The Victorian Parlor

Monday, November 9, 2009

Kramer Chronicles-The Giveaway Package Arrives

I was very fortunate to have won Bertie's giveaway at

http://aunt-mays-cottage.blogspot.com/

Bertie has a beautiful blog featuring lovely Victorian decorating posts:).

The package arrived today and was placed on the kitchen table.

Kramer could hardly wait to see what was inside.

He turned on the light...

and opened the box.

Inside was this lovely letter that Bertie sealed with wax like the Victorians used to do.

Kramer checked out all of the wrapped goodies.

He decided I should open this one first.

Here are the beautiful treasures from Bertie.

A lovely picture frame with vintage print, a larger shadow box frame with a print of a beautifully dressed lady, and a small lamp shade (that will grace one of my small lamps very soon:)!

Kramer posing with the treasures.

Can you find the Kramer in this picture?

Suddenly something caught Kramer's attention-daddy was home!

Ahhh yes, the attention he had been awaiting.

A little more to the left...

that's the spot!

Mom, stop taking pictures of me!!!

Give me that!

Yay, mom's almost done taking pictures of me-high five!

The Tail End:).

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Thanks again Bertie for the lovely giveaway gifts!!!

Please stop by and visit Bertie's blog-it's a wonderful place to visit:)!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Sunday Wisdom

"A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,

and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,

and discerning if he holds his tongue."

Proverbs 17: 27-28, NIV

Saturday, November 7, 2009

From Carriage to Pumpkin

Alas, Kramer is not happy that his stardom has been challenged lately at the Victorian Parlor and thus he awaits patiently with pumpkins to remind me that my fairy tale ending is near.

I cannot help but reminisce fondly over the past few weeks of carriages, elegant gowns, smartly dressed gents, and glorious historic homes.

To answer one of your questions, yes I met Robert Redford. I was chosen for a particular scene and he came over, shook my hand, and made introductions. He is as nice and down-to-earth a person as you would ever meet. Of course, on the outside I was calm and genteel while on the inside I was screaming "OH MY GOSH IT'S ROBERT REDFORD!"

We made so many new friends with people from all walks of life.

And as all good women do, we chatted about many things like family, church, our faith, and the fun of being a part of the movie.

Many hours were spent waiting between scenes.

But we were patient, enjoying the entire experience.

It wasn't just the ladies waiting and talking but the gentleman and soldiers too.

The attention to detail in this film was amazing from jewelry...

to hair...

clothing...

and lace shawls.

All of us enjoying the excitment of Hollywood and each other's company.

Smiles...

coffee (lots of coffee!)...

comraderie...

and conversation.

The days (and nights as there were some all night shoots) were long but well worth every minute.

But as with all fairy tales the end must come and we must return to our regular daily lives. We exchanged email addresses and phone numbers in the hopes that we will see each other again. I had one of the most memorable experienes of my life and I loved every minute of it!

There is more to the story but I will save that for another time. For now I will say that I was given a role (not a speaking one) that made the whole experience even more memorable.

Say a prayer that the scene makes it to the final movie:).

Until then visit the website below for more pictures of the filming taken by Michelle (one of the other extras and a truly amazing woman:).

http://www.flickr.com/groups/theconspirator/

I really must go as my pumpkin awaits...

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BTW, for those of you who are fans of the Kramer Chronicles visit my other blog for a Kramer Christmas post

http://bathtubdiary.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Fairy Tale Continues...

OK, I've kept you waiting long enough.

Hubby and I are extras in the upcoming movie 'The Conspirator' currently filming in Savannah and directed by Robert Redford.

Most all of the extras are wearing dresses from wardrobe. However, my own dresses were chosen (I am so excited for Christine:) for me to wear!

I couldn't resist taking a picture of the people gathered to take pictures of all of us:).

Hubby and some of the other gents in the movie.

Some of the lovely ladies who are also extras
(yeah, I know, the coffee cups kinda ruin the atmosphere).

Two dear ladies who I am proud to say are now friends.

Taking a break.

More of the handsome gents.

A very handsome gent:).

Group pose!

No matter how dressed up we get, the modern technology of the day gives us away!

I must say that it was an amazing experience. We made some new friends and got to meet some stars. If you'd like to know more about the movie there are several websites (Savannah Now has lots of pictures) you can visit. The movie is about Mary Surratt, one of the co-conspirators (supposedly) of Abraham Lincoln's assasination. I have a whole new respect for movie makers after seeing all that goes into the making of those two hours on the big screen.

Hmmm...there is one more piece of exciting news.

Then again I need to leave something for discovery when the movie comes out:).

Monday, November 2, 2009

From Pumpkin to Carriage

Remember in the fairy tale when the pumpkin turned into a carriage?

Once upon a time,

a handsome hubby heard an add on the radio announcing a casting call in Savannah for a movie.
So he and his wife went to Savannah with photos and resumes in hand.

Within a couple of weeks they were called to come back with their finest clothing and jewelry.

Luckily the wife's dearest friend and fairy dress maker, Christine, had just completed another of her masterpiece gowns!

Silk flowers with beads and vintage lace trim lined the bodice...

and the sleeves.

And so began the fairy tale to come with romantic mansions, horse-drawn carriages, and lots of stars.

Come back tomorrow for more:).

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Sunday Wisdom

"Many are the plans in a man's heart,

but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

Proverbs 19:21, NIV

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Jane Austen at Seabrook Island

Hello my dear blogland buddies! It is good to be back after something of a long absence. I will get into the reasons behind my absence in a future post but for now I want to share some of the events that have taken place over the past few weeks:).

Last Saturday I was honored to perform as Jane Austen for the JASNA-SC group at Seabrook Island.

A luncheon was served commemorating the 15th anniversary of the group.

Upon arriving at the clubhouse a beautiful beach front view beneath sunny skies greeted us.

We ascended the grand staircase in style.

Here I am as Jane Austen just before the performance.
My dear friend Christine made the dress:).

After a delicious lunch of grilled salmon with chocolate pecan pie for dessert I began my portrayal of Jane Austen.

Many of the ladies were dressed in Regency period attire.

Robin, me, and Libby on the staircase.

Jane Austen wrote often of the beach so it was only proper that I should be photographed with the beach in the background:).

Libby in profile as a lovely Regency lady.

A famous Jane Austen pose.

Jane Austen enjoying the ocean breezes.

Robin and Libby join in on the beauty of the day.

To top off a lovely day of friendship and talk of Jane, I won the door prize!!! The basket was filled with goodies like a bookbag from the recent Jane Austen anuual meeting in Philadelphia, a Regency style headdress, Jane Austen magazines, and a beautiful book on Wedgewood china. It was a blessed day!

I plan on visiting all of my blogland buddies throughout the week and catch up on all of your wonderful posts. I have missed you all greatly and will explain my recent absenteeism from blogland further on Monday's post. Until then all I will say regarding my absence is that it was 'a conspiracy':).