Boxwood and Berries~Day 2~

Where oh where does the time go? You've all been so patient, waiting to hear about my incredible day two at Boxwood & Berries...this time with the fun and fabulous Stacy Nash instructing our group. Here goes.

~Stacy's Finished Project/Sample~

(Photo courtesy of Patti Gagliardi)

Walking into the school room that morning felt very surreal. I think I must've pinched myself hundreds of times during my time in Spring Green. But sure enough, I was wide awake and day two was ready to begin. Taking our places, each of us found this pretty little package at our place setting, like a gift waiting to be opened.

(Photo courtesy of Patti Gagliardi)

I have long been an admirer of Stacy's work, chatted with her through email, and even sold her patterns way back when...but I had somehow never gotten the chance to meet her in person. My first impression of Stacy...a lovely, tall blonde who reminds me a great deal of my gorgeous friend Jane-both from Indianapolis, their voices eerily similar. I think the very best thing about Stacy (besides her obviously killer talent) has to be her sense of humor. She  can deliver a joke with a totally deadpan expression. You know, the kind of humor that makes you do a double take? She's a funny lady...I really love that.

Stacy is also warm and friendly, and very clever. She eased us into a detailed project that looked hard, but she had somehow found a way to make easy. Remember the sampler I was stitching a few posts back? Under Stacy's guidance, we spent the morning turning our stitched pieces into a beautiful fabric covered sewing box...complete with accessories. We all marveled at how easy everything went together and were thrilled to go home with so many finished projects. Again, I was fortunate enough to share a table with Patti, needlewoman extraordinaire, who was always one step ahead of me and willing to answer my bazillion questions. 

A table at the back of the room was laden with projects from both designers. Stacy's newest projects line up along the back wall. 

Stacy's new Christmas pattern and a fall sampler she created for a class at Not Forgotten Farm.

(Photo courtesy of Patti Gagliardi)

Day two found us incredibly busy as we tried to fit in as many adventures as possible. Once again Patti led the way as we took ride in the beautiful countryside to a little shop called The Woodshed. The gentleman who owns the shop refurbishes wooden crates and boxes (the kind we love) and gives them new life. As much as I enjoyed seeing the shop...I think I enjoyed the ride there and back with Carla & Wendy more. Having met at Boxwood & Berries only last year, the two have become good friends. With their banter and easy laughter they seemed almost like sisters. I really hope to spend more time with this FUN pair!   

Jeanne is a fantastic organizer and packed our time in Spring Green with wonderful activities. Late in the afternoon on day two, we got a chance to stretch our legs by walking several blocks to the home of Ruth Hass, a local antiques dealer. Ruth's home is gorgeous, and is decorated in the simple, primitive colonial style that is my particular favorite. Ruth was gracious enough to not only let us peek inside her home, but to allow us to take photos so YOU could peek too.

Patti has some great shots of Ruth's home on her blog, so I'll try not to duplicate them...but as I scanned my photos,  I noticed that Patti & I seemed to fall for the same vignettes in Ruth's home. :) (Hop on over to Patti's blog for more photos!)

As you walk in the front door, this corner "office" is sure to catch your eye. I think if I had to pick a most favorite spot in the house, this would be it. Maybe.

Ruth's family room features built in shelving, a fireplace and access to the sun porch. You wouldn't know it by looking, but her family uses this room every day. 

On the other side of a central staircase is this rustic, but functional,  dining room. People actually eat meals here. 

At the back of the house, just off the kitchen, is this truly amazing buttery. This room is a work of art. Oh to be a crock on Ruth's buttery shelves and just gaze at this masterpiece all day long! 

The view from my shelf in the buttery.

Even the bathrooms are beautiful here.

Impeccable displays abound. I loved the simplicity of this washstand in the upstairs bath.

After the others had passed through, I lingered. One of the most pleasant things about Ruth's home was the play of light on carefully placed objects.

Primitive doll in upstairs bedroom.

Chest in upstairs hall.

Game board in upstairs hall.

 Main floor, back hallway.

And this, dear readers, was just day two. Can you imagine?

And where did MY completed "Stacy project" end up?

My finished project found a home on a little tavern table in front of the window among other sewing collectables. Isn't it perfection? :)

Until next time...

Rhonda

Remembering Helen

Being the junk junkie that I am, I often watch the online listings for estate sales, hoping there might be something close by. A few weeks ago I came across an listing for a sale to be held in my little town. I was excited to see something so close to home...little did I know.

