bricolage

An Uninvited Guest

2012-01-31T18:46:00.006-06:00

Looks like we now have another guest along with Stumpy ~ Scurvy's cousin, Rickets. Considering my home is within city limits, it always surprises me when this sort of wildlife is living within 20 feet of my back door. It does look as if Rickets has taken up residence in the hollow tree, so that is a huge improvement over Scurvy's bad manners ~ he was the guest that wouldn't take a hint.

I doubt either Mr. Speck or Sprocket will allow Rickets in the back door, so I have no worries about that. As you can see, Sprocket has also noticed Rickets, but so far has not figured out how he is going to get an invitation to tea. I'm not sure Rickets is the tea throwing party kind of guy (at least I hope he's a he!) ~ looks like he is giving me the stink eye. Ah, life in the city!

Stumpy the Squirrel

2012-01-25T23:18:00.004-06:00

Oh, it has been so long since I have posted anything ~ I am so sorry! In my defense, I have been sick, so it is a relief to be feeling better and back to some of the normal things in my life! I do thank those of you who check the blog for hanging in there and I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday a month or so ago! More posts coming!

So, to start the New Year (a little late!) off right, I thought I would post about my friend and neighbor, Stumpy the squirrel ~ every time I see him, he makes me smile ~ AND I just saw him a day ago, so he seems to be surviving the winter months in good fashion. These photos were taken at several different points in late summer ~ I started noticing Stumpy this past spring, so he has been around for awhile.

Depending on how observant you are, you may or may not have noticed that Stumpy is a rather unique squirrel . . . the only reason he stands out in the crowd of squirrels in the neighborhood is because he only has a stump of a tail! I guess that is why he holds a special place in my heart since I wonder how this hardship has effected his life and how he became the way he is.

I admire his chutzpah as he strolls down the street not letting anyone make him feel inferior or out of place ~ his stub of a tail doesn't keep him from taking care of business! I think he would make a nice companion for Miss Suzy ~ I don't think she would mind that he only has a 2 inch tail and looks sort of like an odd short eared and slinky rabbit when he bounds across the yard. Lately I have seen Stumpy in the backyard scampering across the telephone lines and tantalizing my two scotties ~ I hope Stumpy's ego isn't getting too big and he doesn't take too many risks. From what I can tell, he has prepared well for the winter months and I hope he has a long and happy life.

Wishing the same to all of you ~ in addition to a Happy New Year!

Miss Suzy the squirrel

2011-11-20T13:07:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was a bright and sunny autumn day ~ a blustery wind, colorful leaves, and squirrels everywhere gathering nuts and tantalizing my two dogs. Every time I see a squirrel, it reminds me of one of my favorite children's books ~ Miss Suzy. Written by Miriam Young and published in the 60's (I think), the book is illustrated by Arnold Lobel and is still available today.

The story revolves around the happy life of Miss Suzy ~ a little gray squirrel who is content to live in her little home high up in the tree tops, until she is chased away by a band of mean red squirrels.

Miss Suzy finds another place to live and befriends a group of soldiers who help her reclaim her house in the oak tree. As was popular during this era, book illustrations were a mix of full color illustrations and 2-3 color illustrations ~ I always loved the style of these.

I also loved the little details in the story ~ how Miss Suzy recycled and used found items to make her cozy home ie. the firefly lamps and the acorn cups. I could imagine that this was what every squirrels' home would look like if one was ever able to climb high enough to see it!

{all images from the book}

Ten Today!

2011-11-06T17:04:00.003-06:00

Mr. Speck is celebrating his 10th birthday today! Still hirsute and handsome, Mr. Speck keeps a good eye on the backyard while waiting for his birthday dinner. While the celebration last year was spectacular, turning 10 is quite the milestone, so a special dinner of flank steak on the grill awaits Mr. Speck this evening. Happy 10th Birthday Mr. Speck!

{in a serious mood}

{keeping an eye out for squirrels}

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T13:09:00.004-05:00

It is always all or nothing for me when it comes to Halloween ~ this year is a nothing year ~ the day job is taking its toll. Even though we have passed the costumes and decorations by this year, we did get candy for the trick or treaters!

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

(for photo sources, click here)

If only . . .

2011-10-29T18:44:00.004-05:00

. . . I had wall space and $1275! Isn't this a beautiful piece of folk art? It can be yours here ~ free shipping!

Cherish the Weekend!

2011-10-22T09:20:00.001-05:00

{photo from here}

This photo just makes me smile! Enjoy your weekend!

A Solution for the Easily Distracted. . .

2011-10-10T23:42:00.003-05:00

Don't think I have enough bowls!

RIP Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T12:47:00.002-05:00

Thanks for being one of the crazy ones, Steve.

Old Summit Antique Show ~ Fall 2011 ~ Part 3

2011-09-21T22:07:00.004-05:00

{great graphics on this Road Men wooden box}

No surprise ~ if you have been following along, today's post will showcase some items I admired at the Old Summit Antique Show that seem to be of a more masculine nature! Maybe it is my German background that makes me think this way ~ the der, die and das used in the language that identifies everything as male, female or neuter! At any rate, whatever gender these things are, I think they are worth sharing.

{beautiful chipped wooden clock}

{fabulous pocket watch sign}

{Old GE device of some sort that has been wired as a light (not turned on)}

{old tin water cooler}

{Odd Fellows grave markers}

{Yard long photo of men in uniform}

{corn on the cob weather vane}

{lovely Lufkin measuring tools}

{ginormous concrete cornucopia}

So, what do you think? These things do have a masculine flair to them, don't they? I did take some extra liberties with the concrete cornucopia ~ my thought was that you would definitely appreciate the help of some nice burly man to help you carry it to your car!

Old Summit Antique Show ~ Fall 2011 ~ Part 2

2011-09-20T22:23:00.005-05:00

{lovely little oil painting}

Woman's work is the theme of this selection of antiques spotted at the autumn Old Summit Antique Show last weekend. Don't get me wrong here ~ I am not being sexist, it is just that these items seem to lean towards the feminine in my mind. Many times when reviewing the photos I have taken on an outing, I realize I have inadvertently gathered images of a similar theme ~ or I impose a theme just to come up with a different way of presenting the interesting items I see at these shows! So, please bear with me and enjoy the show!

{large carved mother of pearl button}

{cardboard & glass windowed thread display}

{gold bullion and beaded needlework}

{animal themed candy molds}

{fabulous medical book with lovely die cut layered pages showing different parts of the body}

{brass soap and sponge dish ~ to hang on side of bathtub}

{papier mache santa}

{sleigh ride holiday decoration}

Old Summit Antique Show ~ Fall 2011 ~ Part 1

2011-09-19T10:15:00.003-05:00

{bottle cap folk art}

Last Saturday I attended the fall Old Summit Antique show ~ as it has been a rather busy week, I haven't been able to post until now. I spent practically the entire day at the show, admiring the antiques, catching up with friends and purchasing a few treasures ~ it's no wonder that I have little time left on the weekends to clean my house and find a place other than the dining room table for my newly purchased treasures! As I took quite a few photos, I decided to post in a couple of installments ~ Part 1 is devoted to folk art.

{memory bottles}

These memory bottles were quite charming ~ kind of a 3D scrapbook if you will.

{tramp art pieces}

{folk art box made from repurposed magazine pages}

{hand made knife caddy}

{Hair work}

Unfortunately, not the best photo, but here is an example of hair work probably made in the early 1900's. The hair work is most likely from the early 1900's, the framing seemed to be done at a more recent time as the back of the frame was covered in wood grain contact paper. Also, the decoration on front appears to be a relatively new cotton roping detailed with masking tape and a pearl head pin.

Tune in tomorrow for Part 2!

Over the Hump!

2011-09-15T00:11:00.003-05:00

Sometimes all it takes are a couple of cute guys to make me smile ~ and they aren't scotties for a change! Glad the weekend is in sight!

{image from here}

In Memory Of

2011-09-11T13:56:00.007-05:00

Ten years have passed and seeing images and listening to interviews pertaining to 9.11 still brings tears to my eyes. Remembering and honoring those who lost their lives ten years ago today.

I've gathered some images of some beautiful Victorian mourning jewelry ~ a lovely way to remember and cherish those passed on.

{click on each image for source}

Sparks/White Cloud ~ Autumn 2011

2011-09-09T23:51:00.007-05:00

Last weekend were the fall Sparks & White Cloud flea markets, so despite the 100+ degree temperatures and flooded roads, we made the biannual trek ~ that would be all of us but Speck, my almost 10 year old black scottish terrier. I felt bad sneaking out the back door and leaving Speck behind, but I knew that a black dog and hot & sunny weather is not a good mix ~ also, Speck doesn't do too well around crowds and other dogs. So, below are the other two guilty parties ~ we didn't let the guilt ruin our trip, we just rationalized that Speck was enjoying the air conditioned house to himself for a change!

