Hildegard Arrives

Hildegard Arrives, originally uploaded by confections.

...complete with pink collar and leash: my sister's new puppy, a miniature Schnauzer named Hildegard. My nieces and nephews are in love with her, and so is my Mom, who lives with them.

Crocheted Top for Clementine Louisa

Crocheted Top for Clementine Louisa, originally uploaded by confections.

A quick glimpse at a work-in-progress: a little crocheted top for Clementine Louisa. This prototype is of cotton yarn, but I think I will finalize the design in fine handspun, hand-dyed silk yarn from my stash. I also have lots of wool sock yarn that would work, too. Clementine Louisa is happy that her wardrobe is expanding just in time for spring and summer play!

"The Lark Ascending" by Ralph Vaughan Williams (in two parts), Janine Jansen, violinist

I'm off to the San Diego Symphony tonight to hear, among other pieces, this composition, "The Lark Ascending", by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Here it is masterfully played by Janine Jansen, a Dutch violinist, in two parts. Enjoy!

It's Etsy Day!

etsy car sign final, originally uploaded by schugirl08.

Some of my favorite items on Etsy:

Old Engraving of Victorian Woman Walking in the Spring Woods

Old Engraving of Victorian Woman Walking in the Spring Woods, originally uploaded by confections.

My husband found an antique book for me at the local swap meet last weekend. It is entitled "Sunlight and Shade: being Poems and Pictures of Life and Nature" and was published by Cassell and Company in 1883 (London, Paris & New York).

It contains lovely poems and delightful engravings on every page, not to mention the splendid gilt edges and delicate floral endpapers. For a bibliophile like me, it was a perfect spring posy!

"Secret Garden" by Jessie Willcox Smith

Secret Garden by Jessie Willcox Smith, originally uploaded by confections.

This is one of my favorite images printed by the Green Tiger Press back in its heyday. "Secret Garden" by Jessie Willcox Smith (1863 -1935) appeared in Good Housekeeping magazine in 1922.

This notecard was exactingly reproduced by the legendary Green Tiger Press in San Diego, California, in-house on a four-color Heidelberg printing press in the early 1980's. It displays all the attention to detail for which the Green Tiger Press was justifiably famous.

It is a reminder of childhood days and encourages me to cultivate my garden this spring.

Clementine Louisa Sporting Her New Handknit Sweater

Clementine Louisa Sporting Her New Handknit Sweater, originally uploaded by confections.

I knit this miniature version of Sally Melville's "best friend jacket" a number of years ago when I took a workshop with her. I made two versions in different yarns, one hand-dyed, the other hand-dyed and handspun.

Of the two, this one is closest to fitting Blythe, but I will have to tweak the pattern and yarn to make another that will fit better.

My sister and I are going to an informal "dolly meet-up" with our friend KittyKatDance this Saturday. We'll have our dollies in tow, along with new outfits and works-in-progress.

Lounging Lovely is Living Large in Colorado

Lounging Lovely is Living Large in Colorado, originally uploaded by confections.

I gifted my 7-year-old niece with her own Blythe doll last month when she was visiting.

Yesterday, her Mom (my sister) sent a photo essay that Grainne made of Lounging Lovely. She is obviously relaxed and happy in her new home. Thanks for the update on our adopted girl!

Frosty Frock In and Out of the Box

Frosty Frock In and Out of the Box, originally uploaded by confections.

A new girl has arrived at our house to join her sister, Clementine Louisa. Frosty Frock Blythe is very sweet. She arrived with a bit of "par avion" hair, but I'm thinking of giving her a boil perm to create lots of curls on that luscious blonde head of hers.

Angel Trumpet (Brugmansia) in Alcazar Garden, Balboa Park, San Diego,

Angel Trumpet (Brugmansia) in Alcazar Garden, Balboa Park, San Diego, California, originally uploaded by confections.

My sister and I had lunch together on Monday and then visited the spectacular spring display in the Alcazar Garden in Balboa Park, San Diego, California.

The delphinium, foxglove, and lavender were resplendent and these glowing angel trumpets were eye-catching as well. While we were there, the carillon chimed six o'clock--a haunting sound that I recorded.

Hope you are enjoying the bursts of color everywhere this spring!

Easter Morning in the Mid-1950's

Easter Morning in the Mid-1950's, originally uploaded by confections.

My two older brothers and I with our Easter baskets. The Easter Bunny--er, my Dad--is snoozing through it all.... The photo was taken by my Mom.

Happy Easter!

Gardening by Jessie Willcox Smith

Gardening by Jessie Willcox Smith, originally uploaded by confections.

I've been delving into my vintage images from the Green Tiger Press lately in preparation for listing some in my Etsy shop. Jessie Willcox Smith's illustrations have always evoked nostalgia for childhood for me. This one is no exception. I am no gardener, I have no green thumb, but my Mother does. I see her in this image.

She and my father created many beautiful gardens at their various residences over the years. I will share images of them throughout the spring months.

When my Mom was visiting in March, we went to a favorite bookstore and I bought her a lovely gardening book with painterly photos of flowers--her joy.

I may have to dust off my Western Garden Book to see if I can make magic in my flower beds this season....

Mademoiselle Rosebud Plays Dress-Up

Mademoiselle Rosebud Plays Dress-Up (4), originally uploaded by confections.

Mademoiselle Rosebud is draped in silk from a vintage robe that my sister found at a thrift store last summer. The vintage flowers in her hair are from a local antique mall in San Diego, California.

These photos and all styling are by my sister, lms, who celebrated her birthday yesterday. We kicked up our heels in grand style. Happy Birthday, ma petite soeur!

Handknit Bombyx Silk Dress for Blythe

Handknit Bombyx Silk Dress for Blythe (3), originally uploaded by confections.

A few years back I took a series of silk spinning and dyeing classes from the very talented Priscilla Lowry. I handknit this little swatch from one of my handpainted mini-skeins of bombyx morii silk yarn.

While I was sifting through some of my fiber bins yesterday, I located the swatch and turned it into this little silk number for Clementine Louisa. She is very happy to have a new handknit dress and would like some additional accessories to go with the ensemble.

Clementine Louisa in Her New Party Dress

Clementine Louisa in Her New Party Dress, originally uploaded by confections.

My lovely Blythe doll, Clementine Louisa, in her new party dress, which was completely handsewn by my friend KittyKatDance, including the matching velvet hairband and bloomers (not seen here). Boots by Puchi Shoes and Bags Collection (Blue Box).