The night before, while talking with a friend, I mentioned my plans for the next day, which included attending this particular estate sale. She was interested in going along, and so we rounded up a few more friends and decided to meet there bright and early in the morning. But...just where was 'there'? Because addresses are not typically announced until the night before a sale, I had no idea. Upon checking, I was shocked to find that the estate sale was being held on the farm of my closest neighbor. 

 Early Sewing Roll

Helen passed last fall, leaving a big old house filled with wonderful things she had collected in her 95 years. I'd like to say I knew Helen well. I didn't. For instance, I didn't know Helen had a degree in Home Economics...or that she was an accomplished seamstress and weaver. I didn't know Helen had once been interested in fashion design and had notebooks filled with fashion sketches. I wish I had known. It makes me sad that I didn't "stop by" more...talk with her more. I think Helen and I would have been friends. 

Helen was born right down the road and lived in the same house most of her life. And even in her nineties, she was sharp..and funny. We did have some amusing exchanges during the time I've lived in her neighborhood.

In nice weather Helen sat on the screen porch...she always waved when I passed by on foot or bicycle. We commiserated over our predicament with the skunks who had taken up residence under our respective porches...and plotted how we could be rid of them, once and for all. 

When our orange tabby came up missing I walked to Helen's searching for him. She was in her familiar spot on the back porch, and inquired if my cat would come if she called his name. "What IS his name?", Helen asked. When I replied, "Fido, his name is Fido.", Helen chuckled, and with a mischievous smile quipped, "No wonder he ran away!"

So when I found out the sale was at Helen's house, it felt a little strange. In the end, I'm glad I went though...

Several of Helen's family member's were there, selling coffee to ward off the morning chill and benefit the Three Creeks Historical Association, of which Helen was a lifelong member. They had already been inside and taken the things that meant the most to them. And it was fun to see the things Helen had saved and collected...and to imagine her coming down the wide stairway as a young girl. The same young girl who went off to college and who designed and sewed the dresses hanging in the closets upstairs. 

 I was thrilled to find this very early sewing roll among the doll clothes in an upstairs bedroom. Just look at the wonderful fabrics.

I came home with some wonderful things...I couldn't help myself. I love knowing the history behind these things. I love knowing they belonged to Helen, and in some small way I think she would like it too. 

Please join me...

...on Simply Primitives this evening. 

I hope you'll stop by to see my work, as well as that of the other talented artisans there.

Thanks for looking!

Coming Soon on Simply Primitives

Here's a sneak peek of things to come...

Watch for my update, April 1st, on Simply Primitives.

Scavenger Hunt~List #2

 

I am so relieved that I have what I need for Misi's scavenger hunt this week...no giggles or running from house to house for me. I'm afraid I was stricken with a case of the vapors over the past few days. Thankfully, it seems to have passed.  

Here's the list for week #2...

 

~A Child's Chair~

As a boy, Mr. Kattywhompus sat in these chairs during Sunday school. When the new church was built, we inherited two of the chairs from his childhood classroom. Later they were used by our three boys.

 ~Blue Willow China~

 ...which inspired me to make these wonderful lemon-blueberry scones. (Thanks Jenn!)

~Tin or Metal Tree~

A little wire tree dedicated to the birds and bees(wax).

Close up of the delightful ornaments I bought from Linda.

~Wooden Toy Boat~

I rescued this toy boat from the sell pile...sure glad it's not garage sale season yet.

~Corn Dryer~

A friend made this corn dryer for me using her homegrown popcorn.

~A Colonial Print (featuring a boy and a girl)~

Even though both children depicted are wearing dresses, there are a couple of subtle differences in their clothing that tells us that we are indeed looking at a boy and a girl. The young boy on the left wears a low-neck dress, with coat sleeves and a complete front opening to the hem. The girls dress has a higher neck (which is difficult to see here) and a closed front.

And for Bero...

~A Wooden Buggy Yoke~

Not nearly as nice as his...but a buggy yoke none-the-less.

Please stop by Misi's blog to share in the fun!

Until next time...

~Simply Primitives Update~

I'm pleased to announce my very first update on Simply Primitives, December 1st, featuring some of my new cut paper silhouettes. I hope you'll join me along with the other talented artisans there.

Our silhouettes are adaptations 19^th century works, finished and framed in the early style. Each image is hand cut from heavy card stock and mounted on parchment. They are then tinted with our special solution to replicate aged paper. Each silhouette comes in a distressed, wood frame, under glass. The back of the frame is neatly finished with paper and comes ready to hang.

Until Next time...

Blustery Black Friday

As I sit here typing I can hear the fierce wind whipping across the Indiana prairie, the creaking of the house, and the voices of our eldest son and Mr. Kattywhompus deep in conversation. We are staying cozy inside, awaiting company this evening. How wonderful it is to be restful and relax with family gathered round! With leftovers in the fridge and dogs at my feet I feel blessed beyond measure.

