Yu Ping's Mid-Autumn Festival

A third posting in one month?!  It has been done before.  Well, I make no excuses.  Its Mid-Autumn Festival time in China and today is Moon Day.  

The three day festival began on Sunday, and I've been having such a good time sharing Mid-Autumn posters and images on Facebook, and nibbling on red bean mooncakes, which I guess, should be eaten on Moon Day, but they were there and you know how that is.

Mid-Autumn Festival, or Mid-Autumn Day, is the second grandest festival in China after Chinese New Year.  It is celebrated on the on 15th day of the 8th lunar month, and this year, fell on September 21rst.  It is always in the autumn season of China.

As with all Chinese festivals, Mid-Autumn has its share of legends and history.  This one goes back 3,000 years to the time the Chinese regained China from the Mongols.

There is a wonderful legend called The Rabbit in the Moon, which tells the story of one noble little bunny who sacrificed his life so three hungry gods that came down to earth could eat.  The three immortables disguised themselves as old people and begged food from a fox, a monkey and a rabbit.

The fox and monkey shared their food, but the rabbit hadn't any, so he said, "You can eat me," and threw himself on the fire.  The immortals were so moved that they sent it to the moon to become the immortal jade rabbit.

The rabbit is honored today and the story told at festivals.  There is another popular story of the wife of Hou Yi, Chang E, who tried to protect an elixir that would make a mortal into a god.  Her husband asked her to keep it safe, but the secret was out and a villain came to steel it, so she drank the elixir and tried to fly to fly to the moon.  Hou Yi, missing his wife, began to place his wife's favorite foods on the table each full moon.  This tradition became the basis for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

So while I was celebrating these three days in my own quiet way, I decided to dress Ten Ping in her Mid-Autumn outfit, and scrambled to make Yu Ping something to wear.  I chose a feather weight navy corduroy to make an apron from and piped and lined it in a floral Lawn.  I then appliqued a moon and rabbit to the apron's front.

Last night I made her a moon standard and a rabbit puppet to tell the story of The Rabbit in the Moon in her own way.

In these photos you will see a real mini mooncake sitting on the table, which is made from sweet red bean paste, wrapped in pastry, and stamped with symbols such as longevity and health.  I've never tried the more traditional mooncake that boasts a salted duck egg yolk in the center to represent the moon.  Someday.  When I don't have to buy in quantity!

Below are some stock photos from Ruby Red Galleria of Gigi and Ten Ping in the costumes that were made for them just for this occasion.  Sadly, I do not have Gigi's.  And, some other charming and beautiful images found on Pinterest.  Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, and Happy Autumn Equinox!  Tomorrow is our first day of fall.  Might be a good day for take out Chinese food!

Love,

Melissa

Chang E

A family celebrating with Cheng E

Cheng E and the Rabbit

Wonderful little book!

Celebrating with friend, Belinda

 

Mignonette as Little Red Riding Hood

It was not my intention to write a second blog posting this month, but sometimes its a go.  And, there's not much more to add to what I've learned on the history of Little Red Riding Hood, but extensive research might prove fruitful...if I was writing a thesis.  Which I'm not.  I'm just having fun sharing.

After making over the Iacono doll, I wanted to do just a bit more.  I hadn't made anything new for my favorite Wendy Lawton doll, Mignonette, in ages, and it struck me that she needed a new costume.  She's been displayed for a few years in the Bo-Peep costume I'd made her, so it felt natural to make her a Red Riding Hood one as well.   And, of course, the color theme would need to be pink - or at least have a lot of pink in it.

Some of you might recall that Mignonette was designed by Wendy after an antique Simon and Halbig mignonette with trunk and trousseau.  Boneka, then, beautifully recreated the  

costuming with all the details in the antique trousseau.  They were all pink.  Included were reproductions of all the little accessories, which included two little lamb figurines.  This is where I got the idea to create the Bo-Peep costume for her.  At any rate, it was time to play with her again.

I don't know why my Iacono Red Riding Hood fell flat with the audience on Facebook, but my guess is that many people like the Iaconos just as they are.  For when I shared a photo of Tales of Red Riding Hood with her marionette theater, I received lots of comments.  Undoubtedly the theater is the focus, and its why I love the doll, too.  Still and all, I sew for myself, and if I'm pleased with the outcome, I'll share it.  And, let's face it, my vision is personal.  I don't expect others to share it, or feel the same way I do when a project is complete, but its all part of the creative process, which again, is what this blog is all about.

