Little Girl Lost - Grandma's little girl dresses.....

Are you familiar with the beautiful impressionist painting "Lost" by Fredrick McCubbin? It is so compelling, yet sad and evocative - the little girl wandering and lost alone in the Australian bush at the turn of last century. McCubbin is brilliant at storytelling through his paintings, and this particular one, as a parent, I find quite touching.

 

 

So, being the parent and creative that I am, I decided to have a fun afternoon with my daughter re-creating the feel of "Lost" in the bush where I live, and with a 1950's spin.

 

My baby doll, dressed in two of her grandmothers 1950's 'best dresses' (arnt they just darling?! Homemade by MY grandmother for my mother) and putting her best play acting face forward, captured the feeling and mood so perfectly.....yes, I am a very proud mummy indeed!

 

 

Here they are for all you 50's clothing lovers, and you Australian art lovers, to both enjoy.....

 

 

 

And found !

 

Ahhh, my little baby doll

 

Market Day....

 Just thought I would share some photographs with you of my adventures at a local market. Gotta confess, financially, it was a bit of a disappointment for my side of the stall, but as for fun with my gal pal, Julie of Narioka, it couldnt have been better....we had a lovely day and oodles of fun together.....

Julie sells the most darling childrens dresses at very reasonable prices, as well as small accessories and patchworking trims, quilts, fat quarters, pin cushions and bags. Check out her online madeit stall.....

I was selling anything with that 'Alice Jean's' feel to it.... second hand clothes, my own retro inspired handmade childrens dresses and womens blouses and skirts, aprons, vintage books and magazines, shoes, bags, china, and canvas artworks based on little golden book illustrations........

So what do you all think, should I perhaps try my luck with a market stall at a more 'artsy' market (like Warrandyte) or should I resort to Ebay instead? Would love to gather some opinions for future ideas and direction.......

An angel in her Grandmothers dress.....

I simply had to share these photos with you all (after allot of fiddling and playing with them by me!!) Here is one of my baby angels, all dressed up and looking mischievous (as always) in her Grandmothers 58 year old dress. Isn't it just too cute - the smocking and filmy fabric is beautiful. This dress was made by hand by my angel's great great grandmother and it is still in pristine condition. Children's dresses of mid century are precious items, do treasure them if you happen across one......after all, think of the playing and mud and dirt and play dough etc etc that children's clothing is subjected to !! To last 50 or 60 years is a marvelous achievement !! That said, I believe this little number was a 'Sunday Best' and Angel's great grandmother was always very strict about Sunday clothes being taken off and put away as soon as they arrived home from church - hence we now have this little family jewel to adore !!! And the Angel isn't half bad either !!!

Christmas Giveaway Competition

With Christmas on the doorstep, I decided it was a perfect opportunity to host my very first giveaway here at Alice Jean's !!

I have been very very busy sewing sewing sewing, and the end result has been some darling little girls pinnies in all sorts of colours and fabrics - just ready for your daughter, neice, grandaughter or friend to play in. Here is a picture of my own little baby doll modeling how they can be worn - with jeans and a long sleeve top - but they would look just as darling on their own or with a summer t-shirt underneath.

To win this adorable little Christmas pinnie, simply put a post on your blog, with a link to this competition, and share your favorite childhood outfit. Post a photograph or draw a picture of it if you wish, or simply describe it. Once you have done this, leave a comment on this post with the URL of your post so that I can check it out. The winning entre will have this pretty little pinnie sent to them in the mail - what a lovely Christmas pressie !!! You have until the 18 December to get your entre's to me.......I cant wait to see all your sweetest childhood frocks, costumes and duds !!! (The prize is a pure cotton, size 18m to 2 y.o., fabric covered button and contrast hem pinnifore, in festive Christmas colours. Normally valued at $28)

If you do not blog but would like to enter, simply send me an email with your entry and I will post here at Alice Jean's for you.

If you are not into competitions, feel free to browse these other little pinnies I have created. They are for sale for very reasonable prices - please spread the word !!!! (Click on images to enlarge for detail)

Pink and white daisy dress

Size: 18months - 2 years

Price: $28

Vintage 1970's Fabric

Size 3-4
Price $28

Yellow Pinnie with wooden buttons

Size: 3-4

Price: $25

Roses and stripes

Size 3-4
Price $28

Blue ribbon dress

Size: 18months - 2 years

Price: $25

Pink Stripes and Roses

Size 3-4
Price $28

Navy 'Holly Hobbies' pinnie - vintage fabric

Size: 3-4

Price: $28

Making Making Making

For the past week I have been quite possessed by the making bug. Maybe it is springtime, maybe it is simply the mood I am in, but I have literally been driven to make anything I can of an artistic, crafty nature. I began by sewing some lovely little childrens dresses with the intention of putting them up for sale at markets with my lovely friend Julie, of Julies Provincial Patch (http://www.provincialpatch.com/Provincial_Patch/Provincial_Patch_Home.html). Unfortunatly for my selling capacity, my little 18 month old missy has her eye on all three dresses and has been demanding to wear them (she is quite the fashionista already!).....looks like I will be making more in the weeks to come !!!

