Yesterday Was Such Fun!

I shot this picture (above) yesterday.

I took this picture from their website. (Above)

Below is the family living room.

This is a gorgeous dining room.

Below is the fabulous kitchen of which one can only see a wee corner. It is a very large and charming, old world kitchen.

Above is me at the age of 15 in the family living room at the Bush House. There was a bit of catnip in my hand.

I shot the picture below yesterday.

Yesterday Greg and I had a fabulous day. First we went to a wonderful estate sale in Portland, and scored some wonderful treasures from a three story house in an old and beautiful neighborhood (My old one, Laurelhurst).

Then we went to Duck Pond winery where we are members, and there we sampled some delicious cheeses with wine, picked up our order, and then, best of all for me, toured one of my favorite houses, the Bush House in Salem.

When I was a teen, I was a fitter's model for Jantzen. I would walk to Jantzen after school and usually I just stood there while my darling boss, Elsa Albright, would pins garments to me and study how they looked. Periodically I got to swim in the indoor pool there to see how swimsuits would hold up, and then there was an occasional fashion show. But the ONLY time I ever was involved in a photographic shoot, for a brochure, was at the Bush house. That was where I fell in love with high Victorian homes. Up until that time, via my Mother's influence, I was fully ensconced in the wonders of early America. I simply love both, and am so happy that my home is also, like the Bush House, an Italianate. Something about those high ceilings!

The Asahel Bush House (pronounced A-sell) is a small mansion with 12 foot ceilings. Ours is a cottage with 11 foot ceilings.

Entry Hall or Foyer

An entry hall or foyer has always been an absolute necessity to me. Once, when we lived in an apartment, I devised an entry hall with cupboards as walls. This house was built in 1888. It is an Italianate in style, and we bought it in December of 2005. It was the entry hall that lured me the most.
Although the wallpaper may seem a bit garish to some, I still love it. It is very old, and does not stand out so much in person. The companion wallpaper in the front parlor works perfectly with it.

Little Clothilda sits in her 1880's, French settee. She is an 18th century styled doll that I made from a Gail Wilson kit. I named the doll. Gail's kit was simply called 18th Century Doll, and she is no longer making this one.
My beautiful antique doll, Faith, sits in her wee Windsor in front of my favorite mirror of all. Some believe it is an Eastlake, but I see a tad of Renaissance Revival in it. Faith is holding a Schneeman doggie. I bought both Faith and the doggie at Olde Glory in Waynesville, Ohio.

Below is the front parlor showing the front door through a one sliding pocket door entrance to and from the entry hall and parlor. The companion wallpaper is often referred to as Patrician, for it is so tiny and delicate, yet rich.

Below is more of the front parlor. I have a juxtaposition of primitive with Victorian and formal things. I love what I love, and do not strive for a "stage setting" per se. The table in the center of the room is an 18th century tavern table from Pennsylvania. I love the large buttocks basket under the table. I am not responsible for the fancy swag drapery. I am not eager however to remove it, yet, if ever.

Back to making the dolls!

Primitive Portrait

Edward Pierrepont Lacey and His Dog Gun by Noah North in 1835-36, size 42 x 30 is what this painting was based on. I took lessons from Julie Stapleton of The Tole Barn in Estacada, Oregon and this was my first primitive portrait. I could never part with it. I gifted it to my husband. It resides in his study.

Noah North, like me, was the third born of eight children. He was from Alexander, NY.

I am getting into the mood for painting some primitives again. Stay tuned...

A Facelift on a Cupboard

Yesterday I painted this little cupboard. It was all white before, and just one of those shabby/cottage little numbers that seem to ubiquitously crop up all over the world these days. Well my little cupboard, which is holding fabrics, has now become more of an early, early American styled little number. It was easy to paint and was inspired by a very early one that I have admired from a book. I coated it with shellac and in minutes it was ready to go. I am so happy.

Sweltering Peg Woodens

I have stripped the girls and stood them all together (save for two who remain clothed in a cooler area), and it is because of the HUMIDITY, yes, you heard me correctly, humidity in western, Oregon. I tell you, it has NEVER done this before. I've know humidity in other states. I never knew any existed here. I once saw a humidity map of the United States, way back in the 1960's wherein it fully claimed that humidity that makes you feel the mugginess does not exist in the west. Well, since Mother Nature is going to town changing stuff, we're now getting that heinous kind of weather. The past three days have been dripping with it. Oh well. At least the vegetation does even better. Now for some exciting thunderstorms, fingers crossed, because I LOVE thunder storms, but we never get them here. And maybe next June we'll finally get some fireflies, for we don't have them here either, and I do love them. I have strung some flickering, solar powered sparkling lights in my garden to be my faux fireflies, and they are truly enchanting.

And oh yes, my stint at Thea's was intoxicatingly wonderful. (See previous post) And no, I did not take any pictures, because I always forget.

So that is the latest on this front.

I trust all is well and wonderful with all of you. It surely is with me!

For Thursday, August 5th., Thea's Interiors

Tomorrow is the day. From 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM I will be at Thea's in the Pearl, as her First Thursday artist. I have prepared a bevy of dolls and fancywork items and look forward to visiting the guests and to leaving my creations there after I leave.

