A Limited Knowledge of Alice’s Wonderland

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A Limited Knowledge of Alice's Wonderland, The Artyologist

To be completely honest, I don’t really know anything about Alice in Wonderland. I have never read any of the books by Lewis Carroll, I only watched the Disney movie once when I was a child, (and was promptly scared by it) and have never watched any of the newer versions for the same reason. This quote, pretty much sums up my knowledge of the story:

Alice laughed. “There’s no use trying,” she said. “one can’t believe impossible things.”

“I daresay you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

A Limited Knowledge of Alice's Wonderland, The Artyologist

However, despite the fact that I don’t really know anything about the story, I have seen several Alice in Wonderland inspired photo shoots before, and they have always been rather fun and surreal, so I thought it would be fun to do one myself, and I even had a vaguely Alice inspired outfit to wear. (And my sister had a fun saturated setting on her camera that she was wanting to try out.) I actually had to Google “Alice in Wonderland” to see what it all entailed, before I could do the photos. (I also learned, via that search and from snippets of my memory, that the story involves a tea party, talking flowers, a potion and a rabbit with a clock.)

I decided that this most recent sewing project would be a good “Alice” inspired outfit to wear. This is another skirt made with the same technique as my dutch wax, black floral, and recycled bed sheet skirts. (Definitely a tried and true pattern!) I find them to be so versatile for summer, that I decided to make another out of a remnant of denim I’ve had for a few years. I used to have a dress made out of this cute fabric, when I was 12, and the remnant leftover from that dress was so small, I could never squeeze enough fabric out of it to make anything. However a gathered skirt was the perfect choice. There was just enough fabric to get a gathered skirt, suspenders, waistband and a button placket up the front instead of a zipper this time. (Just so they wouldn’t all look exactly the same!) There was only about a 10″ x 6″ square of material left over. Definitely a stash busting project!

With the outfit ready, I added in a potion bottle necklace, a miniature teapot tchotchke, a clock, an oversized teacup, and “talking” pansies. So, here is the result of my limited knowledge of Alice’s Wonderland.

Outfit Details:

Skirt: Sewn by me

Peasant Blouse T-Shirt: Owned it for years

Shoes: Miz Mooz, This style is no longer available, but they have similar styles.

Bottle Necklace: Thrifted

Headband: Handmade, bought from a local boutique

A Limited Knowledge of Alice's Wonderland, The Artyologist

A Limited Knowledge of Alice's Wonderland, The Artyologist

A Limited Knowledge of Alice's Wonderland, The Artyologist

A Limited Knowledge of Alice's Wonderland, The Artyologist

A Limited Knowledge of Alice's Wonderland, The Artyologist

Guest Posting Today For Zella Maybe

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Guest Posting Today for Zella Maybe, the artyologist

Today I am sharing a guest post over at Jessica’s blog Zella Maybe, while she is on holidays (in Hong Kong- how cool! And also so funny that this week I was writing two different guest posts, for two fellow vintage ladies, who are both on holidays, and are both named Jessica!) I just discovered Jessica’s blog earlier this year, and was instantly hooked with her great editorial style vintage photo shoots, so I was delighted when she asked me to share a guest post with her readers. The post is all about how you can use accessories to evoke a different mood or era. I had a lot of fun writing this one (and also discovered a new love of the 1970’s), so jump over to Zella Maybe, to see how I created six different vintage outfits out of three, and get some inspiration for restyling your own outfits too! (And check out some of her great fashion shoots too if you don’t already follow her!)

Chronically Vintage Guest Post Today

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Chronically Vintage Guest Post Today, the artyologist

Hello everyone, as I mentioned on Friday, I am guest posting today for Jessica of Chronically Vintage, while she is on holidays (in my own delightful province of Alberta!) I have been following Jessica’s wonderful blog for a few years now, so I was very excited when she asked to do write a guest post for her. Today, I am sharing a before and after, of how I made this ugly little felt hat I picked up back in April, into a Philip Treacy inspired flower topped hat. So, hop on over to Chronically Vintage to see more pictures, a tutorial for how I made this chiffon flower, and inspiration for embellishing your own thrift finds! (And take a look through her blog while you are at if, if you don’t follow her already!) 🙂

Watercolours Lately: At the Farmer’s Market

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Watercolours Lately: At the Farmer's Market, the artyologist

A few weeks ago my sister decided to get a table at the local farmer’s market to sell some of her handcrafted jewelry. It went so well for her, that she decided to get a table the next week as well, and she asked if I wanted to share the cost of a table, and sell some of my watercolours. I said yes, but I only had 3 greeting cards ready to sell- so that meant a whole lot of painting over the weekend! A few years ago, I did up some painted cards, but I had really gotten out of the habit. I haven’t been painting as much lately as I would like to. In fact, the last time I picked up my watercolours and my brush was way back in February when I made Valentine’s cards. Sometimes it is so easy to neglect the things that we love doing… why is that I wonder?

I was a bit nervous to start again, wondering if I had perhaps forgotten technique, and I was afraid that I would end up with some kindergarden style finger paintings, but surprisingly, I got right back into the swing of things, and had a great time making these up. Actually, I looked at some of the paintings I made a few years ago, and I like how these turned out a lot better. I got some new finer art pens a couple of months ago 0.5 mm instead of 0.7 mm, and it made a big difference!

