Serving...Spools to Fill Up!

I made some empty spools to put lace and ribbon on. I think I am addicted to making these.
This little postcard always makes me smile, I wonder what they are having a conversation about????

"Little Bits Clothing Co." 18th Century Goods

These 18th Century Costumes are from an etsy site, you can find out more about them at http://litttlebits.etsy.com/. Alicia, the creator, says they are "completely and utterly historically correct", and they are.


Do visit her and see more creations.

She creates for reenactments, using the correct fabrics for the right date.

This one is yummy.

Some of her garments have gone to museums for display.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Fashion Print-A-Holic

I have always loved Fashion Prints, I'm sure its genetic, thanks Mom! I decided to make these again, for sale this time, on etsy. We'll see, but I enjoy making them, so much glitter and mess, what a way to go. I have a bunch more coming up.

The trick is getting good pictures. I try not to agonize over photography,,as I have no clue what I am doing. Mostly, I say "that'l do". I would love to get some training, and a good camera one day, and many classes, and hours of practice. I suppose we all struggle in this area. I think "light" is half the battle.
The other half is,,,hey, I thought I locked in the font!!
Oh well,,"that'l do"....

I do hope you are making up new words and having a good Thursday. So many comments, it means alot to me, thank you all. I will do my best to get to your blogs soon, and see if you have your taxes done...just kidding.

The Robins are Back, Love's In The Air

The Robin's are back from Florida. I love their song. The Squirrel's are busy too.

A Wedding is anticipated. I am looking forward to seeing everything transpire. I have always loved this image. I found it in a very old scrapbook. I hope you can make something beautiful with it.

Looking forward to Spring

Winter is the promise of Spring.

Soon,, there will be flowers.

There are always Games

I find myself playing http://www.getty.edu/gettygames/
But that is ok, isn't it?
Sure, I give myself permission.
Have a nice Sunday.
Relax Marcie

Keeping the Balance,,,Wrist Cuff and Broach

I hope your Saturday is starting off well. I am posting some things on ETSY http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6467065 this weekend, trying to keep the "balance", between the computer and life. The lists on both sides are long, so I will try to balance them, somehow.

I wish you all well, and a wonderful weekend ahead!

A Special Patina

I cannot remember where I found this top, I do remember "the moment" however. It is a "knowing", that it is going home with you,,,, it was waiting for you,,,,, meant to be, for some reason. That is a physiological change in the body, hair standing on end, or goosebumps for some. For me its just a wow and warm feeling. I think it must have been worn on the prairie, it just has that feel. It is skillfully made from flour sacks, partially hand stitched, the rest made on a treadle sewing machine as the stitches are irregular. The velvet collar and cuffs are worn thin, but beautiful still. There are old sweat stain that are there forever, as washing it would be like loosing a special patina.


I draped the lace collar and
a few other things just for fun. I made the coin purse above, in the early 90's and wore it to trade shows for a long time, as it was a decorative way to carry cards and cash close. Back then, I could even wear it on a plane and no one would care. The photo of the women is a printing method of the times, using jean and elbow patches, pressing with an iron, onto silk. Any body remember that method? Or sun printing, that was fun. Now we just pop things in the computer and print away, so much easier.

A few years ago I became interested in southern history and people, and picked up a few old photos. I dug into a large pickle jar devoted to old coin purses, and they seemed to work together for a photo. The compass, well , it is just in case I get lost.

I want to let you all know how much I appreciate your comments, I will visit your blogs and say hello, I am enjoying this world very much.
Enjoy the Blessing of this Fine Friday!

Marcie

Old Doll Clothes

Mother had a doll hospital for antique dolls. She restored, repaired, and costumed antique bisque, porcelain, china, and composition dolls, from the wigs to the shoes. In Portland Oregon, she belonged to a doll club, or two, and knew many interesting women with like minds. To join the club, you had to own 15 antique dolls. I was able to go along to some of the clubs, and conventions, and dolls shows, and meet basements and attics of dolls, and all that goes with them. I wish I knew then, what I know now. I would have taken a camera, and learned so much more. I would have probably collected mass amounts of doll stuff, like she did. I get that. I love that. We would go junking, and to the doll collectors houses that had goodies to sell, or trade. Many of these women had white hair, they are always the ones that have the best treasures, the knowledge and skills. One is never too old to play with dolls.

In the process, and along the way, this small box of pantaloons, slips, and dresses were grouped together. She doesn't remember where any of it came from. I know where it is now. Now, what will I do with it? Well, first a box of BIZ to soak out some stains, some ironing too. NO, allot of ironing. What have I gotten myself into? Altered art??? shadow boxes??, who knows.