{Dick (with something he calls a 'sweat towel') & Sprocket}

So, armed with a thermos of cold water and a dish for Sprocket we set out to see the sights. Below are a few of my favorites, the first being this huge album of blueprints and architectural drawings ~ I am having regrets for not buying it. The cover was a combination of corduroy and leather ~ the inside end papers a beautiful marbled pattern ~ I loved the juxtaposition of the stripey corduroy and the marbled pattern. Who knows, with all the shows I go to, perhaps I will get another chance at it.

{giant album of architectural drawings from St. Joe, Missouri}

{beautiful metal beaded and linked antique purses}

{great portrait/sign of Lincoln ~ very pricey}

{variety of tin containers & a monkey bank}

Below, more crusty painted textures and some nice graphics on a stack of antique license plates. When taking this photo I had such a time of it with the dealer ~ I rearranged the plates to get an interesting layout, then before I was able to snap the shot, the dealer would line them all up, ruining my layout. He was telling us about the plates while this was going on, but it happened several times ~ I finally wore him down and got my photo, but I saw him rearrange them again as I left his table!

{great graphics on this old tin of tempera paint}

{loved the 'Kabnet Wax' logo on this wax paper dispenser as well}

{sweet little handmade sock doll}

{Monument to Wilbur Chapman}

Although I have been going to White Cloud for years, I don't remember ever seeing this little monument before ~ the monument was erected in 1938 to honor a 10 year old boy who raised and sold a pig named 'Pete' to help support a boy with leprosy in 1913. His example started the pig bank movement where 100,000 banks were distributed for donations to help rid the world of leprosy.

The Xylothek ~ A Wooden Library

2011-09-07T09:44:00.006-05:00

Have you ever heard of a xylothek? A few days ago someone had posted an image on Pinterest that piqued my curiosity ~ as the link didn't work, I did some more research myself. The word xylothek is Greek and breaks down to the following: xylon = tree and theke = storing place. So, a xylothek is a collection of wood specimens placed together in some kind of cupboard.

{images from here}

The first three images shown are from the wooden library at Alnarp, Sweden ~ there are 217 volumes in the set. This specific xylothek was made in Nurmburg, Germany from 1805-1810. Each book is made from the wood of a specific tree or shrub and contains specimens pertaining to that variety as well as a written description, biology, and practical use. What an amazing way to catalog ones research! Read more and see a few more images of the wooden library at Alnarp here.

I wasn't able to find very much information or images ~ just bits and pieces here and there, but I'll share what I found. Below is a similar xylothek to the one above ~ apparently the makers of the wooden library at Alnarp made multiple sets to sell, so this could have been one of the other sets.

(image from here}

{Image from here}

Below is another xylothek of a different style ~ this one seems a bit rougher, but still beautiful in its own unique way. Many of the sites where I found images were in German and didn't seem to contain much additional information. The two images below are from two different sources, but look as if they are from the same library.

{image from here}

{the rose bush ~ image from here}

{From a 200 year old collection of 130 volumes ~ image from here}

Last, a Japanese xylothek housed in a wooden cabinet. From what I could glean from the translated German, the cabinet was European built, but the individual "pages" were created in Japan. This version is unique in the fact that the images were painted rather than collected specimens. You may be able to get more from the translation if you read it yourself here. I would love to see any of these collections in person ~ they all look so interesting!

{images from here}

The Wooton's Patent Desk ~ The King of Desks!

2011-08-30T23:01:00.009-05:00

Those of you who have been following along for awhile know about my fondness for anything with multiple drawers, nooks & crannies ~ here and here. When a woodworker friend of mine posted a photo of the Wooton Patent Desk on his FB page, I was totally smitten ~ I have never seen anything like this anywhere! I wonder if you came upon a piece of furniture like that shown below if you would even think to open it up?

Imagine finding this inside ~ I think I just might have a heart attack ~ especially if it was at a price I could afford! Guess I will keep an eye open from now on!

{images from here}

I did a bit of searching and located a few other examples that are shown below. I also found out a bit of history about the Wooton Patent Desk. This sort of desk was produced by William Wooton from 1870 through 1884 ~ it was called a "secretary desk" and its function was to organize any sort of office paperwork. These desks were expensive at the time (and now!) and only the wealthy could afford such a piece of furniture. The craftsmanship and details on these pieces is just amazing ~ I especially love the different ways the little drawers were designed ~ ie. the addition of numbers or the drawer pulls.

{images above from here}

I love that this piece of furniture was advertised as "The King of Desks" ~ I can't imagine that there was much competition! Another of the advertising slogans used for the Wooton's Patent Desk was that it was "A place for everything & everything in its place" ~ nice to know where that saying originated!

{image & more info here}

{image from here}

Great vintage photo above that shows a Wooton desk being used in an office ~ must have been a successful business to be able to afford such nice office furniture. Below is a book on the desks ~ might be fun to take a look at to learn more and see other examples.

{buy book here}

So, how do we go from the Wooton's Patent Desk to that shown below? Granted, the cabinet below would fit most budgets, but after seeing a Wooton, this just doesn't cut it ~ plastic or vinyl drawers ~ UGH! Paperboard boxes with metal pulls would improve this considerably ~ even if it increased the price. What do you think?!

{image from here}

Uppercase Magazine Giveaway Winner!

2011-08-17T20:09:00.009-05:00

Congratulations to Dru ~ the winner of Issue #10 of Uppercase Magazine! Dru, please send me your mailing address so I can get your package shipped! Thanks to everyone who entered the contest!

ADDENDUM: Dru, please send your mailing address by 8.22.2011 ~ if I don't hear from you by then I am going to draw another name. Thanks!

ADDENDUM #2: Since I have heard nothing from Dru, I have drawn a second winner. Congratulations Tammie ~ please email me with your mailing address!

ADDENDUM #3: As I have no confirmed address for either Dru or Tammie at the moment, the first of you who sends me their mailing address will be the lucky recipient of the magazine. Please email me (see link on right side of blog) with your mailing address as soon as possible. Thanks!

ADDENDUM #4: It has been a week and never got confirmed addresses from either winner, so I have opted to draw another ~ Joy Light is the winner! Sorry for the confusion ~ this was my first giveaway ~ next time I will make some changes to avoid this sort of situation. Who knew it would be so difficult to give something away?!

Crochet Artist ~ Jung-jung

2011-08-15T21:44:00.004-05:00

While browsing Pinterest the other day, I came upon this delicate crochet work created by Japanese artist, Jung-jung. Jung-jung's work is just beautiful ~ intricately crafted in gorgeous subtle hues. I wonder if she hand dyes her threads as the colors are so unusual and muted? Gives one a new appreciation of the root and cruciferous vegetable!

I'm not sure if the graphic above is a pattern, but whether or not it is, it is a beautiful graphic anyway. All images shown are from here.

Something Good for Sunday

2011-08-14T09:59:00.008-05:00

Love this video of Monkey, the rescue dog! It certainly captures the joy a dog can bring to your life! Enjoy the rest of the weekend! Spotted this over at something.

Fabulous Friday Find

2011-08-13T12:44:00.002-05:00

On Fridays in the summer my day job has summer hours ~ we get to leave at 1:00 if we have put in 3 additional hours earlier in the week. So, thanks to the summer hours, I am able to get a start on my antiquing for the weekend. I try to convince myself that a Friday afternoon antiquing will provide the fix for the weekend, but it usually just gets me in the mood for more!

Well, this Friday was a good one ~ I scored a great vintage Star Sewing Thread Display ~ just like this one! Mine is still in the car, but I found these photos online (at twentytimesi ~ already sold!) of an identical display ~ love the internet! This will come in handy for some storage in the studio as well as a nice way to display small handmade items at a craft show. All the drawers slide back and forth and are even removable. My display still has some paper labels attached ~ I will have to post a photo later when I get mine cleaned up and in working order!

{all photos from here}

Inspiration ~ Tramp Art

2011-08-12T00:20:00.002-05:00

Happened upon some lovely pieces of tramp art over at Candler Arts. Every now and then I see tramp art at various antique shows or stores, but it isn't something I run into very often ~ and it is usually on the expensive side.

Long ago I bought a made in Thailand large wood cabinet for my dining room with the thought of making it unique by adding my own version of tramp art decoration ~ needless to say, the project is not complete ~ or even started! I did finish a practice piece ~ a small tramp art star shaped ornament. No picture to share, but I did gain even greater respect and admiration for the folk artists that created this type of work. I wish I could hire a tramp to come and finish off my cabinet!

{beautifully decorated sewing box ~ love this!}

I don't know if this last piece would actually be considered tramp art, although it does look like some of the details are similar to some tramp art techniques I have seen. The description states that it is a handmade squirrel coffin from Shamokin, PA ~ wondering if the man that made it had a pet squirrel?

