Lunagirl Moonbeams by Lunagirl Vintage Images

So Romantic: Vintage Lovers Edwardian era & 1920s, Victorian Romance

2012-01-31T17:45:00.001-06:00

Lunagirl Vintage Lovers collection: 450 photos and postcards on CD features romantic couples taken from cards from the 1920s and Edwardian era.

You'll find romantic couples and wedding photos, plenty of passionate kisses, sassy flappers in fabulous fashions, Edwardian girls, dapper men, soldiers and sailors departing or returning to the women they love, even children playing at love.

"Vintage Lovers" is the companion CD to our "Victorian Romance" CD which features couples of the Victorian era in 550 images. If you want a more traditionally Victorian look in romantic photos and cards, click the picture to see!

Lunagirl Valentines Collage Sheets

2012-01-27T12:55:00.002-06:00

Ready to download today! Our collection of "mini" images perfect for Valentine's Day projects. These 1-inch circles, squares and little hearts are especially suitable for charms, pendants and other jewelry, but they can also grace your cards, scrapbooks, ATCs, etc. Use them to adorn and embellish tags, labels, holiday decorations....

Of course we have many other digital collage sheets for Valentine's Day and the theme of romance... plus designs for Easter, St. Patrick's Day and other holidays as well!

Snowflakes

2012-01-22T10:04:00.001-06:00

These are some of the amazing snowflake photomicrographs taken by Vermont farmer, scientist and photographer Wilson Bentley. It was Wilson Bentley who first proposed the idea that no two snowflakes are alike! As snowstorms blanket the East Coast and the Rockies this weekend, look around at all the white, millions and billions of snowflakes, and really think about how every tiny snow crystal is unique and one-of-a-kind!

Starting in January of 1885 Bentley took over 5,000 photographs of snow crystals ~ not an easy thing to do before they melt to water or sublimate directly to water vapor! After some experimentation, he developed the technique of capturing snowflakes on black velvet-covered boards and then quickly transferring to a microscope slide to take the photo. His work is an amazing intersection of science and art and a testament to the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

Joyeux Noel!

2011-12-24T13:25:00.001-06:00

Wishing you and yours a
Merry Christmas.

Visit us after Christmas to stock up on Lunagirl Images for winter crafts and art projects!

For the Winter Solstice

2011-12-22T07:08:00.038-06:00

I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December
A magical thing
And sweet to remember.

"We are nearer to Spring
Then we were in September,"
I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December.

- Oliver Herford

Today marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere). It is also the point in the Wheel of the Year when the days begin to lengthen again, when the Sun is "reborn" and starts to strengthen. Although today is the beginning of winter, it is also the day we shift from increasing darkness to increasing light.

Long before Christianity came to Europe, the ancient people there celebrated in December at the Winter Equinox (sometime around December 20-24), because although that is the darkest time of the year, it is also the time when days start getting LONGER again rather than shorter! They lit fires and candles to symbolically strengthen the sun's fire, and they decorated with the evergreens that magically survived through the winter. The Romans likewise held their greatest celebrations this time of year. This season has for thousands of years been a time of joy and celebration, and a festival of light.

P.S. Remember to put out food for the birds this time of year, especially when there is snow on the ground. Enjoy the season, and if the cold gets you down, remember that Spring is getting closer every day!

Victorian Christmas Punch & Eggnog

2011-12-20T09:27:00.018-06:00

In an 1847 letter, Charles Dickens gave the following recipe for Christmas Punch:
Peel into a very common basin (which may be broken in case of accident, without damage to the owner’s peace or pocket) the rinds of three lemons, cut very thin and with as little as possible of the white coating between the peel and the fruit, attached.
Add a double handful of lump sugar (good measure), a pint of good old rum, and a large wine-glass of good old brandy—if it be not a large claret glass, say two.
Set this on fire, by filling a warm silver spoon with the spirit, lighting the contents at a wax taper, and pouring them gently in. Let it burn three or four minutes at least, stirring it from time to time. Then extinguish it by covering the basin with a tray, which will immediately put out the flame.
Then squeeze in the juice of the three lemons, and add a quart of boiling water. Stir the whole well, cover it up for five minutes, and stir again.

I came across this authentic recipe from that most renowned of Victorian writers, and thought I would share. For more detailed instructions, visit http://historicalfoods.com/christmas-punch-recipe (Historical Foods is a fascinating site to explore). Please note that the instructions do include the warning to be sure to use a HEAT-PROOF PUNCHBOWL AND GLASSES. They might also include a reminder not to drink and drive after this festive concoction of sugar, citrus, rum and brandy!

And a Victorian Christmas would not be complete without eggnog (it was noted by an Englishman in 1866 that, “Christmas is not properly observed unless you brew egg nog for all comers; everybody calls on everybody else; and each call is celebrated by a solemn egg-nogging …"), so here is your link to Victorian-era recipes for authentic home-made eggnog: http://historicalfoods.com/egg-nog-recipe.

Mistletoe Lore & Traditions

2011-12-14T09:30:00.012-06:00

Mistletoe has been considered a magical plant at least since Roman times, when it was part of the Saturnalia festivals held at the winter solstice. It was sacred to the ancient peoples of Europe, especially the Celtic Druids, who gathered it at both the Summer and Winter solstices. Its ability to stay green through the cold dark winter made it a symbol of renewal and "life-giving" power.

There are two kinds of mistletoe: One is the European plant known to the ancients, found in apple and oak trees. The kind Americans know as a Christmas decoration is native to the eastern United States. Both have poisonous white berries.

The Name Mistletoe
The name for this plant in Celtic languages is “all-heal” for its supposed abilities to cure diseases, make humans and animals fertile, protect against poisons, and bring good luck. However, the English name “mistle-toe” (from Anglo-Saxon) translates as “dung-on-twig”! (Mistletoe seeds are spread when birds eat the berries and then.... well, sit awhile in oak trees...).

Kissing Under the Mistletoe

In Norse myth, when the god Balder was struck down by an arrow made of mistletoe, his mother Freya cried tears of white berries. She brought her son back to life and promised her kiss of blessing to anyone who rested beneath mistletoe.At least since the Middle Ages mistletoe has been hung in doorways to ward off evil spirits (it seems ghosts are especially active at the seasonal transitional festivals such as Yule). It was sometimes used year-round to protect houses against lightning.

Kissing under the mistletoe dates back at least to the Romans, probably because of its association with fertility and luck. Because it was associated with peace, enemies (and warring spouses) would “kiss” or declare a truce under mistletoe.

Victorian Customs

In Victorian England some created a special decoration called a “kissing ball” using evergreens, colorful ribbons and ornaments, finished with a sprig of mistletoe. The kissing ball was hung from the ceiling, and partygoers played kissing games underneath!

Each time a man kisses a woman under the mistletoe, he should pluck one of the berries, and when all the berries are gone the kissing should stop!

If you want those who’ve kissed under the mistletoe to marry, be sure to burn it on the Twelfth Night of Christmas... which is Epiphany, January 6.

To find out about our Holidays image collections from Lunagirl... click here.

Printable Tags from Lunagirl

2011-12-13T08:40:00.002-06:00

Great for holiday gifts ~ Print it yourself!

Print our Lunagirl tags whenever you need them onto the papers of your choice. Available only at Lunagirl.com.

Each sheet is a high-resolution jpg image to download and save so that you can print more copies whenever you need them, onto fine papers, card stock, etc.

These are perfect to add to wrapped gifts, attach to gift baskets or baked goodies for giving, use to create place cards or invitations ... a lovely personal vintage touch for your Christmas. They're also fun for scrapbooks and card making! PURCHASE THEM HERE

Lunagirl Wall Calendars featuring art and vintage photos

2011-12-12T06:06:00.001-06:00

We are pleased to offer four beautiful 2012 wall calendars, available for purchase in our Lunagirl Cafepress Gift Shop: Vintage Beauties featuring lovely Edwardian women, Vintage Bellydance, Bouguereau paintings, and Bouguereau Little Girls paintings. I'm happy to say that they have been pretty popular since we introduced them last year!

Click on the pictures below to go see the listings with all the calendar pages, twelve different images in each of course. (In our cafepress shop you'll also find all types of Lunagirl images on apparel for women men children and babies, as well as journals, tote bags, mugs, magnets & more.)

Did you know...... about Lunagirl's gift shop?

2011-12-10T14:09:00.005-06:00

You can buy Lunagirl shirts, sweatshirts, other clothing, tote bags, baby items, mugs, journals and more by visiting our Lunagirl Shop. Featuring a variety of Victorian Edwardian and vintage images: Halloween and Christmas pictures, antique advertising labels, women, men, fairies and angels, flowers, animals and birds, antique trains and planes, fantasy and steampunk, even beautiful paintings by Van Gogh, Bouguereau and Waterhouse. And it's at Cafepress, which has all kinds of discount offers and specials this time of year (and throughout the year, really). Last but not least, you'll also find Lunagirl Calendars for 2012!

Victorian Floral Christmas Cards

2011-12-09T08:45:00.000-06:00

The custom of sending Christmas cards began in Victorian London in about 1840, and in 1875 Boston lithographer Louis Prang began publishing Christmas cards in America. The earliest cards usually featured colorful flower blossoms or pictures of birds, children or angels.

We couldn't find out much more about floral cards, except that they were part of the Victorians' (and Victorian-era Americans') love for flowers, and that the early, expensive cards were probably sent by wealthy people.

It was inexpensive holiday penny postcards, somtimes imported from Germany, that were sent by most Americans until WWI.

We think these floral cards are lovely and quaint -- they certainly reflect the "shabby" romantic spirit that so many of our customers like!

While cards featuring caroling children, nativity scenes, holly wreaths, and of course dear old Santa Claus fit our traditional idea of Christmas, these old flower cards are sweet for something different.

You'll find them (and hundreds more holiday images) in our Holidays & Occasions 3CD set -- and with holiday greetings removed in our Victorian Flowers collection, to use as flower pictures in your scrapbooking, card making and art.

