This antique-inspired paper fortune teller comes from an activity in The Girl’s Own Book by Lydia Maria Child, published in 1833, and if you read my post about Fortune Teller Dolls, you know that they were popular during the Victorian era. The original illustration from The Girl’s Own Book is below. Notice the stylish harem pants and turban, reflecting the influence of the Ottoman Turks which was so fashionable at the beginning of the 19th century. You can see the book here:Read on Open Library (pp. 79-80) Here is how the doll was meant to be constructed: “This is a toy made of about a quarter of a yard of…
-
-
Fortune Teller Dolls
We’re all curious about what the future holds. In the mid-19th century, many traveling peddlers and gypsies earned money by advertising their services as fortune tellers or “fate ladies.” In the same vein, Victorian ladies were soon creating miniature fortune teller dolls to predict their futures. The dolls had paper skirts which could be unfolded to reveal the fortunes. It became a popular pastime for ladies to read their fortunes while taking tea or at parties. Most fortunes painted a rosy future, but a few warned of trouble ahead. I find fortune teller dolls fascinating, and their scarcity makes them even more special. Most didn’t survive due to the fragile…
-
Happy Earth Day!
Every year on April 22, we reflect on the beauty of nature and the wonderful planet we live on by celebrating Earth Day. The Kitty Friends decide to mark this momentous day by visiting some of the places that they love the most. Maxine visits Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. She loves to hike the trails and meet other nature lovers. Olivia likes hiking, too, but she prefers the sand dunes near Silver Lake, Michigan. It’s a lot of fun, even if you do get sand in your shoes. Jordan’s favorite place to walk is in the Redwood forests of California. Aren’t those trees impressive? Sharleen decides to visit…
-
Spring Fashion Show
This month, Kitty and her flower fairy friends, Faith and Hope, decided to have a Spring Fashion Show to raise money for Ukrainian refugees. They recruited the Hittys, and all the girls decided to wear their “Sunday best” dresses with hats and bonnets. Viewers from all over the world will be watching the show. Kitty, Faith and Hope are excited to see that so many people are willing to help the citizens of Ukraine. Time to reveal the fashions. Kitty goes first: she is wearing a sage green gingham check dress with ecru trim. Her lace bonnet is made from two rows of crocheted trim, in a simple hooded style…
