Oct
18
Posted by dodo
Man is born free but is everywhere in paper chains.
In a pathetic attempt to be more creative last year I got a book on Christmas decorations out of the library. I could have Christmas at my fingertips, the author advised me brightly, by learning how to make a simple evergreen corsage, how to decorate an outdoor tree, how to make my own candles, and, worst of all, how to give a gala air to breakfast on Christmas morning. Read the rest of this entry »
Sep
14
Posted by dodo
Quilt-making has nearly as many traditions and patterns as there are stitches in a quilt.
There are examples of quilt-work, from cot-size to grand wedding quilts, dating back through centuries and from such diverse countries as the USA, France, Britain, India and Japan.
Currently popular and collectable are the quilts of the American Amish, a conservative religious sect which shuns adornment and does not use floral or patterned fabrics in sewing. Designs on Amish quilts are made up from the shapes of the fabric pieces and the order in which they are assembled. The quality of the handiwork is especially important, as the stitches stand out clearly on the plain fabric. Read the rest of this entry »
Sep
10
Posted by dodo
It is known that certain toys were in existence in Ancient Greece and Rome, including hobby horses, hand carts and tops. Later, in the Middle Ages, childhood was not considered as a separate stage of life and children were expected to hunt and work alongside adults. Consequently the toys that were sold in fairs around the country differed little from those of hundreds of years before. There were still hobby horses, although they were more elaborately dressed, their bells and painted finery perhaps imitating the horses of jousting knights. Miniature farm animals were also popular, reflecting the mainly rural society, and tops and dolls were also commonly found. Read the rest of this entry »
Aug
25
Posted by dodo
Easter eggs were traditionally carved from wood or gathered from domestic fowl and decorated. Chocolate eggs became popular in the Victorian era.
Eggs have been a symbols of the spring calendar since pagan times. Long before the egg became a sign of the Resurrection, it was the fertility token of birth and growth. Chocolate, now a popular ingredient for the making of Easter eggs, was also associated with fertility and held to be of great value for its curative powers, by the Aztecs of South America. It was the Aztecs who gave the sweet brown substance its name from their word xococatl — xococ meaning bitter and atl meaning water. Read the rest of this entry »
Aug
21
Posted by dodo
Needlework samplers make gifts that may be treasured for years to come. Dates, names or initials personalize a sampler and add historical interest.
Samplers have a long and important history as chronicles of the social and domestic times in which they were made, and as records of family names and dates. They were so named because they were sewn by young girls who made up patterns from samples of different types of stitches they had learned. Popular sampler decorations included the maker’s name, the date on which the sampler was Completed, a religious or moral motto and a patterned border. Read the rest of this entry »
Aug
09
Posted by dodo
A stocking filled with gifts brings excitement to all children on Christmas mornings.
The custom of ‘Hanging up a baby’s stocking‘ is thought to have originated from the story of Bishop Nicholas on whom the Father Christmas legend is based. The story tells how a local nobleman had lost his fortune and was sadly unable to provide dowries for his three unmarried daughters. Read the rest of this entry »
