Who is Lina Cavalieri?

So, who IS Lina Cavalieri?

Well, to start with, she is the lovely lady pictured in my blog header and background artwork within the picture frame.  Lina was an Italian opera singer who lived from 1874 - 1944 and in her time was known as the most beautiful woman in the world.

But she was much more than just (just?!?) a lovely opera singer.  She was a world figure who dated tycoons and famous men.  She was orphaned at age 15 and went to live in a Catholic orphanage run by strict nuns.      

But she was too much of a free spirit, so she ran away to Paris,where she began using her lovely voice (and good looks, no doubt) to sing in cafes and open other doors of opportunity.

Oh. And she loved pearls.  Pearls with everything, even with diamonds. She preferred her signature pearl choker with longer strands.

Yes, she looked innocent, but she could also be very naughty!  Read about her on Wikipedia here.

During World War II (when she was well into her sixties) she did volunteer nursing.  In 1944 she was killed in her Florence home when the city was bombed.

I hope you enjoy (and will use) these images of beautiful Lina Cavalieri.

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Check out the current issue of Sew Beautiful Magazine!  Our friend Marsha Greenberg of Hankie Couture is featured!  And you can get a free pattern for the square-necked sundress free from Marsha and Sew Beautiful at:
http://www.sewbeautifulmag.com.  Just go to Web Extras, then Articles & Projects, then click on Hankie Couture.

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And just in case you have not had your quota of beauty today, I must throw in some of nature’s finest handiwork, courtesy of my garden.  LOL.

My daughter says this frog statuette (below), which I bought at Tuesday Morning, looks like it is giving an obscene gesture.  Personally, I think he’s doing his imitation of Rodin’s The Thinker.

Diane M, these delphinium close-ups are for you.  :-)

Wouldn’t it be nice to be as beautiful as these roses when WE are old and withered and faded?

And Stacie, this one is for you!  :-)  My “repurposed” birdbath...

Must try this in silk ribbon:

Red Yarrow

 Have a wonderful weekend!

Of Tea Time, Robins, Hankies and the Big C

Since I haven’t posted for a week, it would make sense to break up all my news into individual-topic posts.  But the lazy me says it’s easier to lump it all together and just take care of business.  Besides, I’ll likely forget enough to warrant another post in the next day or two anyway, LOL.

This past week I finished the Tea Time block for Cathy L in our Tea Time DYB (Do Your Block) round robin for CQI.  All of Cathy’s blocks are very wild and colorful, with lots of prints.  Quite honestly, I am intimidated by the busy-ness, but did fall in love with the individual fabrics. She had one black, white and red block left, and it was the one that truly called out to me.  So reminiscent of the 1950’s!!

Cathy had already added the quote from Queen Victoria across the block. I added small rick rack on top of it and a simple black chain stitch below. In the upper right I added a crocheted doily topped with a vintage button with cherries on it, which echoed the cherries on the print of the white piece next to it.

In the upper left, I appliqued on a pink and red flower with green leaves from some old linens.  The flowers and colors echoed the print of the fabric beneath it, with the leaves serving as a seam treatment.  I feel that it also quiets that corner a bit...  The top yo-yo is from vintage fabrics, and the other two are there not only to make a trio (and yo-yos are so “fifties”), but to repeat the red and black in the vast white space of that patch.

This little hat was actually an earring. I removed the hardware and replaced the blue plastic flowers with some little red vintage millinery flowers.  A bit of red-dyed lace beneath the hat visually separates it from the mostly-white background of the patch.  I also added a red hat band and streamers of red gimp.

The red teapot and cup ribbon was perfect on the seam, but to outline it, I used more black thread and echoed the xxxxx’s in the white fabric print.

I know that you would not normally use a personalized MUG with a cloisonne teapot, but as I often say... this is my world and I make the choices, for better or worse, LOL!  I have had this little pot forever and have been saving it for a special block.  Same with the Cathy mug.  I had two, so it seemed fitting to give one to Cathy L and share the Cathy thing (aaaaack!).   :-)

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The first picture of the robin’s nest (see here) I shared on Mother’s Day showed 4 eggs.  That was 20 days ago.  Today I decided to brave Mama Robin and see what was happening.  So, I climbed up on a chair in the patio, stuck my camera through (and mama flew away temporarily, rightfully indignant at the intrusion) and snapped this picture.

WHAT?!?!

I’ve truly tried to stay away, and in doing so, must have missed the hatching of the first clutch of eggs and the subsequent fledgling babies.  Robins usually nest for 11-13 days, and the first picture (May 8) must’ve been taken somewhere near the end of the nesting, just prior to the babies hatching.  Because they remain in the nest for about two weeks before flying out, never to return.  And then the mama robin begins laying another clutch, one egg per day.

So.... perhaps the other eggs hatched and fledged (hopefully) or taken by a predator.  At any rate, we have a new clutch in the works.  I plan to go out again on Memorial Day (Monday, in three days) and take another picture to see how many eggs there will be this time.  And maybe if we have nicer weather, I will be outside in the back more to watch from afar.   But in the meantime, the leaves of the grape vines are filling in rapidly, and the nest will be more protected and better hidden.

