspective written that I don't quite agree with, each one I've read so far has left me with lots to think about and just bursting with inspiration for drawing, artwork, learning and enjoying God's creations in nature, and even sewing! They are all around good reads, and I would highly recommend trying them out if you haven't already.

Have you read Gene-Stratton Porter before? Do you have a favorite? If so, why?

(Note: all the pictures are from my Pinterest, and although most of them have nothing to do with the books, they instantly reminded me of the Gene Stratton-Porter books I have read, and give a much better impression of the flavor of the books than I could write. So, if you like what you see....go read! :)



Now Available - Design Your Own Edwardian Dress Kit!

At long last! The latest installment in the 'Design Your Own Dress' Series is here!

Design Your Own Edwardian Dress

A beautiful kit that historical costume enthusiasts and girls of all ages will enjoy! Pages of designs ready to trace and color to create your own unique drawn ensembles!

Using tracing paper to take the drawing step by step, start with the model attired in proper Edwardian undergarments, then add a skirt, bodice, trimmings, hat, an apron, and much, much more! The possiblities for creativity are endless. Mix, match and trace to create thousands of unique ensembles, all historically correct for the era of Anne of Green Gables! 

Included in the kit:

-6 glossy cardstock sheets with black and white drawings, featuring a Model, Hairstyles, Skirts, Bodice Options, Fabric Designs, Hats, Trimmings, Jewelry, Accessories, Jackets, and more!

- 12 sheets of tracing paper

- 1 sheet of historical notes, descriptions, and instructions

All pages professionally printed on high quality paper.

Comes packaged in a handy clear plastic zipper pouch.

Kit enables you to design your own turn-of-the-century fashion drawings - perfect for young artists, historical fashion lovers, or seamstresses who want to visualize their designs!

Below are just a few of the endless dress designs possible!

      

I have to say, this kit is my favorite of the series so far! I love all the eccentric, lovely hats from the turn of the century, and the classic flowing lines of the dresses! (and who could forget the great hairstyles and 'puffed sleeves' of which Anne was so fond! :)

If you are still Christmas shopping for the perfect gift for a friend or sister who is a historical costume lover, seamstress, or artist, there is still time for holiday shipping to US addresses!

Please take a look and let me know what you think of the latest Dress Designer kit!



Historical Dream Wardrobe

...or "What I Would Have Worn"....



I have been gleaning a lot of inspiration from my Pinterest files lately. There are just so many images of breathtaking original historical garments floating around in cyberspace - it's wonderful to just look and dream! Sometimes certain items will jump out at me as something that I *know* would have aboslutely been in "my" wardrobe if I had lived in a certain time period of the past.....(don't you ever get that feeling??) So, these are the items I have laid claim to, organized by era. Enjoy!

18th Century...

Perfectly charming jacket, sash, and scarf ensemble

My favorite colors - and with bows!

Regency...

1790s, rose silk day dress

1810, Ball gown in bright yellow? - Yes.

1820, perfect walking dress

1820s -Everyone needs at least one crazy spencer jacket, right?

1820s-30s A day out shopping...I love the eccentric hat!

Victorian...

1830s soft summertime dress

1830s ruffled wrapper

1840 silk dinner dress

1840s yellow tucked sheer

1850s brown and blue. I adore this one especially!

1850s-60 wrapper. The colors are best!

Corded cotton bonnet for outdoor work

Ball gowns! 1850s-60s

Swiss waist and attached bows and sash.

This I plan to make to accessorize my next ballgown...

White sheer summer dress, accented with blue silk. Perfect in every way.

Edwardian...

I love ridiculously frilly dresses, and this defines it - 1890s.

1905 cook's dress and apron

(yes,I think I could do some very inspired baking in this outfit....)

Sweater, 1905. So feminine and sporty!

1900s, gold and yellow Worth evening gown

1910 French silk petticoat

 

1910 evening dresses

1930s-40s...

1930s cotton polka dot!

1930s flowy red stripes

1942 plaid heels......:) 

Do you have any speical historical favorites? Ones that you want to create, or just like to dream about? Please share!

To see more finds, check out my Pinterest account!

Sneak Peek at the Edwardian Dress Designer Kit

The next in the Dress Designer series is almost completed!

I hope to have Design Your Own Edwardian Dress ready for purchase (and a giveaway!) by the end of the summer!

Currently I am designing the watercolor illustration for the cover page - as shown in these two sneak peek pictures! :) Then, as soon as I write up the historical notes page, it will be off to the printer's shop!

Very excited about this new kit! It is such a fun and frilly time period - so many fun hats and intricatedly detailed dress styles and trimmings!

I also have a question for you, my blog readers. What time period would you like to see as the next Dress Designer?