...for the longest while now, I've had a real soft spot for all that is Irish; if you'd asked me in the last ten years what would be the country I would most like to visit, I would have immediately, without any hesitation, answered "Ireland". My Irish holiday is yet to happen, hopefully in the near future...
Now my children's school is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and to mark this very special milestone, the school put on a fabulous show last week filled with great dance, song, poetry and even a touch of the circus... Because the school is very multicultural, one of the acts showcased all the nationalities present in the school; it was probably the most touching moment of the entire show as children dressed in an incredible array of traditional costumes walked onto the stage... I know I had tears in my eyes!
When I first found out that my 6-year-old, Nicola, was to be part of this act, I thought it would be a perfect fit because I have five traditional Polish girl's costumes like these (one of them being my own when I was a little girl) lying around the house (just in case you're wondering what I'm doing with all these costumes, I should tell you that I am of Polish descent!). However, Nicola wasn't chosen for the Polish costume because, well you guessed it, there is a little girl at the school more authentically Polish! Nicola, on the other hand, was assigned to represent Ireland; my husband's maternal side of the family is Irish so my children are what you would call, one-quarter-Irish -- Yippee for the touch of Irish in my family!
Now, how was I to dress her? A quick search on the internet led me to rather complicated looking Riverdance-like dance costumes which I was not really into making at this point... However, a longer search led me to the Irish overdress and an Irish costume which wouldn't be too complicated to make started to take shape in my mind. Luckily, I found the loveliest green cotton velveteen in a gorgeous shade of green (remember, I LOVE green!) to make the overdress, some cheerful cotton for the skirt and, of course, a woolly clover... If any of you know more about traditional Irish costumes, I'd love to hear about it -- but, for now, here's my version:
Now my children's school is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and to mark this very special milestone, the school put on a fabulous show last week filled with great dance, song, poetry and even a touch of the circus... Because the school is very multicultural, one of the acts showcased all the nationalities present in the school; it was probably the most touching moment of the entire show as children dressed in an incredible array of traditional costumes walked onto the stage... I know I had tears in my eyes!
When I first found out that my 6-year-old, Nicola, was to be part of this act, I thought it would be a perfect fit because I have five traditional Polish girl's costumes like these (one of them being my own when I was a little girl) lying around the house (just in case you're wondering what I'm doing with all these costumes, I should tell you that I am of Polish descent!). However, Nicola wasn't chosen for the Polish costume because, well you guessed it, there is a little girl at the school more authentically Polish! Nicola, on the other hand, was assigned to represent Ireland; my husband's maternal side of the family is Irish so my children are what you would call, one-quarter-Irish -- Yippee for the touch of Irish in my family!
Now, how was I to dress her? A quick search on the internet led me to rather complicated looking Riverdance-like dance costumes which I was not really into making at this point... However, a longer search led me to the Irish overdress and an Irish costume which wouldn't be too complicated to make started to take shape in my mind. Luckily, I found the loveliest green cotton velveteen in a gorgeous shade of green (remember, I LOVE green!) to make the overdress, some cheerful cotton for the skirt and, of course, a woolly clover... If any of you know more about traditional Irish costumes, I'd love to hear about it -- but, for now, here's my version:
Irish clover,
Irish jig,
and Irish mischief!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
How precious she is! Such a sunny lass! Happy St. Patty's day to you my friend!
Posted by: Lavender Dreamer | March 17, 2009 at 01:39 PM
Bonne saint Patrick à vous!
Posted by: Véronique | March 17, 2009 at 01:43 PM
Happy clover day to all of you. Nico looks amazing! You are an inspirationally crafty mom, Beata. It was fun to see you on the soccer pitch - coach forfeited last game at 4 due to a team of crying, frozen 10 year olds. On to field hockey now....
K
Posted by: Krista | March 17, 2009 at 03:41 PM
Beata,
What wonderful photos (as usual!) If you have a second, could you tell me how you made that collage. Your daughter is such a sweetie.
Love to you,
Jane (posy)
xxx
P.S
Any chance you'll be making anymore heart cushions? x
Posted by: Jane | March 17, 2009 at 04:37 PM
Oh, what a lovely wee lass! I would dance a jig in such a dress as well!
Posted by: kirsten | March 18, 2009 at 08:21 AM
Ahhhh, Tis sweet she looks in the native dress! And with the red of hair... and the freckle of face...and the sweet grimmer in her eye... sure and she will be catching the boys eyes before long! Her father needs to aquaint himself with a baseball bat soon I be thinking! LoL....
Sweet pictures!
Posted by: Jean C. | March 18, 2009 at 10:45 AM
my daughter does irish dancing her dress is much more modern and easy to dance in. the dresses they wear now arent really what i would call traditional but i do love what u have made for your daughter i think its very irish indeed.
if you want to see some dresses that the girls wear now go to www.dance-again.com please be warned the prices are scarey heheheh.
Posted by: libby | March 18, 2009 at 11:10 PM
I posted pics of my beautiful pillow this morning! Hope you can stop by! Thanks!
http://lavenderdreamstoo.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Lavender Dreamer | March 19, 2009 at 06:16 AM
Your daughter looks gorgeous. Was interested to learn that her name is Nicola. Am I correct in thinking that it is an unusual name in your country. My daughter is also called Nicola and it not a common name here in Australia. Of course I think it's a lovely name.
Posted by: Lauren | March 19, 2009 at 04:25 PM
Beata !
Your daughter is beautiful.
What fabulous and mischievous smile.
It's easy to get the feeling that your family gives you great joy .. I'm happy that you love who you are, and what you do.. and surround yourself with like-minded individuals.
I still pop in to your blog to catch up : )
Your ol' childhood friend.. Monique
Posted by: Monique Ruta Howat ( yep.. hubby has Irish also ! ) | March 20, 2009 at 06:33 PM
such a pretty dress and a pretty young lady!
Posted by: Jo | March 21, 2009 at 04:22 AM
Your daughter is an absolute cutie-pie! I can see a little bit of mischief in the smile! She looks just darling in that sweet Irish dress momma made. You are so talented Beata!
Posted by: Shari | March 22, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Beata, you officially have a place to stay when you come to Ireland. You must come to the North, it is often overlooked but now the tourism is beginning to take off here and people are realising what it has to offer. I love the overdress, and the mischievious look on your little one's face looks very Irish to me !
Posted by: Gayle | March 22, 2009 at 03:55 PM
How I love that little smile! Sweet... and a bit mischievous maybe.
Posted by: Sabine | March 25, 2009 at 03:02 AM
What a fabulous dress! I am sure that your daughter loves it, and looked the best dressed kid in school!
Posted by: Lisa | March 25, 2009 at 10:43 AM
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Posted by: star trek | March 27, 2009 at 01:55 AM
I came across your blog from Philigry, and just fell in love with the Irish dress! LOVE IT! What a perfect little St. Patrick's Day frock.
Posted by: Melanie | March 31, 2009 at 06:47 PM
She looks every bit one quarter Irish! What a cutie!
Posted by: tiffany | April 01, 2009 at 08:07 PM
What a sweet wee lassie! The Irish runs deep in our family, BIG Irish Catholic family. Love your photos, as always!
Kathy
Btw, my son's name is Patrick so St. Patrick's day is a very big holiday in our house too!
Posted by: Kathy | April 03, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Your daughter is very precious. It seems happy with her beautiful dress.
Kiss from Spain
Lo
Posted by: La buhardilla de Lo | May 19, 2009 at 12:37 AM