Thea's Interiors

1204 NW Glisan Street

Portland, Oregon

503-274-0275

I hope to see you there!

Update on Gregory's Early American Life Stories

For those of you who enjoy reading my husband's wonderful articles for Early American Life magazine, he has finally updated all of them. Please visit Early American Writings for much excellent information pertaining to our American roots.

Silhouette by Suzanne Davis

Yesterday Suzanne Davis of Pear Tree Primitives and her charming husband and delightful sons dropped by on their way home to beautiful Boise, Idaho. They had been up in Washington, and as they passed through Oregon, of course they had to pass the end of the Oregon Trail and therefore me! I was beyond thrilled when she presented this beautiful silhouette to me. Even her business card is a work of art. Thank you again, from the very bottom of my heart, Suzanne. I am absolutely spellbound by your work.

The Velvet Strawberry ~ A Little Book

Here is my second little book with a pattern for making something from the story. This story involves my doll Amy who is planning a tea party.

If you wish to procure one of my books, click here. Each book costs $16 and that includes the shipping - (Unless it's not on this continent). I'm working on more and will continue to post on this blog when new ones are ready.

I also have it covered on the sidebar. Each book is made from the same paper. The difference here is the first was photographed while the second was scanned. Details you know...

Thank you for visiting!

Christine ~

Editing

I have a very dear and valued friend who once gave me some excellent advice on displaying my home. Thank you, Jamie! She suggested that I photograph and from there edit. Of course, this is evolution itself at this house. And so, I have removed the petticoats and pantalets from the windows, because it seemed a bit too fussy for me. There they all are now, adjacent to the bed, with plenty of walking space. I do believe, Julie, that some of the dolls did try them on while I was asleep, and even one petticoat was removed and replaced by an even older one. Those girls do have fun!

Petticoats and Pantalets

Aren't they cute? All but one of these were recently gifted to me by a dear friend from the Midwest who is moving to another state. I am so delighted that she no longer wanted them and was happy to bless me with the little darlings. These are doll clothes from the Victorian era and I love them so very, very much just hanging in my guest bedroom window for all to see. The guest bedroom, incidentally, is the place where dolls awaiting adoptions reside. I have strung the little garments on string across a lovely herb drying rack that I simply de-ribboned in order to place them each in a window.

Dolls and Fancywork Shoppe

I have just loaded up the above dolls onto my newest blog Dolls and Fancywork Shoppe. I will be sending out my newsletter tomorrow, but in the mean time for those of you who visit this blog, you are being offered a sneak peek at my latest offerings.

I thank you for visiting and hope you will enjoy meeting my new girls.

Christine

Lady Liberty

This is Lady Liberty. She resides on one of my kitchen doors, and is certainly a beloved doll in this household. Lady Liberty and I wish you all a fabulous Fourth of July!
Here she is in all of her splendor as she is accompanied by two very pretty, cloth stars, both of which were made by yours truly. Lady Liberty, however, is the delightful creation of the great and talented, Tish Bachleda of The Tweed Weasel in beautiful Schaefferstown, PA.

Happy First Day of Summer!

Multnomah Falls

Central Oregon

Portland

Mt. Hood

The Oregon Coast

Bandon Dunes Golf Course

Today is the longest day of the year, and it is the official first day of summer. June 21st is the summer solstice.

Here in our Willamette Valley, Oregon, of course, the rain forest is still having a go at it, and of course, we almost never have true summer weather until after the 4th of July, but once it gets going it is the most beautiful weather anywhere, for we do not know humidity here, as I have felt it in the Midwest and in New England, and of course, I shan't even mention the south. Nope, in the entire West humidity is something reported on paper, but not felt in comparison to those other places. I glory in my Pacific air. Our summer weather goes almost to Halloween.

Today is 70 and sunny. Perfection. Well was sunny and is slated to be later in the day. It usually burns off by noon. We shall see. Nonetheless, it is perfection for me for it is my home and I love it.

Just had to share.

Historic McLoughlin House and My Doll Hattie

My reproduction of a pre-Greiner doll, Hattie, now resides in the children's room in the beautiful, historic McLoughlin House in Oregon City, Oregon. The above picture is the same doll, but not seen in the museum, since we are not allowed to take pictures inside of the museum.

The pictures I have shown were procured via Google images. The house was built in 1845, and it is a half a block away from my house.

Just had to share!

Early Work Mercantile Update

This very Queen Anne Pansy Poppet will be featured in the upcoming, October issue of Prims magazine.

SOLD

Saturday, June 12 ~ Noon-4:00

This is where I'll be today from noon to 4:00, showing some of my early dolls, both old as well as some that I have made. I will be answering questions about how I make my dolls. Hope to see you there.

Historic Barclay House,

719 Center Street

Oregon City, OR 97045

503-656-5146

Art Room Re-Do and Asphaltum Varnish

The picture above is from our old house which is across the river from this town. We raised our children in that dear, 1898, Queen Anne Vernacular house. I was fortunate enough to have been in a magazine article, and therefore have scanned this picture so as to show you my woodwork.

