In One Autumnal Face

Just few little photo mosaics from a very successful photo shoot this past weekend. The gown shown is my 1770 era silk polonaise, affectionately dubbed the "Pretty Penny Gown". The matching hat & shoes were finished just in time for this years ONW/Colonial ball earlier this month. I'm wearing it over my standard underpinnings; red stomacher fronted stays, linen petticoat and cuffed linen shift. I did splurge and wear the delectable silk stockings from Spencer's Mercantile, which I received as a gift from my dear friend T. The outfit is accessorized with fresh water pearl drop earrings & matching necklace. Of course I couldn't dress up without including a few beauty marks. These are simple hearts, as I seem to have misplaced the tiny dancer I cut last year.

Photos are courtesy of my wonderful & talented friend A. I can't begin to thank her enough for braving the 35* weather with me (even though she had gloves!), chasing me around the gardens, making me laugh endlessly & most of all just being there to work on this project with me. She an extraordinary friend & I'm blessed to be the recipient of her talent.

All images were taken at Sinnissippi Gardens, a beautiful public garden and greenhouse in Rockford IL.

No Glove, No Love

From the Spence Collection at Bath.

Aren't these the most fantastic knitted mitts. I simply adore the pointed flap over the back of the hand. While the green mitts that I knitted myself are perfectly functional, I'd gladly trade them in for a pair that was even half as nice as these. Do you suppose if I started knitting them now, I'd have them finished by, oh, the tricentennial?

clipped from www.glovecollectioncatalogue.org A pair of ladies’ knitted mittens, probably Italian, early 18th century, unlined, knitted in silk/cotton mix in fine stocking stitch, with large carnation and pomegranate repeats in yellow, white and green on a pink lilac/ground, 37 cm long. Part of the Collection donated to the Livery in 1959 by the late Robert Spence. Conservation 1995 – 1999 sponsored by Past Master Margaret Linton.