New from Lunagirl: Download Packs

2011-12-04T11:04:00.007-06:00

I'm trying a new item in our shops: "download packs" of about a hundred images on a certain theme, for $5 each (no shipping, of course). Our first four are 110 Santa Images, 102 Angel Images, 100 Christmas Children Images, and 100 Halloween Images. All are available in our etsy shop and also at Lunagirl.com. After your purchase of the download pack, you will receive your jpg images by a download link in an email. These are currently sent "by hand" so it's not necessarily instant delivery (like our digital collage sheets at Lunagirl.com) but we're pretty quick!

Visit our download pack page at Lunagirl.com, or our etsy shop. The first four sets have been quite popular, so watch for more on the way!

One-Day Discount Just For Our Blog Readers!

2011-11-09T00:01:00.008-06:00

Hey... here's a secret:
Enter "redmaple" in the Discount Code box at Lunagirl.com today and get 20% off your order!

Get ready for Christmas crafts, stock up to create holiday cards and tags, or find some great gifts for the artist or scrapbooker or vintage lover in your life.

Good only at Lunagirl.com and only today, Wednesday, November 9!

Images for Autumn

2011-11-07T09:31:00.000-06:00

Some beautiful illustrations appropriate for November, for you to use in your projects!

Between the Worlds: Part Four

2011-10-22T12:22:00.001-05:00

Black Cats & Witches

Cats have long been the objects of much superstition, and they are frequently associated with Halloween. Cats were sacred to the Druids; it was believed that they had once been human beings. Perhaps the cat had magical power because it was supposedly the most common "familiar" of witches (probably just the favorite companion of old ladies living alone). Feline behavior towards a person on Halloween was often taken as an omen. For example, if a cat jumps into your lap on this night, good luck is foretold. Probably more prevalent is the belief that cats, particularly black cats, can be ill omens. Everyone in the U.S. has heard that a black cat crossing your path means bad luck ahead.

The bad reputation of the cat may have been a medieval Christian reaction against the honor given them by the
pre-Christian Druids. Medieval Christians burned cats along with accused "witches" (leading to an overpopulation of rats, which bred fleas, which carried the bubonic plague...now that's bad luck).

The figure of the witch is now an integral part of Halloween in our minds, but she may be a relatively late arrival. How she got there is a story extremely long and complex. I suspect that originally witches were just another of the various supernatural beings thought to walk or fly about the earth on Halloween. Witches tended to get confused with sorcerers, who, since they may supposedly used evil spirits to carry out their work, would be particularly active on this night.

The Real Witches - Wise Old Ladies in the Woods?

Some today regard the so-called witches of old Europe as simply survivors from the pre-Christian, nature-focused religions of the ancients. In other words, pagans who revered nature (not Satan).

The idea of older, traditional folks living off in the woods, continuing their seasonal celebrations, magical beliefs, and herbal medicine, is not far from our image of the witch.

As Christianity gained ascendancy in Europe, witches were reinterpreted through Church dogma and came to be viewed (incorrectly) as Satan-worshippers. Many of the popular (and often incorrect) notions about witchcraft derived from "confessions" extracted by torture from the accused "witches" of earlier centuries.

Most who were executed as witches during the "burning times" were most likely "strange" old ladies living alone in the woods, the mentally ill, midwives and herbalists, people who followed the "old ways" of the Celts, women whose remarkable ugliness or beauty brought attention.....those whose "difference" aroused suspicion in a fearful, ignorant, and tumultuous age.

Bats and owls are associated with Halloween probably because they are nocturnal -- active only at night. Perhaps they join the spirits to fly about the night sky. Owls were for thousands of years associated with knowledge and wisdom, especially feminine wisdom, and so are a fitting companion for the witch, the Old Wise Woman. (Owls were a symbol for Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, as well.)

The witch's cauldron may represent the "cauldron of Cerridwen" of Celtic myth, source of wisdom and rebirth -- and the direct symbolic predecessor of the Holy Grail. In myth often one was cut up and boiled in the cauldron, to emerge again reborn in wholeness, health & wisdom

The cauldron and later the Grail were believed to be guarded by a hideous woman-beast. In many Celtic stories it is through this terrifying creature that the magic vessel is finally encountered, and only the person who can accept and kiss her can gain access to the wisdom and renewal she guards. By embracing the pain and struggle of life we gain wisdom and greater strength.

This image of the old witch hovering over her cauldron embodies beautifully the original symbolic meaning of Halloween.
This is the night when we confront perhaps the ultimate riddle: As winter approaches, the world comes face to face with the power of death and darkness, which holds within it the promise of rebirth. On the wheel of the year, the cold stillness of the coming winter will take us around again to the warmth and renewal of spring.

Behind our holiday called Halloween lies the eerie, magical mood of the ancient festival of Samhain and All Hallow's Eve.

Perhaps we would do well to remember some of its original meaning -- not to conjure up real fears again, but rather to rekindle a feeling of wonder toward the great cycle of death and rebirth in nature and in our lives.

All pictures shown are included in Lunagirl's Victorian Holiday Cards Graphics 3-CD set
(Click to see a full description of the set -- over 3,000 vintage images for all holidays!)

Visit Lunagirl.com to see all our Image CDs: Vintage Graphics, Victorian Cards, Vintage Photos, Ads & Labels, Collage Sheets & Ephemera on CD

Entire text copyright 2005, 1983, K. Goode and SummertownSun Publishing, all rights reserved. Illustrated feature article copyright 2005, SummertownSun Publishing, LLC, all rights reserved.
This entire text is an original work of authorship, and all intellectual property rights are retained by the author and copyright holder. Any unauthorized copying or reproduction in any form, in whole or in part, is strictly forbidden and a violation of copyright law. Please contact us for permission if you wish to use parts of this article.

Between the Worlds: Part Three

2011-10-16T17:53:00.002-05:00

Jack-o-Lanterns & Halloween Pranks

There is an Irish story explaining the origin of jack-o-lanterns:
It seems a man named Jack was barred from heaven because he was so stingy and forbidden to enter hell because of his practical jokes on the devil.
The devil, angered by Jack's practical jokes, threw a live coal at him. It landed in a half-eaten turnip in Jack's hand, creating the first jack-o-lantern. (Early jack-o-lanterns were turnips as well as pumpkins and other gourds.)
He is condemned to walk the earth with his lantern until Judgment Day!
Closed out of hell as well as heaven, Jack is suspended between life and death,
and thus his jack-o-lantern is particularly appropriate to Halloween.

As a child in the southern U.S. I was told (teasingly) that the grinning pumpkin face in the window helped frighten evil spirits away from the house. Although this may keep away the spirits of the dead, it seems to have little effect on the pranksters -- young people who become demons for a night and roam the neighborhoods making mischief. Halloween provides an irresistible opportunity for the practical joker. If the farmer's outhouse ends up in the creek, or your trees end up full of toilet paper, it was the evil spirits who did it -- once a perfect alibi for the real culprits. Again, the limits placed on day-to-day behavior were weakened for a night. today, most of it is of course harmless, although I do wish people wouldn't smash jack-o-lanterns!

Some once-common Halloween pranks, such as window-tapping, gathering vegetables to bombard house fronts and drop down chimneys, and removing carts and other belongings to faraway fields, were practiced in altered form in the United States when I was growing up (with the variation, of course, that we took things from the garage and left them in other neighbors' yards). Soaping windows (especially car windows), stealing jack-o-lanterns, and "rolling" yards (adorning the trees and shrubs in toilet paper) were also popular.

Halloween Bonfires

Halloween bonfires are direct descendants of Samhain/All Hallow's fires of the Celts, lit in honor of the weakening sun at summer's end.

The fires helped ward off the growing power of darkness and cold. Perhaps they were meant to strengthen the fire of the sun by means of sympathetic magic.
They were also a means of purification. Even in recent times the ashes of the Halloween (and New Years) bonfires were scattered throughout the community to protect against evil powers and fertilize the fields.

Every hearth fire was first lit for the new year from the Samhain or new years bonfire.
In ancient times it was considered an act of great impiety to kindle winter fires from any other source.

In parts of England, a large bunch of wood was gathered, dressed as a person, then burned under the name Le Vieux Bout de l'An, "the old end of the year." Here again we see a similarity to Yule customs -- the traditional Yule log that burnt all night was originally also dressed as a person.

In Scotland we find the custom called "Burning the Witch," which involved burning an effigy and continued well into modern times. Guy Fawkes Day, named for a rebel who tried to blow up Parliament around the turn of the seventeenth century and celebrated in England on November 5, also involves the burning of a human effigy and is sometimes combined with the Halloween celebration.

These mock sacrifices represented the death of the old year. Probably such sacrifices were intended to appease the spirits of the dead, for it was believed that the spirits might continue to disrupt human affairs throughout the year if not properly honored. People often left food out on the table for the returning dead on Halloween. (Another ancestor of our trick-or-treating custom.)

Halloween Superstitions & Divination Customs

As it is the beginning of the new year and a time when the everyday and the supernatural were believed to be in such close contact....Halloween was considered the perfect time for divining the future.

The divination traditions associated with Halloween are numerous and fascinating!

There were many superstitions involving mirrors.

Some believed that if a young woman looked into a mirror at midnight on Halloween, she would see the face of her future husband or true love. A smooth pond surface or wishing well reflection would also work! There were similar beliefs about looking into a pond or well at dawn on May Day (Beltane). Others might gaze into the mirror at midnight on Halloween and see their future revealed.

Mirrors and reflections were long considered magical and mysterious, because the reflection was associated with the soul of the person reflected; a mirror could capture or reveal one's soul. Some of us are still a little superstitious about breaking a mirror.

APPLES

Halloween divination usually involved apples, nuts, grain, or other agricultural products, combining the harvest aspect of the holiday with its magical nature. Apples were particularly popular, and the apple rites seem to be the customs most often found in the United States.
(To the Celts, a perfect apple was the charm by which one might be admitted to the Otherworld and gain "second sight.")