I then moved my creative expression to artistic canvases, and made up some simply delightful name plates for friends who have recently had babies, as well as my own precious little ones. I was particularly chuffed at the little denim pocket design - perfect for me to 'post' little love notes to my boys ! I was also excited to see a segment on ABC's 'Collectors' show about an artist who collects vintage items and re-creates them into works of art......that's what I am doing with my canvases. Vintage pieces of fabric, buttons, golden book images, font styles, ribbons and trims all form these lovely little contemporary art pieces for children......and I am particularly delighted to see that little boys can have something made especially for them as well - they ofton miss out in the world of home crafted dresses !

Alice Jeans Vintage Childrens Dresses

Welcome to Alice Jeans Vintage Children’s Dresses. All dresses are lovingly hand made from vintage children’s dress patterns, and very ofton from vintage sourced fabrics with vintage buttons and trims! They shine with quality, creative individuality and uniqueness. Dress your darling little one with vintage charm. Not just for that special occasion or the next Wintersun festival - Alice Jeans dresses will quickly become favourites that your princess will be begging to wear everyday!

We are a small home based business and gladly welcome your clientelle - please tell your friends all about us ! If you wish to know more or would like to purchase a Alice Jeans dress, please contact us via edendesign@aapt.net.au . We accept paypal and bank cheque. Keep an eye out for more Alice Jeans dresses coming later this year ...............




1.She'll be apples! Beautiful dress in apple print fabric with vintage blue buttons. Gathered sleeve, collar and tie at waist with twin pleat skirt. Size 3-4. $80






2.Cute as pie ! Purple gingham dress with rick rack at neck, zip back, tie bow at waist. Dress can also be worn with darling white apron and matching purple gathered gingham bonnet - too adorable ! Size 2. Dress $80 Apron $30 Bonnet $25 All items SOLD




3.Pretty in Pink! Adorable pink pinafore. Reproduction vintage fabric design and original vintage white buttons and rick rack. Can be worn as a dress or with a white skivvy and leggings, pinafore style. Size 2. $70




4.Sprung ! Pretty little girls summer dress with floral pattern and spotty green contrast in yoke and tie bow at waist. Gathered sleeve and collar feature. Size 3. $80




5.Dancing Doll ! Grooving to your favorite music could not be more fun in this blue and white striped dress with built in gathered apron and zip back. Size 2. $60





6.The Fairy Gardener ! A beautiful red gingham dress with frilled sleeves and built in provincial print apron. Vintage red and white buttons at back - colourful, quaint and country ! Size 4-5. Dress $70



7.Dotty Dolly ! Charming dress with matching bonnet in contrasting pink and white dotted material, and white with pink rosebuds. Collar and tie bow at waist with beautiful vintage buttons, gathered sleeve and collar contrast. Size 2. REDUCED (collar not completed to my preferred standard, button through collar instead of under) $50 dress - nomally $80. $25 bonnett.




8.Alice in wonderland! Lovely white dress with contrasting green gingham apron over top. Just like a fairytale ! Size 2. Dress $80. Apron $30 All items SOLD




9.The 'Nurse Nancy' dress! Just like your favorite story book, this little dress is a dream ! Stripey blue and white material with white rick rack at neck. Tie bow and waist and gathered sleeves. Size 2. $80




10.Oh So French Retro Chic ! A stunning dress that would look even more adorable with black tights, black skivvy and black berret ! Can be worn as a pinny or summer dress. Black vintage buttons complete the effect ! Size 4-5 Dress $70




11.The Christmas Dress ! Not really...this little charmer can be worn all year round but has the green and red christmas effect ! Contrasting red ginham with a beautiful green country print (didnt those vintage dresses love colour and vibrence !) and red satin front tie. Lovely vintage buttons complete this festive number ! Size 2. $70




12.Little Autumn Miss ! This lovely little dress has delicious Autumn tones. A built in gathered red gingham apron contrasts beautifully with the brown print beneath. Gathered sleeve and skirt, this is a shorter number that can be worn with leggings as shown, or short with frilly matching knickers (not supplied through Bella Boo). Size 2. Dress $80




13.Happy Girley ! A lovely little sundress with matching bonnet in a beautiful striped blue print with tiny rosebuds. Gathered sleeve, piped neck, tie bow waist and zip back. Gathered bonnet with ribbon bow - sure to win the heart of any vintage loving miss ! Size 2. $80 All items SOLD.




14.Sweets for your sweet ! Floral, feminine and fabulous... a little dress for the baby in your life. Green gingham gathered skirt with contrasting green and pink floral yoke and adorned with green and pink rosebud trim. Pink buttons finish this pretty little number off. Size 6-12 months. Dress $60



Thankyou to all my darling little models ! You are so adorable and did the most wonderful job of making my clothes look amazing ! Cuddles to all three of you !