tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72899694608999711882024-03-12T16:39:09.093-07:00Handmade by MotherThis blog is the happy result of a near OCD compulsion to transcribe - and mock! - vintage patterns, ads, and other odds and sods.Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.comBlogger279125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-42384055255079429072012-11-22T11:08:00.000-08:002012-11-22T11:09:39.675-08:00Any day can be Poodle Day!
Have you hugged your poodle today?
Because if you haven't the consequences can be terrifying...
Read on to discover this harried little poodle's origin story...
Faithful reader Alice explains in the comments section for Your Boudoir Needs Poodles, Too!, "I'm making (a poodle) this weekend as a work joke. I call it a "poodle day" when I'm forgetful and everything's Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-43959462566249168342012-07-26T13:36:00.000-07:002012-07-26T13:36:04.195-07:00Have you hugged a zombie today?
My first novel, Alice Hearts Welsh Zombies, has been officially launched, and is now available for ordering online!
In celebration of this momentous occasion, I’d like to inflict upon… I mean, offer you a video book trailer featuring crocheted actors (who are cheaper and less argumentative than the living kind).
But Victoria, you cry, I want a zombie pal of my very own! I will hug Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-57928344910128856392012-05-27T11:33:00.000-07:002012-05-27T11:55:08.121-07:00You're Invited to (Another) Party!
I’m having a real book launch, with a real book!
My third-place winning novel Alice
Hearts Welsh Zombies will be released by The Workhorsery, a small
press dedicated to publishing non-depressing Canadian fiction, on June 16th.
Disclaimer: The
actual book is neither hardcover nor a million pages thick. It’s a reasonably-sized trade paperback,
which will be affordably Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-16947695590440620322012-04-18T08:54:00.000-07:002012-04-18T08:54:13.848-07:00Back to the FutureTabby Tabard Pattern from Tabards, designs by Carole Rutter, Leisure Arts, Leaflet 94, 1977
Tabards were originally cloths worn by medieval knights over their armour, in a desperate attempt to differentiate one chainmail-encased man from another.
This knight’s tabard is giving him the bravery to fight on despite being cut off at the knees. Methinks he’s a relative of the Black Knight.
In any Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-57974468687584686372012-02-29T06:06:00.003-08:002012-02-29T06:14:15.952-08:00The Days of Dysfunctional SummerWater Sprite Suit from “The Children’s Book” 1935
Summer is coming!
Sure, it’s hard for those of us stuck in the Great White North to believe that right now, with all the snow piled up outside our windows. But it’s true. Summer is a mere four months away and that’s barely enough time to begin planning your children’s beach-side humiliation.
If you don’t start now, you’ll only have a Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-82585535692292880772012-02-08T04:13:00.000-08:002012-02-08T04:13:47.296-08:00It’s Almost National Sweater Day!Sherbet Sweater Pattern (Lea 067) from Laine Dor Yarns, Montreal, c. 1985
On Thursday, February 9th, the World Wildlife Fund is asking everyone in northern climes to turn down the heat and wear a sweater to slow global warming and save the Earth. According to their Sweater Day website: “If every Canadian lowered the heat a few degrees this winter, it'd be like taking 300,000 vehicles off the Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-28527712020424750432012-02-03T05:17:00.000-08:002012-02-03T05:19:16.113-08:00Stay Tuned for the Big Announcement After the Break!
Oh, how sweet! A pretty little sheep wandering over the green hills of Wales… I’m sure it won’t interrupt my big announcement.
As some of you may remember, I won third place in the 2009 International 3-Day Novel Contest for a book about zombies gate-crashing a Welsh bog-snorkelling competition. Well, I have some exciting news...
For my very exciting news:
Is it just me, or is that sheep Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-41369234122503915242012-01-30T06:58:00.000-08:002012-01-30T06:58:48.090-08:00Crochet is the Opium of the MassesDouble Crochet Belt from “Learn to Crochet,” 1963
This belt is the very first project in “Learn to Crochet”. The method of instruction, the reader is assured, is most “pleasant”, although one is warned to always keep in mind the importance of neatness of execution. In other words, if your finished work is not lovely, it’s your own damn fault and your time would be better spent pursuing messier Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-19706361708904619282012-01-07T10:25:00.000-08:002012-01-07T11:13:01.662-08:00Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful...Ladies’ Ski Mask from “Easy to Make Fashions for the North, South, East, West”, c. 1960
So, clearly it’s time to fight back by frightening the heck out of Jack Frost.
