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I have seen many beautiful posts on colour themes as I flit through blogland…Blue Mondays…Pink Saturdays, but have not yet taken part in one of these events. When I happened upon ‘Faded Charm’, and saw that Kathleen graciously hosts White Wednesday, I thought it was time to join in the fun!
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Having moved from Northern Ireland to Eastern Canada, and then later across the country to west coast Vancouver, we seemed always to be paring down our family possessions. I am grateful that one of the few things my mother refused to give up was my christening layette, complete with its bonnet, undergarment and exquisitely detailed vest..jpg)
It is a true thing of beauty, my christening ensemble...a little yellowed with age, but no less glorious than the day it was bought. I marvel that my parents were able to outfit me so splendidly in those hard days of postwar Britain. It would have taken many months of putting away every spare farthing for them to afford it, and we barely managed to get by at the best of times.
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Ours was not always the happiest home throughout my childhood, but my heart takes comfort in knowing how proud Mum and Dad were of me from the start..jpg)
With my mother, Esther Anne.
Belfast, N. Ireland, 1947
It is a wonderful coincidence that the only extant baby pictures of me are ones taken on my christening day. My mother and grandmother, both named Esther Anne, posed with me in the tiny garden behind my Gran’s row house.
Belfast, N. Ireland, 1947
It is a wonderful coincidence that the only extant baby pictures of me are ones taken on my christening day. My mother and grandmother, both named Esther Anne, posed with me in the tiny garden behind my Gran’s row house.
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My intent has always been to have the gown cleaned and mounted in a shadow box…but procrastination dogs me relentlessly, and too many projects get put on hold!
I am working on changing that!
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With my grandmother, Esther Anne.
Belfast, N. Ireland, 1947
Belfast, N. Ireland, 1947
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Having brought this treasure out of hiding, I 'm determined to look into archival display options. I promise to post the finished product when it’s ready! Please check back and hold me accountable for this promise! I'll conquer procrastination, yet...
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.Many thanks to Kathleen for hosting this wonderful chance to get together!
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To see more of White Wednesday, or to visit Kathleen's charming blog, 'Faded Charm', please click on the link below...
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30 comments:
OH! MY! GODDESS! This is SO WONDERFUL!!!!!!! Such BEAUTIFUL christening clothes, so finely detailed and preserved. And the photos of you with your mom and Grandma back in The Day.........wow! I love this post so much and now will nag you until I see it properly mounted in a shadow box or SOMETHING worthy of its fineness:) SO COOL!
I knew I could count on you to nag me, Sherry..LOL!
Your christening attire really is exquisite. So wonderful that you still have it. Love the blog.
Hugs XX
Barbara
Such a beautiful gown...and I loved the story behind it! It is a treasure!
Our best possessions are the ones that touch the heart! I am so glad you have this with you now. What a wonderful way to begin White Wednesday!
Welcome! Hugs- Tete
Lynette, how utterly charming! Welcome to White Wednesday and I hope we see you here each week.
Thanks for sharing your lovely Christening dress and pictures. Nothing better in the world!!
Blessings, Doni
How wonderful that you still have your christening layette -- especially since it's the outfit in your only baby photos. Your Mom had great foresight in saving it and guarding it.
How beautiful! I was born in 1947 also. I don't have anything but my baby book from the box of mementos that I remember my mother having. Those are treasures.
What a treasure! Your christening gown is so amazing!! How wonderful that you still have it, and it's in perfect condition. It'll look so lovely mounted in a shadow box. The pictures of you with your mom and grandmother are precious!
Happy WW! So glad you joined the fun!
~ Jo :)
I love the history and the treasures!
Those are such wonderful treasures. I am so glad you are taking steps to preserve them. I cannot wait to see how they turn out. Precious memories are the most wonderful gift we can have.
What a fabulous first WW post!
Yes, you must make an effort to get the gown framed. I have a friend who has three family gowns framed and hanging in her living room.
They MAKE the room, seriously. Everyone just loves them, and then she shares their history etc.
Of course now you've gone and done it..by mentioning it....we're all waiting.....
Suzan
That really is an amazingly beautiful christening gown! I am so glad you have it as a wonderful treasured keepsake!
Welcome to your 1st White Wednesday and what a beautiful treasure you've shared this week with your Christening gown ensemble and family portraits of you wearing it. Such a fun "white" object to share.
Thanks for visiting my sing and for your sweet comments about my jewelry. I love what I do with vintage redesign and feel blessed to be able to bring forth old neglected items out into the light again.
Can't wait to see what you choose to do to display your precious baby outfit.
Hi Lynette, What an adorable Christening gown. You are so lucky to still have it and it is in still good condition. You are blessed. You looked like such a sweet baby. Happy White Wednesday.
The Swedish Room
What a nice story, and pretty gown. I am also originally from Norn Iron, but have lived all over the world, including Canada! Currently living in Glasgow, but you know, my feet are getting itchy...
Beautiful gown, despite its yellowing with age~ it makes it that much sweeter. Love the photos you included, wonderful post! Happy WW :-)
Brilliant post! Really enjoyed your photos of the gown and cap as well as the baby pics! Thanks for sharing:)
Well hello Lynette,
So glad you visited my blog...so happy to meet another West Coast blogger!!!! This is a stunning set you have posted--so glad it was saved with all the moving.
Happy 1st White Wednesday!!!!
xojanis
I am pleased to find you through Faded Charm, that you for inviting me to see your Christening Gown. It is truly a treasure that you have pictures along with the gown. Is it perhaps rayon or silk. It looks very shiny. It is a lovely gown and I love that it is a set!! Also you have posted another gown. What is the history of the other white gown. It looks to be cotton. Loved seeing your entire post along with the writting.
your whites are just lovely! i am so happy you joined in on WW. i hope you will join us again next week?? Bon soir!
Oh what a precious keepsake you have and, YES< you must get it preserved!! So you were born in Ireland!! My Dad was first generation American- both his parents came over from Ireland via Canada and settled in Bronx, NY.
One of my dreams is to go to Ireland someday and track down relatives! Actually I should track them down now and then go and see them!
bee blessed
mary
What an amazing "re-memberie"..yes, you DO need to protect this darling piece of YOUR history..thanks for sharing it with us :-)
Hi Lynette, how fortunate you are to still have this wonderful gown, what a blessing, and the photos are just priceless. So glad you shared this with us today!
xo,
Debra
Hi Lynette, Thanks for the comment and for following. I scrolled down and read a good bit of your blog and really enjoyed it. I'll be following you now too! Your white lady under the cloche is a napkin lady. When you fold paper or cloth napkins and put them in the slots, she has a skirt. They were a hot item just a few years ago in antique stores.
what a beautiful post! i don't really know anything about christening garments, but the craftsmanship in yours is outstanding. i love every detail! so wonderful that your mother did not part with them and that you are able to still take them out and look at them. i can't wait to see what display options you come up with. and the pictures of you,you mother, and grandmother are just beautiful!
sorry so late to the party but I'm glad I stopped back to see you.
I love the story of your family and growing up.
Can't wait to see it mounted in a shadowbox.
I'm a procrastinator too. I'm doing it right now:)) ha
xx
Carole
Nice to meet you Lynette and thanks for visiting my blog. That Christening gown is gorgeous and should sooooo be displayed. Even if only on a sweet white shabby hanger hanging on a hook.
My husband's father was from Belfast and emigrated to the US when he was 12.
You have a beautiful blog. I love your idea of finding joy in the simple things. I can't wait to look around more.
Take care,
Roselle
How beautiful! I know you treasure this.
wonderful white Wednesday photos!
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