All images from Candler Arts
Candler Arts blog here.

Uppercase Magazine & Giveaway!

2011-08-09T23:31:00.005-05:00

I'm sure many of you are familiar with Uppercase Magazine, but if you aren't make sure to take a look and think about getting a subscription for yourself ~ you won't be disappointed! From the moment your issue arrives and you open the envelope and smell the freshly printed pages, it is an experience you shouldn't deprive yourself of! Uppercase Magazine ~ a magazine for the creative and curious ~ is quite the showstopper. Every issue is filled with beautiful images, interesting articles and a fabulous variety of all sorts of inspiration. Below are a few covers and spreads to give you an idea of what the magazine is like.

Uppercase Magazine is inquisitive, inspired, adventurous, eclectic & playful ~ literally, there is something (probably more than one something!) of interest for everyone. Read more about the magazine or subscribe here.

Uppercase's blog is also fun & inspiring ~ sometimes there is information about upcoming issues or a behind the scenes look at creating the magazine. There are also posts on ways for readers/subscribers to contribute to the magazine. In addition to the gorgeous magazine and blog, Uppercase also publishes amazing books. There is a great book bundle available now ~ check it out here.

As I made a mistake with my renewal and ended up with a double copy of Issue #10, Janine (from Uppercase) has generously donated the copy for a giveaway. So, leave a comment with your contact information and you will be entered in a drawing for Issue #10 of Uppercase Magazine. I will draw a winner next Wednesday ~ drawing ends at midnight on Tuesday, August 16. Good luck!

(all images from Uppercase}

Beauty & the Book

2011-08-03T23:34:00.003-05:00

{image from Rapunzel's Delight}

In the last couple of weeks I have started to develop an obsession with Victorian hairwork ~ the flower wreaths, the jewelry and even simple tokens kept in cards or scrapbooks. This all began because I finally made the trip to Leila's Hair Museum ~ something I have had on my "to do" list for 20 years! My visit to the museum piqued my interest further, so I have spent a good deal of time hunting around the internet for more information, only to find out that there is not much to be found.

During my search I did find this wonderful advertising card for Lyon's Kathairon ~ a hair treatment of some sort. The card itself reminded me of a book I loved when I was a child ~ Dandelion, by Don Freeman. While I do remember loving this book, I only have a vague recollection of the details. I know it had to do with a lion who got a fancy haircut and new clothes to impress his friends at a party only to be turned away because no one recognizes him. So, what is the moral of this story? (You know there must be one!). You'll have to pick up a copy to see what happens!

{Dandelion: Before}

{Dandelion: Getting dandified!}

{Dandelion: After}

Obsolete Inc.

2011-08-01T23:27:00.007-05:00

{iron arm molds from 1920}

While perusing the internet this evening, I came upon an online antique store called Obsolete Inc. ~ after digging through their beautifully photographed and unique items I am wishing I had unlimited funds and a larger house! Here are just a sampling of some of my favorite items:

{hand made bench made for a set of twins ~ circa 1870-90}

{wax bust of young girl complete with real human teeth ~ a little creepy, but intriguing!}

{wire cage light fixture}

{I'd use this like a painting ~ it would make a great graphic statement in a room}

{wonderful French spools of wool ~ love the colors}

The apothecary side tables shown above have hand painted labels on the drawers ~ these would be a great addition to almost any interior. Then again, I am a sucker for drawers and cabinets ~ I love the mechanics work cabinet with its original painted surface below.

But, by far, my favorite is this industrial steel cabinet from France circa 1940 ~ everything about it is perfect ~ the patina, the details, the size, the zillion drawers! Well, it does have one rather major defect ~ it has been sold so it is no longer available! That is probably a good thing as I would possibly have remortgaged my house for it ~ isn't it grand?

{all images from here}

Inspiration ~ Embroidered Monograms

2011-07-28T23:28:00.006-05:00

Several years ago I remember finding a set of embroidered monograms at the AMVETS Antique Show in Walnut, Iowa ~ the dealer that sold them to me told me that they were used to personalize underwear. Well, I didn't plan on sewing those I bought on my underwear ~ I just thought I would buy them to use in an art or craft project. To tell the truth, I'm not really sure where mine are at the moment!

Yebisu, an Etsy seller, has an amazing array of these embroidered monograms ~ I am tempted to get one of the alphabet lots ~ they are just beautiful. According to the shop description, this is Swiss embroidery made between 1890 and 1950 in St. Gallen.

I think one could come up with many more creative uses for these other than underwear tags, don't you? If you want some for yourself, you can get them here. What will you do with your embroidered monograms?

Yebisu also carries a selection of these beautiful copper stencils ~ for embroidery and cross stitch. I SHOULD get the JR, shouldn't I?

{all images from here}

Fabulous Finds ~ Set of Antique Maps

2011-07-26T12:07:00.003-05:00

Saw this gorgeous set of eight pulldown maps from 1903 on Etsy. I don't know that I have ever seen a full set in its original wood case ~ that alone would be great to have on your wall! Check out the details ~ those little pull down rings are pretty wonderful even if it looks like several are missing.

Beautiful typography and graphics look to be on each map. The printed color of the maps looks glorious as well. While the price is rather hefty for my pocketbook, my real reason for passing it by is that I have no wall space for it. If you have the wall space, you can get this map set here. It will look amazing in your home!

{images from here}

Decoylab ~ Maiko Kuzunishi

2011-07-25T22:44:00.008-05:00

{image from decoylab}

This past Saturday I braved the 100 degree temperatures and checked out Ric Rac Roundup ~ a local craft show here in Kansas City. As I was looking for a small gift, I happened upon Maiko Kuzunishi's booth of modern, hand crafted goodies & designs, named Decoylab. I am familiar with Decoylab as I have seen the work on countless blogs and on Etsy ~ one of my favorite pieces is the clock above ~ isn't it lovely? Last week, there was an article about Decoylab in the KCStar ~ you can read it here.

Maiko is such a talented designer! In addition to the products she designs for Decoylab, she designs her packaging and displays as well. Check out her portfolio and blog for more of her wonderful work.

Here are two brooches I bought ~ while I set out to buy a gift, of course I couldn't resist and ended up buying one for myself as well! I love the simplicity of the stamped logo on her chipboard cards. Her business card is also quite lovely ~ a letterpressed cream colored round printed with her signature logo on front, more info in metallic silver ink on back.

Below, a new product ~ coasters of several colors of felt, recycled leather and bamboo (I think) ~ beautifully packaged. These would make a great gift as well ~ sounds like she will have these for sale online pretty soon ~ she told me she had just finished them up for this show. Wouldn't you love a set of these?!

{cream and pink felt coasters ~ images from here}

After such a hot shopping experience, I cooled off with my first fresher than fresh snow cone ~ Blueberry Lavender ~ a great way to end my shopping day! I can't wait to try some of their other flavors ~ green tea pear, watermelon basil or lime mint ~ it's a hot summer, so I'm sure to have many more opportunities.

{image from here}

Snip, snip snip . . .

2011-07-23T09:10:00.003-05:00

Hair appointment this morning! With this humidity, you can bet I won't be getting a permanent! My hair has a life of its own in this weather.

{getting a permanent ~ image from here}

Happy Weekend everyone!

Delicatessen

2011-07-22T23:51:00.003-05:00

I couldn't remember if I had ever seen the movie Delicatessen, so we ordered it from Netflix and watched it this evening. Once it began, I did remember that I had seen it before, but it had been so long ago, I was happy to watch it again.

Delicatessen takes place in a post apocalyptic world where a landlord and his tenants struggle to survive. Bits of humor break up the horror of the situation while inventive set design and surrealistic scenes make this a film not to miss.

A rather dark comedy, it is the first film of director Jeunet and designer/illustrator Caro ~ they also made The City of Lost Children ~ another film worth viewing. Jeunet also directed the movie Amelie as well as A Very Long Engagement.

See what you think ~ give Delicatessen a try!

Spoils from the Schlepp Sisters Sale

2011-07-21T22:53:00.009-05:00

Thought I would share with you a few shots of the treasures I came home with from the Schlepp Sisters Sale last weekend. As you will see, I made especially good use of one of the items already ~ an ancient bound book of sheet music ~ it is in terrible shape, but that makes it easy to utilize the pages in all sorts of ways.

Spotted this inexpensive onyx and brass brooch and couldn't resist ~ I just love the floral and mesh patterned border. The stone is loose, so repairing it will be another project to add to my "to do" list ~ at least it should be a quickie!