Many customs involve apple peels. For example, people would peel apples trying to keep the peel all in one piece; whoever had the longest peel would have the longest life.

Young girls would peel an apple and then throw the long peel over their left shoulder, believing that it would form the initial of their future husband's name!

When bobbing for apples, some believed that the first person to get an apple would be the first to marry.

PUMPKINS

Pumpkins are of course another agricultural product always associated with Halloween.

Like apples, they are plentiful in October. Also like apples, they were sometimes used for divination.

Some ladies reportedly put pumpkins on their heads at midnight on Halloween, to see their future husbands!

TO BE CONTINUED...

Watch for the last installment of our article on the origins of Halloween and its customs -- part four features witches and black cats!

Ideas: Pumpkins "Uncarved"

2011-10-13T12:50:00.002-05:00

FaveCrafts.com

I wanted to share this Squidoo page with great ideas for decorating pumpkins, none of which involve scooping pumpkin guts!

http://www.squidoo.com/the-uncarved-halloween-pumpkin

Visit the link for details on these easy ideas, and for links to the original websites with more great projects.

Pumpkins in black lace stockings! ShelterPop.com

Rick-rack and ribbons are easy, even for kids (marthamoments.blogspot.com)

Moonday Free Images

2011-10-10T09:13:00.001-05:00

Four "weird sisters" having a tea party ~ actually I wouldn't be surprised if they had something a little stronger in those teacups. Halloween vintage photos are rather hard to find, but a customer was kind enough to share this one with me and I'm glad to share it with you! Enjoy for personal non-commercial cards, crafts, and art projects.

Between the Worlds Part Two

2011-10-08T12:29:00.003-05:00

The Celts experienced the natural and supernatural as existing in very close proximity to each other, and it can be said that on the eve of Samhain -- a potent juncture or break in normal time -- they existed within each other. Indeed, it was long believed that a child born on this night will have "double sight"; that is, he or she will be able to perceive and communicate with the Otherworld. It was believed that at each transitional festival the Otherworld was temporarily upset. As the juncture between the old and new year, Halloween brought a complete upheaval, and all the inhabitants of the other world were free for the night to work weal or woe on any humans they encountered.

This was the night when the usual boundaries between the dead and the living, the dark and the light, the spiritual realm and the natural world, were transcended. As Christianity moved into the British Isles and Ireland it continued its time-honored policy of incorporating pagan holidays into the Christian calendar, and Samhain, the "festival of the dead," was redesignated All Saint's Day, in memory of the blessed dead. Although filtered through Christianity, the traditional customs and beliefs survived in the celebration of All Hallow's Eve, or Hallowe'en. (The word "hallow" derives from the Middle English halve, meaning "saint.")

The celebration of Halloween was not widespread in the United States until the 1840s, when great waves of Irish immigrants arrived...

bringing the ancient Halloween traditions with them.

The beliefs and customs that surround Halloween today, and the images associated with it in our minds, have their roots in the old Irish/Scottish Celtic festival.

Everyone knows that Halloween is the night when ghosts and skeletons and all sorts of mischievous spirits and terrifying creatures come out to roam freely for a night in the world of humans!

The ancient Celts, and probably some of our not-so-ancient Victorian ancestors, believed that on Halloween the spirits of the dead roamed the land of the living. The prehistoric burial mounds, the sidhs in Ireland, opened up and their inhabitants tried to lure the living to join them. According to some accounts, the spirits came out of the Cave of Cruachan in Connaught, called the gate of hell, accompanied by copper-colored birds who killed farm animals and stole babies and brides.

The Little Folk

This was also the night on which the faeries were most powerful.
In Irish folktales Halloween seems to be by far the most popular time for the abduction and bewitching of humans by these "little people."

Those who had been taken away to fairyland could be rescued on the next Halloween by reciting a special spell or prayer as the fairies made their procession.

Sir Walter Scott reported the belief that if a person circles a fairy hill nine times, counterclockwise, alone on Halloween, a door will open by which he can enter the fairy's abode.

The Victorian vision of fairies was a bit darker than ours tends to be, and they were often associated with Halloween. In addition to sweet flower fairies, the Victorian Faeries or Fae included mischievous, impish creatures as well.

Trick-or-Treating

The most popular way of celebrating Halloween in the United States seems to be playing the part of the supernatural beings supposed to walk the earth on this night -- by dressing as spooks who go from house to house demanding sacrificial treats, and by playing pranks!

There are numerous explanations as to how "trick-or-treating" originated. The Druids (priests of the Celts) wore masks at their Samhain rituals to represent the spirits of the dead.

Masks and costumes today are sometimes interpreted as a means of avoiding recognition by the spirits rather than a means of imitating them. In Scotland, some "guisers," as they were called, blackened their faces instead of wearing masks. This recalls the customs of blackening one's face with the ashes of the All Hallow's fires for protection and good fortune.

Masks are part of sacred and magical rituals the world over.
Psychologically, masks and disguises can lessen inhibitions and give the wearer a sense of freedom and relaxation from usual social restrictions -- often a healthy and harmless break from our day-to-day lives.

Perhaps wearing costumes serves the purpose of letting us defy temporarily the boundaries of our everyday lives and "be someone else," perhaps act out parts of ourselves that we normally keep hidden.

And so normally mild-mannered moms dress as
exotic gypsy girls and ethereal mermaids and sexy witches -- or scary ones -- and children for a night are princesses and superheroes.

Why then do some of us dress as werewolves and vampires and big scary monsters? One wonders what Freud would say..........
but it's probably all in fun!

Some say the original purpose of trick-or-treating was to gather food and money for the All Hallow's feast. It has also been linked with "mumming," a custom practiced on other seasonal holidays as well, especially Yule (later Christmas), another ancient new year's celebration.

"Mumming" was a seasonal tradition in England and other parts of Europe, in which men donned masks and went from house to house demanding or begging for food. Although often fun and humorous, it was surrounded by a mystical and magical air, and performed a seasonal holidays such as Yuletide.

Yule

Yule, the Winter Solstice and longest night of the year, is the new year festival of another seasonal calendar, based on the solar equinoxes and solstices. The two calendars were eventually combined, and it is easy to see how some Yule customs could have become associated also with Halloween.

An interesting account from West Virginia reports that trick-or-treating began as "Belsnickling," a Christmas custom brought to the area by Pennsylvania Germans in the 1700s. On Christmas Eve groups went about in disguise from house to house. They knocked on the door, and when asked, "Who is it?" the leader replied, "Old Belsnickle." After being invited in, anyone correctly identified behind their disguise had to do a "trick" -- sing a song, perform a dance, etc. If no one was identified, the whole bunch was treated with food and drink. (Of course, they were all treated anyway, no matter what happened!) This custom is most probably a survival of mumming. According to this account, Belsnickling was later adapted to Halloween and soon spread all over the country; the meaning of the world "trick," however, came to be a prank rather than some clever act. (source: Witches, Ghosts, and Signs: Folklore of the Southern Appalachians, by Patrick W. Gainer, Seneca Books)

TO BE CONTINUED...

© 1983, 2005, all rights reserved.
This article is an original work of authorship protected under copyright law, and it may not be copied in whole or in part without permission of the author and copyright holder.

STAY TURNED FOR PART THREE -- all about jack-o-lanterns and bonfires and divination customs...

The Origins of Halloween Customs, Part One

2011-10-01T12:16:00.003-05:00

October already? It's hard to believe, but the brisk morning air, bright blue sky, falling leaves, and squawking bluejays say that it's true. With Halloween approaching, here is the first installment of our special article on the origins of Halloween customs...

Between the Worlds... Part One
(All text is copyrighted, please do not copy or use without permission.)

Halloween is a holiday familiar to all Americans. Children disguised as ghosts and goblins (and superheroes and princesses) roam the streets trick-or-treating; teenagers play pranks and try to frighten themselves with trips to the graveyard and scary movies; young girls may attempt by various means of divination to learn of their future husbands; and generally everyone has a good time drinking cider (or something harder), bobbing for apples, wearing costumes, and waiting for "the witching hour." But....

it seems few people know of
the origins of Halloween
and its wonderful mood of magic and fright.

Among the ancient Celtic peoples of Britain, the end of October was marked by the festival of Samhain. Samhain (sometimes translated hesitantly as "summer's end") was one of four major yearly festivals of the Celtic calendar. As the life of these people was embedded in and dependent upon the cycles of nature, their calendar was based on the movement of the seasons. The festivals can be seen as recognizing and celebrating important transition point in the seasonal year.

November1

February 2

May 1

August 1

Samhaim (All Hallow's)
Celtic New Year

Imbolc or Brigid (Candlemas)

Beltane (May Day)

Lughnasa (Lammas)

Ancient Holiday Festivals
The Celts measured time primarily by the moon, and these four festivals may be compared to the lunar stages. Candlemas recognized the waxing (growth) of the year, Beltane the fullness, and Lammas the waning, while Samhain celebrated the new or dark moon, both the end and the beginning of the cycle.

In the Celtic calendar (as many other ancient calendars) a "day" began at sunset the day before, and holiday observations began on the "eve." As a survival of this world view, we celebrate All Hallow's Eve and Christmas Eve! Jewish holidays similarly begin at sunset. Imbolc, later Christianized as Candlemas, celebrated the beginnings of the return of the light and warmth of the sun. It was thought to be the best time for predicting the weather of the coming spring -- a belief that survives today in Groundhog Day. Beltane or May Day signified the beginning of summer, a time of warmth, abundance, and fertility. Lughnasa, later known as Lammas, was the harvest festival in these northern lands, a time of gathering in -- of enjoying the fruits of summer and beginning preparations for the long winter ahead.

Samhain (beginning at sundown on October 31) was the Celtic new year festival, and the most powerful transition of the year.

