Joy and Sorrow, with Hope.

I have been asked to make a few items recently which seem to fit into the cycle of life.

A gift set to send to Australia, for a new, much longed for baby, not quite yet delivered!

The gift-giver was quite specific in what he wanted, something "Traditional" in white, but not to look as though it were for a Baptism... hence the touches of green, with elephants marching across the bib. The set is made from a very fine cotton lawn with satin weave and embroidery details, and touches of antique insertion lace, all lined in cotton lawn (apparently, it will be hot in Australia when the baby gets to be old enough to wear it!)

The next project completed was for a Polish wedding, soon to take place, but as it hasn't yet, I can't really reveal "The Dress". It's for a lovely Welsh Lassie, who's marrying a dashing Polish Gentleman! Suffice to say, it involved a lot of piecing of extremely pretty lace, and swathes of silk satin, lots of buttons and a bow!

Sneak preview! Two different laces have been invisibly joined prior to piecing the back part of the bodice. 

The back after completion!

The last item is of a more sorrowful nature. It made me reflect on how fleeting life is, and how we should all prepare for death. A widow-to-be is expecting her terminally ill husband to die soon, and wanted a special mantilla to wear at his funeral. She had a specific idea of what she wanted. As I looked at the image she had in mind, I realised I would have to cut, shape and piece together lace. It was a time-consuming project, involving a lot of hand-stitching, all around the edges of the inset pieces of lace. But I found it a very moving task to sit quietly sewing the pieces together, and pray for her and her husband and family, and contemplate my own mortality too.

The first stage of shaping the lace edging around the dotted net. It was coming out bigger than the recipient wanted, so I had to bring the edging in more.

After completion.

When I started Zelie's Roses, I had little patience for hand sewing, wanting to get things finished speedily. The more I force myself to spend time creating things by hand stitching, the more I appreciate what Zelie Martin used to do in her lace-making! I hope I'm now of a level for her to have employed me as someone who pieces the lace together, since I still don't have the patience, or skills, to actually make lace!!

I like to add all the people I sew for to my prayers; a safe delivery for the baby and mother, a joyous and Christ-filled marriage for the happy couple, and the consolations of St. Joseph and Mary to be with the dying man and his family.

Mantillas for Mums, and Bonnets for Babies!

I've been making quite a few mantillas lately, and enjoy trying to fulfill the specific requests that people often make, like the brown cotton lace one that was recently asked for.

I love making bonnets too, but am sad that sometimes I don't get to see them being worn by their new owners.  If people buy anything from me, I love to have photos of them or whoever it has been bought for, modelling it.

This one was sent to Japan.

This was used for a Baptism at my Parish. Sadly, I didn't get a photo of baby in it, though!

This was made for baby Grace's Baptism -
I think the photo was taken on another occasion, though.

I love the delicate lace edging framing the face.

But I'm so glad I get to see this one being worn every Sunday!
Maria doesn't seem to mind keeping it on through Mass, either.

A nice easy to wear, elasticated bonnet with lace brim. £8.00 in polycotton, £15.00 in pure cotton, dependent on size.

                                                                             

Classic Tartan Elegance!

Okay Mamma, why have you plonked me here
in my Sunday best?

So I'm supposed to be looking this way am I?

Oh, I get it, it's a Zelie's Roses modelling session!
I'm happy to oblige. X

Traditional winter bonnets

I managed to capture a model to show off one of the winter bonnets (for more examples, please see the Bonnets For Sale page above.) Little Helena was fairly compliant for a wee while, but as her mamma and I did not dare to tie it on, in case it incurred her wrath, 

We managed to get this charming pose, before...

 the hand goes up and the 'I've had enough of modelling for one day' expression comes on her face!

Thank you Helena, it looks much better on you than off!

Mrs Piggy's Wardrobe

A new dress and bonnet for a little someone - do they seem a bit small? well, that's because they are for a very little pig!

I have a birthday for a god daughter coming up, and having recently acquired a vintage toy-making book, thought I'd battle the very minimalist instructions, and attempt to make a pig...

Of course, I didn't have an old vest in pink, but managed to find some nice T-shirting fabric which should do the trick.

Here she is in her natural state, coyly showing off her tail :-

With a change of underwear, to match her  reversible frocks and bonnet!

And of course, an outfit wouldn't be complete without a bit of denim, and a headscarf!

Byeee!

More Bonnet Models!

A new bonnet for a birthday girl, along with her favourite dolly's matching new outfit!

Beautiful Baby in Blue!

I have long desired to have a good model for my baby bonnets - I always ask people to send me photos of their darlings modelling my creations so I can show them on the blog, but alas, mothers these days are too busy to get round to it! - sigh - so most of the photos are ones that I have snatched, when I remember to bring the camera. I recently made my gorgeous niece model her two new bonnets, as bonnets definitely look better on a baby rather than off!
So... here is Angharad (not in matching outfits, I'm sad to say; I really must rectify that; but at least I got her with the bonnets on before she bawled) being the perfect model...

Ahhh, isn't she cute? I'll add more photos to show the bonnets off in the Mantillas and bonnets section.