Today I share two more of my dolls and have a new idea mid-video for one of them.
Summer Video Series – Bonnet Stays
Today’s video talks about how to keep a bonnet on your head and attach a bonnet stay or crossband. Please read my previous article on Bonnet Stays for more information and photos. Find velvet covered Crossbands available at Timely Tresses.
Sorry for the quick end to the video. My allergies were getting really irritating and about to be problematic.
Summer Video Series – Fan Box pt1
This weekend we are making boxes to hold fans. The video is split in two parts….
Small box dimensions:
- Bottom and lid – 3″×8″
- Sides – 2″×8″
- Ends – 2″×3″
- Flap – approx 1.5″×8″
- Finished box – approx 8″×3″×2″
Large box dimensions:
- Bottom and lid – 3″×10″
- Sides – 2″×10″
- Ends – 2″×3″
- Flap – approx 1.5″×10″
- Finished box – approx 10″×3″×2″
Summer Video Series – Follow Afroculinaria
For this first Follow Friday, I want to introduce you to Micheal Twitty, author of The Cooking Gene and the blog Afroculinaria. His latest post is a nice introduction to his heart-filled writing style and the evolving story if The Cooking Gene.
Today is Juneteenth. Please take some time to learn about the importance of this day:
Summer Video Series –
Well, today’s video did not go as planned. For the first show’n’tell, I grabbed a box I thought would be easy. When I opened the little paper covered box, I was surprised to see the face inside. I instantly thought of the rebranding announced yesterday for the Aunt Jemima syrup. I thought this was done years ago. So, I was simultaneously surprised it hadn’t been changed earlier and glad it finally was. Looking at the box closer, I saw the lid and bottom had the opposite sides of a topsy turvy doll. I say it made me feel a little better. But, not much. Those dolls have always been unsettling. The whole thing of having a head at each end was/is just plain creepy. The stories I’ve heard over the years just make them more bothersome.
I invite you to learn more about racism in advertising through this virtual tour of the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at the Ferris State University.
Resources on Topsey Turvey Dolls
- “The Topsy-Turvy Doll: An Upside Down History” The New York State Historical Society.
- The Racial Symbolism of the Topsy-Turvy Doll” The Atlantic.
- This paper cem up in my search. While not specifically on topsy-turvey dolls, it gives a better understanding of the racial stereotypes in black dolls and advertising. This is the pdf link from the Google search. I need to back track the source for more info amd context. “Racialized Black Dolls: Compilations from Catalogs and Advertisements“
- Also added to my reading list: ”
Black Girls, White Girls, American Girls: Slavery and Racialized Perspectives in Abolitionist and Neoabolitionist Children’s Literature” byBrigitte Fielder
Summer Video Series – The Story of FanU
In today’s video, I talk about how I came to write Fanciful Utility and share some of the smaller projects in my Etsy shop.
Project Reflection
Given the seasonal transition today represents, as abstract as it feels, I am reflecting on the state of projects.
Okay, so, I sorta just did this with my UFOs list. Well, it is really on my mind. I keep resorting them in my mind.
I needed to go back to my February Reflections to see what the list looked like then
Much of this is on hold or fallen off my attention list. The pink plaid parasol became the brown parasol, which is in progress. The wool petticoat and modern silk bag are complete.
My list of projects has evolved with the circumstances…..
Works in Progress
- Brown parasol
- White sunbonnet
- Birdcage Windsor Chair
Projects in the Works
- Modern dress from a sari
- Modern robe a la bed gown from a sari
- Pink sunbonnet
Projects in the Wings
- Ticking embroidery
- Millinery for me
- Leafy fabric quilt
Projects in My Head
- 1830s dress (this has moved up in the list of interests)
- Crazy straw hat
- Check kerchief
- Stripe fichu
Summer Video Series – Welcome!
Welcome to the first day of the Summer Video Series!
Today, I introduce the new series and talk about how I got started making millinery.
The Summer Video Series will have a daily format with these theme days:
- Millinery Monday – A variety of milliney topics
- Tiny Tuesday – Sharing some of my dolls and doll projects
- Whimsey Wednesday – Talking about and making pen-wipers, pincushions and such.
- Thursday – Show’n’Tell
- Follow Friday – Bloggers, vloggers, artisans, and merchants you should know.
- Weekend – Projects or topics to be determined.
I plan to title each day’s video post with “Summer Video Series” and a sorta subtitle. This way the series is easily searchable but each day is more easily identifiable. The videos will likely stay numbered over in YouTube.
The easiest way to get daily notifications of new videos and post is to subscribe to this blog. There are two options to the right (or below on some mobile devices.) One option is to subscribe through a WordPress Blog Feed. The other option is to subscribe via email. I know some people are following my videos in YouTube. I understand that may be easier. But, I worry they may miss some content found in each blog post such as additional photos, descriptions, notes, and patterns or templates.
The Facebook groups will remain the same. I may update the name.
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 