It marked the end of one year and the beginning of another, and the entry of winter. The waning light and warmth of the sun gives way to darkness and cold. The harvest was completed and crops were put away for the winter. As the time of the death of the old year, Samhain was the appropriate time to remember the dead; their spirits were believed to return to earth on this night.

Samhain symbolized death -- death which is not final but rather a dark incubation necessary before rebirth in the spring. Although it has come to us altered by time, by Christianity and eventually by modern commercialism,

the essential character and wisdom of the ancient festival is reflected in the imagery and celebrations of Halloween.

TO BE CONTINUED...

New collage sheet designs! Witch's Labels for potions and powders and more

2011-09-18T16:03:00.001-05:00

Oh, these were such fun to create! Starting with some of our own blank labels (which were originally Victorian and Art Deco ephemera), and adding old photos and text and colors and textures, I've created some labels just right for this time of year -- or for a witch's apothecary at any time of year ; ) Labels for mermaid tears, lover's sighs, moonbeams, powdered cobwebs, freeze-dried bat wings, Egyptian sleeping potion, belladonna, ashes of old lovers, and more spooky magical stuff. These will be about 4 inches tall when printed at full size, but you can of course print them as small as you need with excellent results... Currently available only in our etsy shop -- the sepia versions by request!

Reverie on an "autumn" day

2011-09-05T09:38:00.003-05:00

Labor Day traditionally marks the end of summer, and today at Lunagirl it certainly feels like the beginning of autumn -- cool air, grey skies, and a steady rain. The rain is welcome after a dry month, and the 58-degree morning feels wonderful after a hot summer! It was 99 degrees two days ago -- and being a Southerner I know the heat will come back several times before Halloween -- but for me today is a lovely early autumn day perfect for curling up with a book or just getting lost in reverie. Here is a suitable "Moonday" freebie image I'd like to share (Pre-Raphaelite Art):

For those of you with sunshine this Labor Day, enjoy your picnics! I will enjoy my cool rainy day, dream of the past with the history books and old novels I like to read, and pretend it's already Autumn, my favorite season.

The Victorian Language of Flowers & Fans

2011-08-16T10:39:00.006-05:00

During the Victorian era, flowers and pictures of flowers spoke a language all their own. Blossoms, buds, and herbal bouquets were sent to friends and lovers not only for their beauty and fragrance, but also to convey messages -- sometimes messages that the sender dared not speak in words.

At parties, sometimes the hostess would decorate with assortments of flowers and plants, from which the guests would select those that expressed their thoughts and feelings.

Below are some of the meanings listed in Victorian "flower dictionaries" (a flower displayed upside down would have the opposite meaning).

For more fun info on the language of flowers and also the "language of fans," visit our feature article on the subject!

http://www.summertownsun.com/FEATURE_victorian_language_of_flowers.htm

Red Rose ~ Love, Passion

Pink Rose ~ Admiration

White Rose ~ Innocence, Purity, Humility

Yellow Rose ~ Platonic Love

Pansies ~ Thoughts of You, Thoughtfulness

Violets ~ Modesty

Forget-me-nots ~ Remember me, Faithfullness

Daisies ~ Innocence, I share your sentiments

Lily of the Valley ~ Return of Happiness

Red Poppies ~ Consolation

Dead leaves ~ Melancholy

Rosemary ~ Remembrance

Cedar ~ Strength

Sweet Basil ~ Best Wishes

Ivy ~ Fidelity, Marriage

Zinnia ~ Thoughts of absent friends

FULL MOON LORE

2011-08-14T14:38:00.000-05:00

The full moon in August was known among some Native Americans as the Green Corn Moon or the Grain Moon. Some called it the Red Moon because the rising moon would sometimes appear red through the summer haze. Another common name was Sturgeon Moon, because this was a time when the Great Lakes were full of fish.

This year there will be a partial lunar eclipse that will be visible from much of Europe, Africa and western Asia ... over three-quarters of the full moon will be covered by the Earth's shadow during the eclipse ... spooky and cool if you're lucky enough to be able to see it! The full moon this month is on the 16th.

A Site to Share: Roses on My Table

2011-05-22T17:01:00.000-05:00

We just want to share this lovely site for online art classes: Roses On My Table. Mixed media artist Cristina Zinnia Galliher has created a beautiful site and a series of workshops designed to help you explore mixed media techniques, create a variety of projects from pendants to journals to masks, and "grow your art"!

Mother's Day: Free Images for Last-Minute Cards & Crafts

2011-05-05T18:31:00.001-05:00

Verses for April

2011-04-01T18:00:00.000-05:00

Sweet April showers
Do spring May flowers. --

Thomas Tusser, A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry, 1557

The year's at spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hill sides's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in his heaven -

All's right with the world!
Robert Browning, The Year's at the Spring, 1870

Beneath these fruit-tree boughs that shed
Their snow-white blossoms on my head,
With brightest sunshine round me spread
Of spring's unclouded weather,
In this sequestered nook how sweet
To sit upon my orchard-seat!
And birds and flowers once more to greet,
My last year's friends together.

William Wordsworth

Poisson D'Avril -- April Fool's Fish?

2011-04-01T07:36:00.000-05:00

Why are there always fish on these French "Avril" cards? In France, the victim of an April Fool's Day prank is called "poisson d'avril," or an April fish (which refers to a young fish easily caught!)

Why is April 1st a day for fools and foolishness? Nobody seems to know for sure. There are stories about the change of calendars in the 1500s, but they don't hold up well because April Fool's celebrations date before that time. Some people connect it to the unpredictability of weather and nature at this time of year.

We do know that for many centuries, in many cultures, this time of year has been associated with celebrations of frivolity, lightheartedness, and sometimes pranks. (The Romans had a festival called Hilaria around the end of March.) Maybe it's just that the coming of spring after the long months of winter brings out our pent-up energy and silliness, and we need a day to let it out!

One interesting note: April is named for Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, beauty and fertility. One of her symbols is a fish, a symbol of fertility. Think how sly Aphrodite uses desire and passion to "trick" creatures into love or at least lust and a lot of work and trouble! Nothing can make a fool out of you faster. In the myths she is one capricious and "tricky" goddess.

Anyway, have fun and be careful! You could become Poisson d'Avril if you don't watch out!

Featured: French Easter Photos & Postcards on CD

2011-03-22T08:00:00.002-05:00

Perfect for Easter season crafts: our Lunagirl Easter Photos & Postcards CD includes 100 charming vintage images. Most feature ladies, children, and romantic couples, many with eggs, baskets, flowers, and/or Easter greetings (usually in French!) This lovely and unique offering, created especially for Lunagirl customers using antique cards from our private collection, is available now. Click here to see details and a bunch of sample images!

Messenger for Springtime

2011-03-20T09:46:00.000-05:00

One of the first signs that spring is coming in our area is the return of the goldfinchs, and the return of their bright yellow color!

We have pairs of goldfinchs around all summer. In the autumn they begin to turn a uniformly dull olive color and form flocks, and then eventually they all fly south together.

In very early spring we start to see them again, still drab olive. Gradually the males regain their brilliant yellow color, the females get a little brighter too, and they form nesting pairs. They are such beautiful little birds.

The photo above is courtesy of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and you may use it however you like!

Free Image (& a Poem): Daffodils

2011-03-12T17:28:00.000-06:00

If you're lucky enough to have these beautiful yellow flowers where you live, I think you'll agree they are one of the sweetest signs of spring every year!

This free downloadable image is free for your personal non-commercial use. Please remember to credit Lunagirl Images if you display your creation online.

If you would like this image for commercial use, email us at info@lunagirl.com.

Daffodils by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they

Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;

A poet could not be but gay,

In such a jocund company!

I gazed—and gazed—but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

The Three Magi and Twelfth Night

2011-01-06T06:53:00.000-06:00

In celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany, traditionally celebrated on January 6 (or the preceding Sunday), here is a lovely pre-Raphaelite painting by Burne-Jones showing the adoration of the magi. In many countries Christmas greenery is taken down on January 6 which is the Twelfth Day of Christmas. We always took our Christmas tree down at Epiphany. The time between Epiphany and Lent is the King's Cake season culminating in Mardi Gras! more pre-raphaelite art

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T00:01:00.000-06:00

Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2011,

from all of us at Lunagirl Images!

Wishing You a Safe & Joyful New Year's Eve!

2010-12-31T18:00:00.006-06:00

New Year's collage sheets... because 2010 is coming to an end and it's time to greet 2011!

2010-12-26T09:43:00.002-06:00

Digital collage sheets available for instant downloading at Lunagirl.com and CollageSheet.com

Joyeux Noel

2010-12-24T12:22:00.002-06:00

Free Christmas Images for Last Minute Projects

2010-12-20T06:13:00.003-06:00

I know many crafters are already in the back of their minds thinking of Valentine's Day (always a season ahead!), but as we're in the midst of this beautiful Christmas winter holiday season, here are a couple of free images for last minute tags, place cards, etc. And don't forget we have many holiday collage sheets available for instant downloading at Lunagirl.com http://www.summertownsun.com/lunagirl/W-Lunagirl-Collage-Sheets-Holidays.htm (plus lovely cupids and hearts and romantic kisses and sweet girls in pink and red if you simply MUST think ahead!)

Send New Year Greetings: Revive This Edwardian Tradition!

2010-12-19T08:30:00.000-06:00

Sending Happy New Year postcards to family and friends was a very popular tradition with the Victorians and Edwardians (and French ladies of the time) ~ as popular as sending Christmas cards, judging by the great number and variety of New Year cards we find!

These charming cards often showed illustrations of children, cherubs, Old Father Time, happy couples, benevolent angels, lucky horseshoes and shamrocks and pigs (yes, a symbol of luck and prosperity), even New Year gnomes who bring wealth and happiness to your home.

Other New Year cards, especially the French ones, featured photographs and the wish for Bonne Annee (a good year) or Heureuse Annee (a happy year), like these from our collection.