Speaking of vision...and personal...I continue to be awed at the vast and varied illustrated renditions of this story.  I haven't shared any of the DeviantArt images I've found on Pinterest, as they might offend people.  DeviantArt is an official site, a community of artists sharing uncommon art.

By definition, deviant means departing from the usual or accepted standards, especially in social or sexual behavior.  Now if you clip off the "especially..." part, some of my work might be considered...at least a departure.  So undressing a used doll, giving her a new wig, eyes, costuming...identity, might bother some folks.  I make no apologies.  Dolls are to be played with, especially damaged dolls that would love a new chance at grace.  I digress.  But my point is that even I will often pass over something that is different.  What I do enjoy sharing is a love of childhood imagery, and Mignonette is the perfect little doll for fanciful antique costuming.

When I first saw this die cut bookmark, most likely taken from an antique fairytale book, I became interested in making one for a doll.  There was only one 

doll in my collection that would look darling in it, so I undressed Mignonette and began designing with the paper towels.

I love everything about this costume from the pink apron to the yellow cloth in her basket.  And, because she's a special Lawton doll, I chose to make her costume in silks and velvet.  

I began with a pair of white tights.  Again, there is no doubt that they are the perfect solution to simple undergarments.  

Next I tackled the shoes.  I struggled with these little black shoes with the silver-centered buckle.  These should have been pretty straight forward, but I'm making them over the tights.  If you make them directly on the feet (as lasts), the bulk of the tights on the foot would not fit within the shoe.  Its tricky, but worth it.

Mignonette wears a white batiste chemise with puffed sleeves and a fully gathered neck edged with a band.  The band is on the straight, not the bias, so it has a bit of stand.

A red silk skirt goes beneath the pink panier or apron and both are sewn into the one pink waistband to reduce bulk.  I think these aprons had pull strings sewn into them so that the apron could be worn long, or cinched up the sides when the girl was working.  Its a lovely look, but it was equally functional.  What they were actually called is unknown to me.  If you know, please share this with me.

Her vest is also silk and fully lined.  Its was a tedious time turning this thing inside out through the shoulders, but I did it.  

Her Little Red Cap is velveteen.  This is such a sweet costume.

I wasn't up to making another bottle and bread loaf out of Paperclay, as I wasn't too pleased the way the bottle came out, AND it takes a long time to air dry.  Also, I noted that in this illustration, the bottle was brown and it was accompanied by some kind of round red tin.  I think there's a brown pop top or spout on the top of the tin.  I studied it under a magnifying lamp and its only my guess that tinned biscuits or bread could have been the idea for this artist

Big sigh later, I remembered why I learned needle felting in the first place.  To make accessories easily.  So that is what I did.  You can sculpt with needle felting like no other medium.  Why not create the bottle and tin this way?

I included a small bouquet of daisies to pick up the yellow in the silk basket cloth.  Mignonette is a royal little doll.  She deserves the best.

Tomorrow is my birthday and having this costume done for it was my intention.  I've had so much fun this month with the Red Riding Hood theme and will follow it through for at least another week.  

I treated myself to a MIB Jonal teapot, and the very sweet, child's tin litho tea set seen in the following photographs.  I found an adorable "back and front" birthday card, printed it, cut it out, and set it up on my bedside table.  Its been a joy to have these treasures decorating spaces here and there.  And, now Mignonette is gaily dressed and will be in this costume until the next time I play with her.

I included a "sandstone" wolf to display with her.  I was tempted to needle felt the wolf in the die cut book mark, but keeping authentic to her trousseau and provenance, I chose a figurine, much as the sheep were.  To me this was more fitting.

I hope you'll enjoy the light and fanciful images below. 

For those unfamiliar with Wendy Lawton's Mignonette and Her Malle du Voyage, she's a 9" wood body and porcelain doll.  She was made in 1999, and the mahogany body on this doll was the last time Wendy would use these bodies.  She went with another vendor for a lesser wood at this time, so the dolls from 1999 back, are very dear.

Wishing you all a lovely rest of this September.  We're just around the corner from the fall equinox and to date, Christmas is 99 days away.

