Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Downton the Dumps

Happy Tatting Tea Tuesday!  Lingering thoughts of the season 2 finale of Downton Abbey ran roughshod over today's tea-time tatting post. Please pardon the change.

The title of today's post reflects my mood regarding the hiatus.

Seriously, how are we to muddle through until Season 3 starts in (cross your fingers) September?

One way, could be to act out our favorite scenes using Kyle Hilton's Downton Abbey Paper Dolls (You bet your sweet bippy I'll be doing this.) Dowager Countess doll here I come.

Or, one can always win a trip to Highclere & Leeds Castles to live your own Downton experience: Win a Trip to Briton

Fans can (and should) seek out blogs dedicated to Downton Abbey:
Downton Abbey Cooks

Or play dress-up! Haven't we seen a tatted choker closely resembling the one pictured here?
Downton Abbey - Madame Guillotine
Hand-Me-Downtons: Why those costumes weren't quite as lavish as they looked onscreen

Not everyone adores DA as much as I. The New York Times Art Beat has this report in its "Culture at Large" section:  Another British Critic Torches ‘Downton Abbey’

But to those who see Downton Abbey as a “steaming, silvered tureen of snobbery,” I say, "Pass me a third helping, if you please."

10 comments:

Jane McLellan said...

Downton Abbey has just started here. I look forward to becoming hooked!

deanna7trees said...

thanks for this post. i am a fan of DA and I love those paper dolls.

Sharren - Tatting in Greenwood, South Carolina said...

W-a-a-a-h-h! I still haven't gotten to see it, and I know I'd love it! Must find it on the Internet!!

I loved Upstairs, Downstairs "way back when!"

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

I LOVE Downton Abbey! I have two episodes left to watch. I wait until Dave's not home to watch them... just not his thing. Paper dolls? Really? I always loved paper dolls when I was a kid. I'll have to check them out!

Fox said...

OMG! I love this post! I JUST this minute finished watching (and tatting away all the while) the final disc of Season 1 that my kids gave me.

I watched the 3 discs in a couple of very late nights. I adore this series and cannot wait to get my paws on Season 2!!!

Such fine acting, an intelligent script, and gorgous settings, scenery and costumes. An absolute delight!
Fox : )

Maureen said...

I, too, had to buy the boxed set because it was too painful to wait for a new episode every week! - and I watched them ALL in one great big huge weekend.
Can't wait for the stand-offs between the two dowagers.Favourite quote from Maggie Smith: "What's a weekend?"

Umintsuru said...

How can I get my hands on season 2?? They are still playing re-runs of season 1 here.

Margarets designer cards said...

I am not saying a word, but we have already had series three here in the UK, and a christmas speical. Last sunday night they stated a new upstairs downstairs that starts at the bginning of world war two.
I am sorry you are so far back, but I know you will get even more hooked on the serieses that are coming.
Margaret

Margarets designer cards said...

I meant to add that downtown Abby is film at a large house in Berkshire and not the houses you mentioned in your piece.
I am sorry I can't remember the name of the house but if I find out I will let you know.
I hope you enjoy the series, you will enjoy those that are coming up
Margaret

Kathy Niklewicz said...

Although it's often mentioned in comparison, I'm guessing that some younger viewers aren't aware of the long-running series of the 1970s called 'Upstairs Downstairs' (not the 'newer' version).

We were as hooked on that as are viewers of Downton Abbey, and indeed, it set a high standard. It was 'must see' TV (before video tape!); and later on when they re-ran it and I DID have a VHS, I made sure to tape EVERY episode so I would have it in my 'Library'. I still have the 10 VHS tapes! (Minimum $6 per blank tape back then - 6 hours per tape.)

I learned so much about English history and social structure in the early 1900s (and into the 1920s) from watching that show; and I loved seeing the Edwardian clothes. It was amazing how they would change outfits during the day, and dress formally for dinner, served by the downstairs staff. (Little did I realize I would be wearing 'quasi' Edwardian outfits when demonstrating tatting, starting in the 1990s! Don't remember anyone tatting on the show, however!)

An episode of U/D I particularly loved (because I was a secretary) was the introduction of the 'Type-writer' - not only the machine (an early portable) but also the gal who was going to assist Lord Bellamy by typing his memoirs. She was also called the 'Type-writer'! Women eventually took over from men in the offices and were 'emancipated' because of the typewriter! And in HER case, she ended up marrying Lord Bellamy's son, a member of the 'new' generation who were challenging the social restrictions of their parents. World War I sped that process up quite a bit, leading to the 'wild' 1920s - a huge shift in culture - bigger even, than the 1960s.
The Victorian/Edwardian Era was but a memory!

What I'm leading to is that you might wish to get a copy of 'classic' 'Upstairs Downstairs' to fill the void you're experiencing!