{mini collection of vintage buckles}

{beautiful black and cream transferware plate ~ another great prop for photos!}

{Old favorites to add to my collection ~ Hull & McCoy matte white pottery}

{spine of the "bound" sheet music book}

I was so surprised to find this book of sheet music since I had arrived at the sale late in the day ~ I cannot believe that no one else snapped it up ~ lucky me! While it is in rough shape ~ there are water stains, all sorts of foxing, and it is basically falling apart ~ this was the perfect state for me! The condition made it affordable and all of its imperfections will make for interesting backgrounds for styling photos or utilizing in artwork. So, guess what?! Another project for the "to do" list ~ this won't be a quickie as there are at least 100 pages (printed front and back) to scan ~ but, once scanned, will be a great resource for my personal library of images!

{great water damaged page and illustrated cover}

{samples of some of the beautiful typography in the book}

{lovely foxed page of music}

Anthology Magazine

2011-07-21T00:40:00.009-05:00

Print Is Not Dead from Anthology Magazine on Vimeo.

While I can't remember where I first heard about Anthology Magazine ~ probably on a blog somewhere, I did remember that what I saw looked interesting and that Anthropologie was carrying it. So, being the frugal person I am, I decided to pick up a copy to look through before I committed to buying a subscription. So, I came home with Issue #2, took a look and am now a subscriber ~ so happy there are some new magazines being published ~ I was having withdrawal from all those that have disappeared over the last few years.

Anthology Magazine: Living with Substance & Style is an independent magazine that launched in the fall of 2010. Each issue explores a different theme ~ below are the covers of the first three issues ~ click here for a glimpse of the content of each of the issues. Make sure to visit their blog and also don't miss the video above ~ it was for the launch of the magazine and it is just wonderful!

{Issue #1 ~ The Slow Life}

{Issue #2 ~ Where the Past Meets the Present}

{Issue #3 ~ Life is a Party!}

Fabulous Finds ~ Vintage Metal Stencil Set

2011-07-18T12:04:00.005-05:00

Wow! Saw these vintage metal stencils today on Pinterest ~ I would just love to own these! Wouldn't they come in handy for all sorts of craft projects? Aside from the usability, they would be lovely hanging on a wall in a group ~ the patina and the graphic shapes are just beautiful! Unfortunately these are not in my budget, but if you have a few extra dollars they are available here.

Schlepp Sisters Sale

2011-07-17T23:58:00.009-05:00

This weekend the Schlepp Sisters held their first antique event here in Kansas City ~ as Debbie Dusenberry (proprietor of Curious Sofa) was organizing the show, I knew it would be a show not to miss. Unfortunately, the show opened Thursday at 11:00am, so because of the day job, I didn't get there until 6:30pm! Even so, I still found some great treasures (will share in a later post)!

Since I arrived at the show so late on Thursday, I had to make a second trip back on Saturday so that I could take some photos to share with you. As you can see, there were still a nice variety of pieces to choose from ~ lucky I got there early on Saturday as it was 25% off and everything was flying off the shelves. Visit here for additional photos.

Above are a nice group of good advice prints ~ I think these were lithograph originals, but it was hard to tell. They would look great all together on a wall! Below, a good variety of record books ~ from Sunday school attendance record book to business ledgers ~ I always keep an eye out for these especially if they are early. The older they are the better the handwriting inside!

{pretty handmade little wooden wall plaques}

One of my favorite vignettes at the show was the display of old and decrepit cigar boxes and miniature liquor bottles in a glassless wooden cabinet. The graphics on the cigar boxes always attracts my eye, but I have never noticed miniature liquor bottles before ~ the combination of the two really caught my attention. This would be great in the "man room" if I had one!

As the Schlepp Sisters Antique Event was a group show, there was a good variety of antiques, vintage items, fabrics & trims, and vintage clothing & shoes ~ reflecting the taste and style of the 4 different dealers. Below are a few images from the colorful room:

{pretty silk embroidered piece}

{redwork pieces ~ love the naive quality of the deer!}

{pair of embroidered pillows ~ loved the use of the motif in the pillow design}

{small sample of the vintage shoes}

Already looking forward to the next Schlepp Sisters event! Keep tuned for a post on my finds from the show ~ coming soon!

Fabulous Find ~ ABC Block

2011-06-28T22:07:00.002-05:00

Have you ever seen a block like this? I picked up this lone block at the Old Summit Antique Show I went to this weekend ~ I am dying to know what the whole set looks like. The pin shaped block is so unusual ~ I have never seen anything like it before. The graphics are printed on paper that has been applied to the 3/4" wooden block ~ wouldn't you just love to see the complete alphabet? Please leave a comment and/or link if you can provide any more information.

Q & A Journal

2011-06-27T23:29:00.004-05:00

I have never been one to write a journal or a diary ~ I've always found them a bit intimidating ~ but when I saw the beautiful book cover of the Q & A a day Journal, I couldn't resist! Who says you can't judge a book by its cover? ~ in this case I did! Black foil typography and graphic elements contrast with raw kraft paper creating a gorgeous book that feels good in your hands.

The inside of the book is nicely designed as well and is filled with questions or prompts that make it easy to jot down a quick note each day. You can start the journal anytime ~ each page/date has room for five years of entries. Here are a few examples of some of the questions/prompts:
• Write down a problem you solved today.
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• What's your favorite accessory?
• What's the most creative thing you've done recently?
• Today you got rid of _____.
• What's your hairstyle?

Since this is a 5 year journal ~ I think it will be fun to look back and see how I answered the same questions each day year after year. Doesn't this seem less intimidating than most journals?

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T23:54:00.003-05:00

{My Dad, me & my brother amidst the cherry blossoms ~ Spring, 1971}

It being Father's Day today got me to taking a look through a few old albums to see if I could find a photo of me and my dad ~ I have a feeling that all the good photos are in albums at my parents home ~ all I have are awful photos from my Kodak instamatic. It was also difficult to find a photo where I didn't look just downright scary ~ after all, it was the 70's ~ the styles were not flattering!

So, this is a result of my search. . . a photo from one of our family trips to Washington, DC in the spring ~ my Dad would always take off a day around spring break so we could go on a short trip somewhere. My mom must have taken the photo and somehow managed to get us all in (without chopping off any heads) as well as the scenic view. You can tell we were a styling family ~ just look at that floral pantsuit I had on! You can also see my Dad's pocket protector ~ engineers never go anywhere without one!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there ~ thanks for spending the time to make our childhoods memorable!

Crown Center Antique Show Highlights

2011-06-13T23:58:00.003-05:00

{love this style of illustration on this powder box}

This past weekend I dropped by the Crown Center Antique Show ~ for a change, the weather was just perfect ~ something the dealers have long deserved! While shopping I managed to take a few shots of some of the things that spoke to me. I guess I was drawn to graphic design this weekend, as the majority of the images I came home with were of nicely designed boxes. Of course, I didn't miss the drawers and cabinets I always lust after ~ it's a good thing I have no room whatsoever for any of these larger pieces, otherwise I would have been tempted to buy either the dentist cabinet or the apothecary drawers ~ both were in wonderful condition.

{tobacco tin humidor}

{nice almanac cover from 1903 ~ such sweet looking children!}

{inside box label for a sharpening stone}

{odd display of santa and seed company label}

{loved the graphics on these two pencil boxes!}

{always partial to these dreamy looking half dolls}

{beautiful metal mesh purse with a unique shape}

{simple stencil on a painted wood hamper}

{great apothecary drawers}

{lovely dentist cabinet with patterned glass windows and cut glass drawer pulls}

Enjoyed myself at the show catching up with friends and shopping! I'll share some images of my purchases in a later post, so check back to see what I came home with!

Museum of Arts & Design

2011-06-10T21:53:00.004-05:00

{thread wrapped wire basket}

After window shopping and visiting the Folk Art Museum, we headed uptown to the Museum of Arts & Design (MAD) which is on Columbus Circle. This being my first trip to MAD, I wasn't sure what to expect ~ the museum isn't huge, there were about 6 floors ~ one of which houses open studios. As we were short on time, we started at the top and worked our way down to the gift store on the street level. Here are a few items I thought worth mentioning:

{wire wrapped leaf sculpture; detail below}

{glass bead and wire wrapped bowl ~ for sale in the gift store}

The piece below is made out of thousands of paper wrapped beads that are hand-wrapped, lacquered and then woven together to form the textile. The paper used for the beads came from recycled materials from the Obama presidential campaign.

{wrapped paper beads wall textile; detail on left}

{wire & bead chandelier}

I can always appreciate when an everyday material or item is used in a different way than it was intended. In this case, yards of ball chain have been fashioned into this elegant chandelier. Even better when the item is inexpensive and yields such an impressive result!

{ball chain chandelier}

Not sure these would be too practical as I work at a computer much of the day, but I thought they have interesting texture and a unique look for a bangle. I have seen dyed gourds in gorgeous colors ~ wouldn't these be even better in a beautiful array of colors?