Love, Melissa

 

Little Red Riding Hood

Welcome September!  The first month of the 'bers.  My very favorite time of year.  This turn of the calendar evokes memories of the first days of school.  A new grade, new teachers, new things to learn and a few new dresses made by my grandmother (that looked nothing like the ones the girls wore, which were store bought).  My summers would pass slowly as my mother insisted sending her introverted daughter to things like day camp, girl scouts, a Singer sewing class that was a disaster, and later, summer school just to get me out of the house.  Excitement built as I counted off the days to my birthday, then Halloween, and so on.  It was only until the bleakness of January sank in that summer became something to look forward to.

I still feel a renewal each September the first.  And while logically it has no bearing on anything tangible, it launches a wave of creativity, sentimentality, and a craving for colorful trees, whether they be golden aspens, or darkly green forests

like the one Little Red Riding Hood took off through to deliver a picnic to her beloved grandmother who was ill.  This month I've been celebrating the charms, perils and mysteries of my first favorite fairytale.  One of the few books that my mother either gave to me, or had simply bought for my older siblings, was The Little Golden Book version of Little Red Riding Hood, copywrite 1948.  I was fascinated with the illustrations even before I could read.  This apple cheeked little girl tying the cord of her newly sewn red cape is from this book that was illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones.  I think perhaps this could have started a lifetime passion for Red and her story.

For years it was believed that the fairytale originated in France in the 17th century, but the story has been told in various renditions for more than 2,600 years.   As with most folklore, the tales traveled by trade routes, or migrations of peoples, the storyline changing to suit various cultures and times.  Some scholars believe stories such as this were created to help 

people navigate difficult times throughout the generations.  In the Chinese version, the "wolf" is a tiger.  In Iran, Red was a boy, as girls would not be allowed to "roam" alone.  The Grimm Brothers book was a selection of fairytales collected from the world over and compiled them into one volume.  My mother carried with her to the west, my grandmother's copies of The Red Fairy Book and The Blue Fairy Book.  I do not know what happened to these crumbling books - they were crumbling when I first saw them - but, I'll bet my sister might have an idea. 

Childhood gone, I was 17 years old when I first laid eyes on Trina Schart-Hymen's version of Snow White, published in 1974.  I did not hesitate to purchase a copy, and my mother would much later gift me a copy of Trina's Little Red Riding Hood for Christmas in 1985.  

My inspirations and passions for specific icons come and go like the seasons of the year, but Red and Alice always remain, even if they are undercurrents to some novelty that has popped into my head.  So for September, and to celebrate the beginning of the 'bers, I've dedicated this month to Little Red Riding Hood.  I've been sharing illustrations and dolls I own, along with vintage toys and paper dolls on Facebook.  And, after acquiring a Maggie Iacono doll with a hole in the felt of her leg, for a darned good price, I decided to make another Red so I could play this month.

I actually attempted to mend the hole, even though it would be hidden beneath a full skirt and red tights.  Now that I had a good pattern for tights, this would allow me to cover the doll's bottom without elaborate undergarments.  Not that I won't make them if necessary, but the tights are a wonderful transition for me.

Before I began work on Red, I spent a couple of weeks working on a doll that's to be a Christmas present.  This in itself got me back 

into the swing of sitting in my studio designing, and working at the sewing machine changing threads often as needed.  

I began with red tights.  Many of the illustrations I've collected showed Red in red stockings and I loved this.  The rest of the outfit would be built around it.  The next thing I made was a blouse, as I've come to enjoy working on the layering from the bottom up.  A pinstripe blouse in yellow and white would mellow the brightness of the red tights, and I really wanted more muted, subtle colors for the costuming.  

Thinking back to how Boneka and later, Lawton Doll Company, created their dresses, I wanted to make as few pieces as possible to avoid excessive bulk around the waist.  The skirt is one piece with two layers.  There's a ruffled half slip in a tiny print of red flowers and green spray with teeny dots of yellow flowers.  The skirt itself is a dark navy with a beautiful print of yellow and dark red flowers, blue forget-me-nots, and green leaves.  These two gathered pieces

were sewn into one waistband.  I found a pretty jacquard ribbon in beige and red muted tones to decorated the bottom edge of the skirt, picking up the colors in the ruffled underskirt.