You will find a lovely selection of illustrated cards on our Victorian Holidays Volume One CD and beautiful photo cards of children, ladies, and couples on our Christmas New Years Photos CD.

We altered some of the photographs into Christmas cards on the CD, but we left many with new year greetings in French.

I think New Year postcards should make a comeback! They would be a wonderful tradition to revive, especially in these anxious times.

Just print onto cardstock, embellish if you like, and send to wish your loved ones a happy 2011. The best wishes of a friend mean just as much now as they did a hundred years ago in 1911!

Vintage Christmas: New Digital Collage Sheet

2010-12-14T09:04:00.000-06:00

Another new collage sheet! Here are some "new" Christmas images taken from old postcards recently acquired from my uncle's attic. These aren't included on our Christmas CD, and I thought I would create a collage sheet just in time for holiday crafts. There are some really sweet images of children and animals, a pretty nativity card with nice colors, and I love the blue birds. I've also included a little Christmas stamp with Santa in the snow! Available at Lunagirl.com and CollageSheet.com.

Free Santa Picture ... and a little history

2010-12-12T15:47:00.000-06:00

A nice old Santa Claus! This card is interesting because of its greeting: "All Xmas Joys Be Thine."

You might be surprised to see "Xmas" on an antique Victorian-era card, but actually the use of Xmas as an abbreviation for Christmas goes back to the Middle Ages.

The "X" is a cross and stands for "Christ." It's not modern, and it's not an attempt to "take religion out of Christmas" as some seem to believe. It's just an old abbreviation.

Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy this lovely old image of Santa!

Shirts, Journals, Bags, Mugs & More in Lunagirl Gift Shop

2010-12-02T09:02:00.001-06:00

Did you know?.... You can buy Lunagirl Images shirts, sweatshirts, magnets, tote bags, baby items, mugs, journals and more by visiting our Lunagirl Print-on-Demand Shop.

Featuring a variety of Edwardian, 1920s and Victorian pictures: vintage bellydancers, antique trains, Victorian flowers, stylish ladies and flirty showgirls, dogs and cats and horses, vintage Santas and Victorian angels, fairies and fairy tales, French Art Nouveau posters and antique labels, women, men, funky ephemera, Japanese prints, beautiful paintings by Van Gogh, Bouguereau and Waterhouse ...

If you don't see the image you want when you visit the shop, email us and we'll put it on a shirt or bag or magnet or .... you get the idea!

Lunagirl in Just Cards Magazine: Featured Artist Beverly Sizemore

2010-11-29T07:08:00.000-06:00

Victorian Thanksgiving Card for you to download

2010-11-22T08:10:00.002-06:00

I walked outside last night to discover a beautiful bright full moon. Don't you love moon shadows? The world was quiet, except for the occasional rustling of dry leaves by the wind. This morning, from the window over my desk I can see a brilliant maple tree, glowing red and orange in the grey light. Autumn is so lovely.

Thanksgiving is coming up! Just for our 10-year-old, we bought what I believe was the biggest turkey in the supermarket yesterday. Good thing we like turkey sandwiches as we may be eating them for three days afterward. :-) I like leftovers and rented movies on "Black Friday," no shopping for me (except online)!

Here is a free download for your last-minute Thanksgiving crafts (click to enlarge to full size). Let's all remind each other that this weekend is not just about food and shopping. I hope I will remember to be thankful every day!

Christmas Children Photo Collage Sheet: Brand New & Just in Time for Holiday Cards and Crafts

2010-11-12T08:13:00.001-06:00

I'm feeling inspired to create some new collage sheets lately. I created this one yesterday using some of the charming postcards from our Christmas New Years Photo Postcards CD. Lane (our fabulous shipping clerk) has suggested nativity scenes, so maybe that will be next! Click on the sample to go to CollageSheet.com to purchase and download this design.

Blue Christmas! Digital Collage Sheets

2010-11-11T09:26:00.000-06:00

Two new digital collage sheets to download... I'll have a blue Christmas without you.... something different, pretty holiday in images in shades of blue! BLUE CHRISTMAS featuring Santa Claus and Christmas angels, and BLUE NOEL with lovely madonnas/nativities, little girls, wreaths and flowers. Enjoy them for beautiful, unique holiday cards, tags, invitations...

Free Digital Images! Halloween Witch and Pretty Woman for Autumn

2010-10-26T09:41:00.000-05:00

Why not share a free image today? In fact, why not two! One for Halloween, and one for the pensive mood of autumn (click for full size).

For more Halloween images that you can receive right away, visit our digital collage sheet download pages: http://www.summertownsun.com/lunagirl/W-Lunagirl-Collage-Sheets-Holidays.htm
For more lovely ladies...http://www.summertownsun.com/lunagirl/W-Vintage-Photos.htm

Artful Vintage-Inspired Dress Forms from White Rabbit

2010-10-18T11:18:00.003-05:00

Looking for something truly unique for your home decor or perhaps to give as a special gift? Kimberly Salter creates these gorgeous vintage-style dress forms.

They are lovingly painted and decoupaged with vintage images and ephemera, and I think they would be perfect for cottage chic or romantic Paris apartment style decorating.

You'll find them in her etsy shop thewhiterabbitstudio (along with her sister's lovely crocheted scarves and eclectic vintage findings).

Click here to visit our featured artist Kimberly Salter at The White Rabbit!

Victorian Halloween

2010-10-08T11:34:00.001-05:00

If you have ever wondered about the origins of Halloween and our Halloween customs, I hope you will check out my exclusive feature article

"BETWEEN THE WORLDS:
The Origins of Halloween & Its Customs."

This special feature article is based on extensive folklore research and of course illustrated with our collection of wonderful antique Victorian vintage greeting cards! CLICK HERE to see the article. (Click on the lovely witch at left to see our Victorian Holidays Volume Three CD featuring Halloween, Thanksgiving, Patriotic and Birthdays/Best Wishes!)

Digital Collage Sheet of Charm Photos: Women Ladies Photos NEW!

2010-09-29T09:12:00.002-05:00

Another new digital collage sheet for instant download from Lunagirl! A beautiful selection of some our favorite photos of women, in 1-inch and 2-inch squares perfect for charm jewelry but also lovely to embellish cards and all sorts of altered art projects.

Available from Lunagirl http://www.summertownsun.com/lunagirl/W-Lunagirl-Collage-Sheets-NEW.htm

and also at CollageSheet.com http://www.collagesheet.com/details.php?gid=57&pid=612 .

Feature in Elements Magazine

2010-09-28T08:23:00.002-05:00

We are pleased that images from our Lunagirl Vintage Women & Men CD are featured in this month's issue of Adobe Photoshop Elements Techniques. Diana Day created a fun tutorial for inserting your friends' photos into vintage artwork to create unique portraits! http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/

New Collage Sheet: Maps!

2010-08-23T07:38:00.003-05:00

Yet another brand new Lunagirl collage sheet design! This one is created with fabulous fascinating maps adapted from antique books. There are maps of the Eastern and Western hemispheres with illustrations of the signs of the zodiac and angels in the corners, a map of the ancient Mediterranean world, an ancient map of the ocean currents with Latin text, an 18th-century map of Nova Scotia and the St. Lawrence River with lovely calligraphic writing, plus "London and the Suburbs, Seventeenth Century". These are carefully restored and enhanced to be just right. Fascinating images and aged paper make beautiful backgrounds for altered art projects of all kinds! Click on this link to be taken to a page to purchase and download: http://www.summertownsun.com/lunagirl/W-Lunagirl-Collage-Sheets-NEW.htm

New Collage Sheet: Cleo de Merode

2010-08-21T12:33:00.004-05:00

Another new collage sheet just created, this one featuring altered photos of the lovely dancer Cleo de Merode. She is certainly one of the most memorable beauties of the Edwardian stage, and we thought she deserved a collection all by herself. Beautiful old images published in Paris long ago, enhanced and embellished for you to enjoy. To go to a page to purchase and download, click here! http://www.summertownsun.com/lunagirl/W-Lunagirl-Collage-Sheets-NEW.htm

New Collage Sheet: Mucha Domino Size

2010-08-20T13:24:00.010-05:00

We been creating quite a few new collage sheets recently, so I thought I would feature some of them. Here is a beautiful collection of Mucha women in 1x2 size perfect for domino pendants and other jewelry. You can also clip them to 1x1 for square charms. If you love Mucha's sensuous Art Nouveau style, you'll want to enjoy these in your projects! To be taken to a page to purchase and download, click here: http://www.summertownsun.com/lunagirl/W-Lunagirl-Collage-Sheets-NEW.htm

Great Idea: Mini Quilts

2010-08-20T09:36:00.004-05:00

In the etsy blog I came across this article about how to make "mini-quilts" and wanted to share! What a great idea for a quick project: http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/how-tuesday-grannys-delight-mini-quilt-9399/

Current Special: Free U.S. Shipping on Orders over $40

2010-08-19T13:21:00.000-05:00

Attention, shoppers. We often run specials on Lunagirl.com. Currently you can get free shipping within the U.S. on all orders over $40!

Shop awhile, buy a few CDs chock full of beautiful images, and have them sent to your doorstep for free! LUNAGIRL.COM

Free Image! Summertime Girl 1926

2010-08-19T09:50:00.006-05:00

Blue Jays

2010-08-16T08:48:00.002-05:00

There is always a day in August when I feel the season shift, ever so slightly. Today will be almost as hot as yesterday, but I can feel summer loosening its grip as the wheel turns toward autumn. The predicted high today is "only" 93, as we enter a "cooling trend" for a few days! This morning I heard bluejays, maybe that's it. The sounds of an August morning in the South ~ the drowsy whir of the summer locusts, rising and falling like waves (if you're from the South, you know them) and the squawks of the first bluejays, who come in search of acorns and bring September with them.

The original of this print shows the bluejays breaking and eating eggs (!) but I've altered them to a more "peaceful" scene (are bluejays ever really peaceful?) I love the orange "crossvine" flowers as well. We have them growing all over our backyard shed!