{natural gourd bangles}

American Folk Art Museum ~ Part 3

2011-06-09T23:30:00.005-05:00

Eugene Von Bruenchenhein: “Freelance Artist—Poet and Sculptor—Innovator—Arrow maker and Plant man—Bone artifacts constructor—Photographer and Architect—Philosopher” is the title of the special exhibit on display at the American Folk Art Museum until October. Quite the mouthful ~ both his name and description of his work!

I wish I had been able to get a photograph of the main display wall of Eugene's photography ~ there were probably about 15-20 photographs, mostly of his wife in various poses and lush backdrops, displayed in a long horizontal line on a wide expanse of vintage wallpaper. The image above shows a similar display only the work is ballpoint pen on scrap paper. I got a few photos before finding out that photography was not allowed in this exhibit - whoops!

These ballpoint drawings were the work I liked best ~ there were many pieces displayed on the walls, but there was also an entire book of drawings adhered to the pages of an old wallpaper book.

Below are a few samples of some of Eugene's photography and ceramic work taken from the American Folk Art Museum's site ~ visit here to read more about the artist and view more of his work. The big leafy patterns and florals seem to work their way into many of his pieces ~ it is interesting to see how it translates across the mediums.

{images above from here}

American Folk Art Museum ~ Part 2

2011-06-08T23:39:00.008-05:00

In addition to the figural and object folk art I posted about yesterday, the American Folk Art Museum had a lovely collection of quilts on display when I visited. I thought I would share some of my favorites ~ visit here to see more of their quilt collection and read more details about the individual quilts and their history. What are your favorites?

The images above depict a wonderful, very unique crazy quilt ~ each of the inset vignettes show a different horse and rider. I don't know that I have seen a crazy quilt with round motifs used ~ most of those I am familiar with look more like the surrounding background. The stitch work on this piece was just gorgeous.

The next two images are a section and a detail from the same quilt ~ a star pattern with a tiny engraved image in the center of each star. I love the colors and patterns used in the design of this quilt. I wonder where the engraved images came from ~ were they recycled from something else? Were they cut from a piece of patterned cloth or was there a way to apply such an image to cloth? They certainly didn't have ink jet printers and iron on release paper back then!

The following two images are examples of a technique called trapunto ~ the design is created by stitching a pattern on a quilt sandwich (3 layers: quilt top, batting, and the quilt backing), then stuffing the motifs with small amounts of cotton from the back to create a subtle design.

{beautiful white on white trapunto quilt}

{Interesting combination of pieced quilt design and trapunto}

Many of the quilts I saw included typography ~ I find this type of quilt some of the most interesting and meaningful as many quilters included either names of those creating the quilt or names of family members.

{handwritten script that looks like it was applied with a fountain or dip pen}

{names were embroidered on this quilt}

{Tiny appliques applied by 79 year old Maria make up the lettering on this quilt!}

{Image from here}

This beautiful quilt is pieced together using a zillion pieces of colored felt. I couldn't figure out how the pieces fit together so perfectly ~ whether they were attached to a backing or not. The piece was displayed under glass, so it was difficult to get a good photo, but below are a few close ups that show the intricate cut work and stitching on the quilt.

This last quilt is a traditional log cabin design in a just gorgeous color palette ~ the photos don't do it justice! I've only shown a small sample of the American Folk Art Museum's collection ~ if you get the opportunity, do visit yourself ~ it is an inspirational way to spend an afternoon!

If you could have one of these quilts for your own, which would you choose? I don't know if I could just choose one!

American Folk Art Museum ~ Part 1

2011-06-08T00:38:00.007-05:00

When in NYC, a visit to the American Folk Art Museum should definitely be on your list! This was my first visit to this museum ~ while it isn't huge, it is several floors and the exhibits covered many different art forms carefully curated and beautifully displayed. While eating lunch in the small cafe at the museum, we heard that it will be closing at its current location as the Museum of Modern Art has purchased the building. Hopefully the Folk Art Museum will be able to reopen somewhere else ~ in the meantime, if you get the chance, stop in ~ you won't be disappointed! View more of the museum's collection here.

{loved this stylish man!}

Here is a small selection of the variety of figures the museum has in its collection: carved wood, sculpted clay, mosaics of glass, and metal are some of the materials used.

{what an imposing group of relatives}

{this weather vane was huge!}

Below is a small selection of some of the objects on display ~ these were some of my favorites:

{a hand made and illustrated pillow}

{amazing crown of thorns tramp art building}

{fabulous display of tin objects: top hat, glasses, candelabra, bonnet, & fan}

{brightly colored brushwork on this tole ware pot}

{lovely stencil design and color on metal piece}

{grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!}

{cute little painted dog ~ I love the expression on his face!}

I took many photos on this visit, so I thought I would post them in installments ~ Part 2 coming soon!

Zodiac Sculptures in NYC

2011-06-06T23:21:00.008-05:00

After window shopping on Fifth Avenue, we walked through the Grand Army Plaza where an exhibit of 12 ten foot high bronze animal heads had been installed. While I was able to figure out that The Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads represented the Chinese zodiac, I was not able to find out anything more about the sculptures ~ except that I am a Tiger based on the year of my birth.

So, returning from my trip, I did a Google search only to find out that these sculptures are quite controversial ~ the sculptor, Ai Weiwei has been detained by the Chinese government since April 3 and wasn't present at either the London or NYC openings.
These bronze heads are enlarged versions of those designed in the 18th century for an emperor's garden palace near Beijing. Originally, the sculptures were part of the famous fountain clock and spouted water for two hours a day.

The gardens and imperial compound were destroyed during the Second Opium War in 1860; the original heads were looted, but began to show up in the art market in 2000. As the Chinese government views both the original sculptures and Ai Weiwei's works to be their property, that is where the controversy begins. Read the full article and see more photos here.

This last image shows a portion of the exhibit at London's Somerset House.

{image from here}

Window Shopping in NYC

2011-06-02T23:10:00.004-05:00

A few weeks ago Gina and I took a trip to NYC to shop, see the sights, and visit friends, museums, Surtex and the Stationery Show ~ all in a few days! One cannot visit NYC and miss the wonderful shop windows ~ these are from a walk along either 5th or 6th Avenue. The Louis Vuitton windows were my favorite as they were so unusual and creative ~ they certainly made good use of the ostrich as a theme!

Unfortunately, we did not have time to make it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the Alexander McQueen exhibit, Savage Beauty, but we did get a little taste via these window displays. The cream colored backdrop of the first window is dripped wax which artfully surrounds the poster and collects at the bottom of the window. The second window is a fabulous display of red feathers. While the backdrops are pretty over the top, they did a great job of complimenting the fashion designs of Alexander McQueen. Makes me want to plan another trip so I can see the exhibit ~ it looks pretty amazing!

The three dimensional acrylic flowers combined with a swirly vine gave the Van Cleef & Arpels window a springy look.

I also liked the use of the Rorschach inkblots in the following window display ~ very striking!

I wish we had had more time to window shop ~ always so inspiring! Makes me wonder what kind of budget these stores have for the displays?!

Are You Afflicted with AAADD?

2011-06-01T22:31:00.002-05:00

I think I had an episode over the weekend, but I can't remember. Nice to know there is a name for the affliction! Any of you have this too?

Sights at Sparks ~ Spring 2011

2011-05-31T10:08:00.007-05:00

Things have gotten away from me a bit ~ way too much going on, so I have gotten a little behind as far as my postings! It has been several weeks since the Sparks/White Cloud Flea Market, but since I did take photos, I thought I would share them anyway ~ after all, it isn't too late for you to mark your calendar for the September Sparks Flea Market. At any rate, this time around I ended up with an odd mix of images . . .

{initial brooches}

While these brooches are missing most of their stones ~ which were marcasite, I liked the design of pins. You can't tell from the photo, but the initials are removable, so that one could customize with letters of her own choosing.

{boston terrier cross stitch}

{great graphics on a vintage doily stretcher}

{Queen of Scots picnic basket}

I was seriously considering getting this as it would coordinate so nicely with the Kiltie thermos (see photo at end of post) we already have, but my common sense kicked in and I passed it by. Sprocket & Speck don't really need a picnic hamper ~ even though it would make a great prop for a photo shoot!

{Jello shot server ~ great for parties!}

{Interesting graphics on a seed sower}

{One of a kind wagon ~ beautiful decorative trim!}

{Remco's Little Red Spinning Wheel for girls}

This is probably a hard-to-find vintage toy as I can't imagine it was a hot seller! Even in the 60's, there probably weren't too many girls who would be interested in spinning their own yarn ~ especially as the kit only came with one hank of wool! If she had managed to spin the wool into yarn, imagine how disappointed the girl would be with her finished miniature purse or rug or single sock!

{Loved these extra creepy dolls!}

Aside from the interesting items for sale, Sparks always offers other sights you won't find anywhere else . . .

{Recycled school bus turned into a rustic (and patriotic) food truck}

Then, my favorite . . . misspelled handmade signs!