The apron is a woven cotton of beige and brown stripes further muting the brightness of the dark navy print.  Why was this important to me?  Well, I was after a peasant look, or fairytale woodland look.  Red's mother would have sewn her outfit from whatever fabrics she had on hand, and most likely remnants from her own clothing.  The only fabric I purchased for this costume was the navy floral print, and I bought two, using this one as the favored.  It was also used in a border on the apron.

The color spot, the focus for the eye, was in the vest.  I've had on hand two large yards of this rose colored, woven plaid for ages.  The plaid lines are in dark red, light blue (picking up the forget-me-nots), and beige.  Its unbelievably fun to coordinate plaids and florals in similar hues.

The vest has four rose colored thread loops on each side for lacing the tie in front.  The tie is caramel colored Super-Suede, which is often used for embroidering into sweaters or needlework projects.  I love it for shoe laces, too.  Its getting harder to find now as the suppliers aren't sending stock.  I was lucky to get two cards when I ordered six!  One in black, and one in the caramel brown.  Super-Suede is a synthetic lacing, so sturdy.

Finally I was ready to sew the cape.  These might seem to be easy to make, but the drape on the doll is everything.  Often I will have to make a couple of mock ups to get just the right look.  The hood is another matter.  It may seem very large in the pattern, but if you intend on the doll wearing the hood up around her head, it must accommodate the wig she's wearing.

Red's cape was made in one of my precious, and very thin velveteens from the U.K.  Its a darker red, which is very elegant.  I considered lining it in red cotton as I did for the Father Tuck Red I created some years ago, but I wanted something different.  Also, I considered how a red lining in a red cape would look around the doll's head.  As I went through my fabric stash, I found this maroon print in the lightest lawn imaginable.  Its beautiful fabric.  It was a risk pairing the two fabrics, but it worked out beautifully.  The velveteen has the drape I wanted, and the lawn picks up the colors in the vest.  The different "reds" do not seem to clash.

You might be pressed to consider this a very "busy" costume, but personally, I find it blends very well.  Like a garden of flowers.

I chose a very curly, dark brunette, human hair wig for Red.  And, for the doll?  I retouched her eyes with watercolor pencils to give her brown eyes, then blushed her cheeks a bit more.

Earlier on, I made her a pair of black leather Mary Janes.  It continues to amaze me how long this doll's feet are.  But, she stands beautifully on them.

Finding bread and a bottle of wine was not going to happen, so I bought some Paperclay and sculpted them myself.  The bread is fashioned after a German loaf, and the bottle...well, it sits hidden in the basket, so let's not talk about how well it did or didn't come out.  Its green.  Its a wine bottle.  It works.  Her basket was hard to find, too.  Little baskets used to be plentiful, but nice ones need to be vintage, and no matter what rulers are put next to them, or descriptions in inches given, the actual basket, when it arrives, may not work for the doll.  So I'm accumulating a basket stash.  Just one of the reason I have so much clutter!  

I loved working on this project and for all intents and purposes, I made myself a birthday doll.  I'm tempted to make a brighter costume in pinks, with the red cape, for my Lawton 9" Mignonette.  She's been in her Bo-Peep costume for a few years now.  And, I'm also considering making a full costume set for the Three L's.  Louise would be Red, Laura, granny, and Lawrence, the woodsman.  How ambitious am I feeling?  I think Mignonette will get the costume, however should I create the set for the Three L's, my inspiration for Louise's costume will come from the bookmark of Little Red Cap, that I've included in the illustrations below.

I have so many wonderful illustrations of Little Red Riding Hood in my files.  All are favorites or I would not have saved them.  But, here, below, are a few I'd like to share.  If you love Little Red Riding Hood, look me up on Facebook (Melissa Hoover), and find my Home Page.  I'll continue sharing and celebrating Little Red Riding Hood throughout the month. 

Oh, one more thought.  I should have mentioned this earlier.  My version of the story is about the relationship between a girl and her wolf (her dog).  There is no "big bad wolf" in my story, only a hungry one that likes picnics.  Just a sharing of the love of hiking in the woods, picnics and unlikely friendships.  

Love, Melissa

Small porcelain trinket box.

American Girl Blaire

Liddle Red Riding Hiddle

Vintage front and back card.

Vintage wood block puzzle.

By Korean artist Na Young Wu

Little Red Cap bookmark