New Puppy in the Crow's Nest!

No worries Max, you're still our main man --

but imagine my delight last week when I was at my Aunt Marlene's

for a visit and she gifted me this turquoise teapot cozy! She had knit it years ago for my grandmother and now it is mine ours. Macy loves it too.

To fully appreciate the poodley-ness of it all you have to have

known my grandmother Gladys...

An animal lover from a tiny tot she always had pets. When I came along she had her beloved white and black miniature poodles, Buttons and Bows. Let's just say that she didn't miss out on that 50's and 60's poodle decor thing either.

Not by a long shot.

So many of you commented on my great grandmother's stern look in my last post that I had to include one of our rare photos of her smiling (middle right) - although it is just a bit of a smile. Born in 1878, the youngest of eleven, she was a hard working no-nonsense woman says my Aunt Marlene (that's Marlene on the lower right looking EXACTLY how she did last Thursday when I went to visit, minus the gloves). Great Grandma Eliza Ann was a very talented seamstress, crocheter, tatter and knitter. She passed her knowledge on to her daughter and my aunt. My grandmother was sought out in town for her sewing skills as she could mend nylon stockings (which were quite a luxury during the war). Throwing them out because of a hole was not an option. Gladys could do an almost invisible mend on them. I don't even darn socks... but I do come from a long line of 'makers' on both sides of the family and that makes me happy. 

 

Back to Grandma Gladys and her poodle teapot cozy. I am sure that she loved it. After a little searching on the web I came across this book with the catchy title:

Poodle Novelties in Canadiana

It looks like it was the source for the cozy. Marlene also made our family the poodle bottle cover -- I caught a recent glimpse of it in the lower right on this picture
of me on my way to a Brownie Halloween party in 1968.

(That was before I dropped out due to my allergy to

wearing severely pilled brown leotards.)

Apparently there are a still a few more of these puffy pooches around...

The World Famous Crochet Museum


Vintage poodles are showing up in hip and trendy places
all across North America...

Julie's laundry room at First Comes Love

This gal has a particularly fancy collar and I love her sparkly eyes...

Craft Schmaft

The infamous bottle cover... or 'Hooch Pooch'

And don't forget the TP roll covers! Patterns are available again
in new books and you can buy the finished product on Etsy.

Handmade by Mother

If you'd prefer a plastic version there is always Pierre...

Original patterns can still be found in thrift shops. I was lucky enough to receive my friend Louise's retro & vintage crochet and needlework books and magazines. They provided lots of entertainment for my mother-in-law and I last Christmas. We had a hoot looking through the 'fashions' and bazaar items. This crocheted tea cozy must be from about the 60's judging by the clip art. That gal with the apron looks just like me. :)

Apparently poodle decor from the 1950's and 1960's is quite collectable now. Grandma Gladys would be tickled to know that her style has reached sensible folks everywhere. She displayed quite an array of poodle frippery from ceramic cuties to towels, jewellery, and appliques on the dresses she made for my cousins, sister, and myself. Now THAT is a photo I wish I had here!

I don't drink tea, but I love teapots and tea cozies and I'm just happy to have been given this fun girl who happens to be sporting my favourite colour. She keeps us company in the kitchen now and makes me smile. Max is happy too knowing he's still our one and only.


** Edited to add: found that picture... each dress has a poodle applique!

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

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