{Sprocket was not amused!}

{A cool sip of water from his Kiltie thermos at the end of a long day!}

Memorial Day 2011

2011-05-30T12:37:00.004-05:00

{Read about the "Buddy" Poppy here}

Remembering those who have served and those who are serving our country.
Have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

Crazy Weather Week!

2011-05-29T11:22:00.003-05:00

{photo by Scott Cook via The Pitch}

Living in Kansas City for almost 25 years, I am still not really used to the weird weather we get here ~ this week, for instance, 3 tornadoes went through the area around the lunch hour on Wednesday. Lucky for us, no damage was done and everyone emerged safely after the storms passed through. I think that everyone is taking the sirens more seriously after seeing the devastation in Joplin, Mo earlier in the week.

Above is a photo taken (and no doubt color enhanced!) that day by Scott Cook ~ he is selling prints (8 x 10 for $15) through PayPal: scottcookmail@gmail.com with all proceeds going to the Joplin storm victims. Makes me (and apparently others) think I may live on the Ghostbusters set, here.

Enjoy the Weekend!

2011-05-06T20:52:00.002-05:00

Start your weekend off right with some humor! This video makes me laugh out loud every time! Now that you're laughing ~ or at least smiling, have a great weekend!

Happy May Day!

2011-05-01T21:58:00.004-05:00

May Day Celebrations in 1910 (above) and 1911 (below) at the University of Missouri.

{Images from here}

Happy Weekend!

2011-04-30T10:02:00.001-05:00

A bit of humor to begin the weekend...

The Richard Balzer Collection

2011-04-26T22:57:00.009-05:00

Stumbled upon the Richard Balzer Collection a couple of months ago when I was searching for antique toys and games ~ this is a great site full of a great variety of visual entertainment of which are rarely seen. With names like The Magic Planisphere, The Zoetrope, The Ludoscope or Turning Heads, how could one not be curious? The site is divided into several sections ~ many include flash galleries where one can view the scenes or images in motion.

{The illusion of motion was created by viewing the designs on the card through the slotted disc ~ visit the flash gallery here.}

The Magic Window is a Phenakistascope, as is the Ludoscope shown above. From what I can discern, this type of toy all contained images on discs that were twirled in order to see the images move.

{See this in motion here.}

Shown above is a Praxinoscope ~ this appears to work by spinning the toy rather than any discs.

{Lovely graphics on a box cover for a tachyscope ~ an adaptation of the zoetrope}

Go here to see what you would view when using a zoetrope ~ you will arrive at the top image above. Click on the different designs to see what they look like in motion ~ then you will see an image like the second image EXCEPT it is moving! Not only is the movement pretty cool, the graphics are just gorgeous.

This type of amusement is called a Thaumatrope ~ see some examples in motion here.

{closeup of a disc from a phenakistascope}

The last two images are Turning Heads from the metamorphosis section ~ I have always been fascinated by this sort of thing ~ aren't these fabulous?! There is a great flash gallery in this section here ~ make sure to check it out.

{Autumn & Winter}

{Peace & War AKA Jeff Subdued & Jeff Rampant}

• All images from Richard Balzer Collection •

Antiques in Weston

2011-04-25T21:41:00.006-05:00

Traveled to Weston, Missouri this weekend for the Lyons Club Antique Show held at the Weston Tobacco Warehouse. Weston is a small town near Kansas City ~ always a nice visit for the day ~ a variety of specialty shops, interesting buildings and some good places to eat.

The Tobacco Warehouse houses the annual Lyons Club Antique Show ~ always a good excuse to make the trip to Weston. This trip didn't disappoint ~ I always seem to be able to find interesting things ~ none of these made it home with me, but I do have the photos to remind me of what I passed by!

Loved this great metal coat rack, but at $465 and little free space, I couldn't justify spending the money.

Above is a glass sided Burroughs counting machine that was a pretty interesting piece of machinery ~ don't know what I'd do with it, aside from admire the intricacy of the machine.

{beautifully lithographed metal glove clips}

{battered, but still lovely chocolate tin}

Hats, hats and more hats ~ one vendor had a boothful of gorgeous vintage hats of all eras ~ I was seriously tempted to start yet another collection, but I held back! Instead, I took many photos.... here are a few of my favorites:

{love that ribbon millinery decoration on the striped hat}

{feathers galore!}

{pretty woven straw pattern with velvet flowers}

{another version of a straw hat with velvet flowers}

{loved the colors of this bunch of millinery flowers and ribbons}

{cute black hat with berries ~ wish I could pull off wearing one of these!}

{Not a hat, but hat pins!}

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T09:23:00.005-05:00

Four Little Bunnies is a children's book from the 30's ~ written and photographed by Harry Whittier Frees, who was born in the town where I grew up ~ Reading, Pennsylvania. A whole series of books like these were created using kittens, puppies and other animals dressed in clothes and set in various different scenes ~ I remember liking these as a child ~ the books must have been my mom's when she was young.
The etsy seller where I found the image of the bunny washing clothes mentioned that the book has two notes in the beginning, the first is a dedication: "Dedicated to all the little bunnies who posed for the pictures in this book" and underneath that: "Note: These unusual photographs of real bunnies were made possible only by the patient and unfailing kindness on the part of the photographer at all times."

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Easter!

Speck & Sprocket's Day of Beauty

2011-04-09T20:31:00.008-05:00

Today was a beautiful sunny and warm day ~ the perfect day for a trip to Picasso Groomery for the boys' spring makeover. The boys were all excited about the ride in the car ~ until they realized where they were going! Since they are both male and terriers, getting spruced up is not their favorite activity, even though their groomer is Tak, a celebrity! Grrrdy, Sprocket's sister likes getting pampered ~ she was honored with the PDG CLient's Star of the Month for June 2010.

After several hours at the groomery, the boys were bathed, trimmed and clipped and were looking pretty darn handsome. Sprocket wasted no time getting back on the deck to keep an eye out for trespassing squirrels and rabbits.

I think Speck has not quite forgiven me for taking him for a day of beauty......

Wish I could get Speck & Sprocket to pose like these guys. . . . .

{Walter & Delbert from here}

Color Inspiration ~ Design Seeds

2011-04-08T21:34:00.004-05:00

A few weeks ago I came upon design seeds ~ a site for all who love color. This is a lovely site to explore for both beautiful images and inspiring color palettes. Each day a new pairing is presented, so there is always something new to take a look at. One can also click on palette search and search for specific colors, color collections or themes. So, if you are looking to freshen up your home decor or looking for some interesting color combinations to add to your wardrobe, visit design seeds ~ I don't think you will be disappointed! Here are a few of my favorites.....

{all images from design seeds}

Bon Poisson d'Avril!

2011-04-01T07:46:00.003-05:00

This morning I read about how the French celebrate April Fool's day here ~ I have always wondered about the meaning of these funny postcards with fish ~ I just figured some artist liked fish and had a sense of humor. It is nice to know that there are still some clever people out there who like fish ~ visit here and see for yourself! Happy April Fool's Day!

{images from here}

New Addition!

2011-03-30T00:02:00.003-05:00

Ordered a new couch for the living room this week ~ it will arrive next week! I ended up choosing the taupe leather instead of the cream because the two scots would have it mud covered in no time. Now to look for some pillows ~ any suggestions? I see another knit or crochet project in my future......

Antiques & Alpacas

2011-03-28T21:08:00.007-05:00

{ancient embroidered silk lampshade~ beautiful needlework and colors}

Had fun this weekend going to the KC Antiques & Collectibles market and the MOPACA Alpaca Show ~ I managed to spend the entire day at these shows! Got up and out of the house early (for me!) and hit the antique show first ~ it was a combo show and included the KC Toy & Doll show as well as the regular antiques and collectibles. Here are a few items I saw at the show I thought were worth sharing.

{great advertising sign for Nehi soda ~ the peeling paint was an added bonus}

{A set of Creepy Crawlers complete with heating unit and the metal molds!}

I had a Fun Flowers set ~ I made dozens of plastic flowers! I think we also had Incredible Edibles ~ those were bug shaped molds that came with edible goop. These days one can't find anything remotely this fun on the market ~ how on earth did those of us survive this sort of toy? Somehow, despite the plastic fumes, the lead filled molds and the molten plastic, I managed to live to tell about it! So did this guy.

{Beautiful baby book cover}

{Wiggles, a funny little dog ~ a book from the 30's about a runaway scottish terrier}

{great graphics on these tin toy tanks with rubber treads}

{saucy little tin duck}

After the antique show, I headed to the Alpaca Show which was held at the American Royal ~ where oddly enough, years ago, the antique show used to be held. Depending on the weekend, sometimes the smell of manure would waft through the air as you were shopping for treasures ~ just part of the ambiance.