In between checking the turkey and serving up pie, I was able to get a few things listed in my Etsy shops. I am working on a series of cut paper silhouettes, some of which are already available here, and some of which will be available on Simply Primitives on December 1st. I am thrilled to be included among their newest artisans, and hope you will visit me on my page there. Look for me in the Artisan Directory after December 1st. I have also added a couple of things to my vintage Etsy shop, including this Artisans Sampler, perfect for Christmas crafting!

I've been putting these together from my stash of vintage lovelies...things that are wonderful, but don't necessarily fit with our primitive style home. It's been fun to see how much the people who purchase these kits appreciate and enjoy them. I have several more in the works that should be listed in a day or two.

Here are some of my colonial style silhouettes. The designs were adapted from early portraits and are hand cut from paper.

I'm going to decorate a short wall in the living room, next to my desk, with similar pieces. I'm still looking for some little oval frames to mount some of the smaller cuttings.

These are available in limited numbers, so please...if you see one you must have, don't hesitate.  I'd hate for you to be disappointed.

 

I think they are really special...and hope you will feel the same.

I can't believe I forgot to show you the lovely little gift I received from Michelle Palmer. Out of sight, out of (my) mind... 

I was one of SEVEN winners in her generous fall giveaway...

Michell is such a talented lady...I  just adore her little drawings on fabric. Wouldn't this look fabulous on a fall themed sewing roll?

Michelle chose this drawing especially for me. Does she know me, or what? It's perfect! She also included one of her magnetic Christmas sets in my package and as always, a sweet note.

I encourage you to visit her lovely blog, and afterward her Etsy shop. You'll be glad you did!

Until next time...

Tuesday Display Chain~A Woman's Glory~

Each Tuesday Misi, of Gable House Musings, chooses a theme and invites bloggers to play along with her "Tuesday Display Chain" by featuring items from their collections. This week the question was asked, "Do you have a cherished hat or bonnet?" 

In times past, a woman's covering was her "glory". This post is a celebration of the glory of  hats! 

An antique gingham prairie bonnet hangs near the back door.

A simple cotton head covering is displayed alongside children s clothing in the back hall. I love that the wearers initials, J.L. Butler, are inked along the inside. 

The little calico dress dates to the civil war era and is one of my special treasures.

This straw day hat dates from just before the turn of the 19th century. I waited all afternoon for a chance to purchase it at the estate auction of a 101 year old spinster. Very Jane Austen.

This vintage hat was given to me by a fellow church goer. I love the long ribbons of tulle that tie under the chin. While on a high school field trip, I met Katharine Hepburn at the Chicago Art Museum. She was wearing a hat similar to this. Ms. Hepburn, and her hat, made quite an impression. 

Antique aprons and bonnets hang near the front door.

A faded red bonnet, soft with age.

This delicate white bonnet features tiny pink polka dots and a quilted brim.

I found this beautiful straw hat at Goodwill, still in it's original hatbox. 

I love the little flowers and berries...ever so cheerful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next few hats are no longer in my collection. 

They have moved on to new owners via Etsy. 

 

A 1940's "high crown cloche" in a creamy wool, meant to be worn perched on the crown of your head.

 This stylized high crown cloche, a 1940's classic, has a definite "Breakfast at Tiffany's" feel. The wide bow on the front lends a touch of romance, while the back curves slightly upward to show off those silky 40's hairstyles.

Sometimes referred to as a "tilty hat", the details on this 1940's ladies beret are what make it extra special. The mocha brown wool felt has been stamped with a striking whorled pattern that radiates from the crown of the hat. Beaded and wire bullion flowers, surrounded by felt leaves and a bit of tan grosgrain ribbon embellish the left side of the hat. 

This sweet 1940's ladies platter hat, in a creamy straw, has a rolled brim wrapped with russet grosgrain ribbon. In front, the hat features one long slim feather, accented with a single rhinestone. Mushroom brown netting covers the front of the hat and is long enough to tie or pin in your hair. Dyed to match velvet trim, finishes the inside of this hat. Still available on kattywhompusvintage.etsy.com

This is a contemporary April Cornell Straw that I wear on sunny days.

And finally THIS...for your entertainment.

Me, modeling an antique calico bonnet in our motel room at Simple Goods. Lessons learned? Don't let friends photograph you after you've just driven 6.5 hours...and don't take yourself too seriously.  :)

Until next time...

See the other Tuesday Display Chain participants at: http://1890gablehousemusings.blogspot.com/

This week's theme by Pamela at Civil Folks.