Ta-Da!

Over the past few days my creative mode has taken over!

My house is a mess and my blog has been neglected but I am getting projects complete that have been in the making for some time now.

Here is the lovely shadow box frame that I won in a giveaway from Bertie at

http://aunt-mays-cottage.blogspot.com/
As I began to frame some of the photos from our weekend at Boone Hall I realized this frame was perfect. I used the tin type of hubby and I along with several vintage buttons and lace.
Then I tackled something that has been waiting for action for some time.
A vintage purse frame was calling out to be transformed!
The light fabric for the outside shell and the green fabric for the lining.
Then I dug through my stash of lace and vintage buttons and 'ta-da', here is the finished purse:).

After cleaning out my closet I realized I had some lovely velvets (ok, I got something in the house cleaned:). So I set to work on making some of the purses I see other ladies carrying at the reenactments (these purses are two pouches that drape over the arm). I didn't have a pattern so I made my own:).

From brown velvet skirt to...

brown velvet pouch purse.

Here is the inside view with vintage buttons to hold the pouch closed (the tassel trim is leftover from the shower curtain dress:).

From velvet dress to...

velvet pouch purse with black fringe trim.

Inside view of the pouch purse.

The great part was that no shopping was involved! Everything was made with things I already had:).

There is great pleasure in creating with what you have at hand.

What have you created lately without having to purchase anything?

That Darn Pumpkin is Back!

The sun welcomes us on a warm Sunday morning as many gather for church service which is held on the front lawn of the mainhouse.

After church the festivities resume including

shopping,
chatting,

and photography.

Hubby rests on the bench while we wait.

Finally it's our turn to have our photograph made.

(This is my infamous 'curtain dress' made from a shower curtain and velvet curtain panel. Curtain dresses-they're not just for Scarlett:)!

This gentleman from Gettysburg specializes in wet plate photography.

(Victorian Photography Studio)

His lovely wife assists.

We watch as our portrait develops.

The final result is an authentic looking tin type picture.

Afterwards we stop to visit with a member of the calvary.

As the sun hangs low in the afternoon sky it is time to return to our current era and the realities of life.

I thought I saw that pumpkin waiting to take me home!

It was a weekend filled with gentility and friendship.

Thanks so much for coming along!

A Ball at Boone Hall

As the sun sets over the water's edge...

hubby takes in the view.

It's time to dress for the Ball.
Let's see what I'll need for the evening.

Once the accessories are chosen I do my hair.
Hubby is handsome in his velvet collared vest.

I'm ready in one of the newest creations by my fairy dressmaker, Christine.

We stroll down a lantern lit avenue of oaks and arrive at the cotton dock to find friends waiting.

All were socializing and enjoying the general splender of the evening.

Oh my! She's due in just 9 days!

This lovely couple got engaged at this very Ball just two years ago:).

Visit the link below to see them at last year's event.

http://thevictorianparlor.blogspot.com/2008/11/little-fun.html

More of the lovely ladies in beautiful gowns.

Let the dancing begin!

This young man catches a snooze while ladies and gents twirl about inside.

After several hours of dancing and visiting the evening drew to a close.

Join me tomorrow for more of the weekend's events. I need to rest my weary feet:).

A Day in Times Gone By

From the encampment behind Boone Hall...

men in uniform marched preparing for the reenactment battle later in the day.

(a replica model of the Hunley is in the background)
It appeared early on that the day may have already gone to the dogs:)!

A ladies tea was hosted down at the cotton dock with ladies wearing their finest frocks.

Once the tea was over the activity on the dock increased.

This gentleman was relaxing before the battle that lay ahead...

while this young man searched for pearls amongst the oyster beds.

I found this handsome gentleman sitting on the dock by the bay:).

I contemplated how to approach him:).

Meanwhile others began to shade themselves from the midday heat beneath the coolness of the ancient oak trees.

Hubby gave me a lovely antique silver locket to grace my dress.

While some gathered beneath trees others were shopping!

Lovely ladies on their way to the next sutler's tent.

But the loveliness of the gardens beckons.

I rested on the bench taking in all of the beauty surrounding me.

Hubby and I wandered to the water's edge where a 600 year old oak tree towered above us.

As darkness began to envelope the day we realized it was time to prepare for the ball later that night.

And so the sun began it's descent bringing a close to a beautiful day of blue skies and past times.

Come back tomorrow for the Ball down at the Cotton Dock!

Bring your dancing shoes:).