Watercolours Lately: At the Farmer's Market, the artyologist

I didn’t really do very well at the market, as it was a slower day, and I think people were there mainly for the fresh garden vegetables. (To be honest, that is why I go to the market too!) However, I did sell a few cards, and I got some good feedback, so I am planning on sharing a table again at the Christmas market. I think things will go better then, as people are looking to buy at Christmas time! Anyways, even if the cards didn’t sell very well, I had a lot of fun making them, and I am glad that I had a reason to get back into painting. Now, let’s keep it up right?

Do you do watercolours, or any other kind of artwork? Do you have any fun hobbies that you find yourself neglecting?

Watercolours Lately: At the Farmer's Market, the artyologist

Watercolours Lately: At the Farmer's Market, the artyologist

Watercolours Lately: At the Farmer's Market, the artyologist

ps. Things have been rather busy and hectic around here the past few weeks; sometimes life just has a way of getting in the way of things and I’ve been a bit quieter around here, and on the internet in general. Next week I am writing two different guest posts, which I am very excited to share with you. As the two ladies I am writing for, are going on holidays, I thought it was perhaps a good time for me to have a break, myself (and catch up on reading blogs, as I just haven’t had the time lately for that!) So I won’t be posting here next week, however I will let you know when my guest posts go live, so you can go and check them out on the other blogs!

1965 Fashion: Terylene Goes On Holiday

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1965 Fashion: Terylene Goes on Holiday, the artyologist

There are exciting sunny days to look forward to, and how easy it is to look our best in summertime when there is a wealth of gay, prettily patterned fabrics to choose from. We have selected our favourites from Cavendish’s extensive Terylene range- fabrics that wash like a dream, are easy to pack, shed their creases and need little ironing. For home dressmakers there are five patterns that make the most of Terylene’s marvellous qualities.

Today’s Fashion Moment is brought to you by this Woman and Home magazine from May 1965.

(Sorry for being terribly out of season! We don’t have sunny days ahead, but I really wanted to post these while it’s still summer, before the calendar flips from August to September, and we start to turn our thoughts to colder days. Except, of course, for my readers from the Southern hemisphere; in which case- Happy Springtime! These are right on time for you!)

1965 Fashion: Terylene Goes on Holiday, the artyologist, Woman and Home Cover

Have you ever read any vintage magazines? I found a few of these British “Woman and Home” 1960’s magazines at the thrift store a few years ago. Sometimes vintage magazines are great, and the fashion is often wonderful (or amusing if nothing else), but often the “self help” and advice is just Terrible. Yes, with a capital “T”. This magazine’s target audience, as far as I can tell, is the 30-something housewife, who is trying to keep up appearances with the neighbours, raise two neat and tidy children who dress in adorable clothes, remain fashionably attired herself, and above all keep her “youthful bloom” from fading, because if her husband starts fooling around with the secretary, who really could blame him? (But don’t worry, because with Melody hair dye, you can cover your grey hair, and keep your husband at home where he belongs.) Seriously, it is very depressing. But, then again, I find most modern “advice” columns to be pretty bad too.

Fortunately, I was not looking for advice when I picked up these magazines- I was after the 1960’s fashion columns! There are not many photo spreads, but there are enough to be interesting. (There are also some great advertisements, one of which I shared back in February!) I thought you all might like to see the fashion photos, so today I am sharing a column about the new “Terylene” fabric. Here are the rest of the magazine captions, and some lovely pictures to inspire you to 1960’s fashion greatness!

1965 Fashion: Terylene Goes on Holiday Woman and Home Magazine, the artyologist

For late afternoon wear, a “special” dress that is so appealing because of its relaxed and unruffled charm in a cool turquoise printed pique voile. (The colour is so off- it looks cerulean!)

1965 Fashion: Terylene Goes on Holiday, the artyologist, Woman and Home

For lazing in the sun, the ever popular shirtwaister brought right up to date in a dreamy lavender, pink and brown Terylene lawn, with a permanently pleated skirt and short raglan sleeves. And, an elegant yet comfortable two piece for carefree travelling in Terylene and viscose which has an easy fitting bloused top and a detachable ring collar in a toning abstract design. 

1965 Fashion: Terylene Goes on Holiday, the artyologist, Woman and Home

For the beach, a dazzling white two piece in Terylene and viscose, worn under a stunning beach shirt in filmy transparent pique voile. And, to offset a newly acquired sun-tan, a deliberately simple sheath in yellow and green printed crepe with the back revealing a deep slashed V trimmed with frills.

1965 Fashion: Terylene Goes on Holiday Woman and Home Magazine Beach Suit, the artyologist

1965 Fashion: Woman and Home, Terylene Goes on Vacation, the artyologist

And this one was not from the Terylene article, but I thought I’d include it, as it fit in nicely: Prettiest 4-ply cardigan with well-styled favourite raglan sleeves. A contrast colour picks out the focal points- delicate bands of pattern and fancy borders.

I absolutely love the first image, of the ruffled V back sundress. It would be so perfect for the sunny summer days. Which outfit here is your favourite? Would you wear any of these? And have you ever heard of Terylene before? (I hadn’t!)

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