Since I like to knit and crochet, I am familiar with alpaca yarn, but didn't know much about the animals the fiber comes from, so this seemed a perfect opportunity! Alpacas are part of the camel family and look like a small llama, although alpacas are less aggressive than llamas. There are two types of alpacas: suris (their hair looks kind of like dreadlocks or a puli dog) and huacayas (their hair is fuller and fuzzier). The alpaca farmers and breeders that I talked to were very friendly and shared all sorts of information ~ alpacas live about 20 years, a female alpaca will usually have one cria (baby), and their hair comes in 16 natural colors. While their hair is soft and wonderful to touch, most alpacas don't seem to like being touched. Here are some photos from the show:

{two suri alpacas}

{three huacaya alpacas}

{this little guy won a ribbon}

{ears up, ears down!}

{two beautiful skeins of alpaca yarn ~ a souvenir from the show!}

Snowing . . . again!

2011-03-27T18:38:00.002-05:00

{view out my back door}

Almost the end of March and it is snowing again! After the gazillion inches of snow we have had this year and a taste of a couple of days in the high 70's a week ago, I am ready for spring!

Brush Up on Proper Dental Hygiene for Your Opossum!

2011-03-25T22:13:00.003-05:00

Have some extra time on your hands this weekend? Why not brush up on some proper dental hygiene for your opossum? This video will provide all of the details (and more) that you will need in order to keep your opossum's teeth looking white, shiny and gingivitis free. If only I had had this knowledge back when Scurvy was visiting ~ perhaps he would have been a more congenial houseguest?!

Buttons, Buttons, Buttons!

2011-03-23T22:40:00.004-05:00

While visiting Mission Road Antique Mall a couple of weekends ago, I spotted these lovely antique calico buttons in a showcase. I see this type of button now and then, but not very often and they are always rather expensive.

If you happen to be in Kansas City though, visit the Steamboat Arabia Museum, where you can see thousands of these beautiful buttons ~ and learn a bit about some history as well. The photo above was taken at the museum ~ click on the photo for the source.

Don't know that I have ever found an entire card of calico buttons ~ thanks to the internet though, I was able to find these and an interesting article about calico buttons. Some day, when I am more organized, I will take a few photos of some of the calico buttons I have found over the years ~ I have some great stencil buttons too.

A Different Kind of Delectable

2011-03-22T22:18:00.003-05:00

Found this tasty jar of glass buttons this weekend while shopping at the Platte City Antique Show ~ I guess I just have a thing for mayonnaise jars, now that I have mentioned them two days in a row! As you can see, this is actually a Miracle Whip jar, but close enough. I have to admit, I prefer Miracle Whip over regular mayo ~ always a point of ridicule in my household as my boyfriend is quite the foodie and Miracle Whip doesn't cut the mustard in his book!

This jar was packed full of all clear glass buttons ~ I have never bought many of these before, but the jar looked so appealing I couldn't pass them up. Upon closer inspection, some of the buttons have silver or gold metallic accents, so these are even better than I realized. Looking forward to sorting through the rest of the buttons and discovering all the different patterns ~ I think these will look great used in the brooches I make!

Delectable Paintings ~ Shawn Kenney

2011-03-21T22:44:00.004-05:00

A couple of weeks ago my RISDxyz arrived ~ that is, my Rhode Island School of Design alumni magazine ~ a new format and design. Food was the theme and one of the artists featured is painter Shawn Kenney ~ an illustration major and 1993 graduate.

Wow! Shawn's paintings are so beautiful, I just had to share. I am especially enamored with his seemingly effortless brushwork and his gorgeous use of color. Whether the subject is a fancy mini cake, a humble box of blueberries or jar of Fluff, the end result is simply delectable! Visit here to see more of his work.

{all images via Shawn Kenney}

Beautiful Book ~ Antique Packaging

2011-02-24T22:04:00.005-06:00

While in NYC a couple weeks ago, I stopped in at Kinokuniya Bookstores near Bryant Park. Kinokuniya carries a large selection of magazines, books, stationery and gifts from Japan ~ I especially love the bottom floor where there is a great section for crafts.

While looking through the art section on the second floor, I found this wonderful book ~ Antique Packaging by Josep Ma Garrofe. This book contains a lovely large collection of antique packaging ~ organized by theme or industry and photographed in a unique way. The examples shown were carefully selected from a private collection ~ most of which was collected by one person ~ Francesc Serra.

Primarily chosen for their design and aesthetic aspects, the packages also had to be made of cardboard for this project. The book has a vintage and tactile feel to it as it is printed on uncoated stock and is gorgeously designed. Below are a few of my favorite spreads:

Special Delivery!

2011-02-19T10:14:00.003-06:00

Have admired this file cabinet (above) over at scissor variations for quite a while, so when I came upon a similar one (below) on a recent outing at Bottoms Up, I didn't hesitate ~ well, actually I did ~ I had to do some serious thinking as to where I could put it and if I should spend the money!

Since the foot of snow has melted, the man I bought it from is delivering it tomorrow ~ I will be making a temporary space for it in the garage so I can clean it before bringing it inside. My plan is to add some casters to the bottom and then put it in the foyer ~ it will be a great place to organize and store the magazines that I save. I'm not sure if I will keep the cordovan colored finish or not ~ but it will be another huge project I don't need to strip it if I decide to do that!

I was told that the cabinet came from a city office where there must have been a wall of cabinets like this ~ notice the mismatched drawers. Not sure of its age, but I would guess the 40's. Too bad those Budweiser lamps weren't included?! Ha ha!

Hooray for Hickory!

2011-02-16T22:28:00.003-06:00

{image from here}

A Scottish Deerhound named Hickory won Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show this week. What a beautiful and elegant dog!

Old Summit Antique Show ~ Part 2

2011-02-06T18:06:00.004-06:00

{pretty syroco or ornawood dresser box}

Aside from the great block collection, there were lots of other items to admire at the Old Summit Antique Show ~ plus lots of friends to catch up with, so it was a fun show! Here are a few more shots from the show:

{bowl of old herbs packaged in boxes ~ love the variety of labels!}

{impressive book cover design}

{interesting hand painted scarf box}

{shoe clips and embroidered handkerchiefs}

{vintage roll of taffeta ribbon}

{beautiful metal bullion tassels}

{metal embroidery threads with original packaging}

{Fabulous Putnam Dye display ~ glad to know the secret of charm!}

{Bossy the cow ~ or bull or steer in this case}

{litho cardboard farm animals & lion}

{German coffee grinder}

{stack o' suitcases}

{great shelves to organize with}

{watchmaker's metal cabinet ~ one of my purchases!}

Old Summit Antique Show ~ Part 1

2011-02-02T20:34:00.004-06:00

{Nice combo of letters and images ~ clever way to fit 4 letters on one block!}

A few weekends ago I went to the Old Summit Antique Show ~ since it seemed like eons had passed since I had gone to a show, I ended up buying quite a few things and also taking lots of photos. A friend of mine who is a dealer allowed me to take photos of the wonderful collection of block sets he was selling ~ these are all from his personal collection he has decided to part with. Just take a look, such beautiful and unique sets ~ some of which I had never seen before. I love the gorgeous graphics of the typography and the packaging ~ rarely do you see sets like this in such great condition. Which is your favorite?

{A gem of a set ~ these were rather small, the whole box was about 4" x 6"}

{Hill's Spelling Blocks}

{Hill's Spelling Blocks ~ inside}

{Built in advertisement}

{Love the simplicity of the graphic letter forms}

{Naughty!!! Guess they didn't have copy editors back then!}

{My favorite ~ Beasts & Birds Rolling Toys}

{Round blocks with lovely letters!}

{Description and list of contents}

{lovely engravings as well}

Happy Groundhog's Day!

2011-02-02T14:30:00.006-06:00

Despite the fact that Punxsutawney Phil DIDN'T see his shadow today, given the weather across the country, does anyone really believe spring is on the way?! I actually question whether or not they were even able to find Phil today - if I were a groundhog, I would not be coming out of my tunnel today at all! While I really want to believe Phil, it is hard to be optimistic when shoveling a foot of snow and braving the frigid temperatures! If you are truly snowbound and forgot to hit the grocery store before the snow hit, one can always resort to this - if you can locate a groundhog:

Happy Groundhog's Day everyone!

Confessions of an Antique Addict

2011-02-01T22:06:00.005-06:00

Last Saturday I decided to treat myself to an afternoon at an antique mall ~ after all, it has been weeks since I have set foot in one (on a Saturday), so I was having withdrawal symptoms. Before I hit the antique mall, I stopped by a few thrift shops only to find every one stripped bare of any sort of interesting items. Thankfully, the antique mall (Brown's Emporium in Independence) didn't disappoint. I picked up a furniture catalog from the 1880's that had some nice engravings in it, a pink McCoy planter, an old German scissors and a few other miscellaneous smalls.