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My husband Bruce had his right forearm operated on a couple weeks ago to remove a painful lump.  It’s been there for years (albeit not painful), but none of his doctors ever thought much of it.  About six months ago it became painful, and he saw a couple specialists who blew it off as either carpal tunnel or repetitive stress syndrome or a fatty tumor.  Finally, a well-recommended doctor told Bruce he thought it was a hemangioma (an abnormal build-up of blood cells in the tissue) and should be removed. So it was.

The biopsy, however, came back showing that is a P.H.A.T.   and mildly malignant.  He will be rescheduled for another surgery to resect the remaining affected tissue (which is the fatty tissue beneath the skin but not involving the muscle). They will do a skin graft from his leg to his arm. Prognosis is excellent. This is a relatively new and rare type of tumor, and studies are just evolving. There has been no known case, however, of metastasis from a PHAT,  but they will check check the lymph nodes as a routine.

So Bruce’s short-term medical leave continues, but his spirits are up and his first incision is healing nicely.  We are both looking forward to a nice, quiet Memorial Day weekend and some quality yard time (weather permitting; rain is forecast).  Or, we may start on building that ark.

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When Blogger was acting up a couple weeks ago, dear Marsha Greenberg, author of Hankie Couture, tried to leave a comment on the blog but couldn’t.  So, she wrote me a note, and I would like to pass it on to you lovely readers:


Thank you one and all for all your lovely comments about my book, Hankie Couture, the dolls, AND EVERYTHING!!!  I am flattered beyond belief! Thank you everyone for your kindness. 

Words from the heart enter the heart, and everyone who took the time to write on this blog has entered my heart! 

Love to all,

Marsha of Hankie Couture!  

For those of you who may have purchased the book, both Marsha and I would ask if you would be so kind to visit Amazon here and leave a review of the book.   Or browse the book if you haven’t already done so!

HEADS UP:  Marsha and I are teaming up to put together a great contest for you, dear readers!  We are tossing around a few ideas, but Marsha would like to offer a dress and doll, or perhaps a book..... something wonderful either way, LOL!  So watch for that coming in June...

Until next time,

The Doll Has a Name!

As several of you know, I have been deliberating waaaaaay too much about naming my Hankie Couture doll.  I really enjoyed the suggestions, even the silly ones.  This is, after all, a light-hearted matter.  

I finally narrowed it down to three, although I was leaning toward a particular name.  I asked DH to pick his favorite of the three and he picked the same one, so it was a done deal.  

Without further ado,  meet

LAUREL 

suggested by Maureen F. in Maryland

The runner-up names were

Sofia (Sophia) 

suggested by Angels Watching Over Me

and

Ava

suggested by Heather A.

Now this is where it gets a bit complicated.  Maureen F. did not want hankies, but did want to play. So I have decided to throw in a couple more hankies to the pile and split them between Angels Watching Over Me and Heather A.  Congratulations, ladies! Please contact me privately with your mailing information.

Thank you all so much for playing along! I love hearing from you, and I hope this was something a bit different and fun for you.

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Currently I am working on a crazy quilted purse, which will be entered into the Crazy Quilting International Annual Purse Contest if I can finish it in time (I have one more week).  Regardless, I should be able to reveal it by the end of the month.  I also have a private commission to sew an apron for someone this month, plus a lot of catching up to do on the round robins I’m stitching in.  I’ve been making progress, but don’t have anything to post yet.

And finally, I usually stock some handmade items in the Wheeler Farm Country Store on a consignment basis.  But everything is on hold now, because there is some question by our new management about whether Salt Lake County ever officially approved the consignment form. Since I am the one who drafted it (and ran it by the County Attorney), I am trying to help clear the situation up. Luckily, I still have the emails from the County Attorney’s office that gave the approvals, so I am hoping that by next week we will be “back in business”.  If that’s the case, then I have more girls’ aprons to sew and stuffed cows to dress, LOL!!   :-)

Commemorative Royal Hankies... and Snow!?!

Although I did not get up at o’dark thirty to watch the Royal Wedding (I was awake, sick with a cold, but I did not get up), I have been fascinated with the replays, pictures and stories.  William and Catherine (hey, what a nice name she has! Why isn’t she Cate instead of Kate?) are a lovely couple.

Back when Charles and Diana wed, I did not collect any commemoratives. Nor have I gotten any of Will and Kate. But I would if they made commemorative ladies hankies! Unfortunately, they didn’t. They did make a men’s handkerchief, but in my humble opinion it is butt ugly.

I checked the actual wording of Lord Chamberlain`s decree regarding Royal Wedding Commemoratives (this is the relevant part - textiles)

            Textiles.  Royal arms, emblems and titles can be used on carpets, cushions, 
            wall hangings and head scarves, but they are forbidden from being used on
            textiles. This includes articles of clothing such as T- shirts, drying up 
            cloths and aprons.