I've not yet scraped or washed the windows on my balcony doors. I still have so very much to do before I can call this room finished.

These are my windows, and one can easily see the necessary indoor storm windows that keep the weather at bay. My photographic skills are indeed limited. For one barely notices the storm windows in reality. But the topic here is about asphaltum varnish as a woodwork treatment.

Again, something the photograph brings out that is not evident to the naked eye is the orangish color. It simply is not noticed except in this photograph.

What is asphaltum varnish? I Googled it and the answer to that question is too scientific. It is something that was used on woodwork in the late Victorian times. Although it dries very quickly, virtually in minutes, it will remain a bit tacky and therefore, one must coat it with clear shellac, and only then is it dry to the bone. It's easy to paint onto wood, as long as you mix in a little turpentine. You can successfully paint it over any color of paint. It leaves an elegant, rich dark and shiny woodwork which was very popular at the turn of the previous century. I have loved it for years, and used it in my other Victorian house that we sold in the year 2002. That first picture is from the magazine article from Country Collectibles, Spring/Summer, 2003, and there you can see my old dining room with the asphaltum varnish woodwork.

Incidentally, if anyone of you has ever read that article, it was not true that I coveted English collectibles. That was a slant the writer needed to put into the article in order to sell it. I did them a favor in letting them get away with this. My heart is primarily stolen by early American antiques of all kinds. I like the English things, but again, totally not a true sentiment of mine.

To finish my art room decorating I will next have to strip the paint off of the floors using my trusty old heat gun. That will take this week. Then I simply brush on a couple coats of the good old clear shellac. It dries in an hour. It is rock hard and voila, the fun will begin in returning my furnishings to the room.

I love my beautiful wall and ceiling paint by Devine from Miller paints. They are Spruce on the ceiling and Almond on the walls. I was totally blown away when it turned out to have just a hint of muted robin's egg blue in two different shades. I totally adore it.

Until this room is completely finished, no other kind of art work will be executed in it. Ah the joy of redecorating.

No More Facebook

The beautiful brick Federal Farmhouse, pictured above, circa 1820's, is the home of my mother, who turned 88 on Monday. Pictured at the fence is yours truly from a few years ago. One of my four brothers, who mows her lawn these days is standing nearby. One other dear brother, Tom, died two years ago. He used to live with mother. He maintained the yard and did all of her cooking. Although she had eight children (four boys and four girls), she never really enjoyed cooking.

This picture of serenity is what I gravitate toward, rather than the people filled, albeit friends, mechanisms of Facebook. As I was approaching 1,800 friends on "FB", it occurred to me that I never have time for it and yet daily I receive countless people coming to be my friends. I don't like to turn anyone away, but at last, I simply closed down my Facebook Account yesterday, so that I may strive more towards a serene existence where maintaining my home and enjoying my art prevails.

Mother seems to do just fine in the countryside of southern, Ohio, where she moved to in the 1990's, from here in Oregon. After my dear father's death, that which called her was that same love of olden days and beautiful old things and especially her beautiful house. She still hops into her car daily and heads to the antiquing realms. Her love of beauty rules her, and I am precisely the same way. Now to my dolls...

Dolls Getting Dressed

Here are a few of the dolls that I am in the process of dressing. Thus far they are wearing pantalets, petticoats, painted on shoes and stockings, and the Queen Anne has her panniers under her petticoat.

Since I tend toward "early" dolls, and as early is regarded as pre-1850, I use the maché because it preceded porcelain dolls. Otherwise I love to make cloth dolls, and am working toward woodens, one-of-these-days!

I enjoy making their stands. As our 1888 home has a lot of old wood in the basement, I use that. This batch was made from a piece of the original siding. We still have the same style siding, but from time-to-time, a piece or two has been replaced, and they frugally did not throw them away. I am so delighted to have this attractive and old wood available for some of my doll stands.

My blonde is my latest doll in history, because she was created in about 1870. This makes her not early. I do fudge occasionally, don't I? I call this model, Amy.

This smaller brunette doll is one that I call Claire. Claire is an M&S Superior from the middle 1800's. I regard her as early enough.

Here is my beautiful Emma, an 1820's "milliner's model", a term that I recently learned is not a correct one for any dolls. She was simply a lovely toy. The original has wooden limbs. My doll's limbs are made from maché.

Maggie is truly my very favorite of all of my maché head dolls. This doll originated in the early 1800's and had the beautiful, pupiless glass eyes. She is known as a doll's doll. She is a "pre-Greiner" and was the doll to one of the larger Greiners. Some purists do not believe that all dolls called "pre-Greiner" were that early, but I just don't know. I am not a purist. I simulate with paint the glass eyes.

My new Queen Anne with actual glass eyes, is a one-of-a-kind. She isn't named yet. I learned that pantalets and bloomers were not even considered for ladies until the 1850's, and so, the early styles really offered nothing of this sort. The ladies wore shifts and many petticoats under their dresses. My Queen Anne does not have pantalets or bloomers. I've given her some panniers under her skirt.

These are only a small handful of the dolls I have in progress.

I hope to have a few more uploaded soon.