|
Favorite Links |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bits and Pieces
Past and Present
Sparked by an idea in the beholders eye,
Her mission - to find an artist’s skills
on which to rely.
No longer a conception in the maker’s head,
but ready to join a ‘society’ that is widespread.
This chapter’s mascot has such variety,
perhaps bringing with it some notoriety!
A debutante anticipating destiny,
as a red hat honoree?
So Bits and Pieces were gathered and adored,
treasures awaiting to be restored.
My bits and pieces were put together,
no longer appearing in the altogether.
I’ll tell some stories of how I came to be,
Even traveling quite a bit,
with the bourgeoisie.
Books and stories have been construed,
that delightfully describe this fabulous hue.
Permanently re-created just for you,
this color purple that is meant to imbue.
First spied in a Pgh., PA municipality,
this dress just suited my personality.
A special "Going to Church Dress" adorned by another,
who has passed to perhaps a better place
than some other.
Although at the time it was not quite small,
alterations were in order first of all.
The contours of me made reshaping a breeze,
but still carries memories only
some can see.
Every young girl has needs you know,
and should be wearing Knickers to her knees
Or below.
Knickers are to be worn by all you see,
but needless to say,
mine are extra special indeed.
A wedding night gown that has been stored away,
These many, many years in a different array.
A gown that has endured as well as it’s union,
will provide its strength by threads of inclusion.
A treasured gift that has reappeared,
Parts of which are now in arrears.
My shawl adorns and it wraps,
made with just a few little scraps.
It is unique due to the fact,
that the fringe was colorized
So as not to detract.
An heir has carried my fringe all these days,
which came from an era of frugal ways.
Michigan to Ohio, Colorado and Texas
Back to Indiana for more siestas?
Only in our memories does Kern’s still exist,
but never forgotten is Grandma for which,
These dry goods bargains we just couldn’t ditch.
They make a magical transformation
which no one can resist.
Now off to California,
for yet another adventure,
To wrap and protect
against future endeavors.
Soul prevails in the leggings on me,
A stage performance for all to see,
the Charleston was danced with much glee.
These cognitive processes cannot defy,
Memories of times that have gone by.
I kick high, or I kick low,
Sit cross-legged lady-like,
Or dance on my toes.
Now that my legs are covered
With these sexy, sexy hose.
New articles were made especially for me,
New shoes and a hat just had to be.
My travel case carries whatever you desire,
but has some miles on it that will surely inspire.
My earrings are borrowed from a fellow mate,
but know that my neck beads are first rate.
Take a peak at my garters for a surprise,
Perhaps a key to my heart that really belies.
So let’s enjoy this newfound fate,
Exciting new memories to create!
Allow me to introduce you to
your new Soul Mate –
RazZamaTazZy
Robin K. Habunek
11/7/2003
Written for Barbara Witzell, Queen RazZ
Of the RazZmaTazZ chapter of the Red Hat Society.
A few details of how RazZ came together and where some of her parts came from. The doll form is fashioned using parameters of an older doll pattern on hand. RazZ needed to have a broader shoulder base, a waist and some puffiness in the upper chest area so that the dress I made would drape naturally in the flapper style. The dress was found in a flea market in Pgh., PA.The color was what drew the eye, it was purple but had just a touch of red in it that gave a bluish hue and it was interesting to try and match colors. It was purchased from a fellow who said his wife has passed and he was ready to let go of her belongings. So I cut the dress down, cut the skirt off and remade it all to fit. Some of the existing beads were reinforced and I added a few more. The red satin band was something on hand for quite some time which also was used to reinforce the inside of the hat. Being that the dress was a bluish purple, I had to be careful about what shade of red to use for the hat and shoes. I had found a fabulous piece of glittery red felt that I wanted to use for the hat, but it was a little too on the pinkish, orange side. So it was rejected, then I turned and saw the sequined, deeper red fabric and knew that would be perfect.
The odd thing is I bought the 3 roses before the dress and other fabrics were even purchased. I loved the colors in the roses.
Her hair is made with various types and colors of yarns, fibers, and strings. Some wool left over from knitting projects and leftovers from other projects. RazZ has that ‘big hair’ syndrome from bygone days. As I like to say "it’s a ‘burg thang". (Being from Pittsburgh, I can say that).
Her Knickers, or underwear, are made from a nylon wedding night gown that was given to me by my mother over 30 years ago. Both the marriage and gown still going strong. Nylon was one of the newer fabrics being used at the time, that and polyester. Oh my. The gown was not worn often, as it was too hot, really, the nylon was the cause. Really! It was just something I couldn’t throw away and kept all these years. I wouldn’t dream of putting something nylon on now, I’d roast or it’d melt. Ah the joys of the ever changing older female body.
The shawl was made from a scrap of fabric I found in one of those ‘leftover’ bins and it needed saving. The fringe actually was from my husband’s Aunt who had been carrying it around with her as she and her husband moved about the country with their jobs. It was white, but not any longer. I added the beads on the edge to perk it up a bit.
The fringe, as many other ‘bits and pieces’ are from my husband’s Grandmother who at one time worked in Kern’s Department store in their dry goods department. The store closed in 1959 and was a major presence in Detroit, MI at the time. Grandma lost her husband early in life and went to work to raise and support her three daughters. Aunt Gini was the one who picked up the sewing bug and kept all the materials and laces and ribbons and whatever else Grandma had bought, and then used them for her projects and has since stored them away all these years.
So I’ve had the fortune of uncovering hidden family treasures to bring to the light of day again. My parents grew up during the depression as did my husband’s family. Saving and reusing were a dominant force in their lives. Something they’ve never let go of. Now they don’t get rid of anything, perhaps a bit over the edge with keeping all the stuff they have accumulated. Yes they still save aluminum foil.
The fishnet stockings were also Aunt Gini’s and she hasn’t worn them for many years. Her husband belongs to a barbershop quartet group and one year the husbands and wives and all the barbershop association put on a variety show at Akron University where Gini danced the Charleston. So they (the hose) truly have some memories in them.
The garters were made new to fit and hold up her stockings and the beading and charms are my bit of whimsy.
The earrings are pieces from a set my sister gave me a few years ago. She loves jewelry and gives me her ‘castoffs’ which I turn around and use in something else.
The hat and shoes were made to fit, nothing pre-made would go over that ‘big hair’ and she just had to have matching shoes. The neck beads are new, what I had on hand either wasn’t a good fit or the coloring was wrong, some of the pearls were just too old and discolored but mostly too large. So this strand was purchased.
The hatbox, or travel case was made with pictures of travels and places that the new owner has been. Pictures were added, and the old stamps were from a collection as a kid. So everything was attached, aged, protected and viola, a travel case. Sort of in the vein of a steamer trunk.
This is my story of how RazZ came to be with Bits and Pieces.
Enjoy!
Robin
Robin K. Habunek
11/7/2003