William and Kate t-shirts abound, as do all manner of tacky items designed to lighten the wallet of the casual collector. But they are not officially sanctioned. So, maybe I will just look for one of those scarves. Or not.

In the meantime, I’d like to show you the Royal Commemoratives I do have. They are from Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953.  At that time, hankies were quite fashionable, so there were a lot made.

Rather interesting, don’t you think?  And the following are also from the UK, although they are not commemorative. I had a friend who went to England about 8-9 years ago and bought me two Nottingham Lace hankies in London at a place called World of Lace in Covent Garden. They are the white ones on the right.

The Scotland hankie is silk and has been in my family longer than I have. I don’t know the story behind it, but I have always loved it.  Detail shot below.

Do you have any hankies from your mom or grandmother or other female relative that you love?  Are there memories and stories attached to them?

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway here and help me name my new Hankie Couture doll!  The winner will receive eight lovely vintage hankies (and my thanks for helping me select a name).  

And finally, this is the sight we woke up to this morning.  

Depressing, isn’t it?   But it did melt by 6:30 or so in the evening, and unless it gets really cold tonight, everything seems to have come through unscathed.

Bruce and I went to Lowe’s and bought a new electric lawnmower so he won’t have to throw out his back starting the old one.  He assembled it and charged it.  Hopefully some time in the next couple days it will be dry enough to mow (or plow) our grass.  It’s been so wet that no one in the neighborhood has mowed, so we are not the only ones with a wild lawn. We do, however have lots of those “pretty little yellow flowers” (as Bruce calls dandelions) and are also waiting for the lawn sprayer guys (I’m sure there’s a better name for them) to show up.  I sure wish spring would get here!!

Hugs,

Hankie Couture - and a Contest!!

I don`t know which I love more; Hankie Couture or having the chance to give you lovely friends and readers a chance to win something in a giveaway!  Luckily, I don’t have to choose!  Let me tell you about BOTH!


When I was in Connecticut during the first half of this month, Bruce and I stopped at a Barnes & Noble (long-time readers might remember that I used to work for B&N).  We love to have regular “coffee dates” there, whether we’re here at home or on the road.  Anyway, I wandered over to the Craft/Needle Arts section, and the most glorious, colorful book was on display and caught my eye IMMEDIATELY.  It was this delightful gem, and I bought it on the spot.

All my life I have collected and adored hankies.  All my life I have had and adored (and gave birth to a daughter who had and adored) fashion-sized (“Barbie”) dolls.  I sewed clothes for the dolls as a child, as a mother, and in between as a crafter before my daughter was born. 

But never had I seen or created anything so beautiful as Marsha Greenberg’s Hankie Couture!

I was smitten!   I read the book cover to cover, visited the Hankie Couture website, watched the video and visited her Ebay Boutique.  I ordered one of Marsha’s lovely dolls that she had custom made to her specifications, and it arrived so quickly I couldn’t believe it!!  The doll is of  high quality. And look at the beautiful face!  This is no cheap-looking doll; Marsha has created quality down to the roots of the doll’s lustrous hair!

My dear doll arrived naked, of course. For modesty’s sake (not that THAT is a big issue here) I have pictured her semi-clothed in a couple of the hankies that I will be giving away.  But I am getting ahead of myself. ..

 

So, I plan to make my doll a dress couture fashion using one of the patterns provided in Marsha’s Hankie Couture book. But as I began fondling drooling over carefully sorting my hankie collection for THE potential dress (which I have now narrowed it down to about four possibilities), I realized that my doll doesn’t have a name. The Rules state that Every Doll Needs A Name.  This is my blog, my world, and those are my rules.  So...... will you help me?!? I will clothe her if you will name her!


NAME THAT DOLL CONTEST!


To enter, just leave me a comment ON THIS POST with your suggestion(s) for a doll name.   That’s it!  Let`s limit it to 3 name suggestions per person.  Of course, while you’re at it, you can visit the links to Hankie Couture the website (or go directly to Amazon and buy the book, LOL!!) and let me know what you think about them!


Here is what I am offering to the commenter whose suggested name is chosen; eight vintage hankies from my collection, two of which have already been modeled for you by The Doll With No Name.

Let’s run this contest for a week, so please comment ON THIS POST by Friday, May 6, 2011.  The winner will be selected solely on the doll`s name I choose.  :-)   So you can tell your friends about it and it won’t affect your chances of winning, LOL!  


As far as names go, I would like something traditional or classic or old-fashioned, just not cutesy (like “Barbie” or “Tiffany”) .  


And here’s a heads-up.  Once this contest is over, there will be ANOTHER giveaway the following week. It will be a bit more involved than this one, but a SUPER prize awaits!   Marsha and I have struck up a friendship, and I have to tell you how delightful and sweet she is!  We have cooked up some fun for you! Stay tuned because you won’t want to miss it!