Sepia Saturday challenges bloggers to share family history through old photographs.
This week’s Sepia Saturday prompt is the noble umbrella. Many years ago, my sister spied this beauty in our grandaunt Violetta Davis Ryan’s closet and asked if she could have it. Violetta just laughed and said, “Sure.”
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| Photo courtesy Mary Jollette |
Holes aside, this umbrella would not have offered much protection in the rain because the fabric is not water-repellant. It is actually a PARASOL, a kind of umbrella intended to provide shade from the sun. Unlike the typical polyester or nylon umbrella, parasols are constructed of delicate fabrics like lace, silk, or linen. Umbrellas have a curved handle while the handle of a parasol is usually straight. In the United States, a parasol is considered a feminine accessory while an umbrella can swing both ways.
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| Photo courtesy Mary Jollette |
I am sure my sister had a vision for how she would use Violetta’s parasol. Let’s see what ideas others have offered for repurposing an umbrella or parasol:
A door wreath – now this looks like something my sister would want to do.
Finally, you could just hang your sepia photos on it.
Visit my friends at Sepia Saturday where the weather is fine and no “brolly” or “bumbershoot” is needed.
Wendy
© 2021, Wendy Mathias. All rights reserved.
Well, you never told us what your sister did with her ripped parasol! I have a broken umbrella that has a beautiful cover, I think it's problem is a rib. I intend to remove the fabric and keep it, someday!
ReplyDeleteThat's because she hasn't done anything. I think the parasol went from Violetta's closet to my sister's closet. Maybe this post will inspire her to do something.
DeleteI could get on board with some of these! I love how some people are so creative at repurposing what would otherwise go immediately to the landfill.
ReplyDeleteRight - when my umbrella breaks, out it goes.
DeleteMy thought was to have momma remake the cover using the lace inserts and from there who knows, but yes the front door umbrella with the flowers and Easter Eggs is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteWell, get on it, Sista!
DeleteSo many marvelous ideas for using an umbrella that has seen better days. I absolutely love the upside down umbrella filled with flowers as a front door decoration. Too bad my front door is an all glass French double door. The umbrella shown shading plants is something I've done. I planted some beautiful large multi-colored daisies in a half wine barrel, but the summer sun was too much for them. I found a child-size umbrella in a thrift shop and used it to shade those daisies and they no longer wilted away in the afternoon. :)
ReplyDeleteAren't you smart! I would have just let 'em die and chalk it up to bad planning.
DeleteI've never thought to repurpose an umbrella. There are some good ideas here.
ReplyDeleteMe neither!
DeleteThat parasol could have used the repairman in our Sepia prompt photo! The repurposing photos are excellent -- and I particularly like the door wreath, which looks as if it would work Violetta's parasol.
ReplyDeleteI think the umbrella\parasol was an invention originally imported from China. In hot climates the practical purpose is portable shade, and I've seen them used for natural cooling in some of my older photos. Makes sense considering the heavy garments people used to wear.
ReplyDeleteI love this! The lesson in terms -- but especially the crafty ideas! That door wreath, especially. I'm trying to think now if I have an old umbrella I can recommission...
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired just at the thought of repurposing an umbrella that would have gone to the landfill in my world.
ReplyDelete