Summer Fashions for the Ladies

2010-08-13T11:10:00.002-05:00

How about these fashions for July, circa 1853? I don't think so!

Or perhaps these Paris ensembles for the summer season?

I do think I could enjoy these lovely ball gowns circa 1810...

lunagirl.com

Victorian Scrapbook Pages Part Two

2010-08-09T10:19:00.009-05:00

The word ephemera is related to ephemeral, meaning temporary or transitory and not meant to last. Antique scrapbooks preserved bits of paper that otherwise would be lost to time ~ thereby preserving memories as well and giving us a window into the life of women and girls long ago. And sometimes men, too ~ for example, Mark Twain loved scrapbooking!

Antique scrapbooks often contained trade cards, which were printed by companies to advertise their products and were often collected for their colorful sentimental or humorous illustrations. Calling cards (or "visiting cards") were often saved in scrapbooks. A child's scrapbook might include Reward of Merit cards received at Sunday School or school, to be shared at family gatherings.

As scrapbooking became more popular, one could buy sheets of "scraps" with die-cuts, chromos, or embossed reliefs created especially for scrap albums. Newspaper clippings, tickets, letters, greeting cards, any little bits of paper ephemera might find their way into a Victorian scrapbook.

Victorian Scrapbook Pages

2010-08-06T09:30:00.006-05:00

The popularity of scrapbooking is nothing new ~ the word "scrap-book" appears in print as early as 1854, and people were pasting mementos into albums at least a hundred years before that.

Victorian young ladies often kept "memory books" that might be filled with cards, scraps, signatures, poetry, sketches, quotes, photographs, dried flowers, even locks of hair. They collected calling cards to show their popularity and created friendship albums to give as gifts.

Scrapbooks were sometimes used to teach children at home and in Sunday school, or just as a "rainy day" activity for mother and children. Ladies' magazines gave tips for scrapbooking supplies to be kept on hand.

Victorians created scrapbooks as a way to preserve mementos and memories of special events, to celebrate family and friends, to show off achievements, to document personal interests and tastes, to remember childhood, and of course as an enjoyable hobby. Just like we do today! More on antique scrapbooks on Monday...

Back to School Mid-Century Style

2010-08-05T08:32:00.002-05:00

This young lady is ready for Back to School circa 1965. Crisp yellow dress, matching headband and socks, saddle oxfords and a carton of whole milk. And school started in September, not early August!

Or maybe she's dressed for the return of "Mad Men" this week! We are mad for mid-century. I am on a mission to find some ladies' fashions images from this era that are OK to use, but for today here is little Linda in honor of the first day of school.

Freebie Pic: Flapper Girl by a Painted Ocean

2010-07-15T12:29:00.001-05:00

So my free image day seems to have migrated from Monday to Thursday. Maybe I can get it back to "Moon-day" but for now here is a cute flapper bathing beauty!

Dog Days of Summer

2010-07-12T12:10:00.006-05:00

Why do people call these hottest days of the year the "Dog Days" of Summer? The ancient Egyptians and Romans noticed that during July and August, the "Dog Star" Sirius rose and set with the Sun. They believed that Sirius was adding its heat to that of the Sun, making the Earth hotter and drier than usual.

Our "dog days" now are from about the second week of July to the third week in August. For centuries these could be difficult times in the northern hemisphere, when the heat was stifling and some diseases would flourish in the heat. These days, they just make us feel lazy and run up our air conditioning bills.

We've just added a large selection of dog images to our Cafepress shop. There are cute Victorian dog pictures as well as beautiful antique prints of many dog breeds, all available on t-shirts and gifts. Find your favorite! Of course we also have plenty of kitties for cat lovers.

The Day We Celebrate... Happy July 4th, er 2nd?

2010-07-01T12:11:00.000-05:00

Did you know that the Continental Congress actually declared independence on JULY SECOND 1776?
John Adams predicted that the 2nd of July would be celebrated by Americans forever after!

July 4th, 1776, is the date that the Declaration of Independence was officially approved by the Congress, and the dates just got combined over time. The Fourth of July became a popular American holiday after the War of 1812, when patriotism swept the young nation. (I've been reading early American History lately!)

In times past, communities would read the Declaration of Independence in the town square, in addition to celebrating with fireworks and parades.

Here are a couple of our favorite Fourth of July postcards. Click on them to see details of our Victorian Holidays Volume Three collection on CD, with pictures for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Birthdays as well as patriotic occasions (even some French patriotic cards for Bastille Day!)

Oh-la-la, what a swimsuit!

2010-06-24T15:20:00.004-05:00

Yes, we have been neglecting the blog terribly as of late. I'm so sorry about that. In between summer classes and trips to the beach, it has been hard to find time and focus! Summer does that to me. I'll try to get back in the swing with some new posts and features, but for now I thought I would at least come by and offer a fun free summertime image of this saucy bathing beauty!

Moon Lore: Flower Moon in May

2010-05-11T09:11:00.008-05:00

We've been enjoying the flowers in full bloom all around us lately - roses, peonies, iris, azaleas, even the little clover flowers.

It's no surprise that the full moon in May was called the Full Flower Moon! It will be on May 27.

Learn about the Victorian Language of Flowers and Fans in our feature article: http://www.summertownsun.com/FEATURE_victorian_language_of_flowers.htm

Happy Mother's Day to all

2010-05-09T06:00:00.010-05:00

“A mother can divide her love among ten children and each child still have all her love.”

“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my mother.” – Abraham Lincoln

“My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.” – Mark Twain

“A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.” – Tenneva Jordan

“You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be --
I had a mother who read to me.”
- Strickland Gillilan

“What, sir, would the people of the earth be without woman? They would be scarce, sir, almighty scarce.” – Mark Twain

This image available on Lunagirl Vintage Girls & Boys and Lunagirl Victorian Holidays Volume Two.

Quote for the day on Friendship

2010-04-14T10:59:00.002-05:00

A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, both chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away. -- Arabian proverb

It's "No Housework" Day

2010-04-07T14:50:00.010-05:00

I heard on the radio that today is "National No Housework Day." I don't know if that's true, but sounds like a good reason to celebrate to me!

So make sure your break from housework lasts all day, and have some fun with these free clipart images of vintage homemakers.

A sewing machine with "No Plumbing Required!"

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Erin Go Bragh

2010-03-17T07:41:00.003-05:00

You'll find 70 St. Pat's images on our
Victorian Holidays Volume Two CD.

For commercial use: http://www.lunagirl-images.com/gallery.php?gid=58

Elizabeth Siddal

2010-03-02T13:26:00.002-06:00

Another, more tragic muse for Dante Gabriel Rossetti was his wife, Elizabeth Siddal. She was the model for many of Rossetti's early paintings, the model for Millais's Ophelia, and also a painter and poet herself. Although her family was neither wealthy nor educated, she learned to read and write and began a love of poetry after finding a Tennyson poem on a scrap of newspaper that had been used to wrap butter!

After Dante Gabriel Rossetti met "Lizzie," she became the model for all his paintings of women and stopped posing for the other PreRaphaelites. They fell in love and became engaged, but Rossetti, who feared his family's disapproval of Lizzie's working class background, repeatedly postponed the wedding. Their engagement lasted for over ten years, during which Lizzie became increasing depressed and frail.

They finally married, and honeymooned in France. However, Lizzie remained ill and had become addicted to laudanum (an opiate that was legal at the time and used by many Victorian-era women as an "elixir"). She became pregnant but the child was stillborn. She overdosed on laudanum shortly after a second pregnancy ~ whether her death was accidental or a suicide is not clear.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti mourned her loss deeply, and buried his journal containing the only copies of many of his poems with her, tucked into her long red hair. The journal was later recovered from her coffin and the poems published ~ something which haunted him the rest of his life.

Rossetti adored and idealized Elizabeth Siddal in his paintings and writings. It is difficult and dangerous to pass judgment on another person's love, but perhaps if he had seen her more as a real woman ~ rather than as an idealized medieval maiden or, at the other end of the spectrum, the working class girl his family scorned ~ they could have been happier.

Christina Rossetti (who was Dante's sister) wrote about his idealized love of Lizzie in the poem "In an Artist's Studio":

One face looks out from all his canvases,

One selfsame figure sits or walks or leans:

We found her hidden just behind those screens,

That mirror gave back all her loveliness.

A queen in opal or in ruby dress,

A nameless girl in freshest summer-greens,

A saint, an angel -- every canvas means

The same one meaning, neither more nor less.

He feeds upon her face by day and night,

And she with true kind eyes looks back on him,

Fair as the moon and joyful as the light:

Not wan with waiting, not with sorrow dim;

Not as she is, but was when hope shone bright;

Not as she is, but as she fills his dream.

New: Rossetti Charms collage sheet ... and Jane Morris

2010-03-01T11:19:00.014-06:00

I can't believe it's March already! Here is a new collage sheet featuring women from paintings by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, one of the best-loved Pre-Raphaelite artists. These gorgeous, richly colored images are already sized in 1-inch circles and squares and 1x3" microscope slides, perfect for charms, pendants and other jewelry. Also nice if you just like some small images to embellish your altered art cards and crafts. Purchase and download "Rossetti Charms" and other Lunagirl collage sheets here: http://www.lunagirl.com/W-Lunagirl-Collage-Sheets-MINIS-microslides.htm

The face in most of these paintings is that of Jane Burden Morris. Jane was the daughter of an English stableman and a housemaid, and grew up in poverty with very little education. Rossetti and fellow PreRaphaelite Burne-Jones "discovered" her while she was attending a theater performance.

She was model and muse for Dante Gabriel Rossetti and William Morris (whom she married). After her engagement to William Morris, Jane obtained a private classical education and basically reinvented herself. She was highly intelligent, a voracious reader and accomplished student of languages and music, and moved with ease and grace among artists, philosophers, political activists, and the upper classes. She and Morris lived an artistic, bohemian lifestyle at Kelmscott Manor in the Cotswolds. She may have been Rossetti's lover as well.