Those who remember the 1960s speak fondly of the Summer of Love, but they never mention the Winter of Rabid Hate. But now I understand why so many hippies fled to San Francisco in 1967 and overindulged in free love and Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-19855941516551854722011-12-31T18:05:00.000-08:002011-12-31T18:05:05.562-08:00Happy New Year!The Workbasket, December, 1983
Elegance for Evening
Perfect for the holidays! The black sport weight yarn creates skyscrapers against a sparkling sky of metallic yarn.
Ah, the eighties! When the smoggy sky literally sparkled with volatile organic compounds. Every New Year was greeted with the festive sound of Grandpa’s emphysema acting up as he tried to sing Auld Lang Syne with the family.Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-86229219737824593032011-12-20T04:59:00.000-08:002011-12-20T04:59:09.701-08:00Silent Night, Deadly NightThe Workbasket, December 1983
Create a chorus of pine cone carolers for “singing” around your Christmas tree.
“Singing” is in quotes because clearly this caroller is “screaming”. Because nothing says Winter Solstice like terrifying crafts.
This merry masterpiece was inspired by the ancient pagan tradition of sacrificing frozen carollers to ensure the return of the sun. Revellers would then Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-91562372330042215002011-12-16T12:24:00.000-08:002011-12-16T12:25:19.568-08:00DIY – Ripple Socks for Superheros!While I’ve been neglecting this blog (but for very good reason, which I promise I’ll reveal with great fanfare soon), faithful reader Jenny has been busily crocheting up a storm. She’s even made the famous Ripple Socks!
Jenny writes: “Pay no mind to the fact that these socks are worn through...”
Keep reading for her hilarious explanation of the sad state of her ripple socks.
I wear my socks Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-63678854683195685822011-10-31T09:44:00.000-07:002011-10-31T09:45:30.081-07:00Happy Halloween!Halloween Apron from Coats & Clark’s Edgings Book No. 305, 1954
At last the truth is revealed! Halloween isn’t about eating candy until you puke, or watching scary movies involving an excessive amount of projectile vomiting. Halloween is all about preserving your femininity.
So, there’s no better way to celebrate Halloween than to don a ladylike apron you made with your very own little Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-20419188228505620342011-10-14T20:06:00.000-07:002011-10-14T20:06:52.548-07:00Don’t You Dare Use Your New Potholders in Your Old Kitchen!Planning & Remodeling Kitchens, c. 1975
Now that you’ve crocheted up some new anthropomorphic, tea-partying potholders, you need a new kitchen to show them off. Besides, you probably burned down your old kitchen attempting to simultaneously crochet and deep fry parsley.
But you don’t need just any old kitchen. You need a seventies kitchen. Bright, modern, spacious... Wait, what’s that Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-85869259828990487712011-09-26T15:17:00.000-07:002011-09-26T15:18:50.261-07:00Puff the Magic Parsley!Potholder patterns and Parsley Puffs recipe from Star Potholders, c. 1955
Your eyes do not deceive you – the good people at Star Potholders combined recipes with crochet patterns. After all, everyone who loves to crochet must also love to cook, right? And vice versa, naturally. Just such a versatile lady is pictured above, barefoot but not visibly pregnant in the Star Potholder kitchen.
Don’tVictoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-5201448475545027122011-07-16T19:29:00.000-07:002011-07-16T19:32:37.306-07:00The Boys of Summer!By the He Sea and Ripple Poncho patterns from Aunt Lydia’s Rug Yarn Collection, c. 1970
You won’t find the “He Sea” on any map, but Aunt Lydia assures me that you’ll find these handsome beach bums right by it. And who am I to doubt Aunt Lydia? Sure, she wants to cover up our menfolk in heavy rug yarn for the summer, but that doesn’t mean she’s completely delusional.
I think this He Sea is Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-18649629703836263302011-07-14T14:52:00.000-07:002011-07-14T14:54:29.728-07:00The Zombies of Summer!
The good news is that a small (but feisty) Canadian publisher has expressed interest in my 2009 3-Day Novel Alice’s Adventures with Welsh Zombies. As the novel is about 20,000 words short of being ... well, a novel, I’ve spent the past two months writing my still beating heart out.
