On Ladybirds

Ladybirds, or as they known in the U.S., ladybugs, are a marvelous little insect that can do a world of good for one’s garden. An abundance of aphids munching away on your plants, for example, can be easily got rid of with an introduction of some lucky ladybirds who will then happily much away on them. On the less practical side, as a child it can be rather fun to go ladybird hunting to see just how many of them you can find hiding in the grass or on plants. This not only presents something amusing to do outdoors, but allows the nervous child to see that not all insects are icky and out to get you.  

In addition, they also make a wonderful subject for a nursery rhyme. However, in this case, one is left to wonder what reason a ladybird would have for a pudding or frying pan and, in the event of a fire, why the smallest of their children would chose to hide under one instead of fleeing. Aside from this, though, these glossy red and black insects are a favorite of many and will continue to be for a long time yet. ♥   

On Today's Vintage Shopping Adventure

We now interrupt this blog’s regular style of writing for a brief account of my visit to an antique shop…

Today I visited a lovely vintage shop where, in addition to getting to see a great deal of really neat antiques, I made some wonderful vintage sewing finds, which I’m quite excited about! The place I went to had things crammed in absolutely everywhere, so both items I found took quite a bit of digging, but they were definitely worth the search.

The first thing I found was a book called Cutting Out & Making Up of Garments (formerly entitled Cutting Out For Student Teachers according to the front inside cover) written by Amy K. Smith.  It was located in a back corner, underneath a mannequin (wearing a rather annoying outfit that kept getting in the way, I might add), in a large bucket of sewing supplies,  behind what I believe was pedestal-stand candy dish filled with bias tape and various rick-rack, and several 1960’s patterns. And how, one might ask, did I notice it underneath and behind all these things? By seeing the cute little heart on the top corner sticking out and having to know what book it belonged to!

Isn't it pretty?

It was printed in London and covers all manners of things such as knickerbockers, pinafores, and sleeping suits, so I shall now feel quite prepared should I ever happen to make any of these.

The second thing I found after rummaging about in a trunk containing a variety of table cloths, scarves, and linens was a small bundle of fabric scraps. I spotted the blue flowered and pink striped piece and for some reason instantly fell in love with it. My first thought was that it would be perfect for curtains, but as I don’t have a small window to make curtains for, I might just make a bag out of it.

My three pretty fabrics

All in all, it was a fun shopping excursion and I will definitely be going back again to look for more treasures!

And now back to the regular blogging style…please stay tuned for the next blog post on ladybirds!♥

On Alice in Wonderland Day

Today marks the 160th anniversary of the birth of Alice Liddell, the real Alice for who the story of Wonderland was originally written. Born in 1852, Alice Pleasance Liddell was the fourth child of Henry and Lorina Liddell, became the wife of Reginald Hargreaves in 1880, and was the mother of three children. Today in Llandudno a celebration in honor of her birthday included jam tart eating and dressing as characters from the book, among other things.

So, while the day is coming to a close, hopefully you have found some time to have a caucus-race, attend a mad tea-party, to eat a tart, to play croquet with your pet hedgehog and flamingo, or to maybe to have just sat down and read Lewis Carroll’s wonderful book, which takes place on May 4th. Happy Alice in Wonderland Day! ♥

On Things That Are Green

There are a great many things in this world that are green, among which can be found plants, bugs, eggs and ham, houses, frogs, and jackets worn by little men as they go trooping up the mountains and through glens.

With spring having begun last week, let us look at the first two items listed; both which we will be seeing more of in the coming weeks. Plants, which make up the majority of green things, can lead an individual to happiness or distress. If you find yourself surrounded by them in a garden it can be most pleasant and provide you with a relaxing afternoon or they may make up that tasty salad you had for lunch. In contrast, an encounter with poison ivy will most likely lead to a great deal of itching and most likely the wish that you had paid more attention to the plants you had touched. Bugs, unlike plants, usually bring about thoughts of disgust or of horror and more often than not appear on an individual seemingly out of nowhere to bring one to a sudden state of shrieking in attempt to be rid of them. While this is not the case for all green bugs, few would probably be glad to find themselves the unsuspecting transportation for a grasshopper or caterpillar.

And with that, as you go about your week consider all the lovely green things around you and try not to go near plants that will make you itch! ♥