You'll find some interesting information about Rossetti and his work at this website by the Walker Art Gallery: http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/exhibitions/rossetti/works/

Featured Artist: Diva Designs

2010-02-24T10:27:00.020-06:00

I just had to share some pictures of these beautiful pendants and cylinder beads that Lynda at Diva Designs has been creating!

They are truly lovely and would make a perfect "welcome springtime" gift for yourself or a very lucky friend.

We are so pleased to see the gorgeous image transfer work she has done using our Lunagirl Flowers images and other ephemera. Check out her Diva Designs blog post here: http://scdiva.blogspot.com/2010/02/spring-has-sprung-in-diva-studio.html

Lynda's pendants and beads are available for purchase in her etsy shop Diva Designs. She also sells an image transfer tutorial if you want to try it yourself!

Springtime on its way?

2010-02-22T15:26:00.003-06:00

Aren't these two charming? We purchased them from different sources, but they are obviously a matched set! Both can be found in our Easter Photos & Postcards collection on CD.

It's not springtime yet (we had another snow last week!), but the air is full of bird calls and the light feels different. I love February for that ~ it's still wintertime, but I can feel the wheel turning toward spring. At least here in the South :-)

More Snow?!?

2010-02-16T18:01:00.002-06:00

Does it make you want to laugh or cry? I'm not sure myself!
Copyright image from our Lunagirl Christmas New Years Photo Postcard collection.

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T06:50:00.001-06:00

On St. Valentine's Day ~ whether you love it or love to hate it ~ here's wishing you more passion, more kindness, and more sweetness in your life.

Chinese New Year February 14

2010-02-10T13:37:00.008-06:00

I'm sure you realize that February 14 is St. Valentine's Day, but did you know that this year it is also the Chinese New Year's Day? This year will be the Year of the Tiger. Actually it's just the first day of the new year celebration, which lasts 15 days. The last day is the Lantern Festival.

Traditionally the Chinese New Year festival is a time for celebration and feasting with family, although there are different activities traditional for different days and in different regions. Red decorations brighten windows and doorways, and gifts of money are given in red envelopes with wishes for health, wealth, and happiness in the coming year.

The day before New Year is a time to clean the house and sweep out any ill-fortune, and a time to forget grudges and reconcile conflicts to start anew in harmony. On the First Day families often visit and honor the eldest members of their extended family.

Firecrackers have traditionally been a part of Chinese New Year festivities. Loud noises and bright lights help frighten away Nien, a mythical monster, and other evil spirits. They also don't like the color red!

I have collected some wonderful old firecracker labels, and one day I'm going to make some collage sheets with them. If you like them let me know and maybe that will motivate me!

New CD! Victorian Little Girls Photos

2010-02-08T14:36:00.000-06:00

I'm happy to announce our latest new release! A charming original collection featuring 500 Victorian Edwardian era photos of little girls, adapted from antique photo postcards. These are all newly scanned from a card collection purchased from a private collector in France, so you're not going to see them anywhere else. They have been lovingly restored, color enhanced, and altered to perfection for your enjoyment and use in your projects. Click on the picture above to see details and lots of sample pics!

We love New Orleans!

2010-02-07T16:59:00.004-06:00

We grew up within a quick drive of New Orleans and visited there many times as a child and teenager, for Mardi Gras and Saints games and visits to family. Half my ancestors are from Louisiana, mostly French Canadians called Acadians (Cajuns), and I still have alot of family there.

I never cared much about football, but the Saints are the team my brothers and uncles and friends followed and rooted for, through the Archie Manning years and way beyond, through alot of disappointments. So, we like Peyton Manning and we like the Colts just fine, but I can't help but say ... Go Saints!

Purple for February

2010-02-01T07:57:00.004-06:00

I'm quite fond of the color purple and of amethyst, the beautiful purple birthstone for February. So it seems appropriate for February 1st to feature our "purple" themed collage sheets!

In honor of nurses

2010-01-30T19:53:00.004-06:00

A friend of mine has started nursing school, and this vintage Red Cross nurse recruiting poster is in her honor!

Cleaning Antique Linens

2010-01-10T14:18:00.005-06:00

A customer shared with us a recipe for cleaning old linens. This is great for cleaning antique linens you purchase or your old quilts (we have dozens and love them!) In a bathtub or other large tub, mix: 2 cups Biz, 2 cups Chlorox II (color safe bleach), and 2 cups Cascade dishwashing liquid with warm water.
Stir it up to mix and dissolve and make bubbles. For brightly colored items you might want to let the water get cold before adding the items, but white items can be added to the warm water. (For treasured items, it's always good to test on a hidden area, just to be sure.)
Gently poke them to soak through and let them soak for several days, stirring and gently prodding occasionally. To rinse you'll need to let the water out and refill several times. Let them sit awhile to drain (quilts will be very heavy when full of water), then carry outside in a plastic tub and let them dry in the sun, preferably on a clean grassy spot or some green bushes. The sunlight and the chlorophyll in the plants will help brighten the fabrics (and they'll smell great)!

Store your fine linens in a well-ventilated space. Cedar-lined closets are especially nice if you're lucky enough to have one. Lavendar sachets are supposed to help keep moths and other insects away. Here's a good tip to avoid damage from creases: Instead of folding linens, roll them around mailing tubes!

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T09:33:00.002-06:00

Judging by our early 1900s postcard collection, sending New Years greetings must have been at least as popular as sending Christmas cards.

We have so many pretty French cards showing photos of little girls and boys and ladies and couples with the greeting "Bonne Annee" or "Joyeuse Annee" or "Heureuse Annee" (happy year) ~ as well as colorful English and American postcards featuring children and cherubs and Father Time, pigs and horseshoes for luck, and the traditional new year gnomes!

So to wish you a good and happy and joyous year with "365 jours de bonheur" here are a couple of favorites.

Blue Moon

2009-12-31T11:03:00.006-06:00

A full moon on New Year's Eve! How wonderful. A traditional name for the full moon after Christmas was Wolf Moon, evoking images of wolves howling in a moonlit winter landscape. It was also known as the Old Moon or simply the Moon After Yule.

Tonight's full moon is also a "Blue Moon." A Blue Moon is when there is a second full moon in one month. The first one this month was December 2, and we get another one tonight! So if there's something you do just "once in a blue moon"... tonight's the night.

Free Shipping today ... Holidays coming up!

2009-12-30T11:13:00.004-06:00

Our free shipping special is still going on until the end of 2009. We'll probably do another sale later this winter, but free shipping can save you alot and now is a great time to stock up on new CDs for the busy crafts season at the start of the year.

We offer our Victorian Holidays Volume 2 CD for Valentines and Easter and St. Patrick's Day! I didn't plan to feature valentines until sometime in January, but people are looking for them so I am moving our Valentine collage sheets to the front window of our etsy shop! Crafters start early!

These cold January days and long winter nights are a great time to settle down with a project ~ a scrapbook layout to remember the holidays and the snow, quilt blocks, charms and pendants, some lovely handmade Valentines, Easter cards and tags.

We also have beautiful birds and flowers for those who are already dreaming of Springtime.

Moonday Free Image: Christmas Victorian Girl

2009-12-14T08:44:00.001-06:00

A freebie to brighten your Monday! Isn't she sweet? You are welcome to print for personal non-commercial projects.

Pink Angels

2009-12-10T05:36:00.000-06:00

A Lunagirl collage sheet design featuring charming angels in shades of pink. Click on the sample image to see all of our angel collage sheet designs!

Christmas shopping

2009-12-06T13:39:00.011-06:00

Lights and decorations are going up everywhere, and it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. But of course the “Christmas” commercials have been with us for weeks. When I was younger, it was considered quite gauche, tacky, simply not done, for merchants to advertise Christmas until AFTER Thanksgiving. Now they hardly even wait for Halloween!

Christmas shopping is in full swing, but I’ve always enjoyed waiting until the week or so before Christmas to do mine. Of course, I now do much of my shopping online, and that must be done early enough to allow for shipping. But actually going to stores ~ I think that’s much more fun in mid-December, when it actually feels like Christmas.

As for "Black Friday"... For me, the day after Thanksgiving is for relaxing with family, watching movies, eating turkey sandwiches and finishing off those pies. My sisters-in-law go with each other and their daughters to the mall at 5:00 am, and have a big time, but you couldn’t pay me to go shopping that day!

I found myself telling my husband the other day how much I love Christmas, and that I would love it just as much without any shopping or presents at all. (Yes, I know that’s a dangerous thing to say to one’s husband ~ but he would never consider not giving gifts!)

Of course I will give and receive gifts ~ they are a way to express love and appreciation and friendship, a way to share joy and generosity, and they are so much fun to wrap (and open).

But really if you just gave me beautiful Christmas music and a holly wreath and some Christmas cookies and my mother’s nativity crèche set up on the piano, I would be joyful and content.

Oh yes, and the Christmas tree.

The Origins of Halloween Customs

2009-10-30T08:45:00.000-05:00

Halloween is a familiar holiday to Americans. Children disguised as ghosts and goblins (and superheroes and princesses) roam the streets trick-or-treating; teenagers play pranks and try to frighten themselves with trips to the graveyard and scary movies; and generally everyone has a good time drinking cider (or something harder), bobbing for apples, wearing costumes, and waiting for "the witching hour."

But few people know of the origins of Halloween and its wonderful mood of magic and fright.

CLICK HERE to find out more! in our exclusive feature article:
"BETWEEN THE WORLDS: The Origins of Halloween & Its Customs."
Illustrated with wonderful antique Victorian vintage greeting cards!

Featured Collage Sheet: The Witching Hour

2009-10-04T16:23:00.000-05:00

We offer a variety of Vintage Halloween collage sheets (plus our Holidays CD set!) ~ here's one with something just a little different, great for any time of year if you want some"witchy" ladies for your projects. "The Witching Hour" features some gorgeous Pre-Raphaelite paintings and fairy tale illustrations, plus altered Victorian postcards. Witches at their cauldrons, a sorceress or two, an ice queen, a lady gazing into her crystal ball, and a couple of little girl witches...