The bad news is that I haven’t had time to devote to Handmade by Mother. I haven’t even been knitting! Fact is, Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-79760607330304689062011-05-08T06:36:00.000-07:002011-05-08T06:36:27.503-07:00Apple Pie Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder“Apple Pie Order” from Knick-Knacks to Crochet, 1939
Keep your linen closet neat as a pin with these crocheted bands that put pillow cases, single and double sheets in their places. Weighted tips.
My linen closet doesn’t look like this. My mother’s linen closet doesn’t look like this, and she grew up when Neatness was next to Godliness.
Please note, these sheets aren’t just labeled, they’ve Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-61265473925471219112011-04-30T15:21:00.000-07:002011-04-30T15:22:52.473-07:00The Belle Tolls for TheeSweet and Low Sweater from Gay Teen Ideas, 1944
Sweet and Low Perfectly dee-vine dancing partner. Rings the Belle every time and keeps ‘em coming back for more.
Rings the BELLE?
My goodness, is that code for naughty1940s nookie? It sure was by 1979!
Glamour-minded rugcutters please note the definitely P.M. neck-line, low and square; the come hitherish black velvet ribbons here, there Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-83056779361653687962011-04-16T08:38:00.000-07:002011-04-16T18:23:05.060-07:00You Never Forget your First Time…Knitted Place Mats from Aunt Lydia’s Heavy Rug Yarn, c. 1965
Yes, the first time a new bride welcomes her husband into her most private sanctum is a nerve-racking affair. It’s that magical moment when, with trembling hands … dare I say it … she sets the table for breakfast.
That’s right, what happens in your breakfast nook is far more important to your marital bliss than all that neurotic Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-53108228697861091152011-04-06T07:07:00.000-07:002011-04-06T07:12:17.787-07:00Pompon TherapyPompon Chick from Bazaar Time, c. 1965
Pompon chick design supplied by the County Borough of Brighton Occupational Therapy Dept.
Yes, this unique pompon chick design was actually donated to Bazaar Time by the Brighton Occupational Therapy Department of the Brighton County Borough Asylum! There’s no indication whether they also provided the yummy lollipops.
Clearly, the OT Dept. of the Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-58316262661060581212011-04-01T04:34:00.000-07:002011-04-01T04:34:31.150-07:00The World is Going to Hell in a Handbag!Initial Knitting Bag from Star Variety Show, 1942
And this is the only purse that’s Hellspawn approved for carrying damned souls into the fiery pit.
Yes, you’d think demons would have more attractive accessories for the Apocalypse. But even the most ignorant imp knows that one glimpse of that big fuzzy H will cause the hardiest housewife to abandon all hope.
Now, I’m no theologian, so I Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-65011890626095526992011-03-21T07:30:00.000-07:002011-03-21T07:30:55.383-07:00I’m Too Sexy for My Squares!The Ripple Granny Jacket and Hat from Crochet with Squares, 1974
With apologies to Right Said Fred… whaddaya mean, who’s Right Said Fred?!
I’m too sexy for my followers, too sexy for my followers
Please, followers don’t leave me!
I’m too sexy for my jacket, too sexy for my jacket
So sexy I can’t hack it
I’m too sexy for the ski lodge, too sexy for the ski lodge
Bates Motel or Econo LodgeVictoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-76184448350216016432011-03-16T07:51:00.000-07:002011-03-16T07:51:44.986-07:00DIY – A Revolutionary Birthday!
Thanks to my friend, Hind of Alexandria, Egypt, we have a brand new DIY!
This lovely young lady is Wa’ad, who longtime readers may remember for her lovely purse and cloche hat. Above, she’s working on a very special, one could say, revolutionary doily.
For the whole story:
Hind writes: Dear Victoria,
I am glad to be able to send some photos of Wa'ad, (who is now fourteen years old) while sheVictoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289969460899971188.post-59483978992343830142011-03-13T15:16:00.000-07:002011-03-13T15:22:37.504-07:00Phentex Wants to Kill Bobby and Cindy!“Appolo” Pillow from Decoration 2000, 1972
“Appolo” isn’t a spelling mistake. This pillow is made of Phentex, ergo it would be inappropriate to name it after Apollo, the Greek God of light and poetry. No, this interior decorator’s nightmare is named Appolo which in ancient Greek meant the destroyer. Given Appolo’s hatred of Apollo, I can only assume that little Bobby and Cindy accidentally Victoria Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15938068756961072239noreply@blogger.com5