{fabulous vintage scottish terrier rocker ~ 1930's-40's?}

I also saw this vintage scottish terrier rocking toy ~ while I really liked it, I really don't have the space, nor do I have any children to play with it. This was one of those items I just couldn't get out of my mind....I had taken a photo of it, so when I got home, the more I looked at it, the more I realized I had made a terrible mistake by not buying it ~ especially when I rationalized that it would be the perfect prop to use for a Christmas photo with Speck & Sprocket (yeah, right ~ as if I will be able to get them to stay still anywhere near or in it!!). So, that is how I managed a second day of antique shopping ~ not only did I revisit Brown's Emporium, but since I was already out that direction, I felt obligated to hit The Brass Armadillo.

PS. I was the first shopper to arrive on Sunday ~ the scottie rocker is safely tucked away in what used to be my "yarn room". More photos coming soon!

Resolution for the New Year

2011-01-10T21:45:00.003-06:00

With every year comes the long list of New Year's resolutions that end up getting pushed by the wayside in a month or two ~ at least that is how it goes for me! This year I thought I would just choose one resolution and see if I could be more successful with a focus. Go visit the To Resolve Project over at motherlanddesign ~ pick a resolution for yourself ~ there are many to choose from ~ here is mine:

{poster by Jon Garza}

Wish me luck! What is your resolution for the year?

Inspiration for the New Year

2011-01-04T22:31:00.006-06:00

Found this quote over at oh, hello, friend ~ words to live by!

Thanksgiving Nostalgia

2010-11-24T17:17:00.005-06:00

This year I will be spending Thanksgiving Day and sharing dinner with my boyfriend's family ~ while I'm sure it will be a wonderful feast filled with all sorts of midwest delicacies, I will miss my two favorites: The Cranberry Log and Cope's Dried Corn ~ two of my family's traditions!

While I don't remember our cranberry log being served in such a grand manner, no matter how it was served, there were never any leftovers. Too bad my mom didn't happen upon the ad below ~ I'm sure she would have put me to work making this masterpiece. The image below is from a great posting on the history of this delectable "sliceable sauce" by the bewildered brit.

The other dish I will miss is John Cope's Dried Sweet Corn ~ I don't think it is even available in Kansas City as it is a Pennsylvania Dutch recipe and I think this brand is the only one left of its kind. Cope's corn is produced in Lancaster, PA ~ I have a vague recollection that my dad's family is somehow related to the Cope's family ~ I'll have to look into that so I don't make a liar out of myself while name dropping!

Trust me, while stewed corn or baked corn casserole doesn't conjure up a very appetizing image, however my mom prepared the dried corn (I'll bet she followed the directions on the package!), it was always something I looked forward to at holidays. If you are adventurous, looks like you can order online here and try some for yourself. I always thought to myself that this corn was what the pilgrims and indians ate at the first Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours!

Worth pondering

2010-11-13T11:37:00.004-06:00

Came upon this over at ECAB ~ from August 2009, but still relevant. Read or listen about the high cost of buying 'cheap'. As an artist/designer, I deal with this issue everyday ~ actually, it impacts everyone in some way. Definitely an issue to consider when making purchases. Is quality valued anymore? What price are you willing to pay for quality?

Has anyone read this book? I'm wondering if it includes any thoughts or solutions to the problem.

Speck is 9 today!

2010-11-06T23:28:00.006-05:00

{image via retroroadmap.com}

Today is Speck's 9th birthday ~ Speck is my black Scottish terrier AKA Spectacular, Mr. Speck and Speckita. When asked, I usually tell people that Speck is short for Spectacular, which is true, but I liked the name Speck also because it was one of my favorite places to go when I was little. Speck's (the original one) was a drive in/diner on the road we took to visit my great aunt Verna ~ I remember getting soft serve dipped ice cream cones there. Now I'm not even sure the one we used to stop at is there any more, but there is one in Collegeville, Pa ~ apparently known for their broasted chicken.

While Speck enjoys chicken now and then (although I'm not sure he has ever sampled any broasted chicken), Burger King was his restaurant of choice for his bday meal. This year he ordered a cheeseburger and fries along with the traditional Burger King headwear. The gold crown suits him well, doesn't it?

As the appetizing smells wafted his way, Mr. Speck was licking his lips in anticipation.......

Just couldn't wait, he had to sample a fry before all the guests were served.

Sprocket, the lone party guest, patiently waited for the meal to be served. Happy Birthday Speck!

C or D? What works for you?

2010-11-02T01:00:00.003-05:00

Don't know about you, but I could use a laugh today!

Happy Halloween 2010!

2010-10-31T19:57:00.006-05:00

{Beelzebub (Speck) & Lucifer (Sprocket)}

Happy Halloween from Beelzebub and Lucifer ~ my very own Scottish devil dogs! The boys are very patiently modeling my Devilish Dog Accessories ~ aren't they hideously handsome?

This year we had to give up on costumes for home as it has just been too busy to squeeze another project in. I did manage to whip together a quickie costume for work though ~ and found a way to incorporate Sprocket as well. As I am the art director for the American Girl Crafts line, we went as an American Ghoul Doll and her pet, Lucifer the devil dog. Beelzebub remained at home ~ he's not one to embrace the corporate life. Another coworker showed up as an American Girl Doll, so we were a great pair - we both won prizes ~ I won for scariest, Kristen for most creative.

Sprocket did very well on his first (and only) day on the job ~ he wore those devil horns all day long with no complaints. He also cleaned up after the breakfast party, managed at least 10 rooster crows, and networked with everyone at the event. After the long day at work, he too was looking forward to a good night's rest! Happy Halloween!

A Pleasant Surprise

2010-10-21T22:18:00.004-05:00

Last week I picked up this year's Christmas Ideas by Better Homes and Gardens only to notice that the stylist has used the glitter chipboard snowflakes I had designed for K&Company's Christmas Cheer ~ what a compliment!

Even better, as I paged through the magazine, I got to the "Vintage Glow" article featuring Debbie Dusenberry's Curious Sofa and noticed that the paper book ornaments I have been making were pictured along with all of the lovely vignettes from the shop.

If you get a chance, pick up a copy of the issue for yourself ~ there are lots of great ideas and inspiration in many different styles.

A Sizzling Compromise

2010-10-06T07:38:00.003-05:00

{image from here}

I think I just might be able to interest Dick in some formal wear!

So long, Summer ~ til next year!

2010-09-27T23:00:00.003-05:00

{caprese salad}

Good bye to summer ~ and my favorite summer delicacies. No more caprese salads with fresh heirloom tomatoes and basil, and no more corn on the cob ~ until next year!

The boys also feel a bit nostalgic about summer treats ~ the cicadas are gone as well... Every summer evening around 9:00 the scots get mighty restless and demand to go out so they can rustle up a crunchy snack. I don't know what it is about cicadas that they find so tasty, but they go to great effort to find them ~ Speck is especially fond of them and will do whatever he can to snatch them away from Sprocket. Apparently, it isn't that unusual for dogs and cats to find cicadas tasty ~ if they eat too many though, they can get blocked digestive tracts ~ read more details here.

Can't say I am sad to see the cicadas go ~ they aren't anywhere on my list of favorite summer snacks!

{mmm, mmm, just ripe for the picking!}

{Speck has his eye on an extra crispy cicada}

{Sprocket is busy rustling up a cicada in the potted urn ~ it is the first place he checks}

Finds from the show

2010-09-19T21:03:00.007-05:00

{great graphics on these lotto cards}

This weekend the weather cooperated and I was able to get some photos taken of my finds from last week's antique show. As you can see I didn't get quantity, but was pleased with what I did come home with! I also have the added bonus of not being broke ~ hurray!

The cards above are some very old flash cards ~ the dealer selling them had gotten them from a retired schoolteacher. I thought the silhouette images were so interesting ~ I've never seen flash cards like these before.

Also found a beautiful piece of antique lace ~ I love all the little details in the pattern. The button card below also beckoned ~ mostly because of the handmade graphic across the top ~ the buttons aren't much to write home about.

{antique cuffs ~ hoping to use these in some sort of art project}

I also picked up a little recipe booklet for Jell-o from 1931 ~ the graphics on the cover and throughout are just beautiful ~ it is sad that this sort of illustration and attention to detail seems to have gone by the wayside. Not sure about some of the food combinations such as Jellied Cooked Lettuce, Orange Moss, Chicken Mousse, or the Ham & Celery Loaf (shown below), but the illustrations make all of them look appetizing. According to the copy inside, Jello-O dishes have "looks" - gay, sparkling, quivery, luscious looking, they lend appetite appeal to a meal! Some day we plan to have a pot luck jello mold party ~ I guess this little cookbook will come in handy for that!

{front and back cover of book ~ love the design!}

{mmm, mm, ham & celery loaf}

{lovely two color illustration ~ this style used throughout the booklet}

{Peach Delight ~ this one does look tasty!}