FULL MOON TONIGHT!

Banned Books Week

2009-09-30T08:18:00.006-05:00

We're in the midst of banned books week, sponsored each year by the American Library Association. Read a "banned" book this week! You can choose from many authors -- including Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, DH Lawrence, James Joyce, Fitzgerald, Steinbeck, Salinger, Shaw, Twain, Marquez, Faulkner, Hemingway, James Joyce, Jack London, Zora Neale Hurston, Vonnegut, Lewis Carroll, Roald Dahl, Anne Rice, Anne Frank, Thomas Paine, Stephen King, Shakespeare -- the list goes on and on. Most religious texts have been banned somewhere by somebody. Even dictionaries have been banned for containing "dirty" words!

Here are a few well-known titles that have been often banned or "challenged" (in no particular order): To Kill a Mockingbird, Gone With the Wind, Lady Chatterley's Lover, The Lord of the Rings, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood, The Color Purple, The Bridge to Terabithia, The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, The Great Gatsby, Lolita, The Call of the Wild, As I Lay Dying, Their Eyes Were Watching God, The Invisible Man, Native Son, Slaughterhouse Five, Heart of Darkness, All Quiet on the Western Front, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, All the King's Men, The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms, In Cold Blood, Catcher in the Rye, Catch-22, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, 1984, Heart of Darkness, Naked Lunch, Tropic of Cancer, Women in Love, The Decameron (written in the 14th century), Lysistrata (written in ancient Greece), Portnoy's Complaint, Rabbit Run, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, James and the Giant Peach, In the Night Kitchen, A Wrinkle in Time, The Handmaid's Tale, Henry and June, Ulysses, The Satanic Verses, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Song of Solomon, Beloved, The Bluest Eye, Howl by Allen Ginsberg, Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451. If you've never read Fahrenheit 451, it's about burning books. The author, Ray Bradbury, said his novel wasn't about censorship but rather about how television destroys interest in literature, which leads to a perception of knowledge as factoids without context or critical thought. So get off the internet and go read a book!

Now for something completely different

2009-09-08T10:50:00.005-05:00

Alright, for those of you who don't share my fascination with mythology and religion...

here is something on a much lighter note. Just for fun. I can't tell if this cat is having fun or not...

The Birthday of Mary

2009-09-08T09:27:00.008-05:00

In honor of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary...

a beautiful holy card from our Victorian Religious Ephemera collection.

In the apocryphal Gospel of James from the 2nd Century AD, the names of Mary's parents are Joachim and Anna. St. Anne is traditionally honored as the mother of Mary (and the grandmother of Jesus). The Feast Day of Mary's birth (exactly nine months after the Immaculate Conception on December 8) probably began in 5th Century Jerusalem and has been widely celebrated since at least the 8th Century. There is also an apocryphal Gospel of the Nativity of Mary, translated from the Hebrew by St. Jerome in the 4th Century, in which an angel visits Anne to tell her of the birth of a daughter, Mary.

Ann (Anna) is the oldest name still used in the west, already an ancient name when used by the Hebrews. It is usually translated as "grace," but the original meaning is something difficult to translate, closer to "goddess." I believe I once read that it is the oldest name ever found for divinity. How appropriate that in Christianity this is the name is given to the grandmother of God.

September 6: The Feast of Artemis

2009-09-06T09:55:00.006-05:00

Artemis is known as the Greek goddess of the hunt and the new moon, daughter of Leto and sister of Apollo. She is most likely a very ancient Anatolian goddess, one of the ancient goddesses of the near east much older than the Greek civilization.

She was a virgin goddess ~ which meant she was unmarried, free, untamed, wild ~ whole unto herself. One of her titles was 'many-breasted' because she nurtured animals and humans, and she was the protector of women in childbirth. Although she is usually associated with the new crescent moon, in her more ancient guise she was not only Maiden but also Mother and Crone, associated with all phases of the moon.

Things sacred to Artemis include: animals, especially bears, wolves, deer, dogs, birds and all wild animals; young girls and unmarried women; silver, pearl and moonstone; forests, woodland sanctuaries; artemisia, moneyplant, cypress, cedar, laurel; unplowed fields, blank pages, potential and possibility

Enjoy these images .... we'll be back!

2009-08-25T10:23:00.009-05:00

We have been so busy here, scanning and editing new photographs, there hasn't been much time for blogging. But I promise to be back with new CDs and new features on stage beauties of the past. For now, some free images for you to enjoy!

Someone got me thinking about Italy the other day, so here are two beautiful images inspired by ancient times on the Mediterranean.

See more like these on our Victorian Neoclassical Art CD!

And here is one of my favorites ... I love irises and I love the colors in this painting ... enjoy these last days of summer.

Monday Moonday Freebie!

2009-08-10T09:09:00.003-05:00

Back to School Time!

2009-08-06T08:41:00.005-05:00

It's back-to-school time around here ~ seems way too early to me! Not that I'm not ready for it, as a parent, but when I was a child I don't think we went back until at least the end of August, even the beginning of September. I remember how summer vacation seemed to last for months, endless days of play and sunshine and daydreaming.

Since summer vacation is kind of an anacronism anyway, a leftover from the days when children had to help their parents on the farm in the summer, I've a feeling it's on its way to extinction as more and more schools go to full-year schedules. From an academic standpoint I know that's probably for the best, but nostalgia gets the best of me. To those of us who remember fondly those long, long, lazy summer vacations of our childhood, it feels sad to see the tradition go!

More New Stuff: VINTAGE SEED PACKETS

2009-07-24T07:13:00.006-05:00

Brand new ! 80 colorful varieties of vegetables and herbs, from authentic original unused seed packets. We have collected the ENTIRE 1920s set of 80 card packs from the Card Seed Company. The set we've collected is one of the few complete sets in existence, and as far as we know this COMPLETE SET of the digitized illustrations is not simply available anywhere else!

These packages were published by the long-defunct Card Seed Company, and printed by the Genesee Valley Lithography Company.

The Card Seed Company was located in what was then the garden seed capital of the United States -- Fredonia, New York. In the 1920s, this company published one of the most beautiful sets of lithographs in antique packaging.

Several unused sets of the packets were discovered in upstate New York decades ago, and these pristine originals are much sought after by collectors for their charming artwork, brilliant colors and distinctive design. We are proud to have collected an entire original set.

These fantabulous vintage seed packets are so appealing and have so many uses -- and we have published this collection at extra-high resolution so they are suitable for large framed prints as well as all your crafts projects (cards, invites, altered art, scrapbooking, etc.)

They look great framed for your kitchen, or use them for unique garden markers, to enhance your scrapbook pages, to create charming cards and tags and labels... the quality is exceptional and the graphic design is timeless.

This complete collection is only from Lunagirl!

Click here for details, more samples, and ordering information.

Will Make You Smile! Dancing Wedding Procession

2009-07-23T17:36:00.000-05:00

I'm not a big YouTube fan, and I've never posted a video here before (and may never again)...but if you haven't seen this yet, I recommend it. It is five minutes of pure joy! Love rules!

Maude Fealy

2009-07-22T09:20:00.000-05:00

A while back I began a series of posts on actresses of the Victorian Edwardian era, and I think I'll continue that with Maude Fealy...

This beautiful lady was born Maude Hawk in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 3, 1881 (sources vary on the year).

Her mother moved to Denver to teach at the Tabor School of Acting, and Colorado was home to Maude Fealy for much of her life.

Her mother Margaret Fealy was an actress, and Maude made her first appearance at age three and was performing dramatic roles at age five. By 1907 she was a well-known actress, appearing on magazine covers and touring the the United States and England in comedies and dramatic plays to general critical acclaim.

Maude secretly married English theater critic Lewis Hugo Sherman in 1907, but the union was short-lived, due largely to her mother's active sabotage.

Maude married actor James Peter-Durkin in 1909, with her mother's full approval, and the couple used Maude's financial resources to form the Fealy-Durkin stock company which performed plays in Denver for a few years. This marriage also ended in divorce in 1917.

There are unsubstantiated rumors that Maude Fealy was at one time romantically involved with fellow actress Eva La Gallienne and may have been a lesbian. Maude's third and final marriage, to her manager John Cort, ended in annulment in 1923.

Maude Fealy was associated with the Thanhauser film company for several years, and was the leading lady in numerous early silent film productions. She continued to appear in plays in cities across the country.

In 1917 she formed her own theater company, The Lakeside Theater in Denver, which produced a variety of plays including at least one she wrote herself.

Theater magazines of the day report that she was 5'1" tall with dark blue eyes, and enjoyed art and books, pets and plants, swimming and writing.

During the Depression Era of the 1930s, Maude was involved with the Federal Theater Project and the Works Progress Administration in Los Angeles. During the 1940s she taught acting classes in Denver, and appeared in occasional small film roles throughout the 1940s and 1950s.

She was great friends with Cecil B. DeMille and appeared in many of his films including the 1956 production of The Ten Commandments. She had a small part and also did the voice-over for several other players.

Fealy and DeMille had met and become friends years earlier when they performed a swordfight together in the play Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall at Lakeside Theater.

Maude Fealy once said, "Actors never give up acting; it gives them up." She officially retired in 1957, but was active in the theater throughout her life. She continued to give one-woman performances and lectured on Shakespeare.

She lived in Denver for many years, but died in the Motion Picture Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California, in 1971.

She was interred at the Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum, close to her mother. Funeral expenses were paid by the estate of Cecil B. DeMille, as he had provided in his will (he died in 1959). No close relatives survived her.

Despite spending nearly all of her life in the public eye to one degree or another, Maude Fealy seems a bit of an enigma. She is remembered as one of the loveliest ladies of the stage and screen, and her postcard images are among our most popular.