Tag Archive | style

Junie in the Good Old Days

Aug18

This is my other grandmother, Junie. She looked quite fashionable with her pretty bobbed, wavy hair and winning smile! It appears that she may be wearing white “Mary Jane” shoes – the style little Sylvia asked Papa for in The Vision of a Mother’s Heart. She also played several musical instruments just like Isabel’s “Mama”!

I love the little kitten on the porch too! Junie lived in West Virginia when this picture was taken. If she had grown up in Roanoke, she could have been one of Isabel’s friends!

We can learn so much from old photographs. Apparently, Junie was a happy girl. She had such a beautiful smile – even when she was a baby! White was apparently a popular choice for clothing.

Junie the one wearing a smile in the center front. There are so many things in this photograph that helps in research.
Notice how the little girl’s dresses are cut.
A simple neckline without a collar and apparently without a facing. (For my friends who sew).
The sleeves are set in simply – no gathering or “puffs”.
They are wearing sensible shoes.
The popular “bob” or pageboy haircuts.

Junie’s mother is wearing the type of apron I envisioned “Mama” wearing in
The Vision of a Mother’s Heart.
Her father (“Daddy Ben”) is wearing a suit and tie.
The shoeless/bootie-less baby sleeping peacefully in her mother’s lap. Such tiny toes!

It is probably after lunch and dinner so they are on the porch to cool off. When the wood or coal stove is used to cook, it takes a while for the house to cool down.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Junie’s Mama had warned her not to slam the screen door and I also imagine it squeaked when opened.

Obviously, this family loves cats too!

Oh, the stories and questions that come to mind when I look at old pictures.

How long did they have to hold their breath and sit still so that the photo would turn out?
Why do some of the family members look tired and perhaps a little grumpy? Heat perhaps?


Who took this picture?

What do you see in your family pictures? What can you learn from them? I would love to hear your stories too! Remember, your grandchildren will someday look at pictures of you. What would you want them to know?

 

Handkerchiefs

Jun13

In the Vision of a Mother’s Heart, handkerchiefs are often mentioned. Isabel saved one that her “Mama” had embroidered for her and is again mentioned in the sequel I am currently working on, Hope Beyond The Sunset.

Notice the folded handkerchief in this photograph. It belonged to my grandmother, Isabel.

Apparently, even as a child I loved “old fashioned” things. I had a clear idea of gifts perfect for my grandmother. Talcum powder with the big, fluffy powder puff, a broach with pansies painted on it (even though I never remember her actually wearing broaches or pins) and always thought the greatest gift was a pretty hankie. I don’t know how old I was when I gave this hankie to Granny but she returned it on my wedding day to carry on that day and to keep. She also gave me the pansy broach (I will write about this later) and a double string of pearls which I passed down to my sister when she got married.

I love this hankie and think of her every time I open my music/trinket box. Now that I am older, I realize she could have been offended by my stereotype gifts but she always graciously received each gift as if it was “just what she wanted!”

I have several vintage hankies passed down from family members and some “new vintage” hankies that I have ordered through the years. I have thought about making a quilt, pillows or “something” to display them while creating a legacy to pass down to other family members some day.

I ran across this website and thought others who have an affection for hankies too will enjoy this site too. Perhaps you will see one that reminds you of your grandmother!

Do you have a story or craft relating to vintage handkerchiefs? I would love to read about it!

http://www.nanaluluslinensandhandkerchiefs.com/