Cozy Autumn in 1664

Oh happy times as I dream of The House of the Seven Gables in Salem, Massachusetts or even the oldest house in Salem, which was built in 1664, known as the Pickman House.

Welcome to my kitchen friends. The candle is lit and the teapot is simmering.

Somerset Life and My Slip-Ins!

I am so very proud and excited to report that my Slip-Ins are featured in the current and beautiful Autumn 2008 issue of Somerset Life magazine.
There is the story about them as well as more pictures of them and a how to make your very own! See them on pages 72, 73 and 74. I am SO happy!!! And I must point out that these little slip-ins are only 3 to 4 inches tall. They look bigger in the magazine.

Early American Art by Ladies

Here is more of my favorite type of art; the type that I would have in my home.

Above, Eunice Pinney's "The Courtship"

Above, Deborah Goldsmith painted "Sarah Stanton Mason Throop", 1830's

Currier & Ives

If I collect anything to hang on my walls, it is Currier & Ives, preferably framed in the romantic criss cross frames. These images I gathered from the Internet. Enjoy!

In Loving Memory of Dear Tasha

Our beloved Tasha Tudor and my ultimate heroine, passed away in her Vermont home, Wednesday, June 18. Visit this Memorial Website to learn more about this wonderful American icon. I have signed the memory book and donated to the Tasha Tudor Museum.

Here is the obituary from the New York Times.

Little Dolly in a Shoe

This tiny dolly in a shoe is seen in my previous post among other of my new miniature dolls. Recently Country Living magazine came to my house and photographed me in the process of making a doll. Among the many dolls photographed was this little one. I look forward to seeing if she shows up in the article which they tell me is slated for possibly their October issue! You see, I was invited to be a member of the esteemed Country Living Artists Guild, and I am still pinching myself!
Little dolly above was spotted by a friend and neighbor who wanted to purchase her, and therefore I consented. Today little doll in her shoe moves almost next door, and I am so happy to know that I may visit her occasionally!
I assure you, I will be announcing more on my Country Living excitement as soon as the issue is published!

An Unlikely Pirate!

Pirate Story
Three of us afloat in the meadow by the swing,
Three of us aboard in the basket on the lea.
Winds are in the air, they are blowing in the spring,
And waves are on the meadow like the waves there
are at sea.


Where shall we adventure, today that we're afloat,
Wary of the weather and steering by a star?
Shall it be to Africa, a-steering of the boat,
To Providence, or Babylon, or off to Malabar?


Hi! but here's a squadron a-rowing on the sea-
Cattle on the meadow a-charging with a roar!
Quick, and we'll escape them, they're as mad as they
can be,
The wicket is the harbour and the garden is the
shore.
Robert Louis Stevenson

Happy 100th. Post, Donna!

Dolly Pin or Brooch if you Prefer

This wee Queen Anne dolly was created in 1972 by an artist of whom I cannot read the signature, but it looks like Betty Arndt. I have to say that the dress is actually a very deep, hot pink, and that my photographic skills go a begging. I just wanted to share this exquisite tiny, hand carved, wooden dolly. She is all of one inch tall there under glass in her mob cap.

Little Jane, Emma and Faith

This is Little Jane who is standing in her little garden house.
Little Jane is a tiny water color paper doll.

This is Emma, my original old milliner's model who loves sitting in this beautiful shelf by Linda Marcov of Willow Nest Farm.

Here is Faith, an old doll who sits in the dining room holding her warn little dog. Little Dog was created by the fabulous Jennifer Schneeman. I procured both Faith and Little Dog from the Waynesville, Ohio shop Olde Glory Antiques.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Beautiful Emma, a milliner's model of the early 1800's (albeit newer, as she is my creation) is dressed in great finery to wish you all a very Happy 2008! Emma resides with her new owner in Maryland, but her picture resides here with me.

Prudence Jane Plumb

I carved little Prudence Jane Plumb in 2000. That year I had her for sale at the Magic of Christmas show in Portland, Oregon. A lady wanted her and when she handed me $25.00 I was shocked, for you see, Prue was actually priced much higher than that! The lady seemed a bit miffed, but I had to decline the sale and it was then that I decided never to sell her.

Prue has sisters; some who have moved on to other homes. Here is the latest Prudence Jane Plumb awaiting her attire. She has been waiting for a couple years! Poor thing. I will cover her with something warm now that I think of it.

There, finished!

New England Proverb

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."

This is a wonderful New England Proverb. So much art has come from frugality. Many of our primitive artists are inspired by this wondrous ability utilized by people of the past to conjure something treasured from a broken item and from just bits and pieces.