This Spring has been a Wash - Literally and Figuratively

Oh, Miss Elodie had such hopes for this reenactment season: the battles, the balls, the opportunity to wear a low-cut gown...but my gracious, it has been raining, and raining, and raining! Indeed every event has been either cancelled or severely curtailed by the Second Flood. Altho' Miss Elodie understands that this region is under severe drought, can't the rains begin after 5pm on Sunday? Made worse was the fact that her Lungs were not functioning At Their Best and so going out into the sometimes chilly spring rain was not an option.

Alas familial obligations will curtail attendance at most other events this year, though Miss Elodie does hope to see friends Dressed for the Occasion soon....

Old Fashioned Malady Prevents High-Tech Update

Miss Elodie would like to apologize for not updating this site as she is recovering from pneumonia. She is glad to say that she has not been afflicted with the Swine Flu and has yet to emit an "oink" with her "achoo."

Diversion Courtesy the BBC

Altho' Yours Truly is still terribly busy sewing not only a wrapper but a corded petticoat and refinishing a purchased silk dress, she still sometimes is able to find something to distract her. Today's discovery is an online game courtesy of the British Broadcasting Company. Try your hand at dressing up a figure in the costume of either the Tudor or more recent Victorian times. You have your choice of both female and (gasp!) male forms!

Enjoy!

Quite the Sew-n-Sew

Miss Elodie is pleased to announce that in less than two weeks she will be attending a delightful weekend filled with learning and laughter with other ladies of the same temperment. With only a few days left, the burning question on her's and everyone else's mind is, of course, what to wear? Daytime and dining are two events of concern, but foremost on Miss Elodie's mind is what to don in that time no longer so formal between dinner and bedtime...why of course, a Wrapper!


Alas, such an article had not yet made it into Miss Elodie's wardrobe and so what does an enterprising young miss do? Why sew one--and--rather ambitiously, without the aid of a machine. Will it be wearable (brava!) or a disaster (quel d'hommage!)




Tune in to see what creation falls off her needle using Past Patterns Wrapper #807 and this lovely brown print.

Passion for Fashion (Plates)

Those close to her know that Miss Elodie is an ardent follower of fashion. Now, when she refers to the word, she doesn't mean Fashion as in Fashion Week or Fashion Magazine. Oh no. Miss Elodie's mood for the mode is satisfied by the exquisite format of disseminating style: the Fashion Plate.

The magazine Godey's Ladies' Book is a particularly famous resource for Miss Elodie's obsession, but others such as La Mode Illustree and Pariser Moden are a delight. Recently she spent a splendid afternoon perusing a collection of plates. Soon dresses began to dance before her eyes and an entire wardrobe was inspired. Oh My!

Then the constraints of time and talent, not to mention her empty coin purse brought Miss Elodie back to reality. Alas, the wardrobe must remain locked and the dresses must need dance in her mind rather than on her figure. Nonetheless, Dear Reader, please enjoy some of these visual treasures and imagine the possible confections to be created!

Fashion Plates

Sweet Surrender!

Sometimes Miss Elodie's ramblings turn beyond her own small world. Today she encountered the journal of a very busy lady who is also interested in making everyone's day a little brighter.

Mrs. G. at Pastoral Symphony Farm has taken on the challenge of harvesting and processing her own maple sugar and has even announced a contest in which the winner will receive a pint of her home-brewed confection.


Oh bliss!

What, ask you? How could it be that a sugar-cane-ophile be a devotee of syrup derived from from genus Acer? Simply this: fresh maple syrup is heavenly; besides, despite her family's two hundred-fifty years in Louisiana, they did spend a good century and a half settling Canada first.

Á La Douceur de Vivre!

Mad about the Menger

This past week Miss Elodie had the honor and privilege of attending a Valentine's Day Ball at the historic and beautifully appointed Menger Hotel in San Antonio, Texas.

While most visitors spend most of their time at the San Antonio de Valero Mission, also known as the Alamo, located just next door, Miss Elodie must confess that the surroundings of the Menger are more to her liking.

Here in the Victorian Lobby The Party gathered for the Parade into Dinner.

Later, the doors to the Ballroom were opened and Miss Elodie and her Partner were second in line for the Grand March. The evening would have been perfect had not History Repeated itself again when Miss Elodie made one misstep during the infamous Virginia Reel and made more contact with the ballroom floor than she would have preferred. Nonetheless, the Dance takes precedence over any personal Discomfiture therefore she completed the Reel and enjoyed the remainder of her evening.

It was a wonderful Valentine's Day that will be enshrined in her memory. Miss Elodie hopes yours was as special!