The body,,wonder what the head looked like? How did she end up with it. Maybe it was in a lot purchase. Some would ask why. Not me, I see the beauty in it. Stories can be written about this piece alone. Humm..I wonder if any of the dresses will fit. I might add that Mother had two antique shops in Arizona; and my Grandparents were rock hounds and lived in an old yellow school bus, traveled, and dug, tumbled, cut, made and sold jewelry and rocks. I am grateful for them all, as they let me see art as an
"OK" thing to do.

Guessing game at Honey Suckle Lane

Lana at Honeysuckle Lane is hosting a guessing game on her wonderful blog. Go see what fun this is....
http://honeysucklelane.blogspot.com/


Lana also has a new etsy site, starting on January 24th. It is called Simple Joy's Paperie. See what woders she has by clicking on this link. I can't wait to see what she will have there...

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6675190

This is the first time I have done this,,,did I do it right Miz Dawn????????
Marcie

Embroidery

While "once again" looking in boxes for something "entirely different", I came across this wall hanging that I purchased about 15 years ago. It is from India. They are all about embellishment,,,,and color....and Surprise & Variety in design. I took a few photos of a few areas I especially like.

I thought you might be interested, especially if you do needlework.

The close up will be really big, so you will see everything.

You just never know what I will post about. I never know, it just transpires. Usually.

I came across a box of doll clothes, and drug that out too. Maybe I will show you that tomorrow.

I hope you all have a fine Wednesday!

Old Shoes

I like the white ones the best. Until I find a new pair.

Old shoes are hard to resist, no matter the size.


We all should have a red pair that "taps" when we walk.

The black sheep in the collection keeps company with the doll shoes.

A sweet brown pair for everyday.

Keeping The Balance

I will keep the balance today. It's a challenge, everyday. How are you doing with Balance?

I thought I would send out some old post cards from my collection.


Hugging game ????


Have a good Monday!

PS..The first image is from welcomeimage.com

My Collection of Kitty Babendreier Shadowbox's

I have been appreciating Kitty B. of Calico and Buttons all over again and decided to show them. Her shadowbox's are all one of a kind
She sells on line with http://www.EarthAngelsToys.com/



I picked out a theme but she has many different themes and colors.




This last one has micha flakes, the tag says "don't be a snowdrift". Thank you Kitty, you are one of a kind.

So Many Images, So Many Stories

So many artist throughout time creating images that seem to last forever. Here is a variety of images I played with recently.

Embroidery

A lady must first find a well lighted window for embroidery.

More to reveal another day.

1950's The Traveling Salesmen And The Pony

It was the mid 1950's when the people would bring their pony, costume's, and camera to the suburb's, going door to door selling Polaroid's of children as cowgirls and cowboys. Ingenious, and only in America. My sister Melodie is the first photo, she remembers. I do not. As you can see I was afraid, and someone was kneeling behind the horse, Melodie said I did not want to be up there. Melodie has always been the "brave one". I am so glad to have these, so glad Mom saved everything, and made our lives fun. Except for having to eat my peas, or I'd face them for breakfast, and I never had peas for breakfast, and I "still" don't like them. I'm the "stubborn one".

I talked to Melodie about this last evening, and we wondered if the picture pony people were only on the west coast, where we lived, or was this a nation wide thing,,,like the musical ice cream trucks . I would like to know if anyone had the same experience with these door to door salesmen. Write and let me know.

110 Years Later

How much is this book, I said? Oh, that ratty old thing,,you can just have it, if you want it, he said. I smiled and said thank you. I did not even look at the book untill later that day, when I had time to go through the sack of goodies I bought at the sale. I realized "this" was the best thing in the sack. To read the story, just click to enlarge.

The pages are soft and falling out. It has some wonderful illustrations and sweet stories, teaching about life as well as reading. Like this page, about a tadpole who wished he could sing like a bird. It is a fourth reader. It has soul.

It held 2 treasures, a lock of hair and a clipping from an old newspaper. The other treasure is it's worn corners and spine.

It has served a real purpose, but not done yet, as it has made it to the internet. I know, it rhymes.

A long time ago someone covered it with cotton and string. I wonder if it was a child. They used what they had on hand,,I like that. I will never remove the fabric, as the original cover could not be as interesting. I did try to peek of course. Do click on this photo below to see the threads.

I find the engravings remarkably preserved for its age. A couple have found a blue crayon however. I wonder who's eyes it has seen in the past, who read and learned from it, how long it was forgotten. Now it is alive again, and loved 110 years later.

Feel free to use this engraving in your art. I will share more of them later.

Would you like to see what happened to the little tadpole?