Something Blue Saturday

Heh all you bloggers - inerested in joining my friend Carol and I in a Something Blue Saturday? May 2nd we are inviting our friends to "blog" pics of anything Blue! Just leave me a comment that you want to join and your blog address by end of day Friday and Carol and I will post all your links for others to visit! Heh, and if you don't care to join - thats okay - Carol and I have lots of Blue things we can share with you! See you Saturday...

Cottage Dreamin (Sigh)

It's been almost 4 full months since I've been to our cottage. Hubby was able to go in February. I'm keeping my fingers crossed I can make it for the Memorial Day weekend (as opposed to Victoria Day weekend which would have gotten me there sooner if we still lived in Canada, Dang) ...
Anyway, in anticipation of those lucky days we get to go next, I've pulled some pictures from the last couple of summers to share (and reminisce over). Lots of Lighthouses for us to explore.
I love bringing wildflowers in for the dining room table.
This is an old icehouse on our neighbour's property - when Lake Huron water was higher (a long time ago) folks would come up with their boats and get what they needed.

This was from last year - the wasps really did not bother anyone (and we certainly did not bother them). The good news - a friend from work whose real love is "bugs" wanted it to take for show and tell at one of the local schools she visits. So in December we "wedged' it of (hose stand and all) and brought it back for her - she loved it!

Can you see our monarch caterpillar! We are an official Monarch Waystation - we have tons of milkweed along our shoreline that we leave untouched - when you are at our place at the right time there are butterflies everywhere getting ready to migrate to Mexico.

I'll save some pics for next time I need a cottage "fix" - meanwhile enjoy! If you are interested in seeing where our retirement home is located, click on the cottage pic in the side bar. Later!

Deadlines and Neat Finds....

A while back I was talking about projects - too many in fact! Well things are finally catching up but I did have a big deadline this week - our Shelterhouse annual fundraiser and silent auction (one of my worthy causes). I wish we did not have to have Shelterhouses, but the sad truth is we do - and a friend of mine (who is also a weekend running buddy) happens to be our local director. This year I am relying on my old standby, Even More Quilts for Baby - don't know why but I always come back to it - very easy patterns to do - this one is "Iowa Road". When I bought the fabric last February I was really thinking Spring - hence the daisies.

And what would a quilt be without a Bear to go with it - I guess we will have to call her Daisy!

I also had some recent "spring" finds. I love this old tablecloth - the pinks and burgandies are very nice.

I also found this strawberry embroidery. It never ceases to amaze me what people give away - both of these items just needed a good cleaning and, voila, they are decorating my house!

Last but not least was this cute calendar towel I picked up on my last trip to Canada - notice anything?
Yep - all the months are in French (mais oui) - what else would you expect from a thrift shop in a bilingual country - sweet!

Though I have to say - on close inspection that is definetly NOT a North American squirrel - looks suspiciously European to me! Enjoy! (special note to Barb - I agree girlfriend - Blog Musak is NOT for me either!)

Old Tins

There's something about old tins, don't you think?

I mean really nice ones (English are the best!).

A friend of mine gave me this one - she thought I might not want it (are you kidding).

This one came from my Mum - one of my favorites - the picture is wonderful - I think it had chocolate in it.

This one (also from my Mum) I think had stationary inside - I will have to ask her.
These two came from the Recycling Center - at different times! What a coincidence.
Of course I have to have one from Dad's side of the family (Scots Wha Hae!)
There are tins that do get used - like these for Artist Trading Card exchanges. I like old tins - hope you do to.....

Doll Patterns including Barbie

More patterns to share from my big find on Friday. These are all for doll clothing.
At first glance you might think they are regular patterns - they really are gorgeous.
I think the first one is fun - it includes directions for making the "closet".

This one looks like it dates back to the 1940's - it is the oldest of the bunch I picked up.

There were several Barbie Doll patterns from the early 60's. I only ever owned one Barbie Doll - I got her as a present at a Christmas Party for a company my Dad used to work for. They were an annual event at the old Kenwick Terrace downtown Sarnia, Ontario, Canada (that building is long gone). Not knowing anything about being a "collector" at that young age (I'm not going to date myself) I proceeded to chew her feet off (I kid you not). This is a reason I won't make millions from my old things :-<...

And who could forget Barbie's sister Skipper?

Poor Ken - never a real Groom - I hear he and Barbie are just friends now... Happy 50th Barbie - you go girl. And if anyone who is a serious Barbie collector (as you can tell by my story, I am not) is interested, I would be happy to send you the Skipper and Barbie patterns (I'm keeping the rest) - they are not all complete but still fun to look at. All I would ask for is the cost for postage. First one to ask can have them, just include your email address.

Pattern Heaven

I like old dress patterns - and every now and then I will come across a stash, like today! Someone had obviously emptied out a sewing room and donated boxes to the local thrift shop. I only go for those that are pre 1965 - and you can find some gems like these.

The sizes intrigue me - apparently 16 1/2 = a 35 Bust, 31 Waist and a 39 Hip (huh) - fortunately, I've found websites that can translate into today's sizes. Not that I would ever make them, I just like the pictures - and for a measly 25 cents (that's 31 cents Canadian, eh) it's worth it. I also like the styles - I would wear a dress everyday if they were as "fashionable" as way back when.
These two date from 1947 - I had to remind myself what a Peplum was and you don't hear Vestee that often.

And this little number came "compliments of JC Penney's" - if you can't read the fine print it says "Buttons and Bows Apron" Hit song in the Paramount Picture the "Paleface" starring Bob Hope and Jane Russell (ah yes, 1948, a time when were frequently "incorrect").But the kicker was this one - I especially love the nightcap and curler bag ;->. There were also a number of patterns for doll clothes but I'll save those till next time....

Attack of the Pine Cones continued...

Well it was a lovely day today here in Michigan - like most folks I knocked off work a little early before the long weekend - thought I'd take advantage of the sunshine to "do battle" with those pesky pine cones I talked about earlier.

I learned a while ago, if you are going to clean the back yard you have to sweep the sunroom roof first! Otherwise you cause extra work below. And we had plenty of pine cones there.
Mr. Gryphon is anxious - he knows his Mum is not overly good with heights so what the heck is she doing on the roof outside the bedroom!

Back on terra firma I took stock of my front garden - looks pretty sad indeed.
Unfortunately the deer were not kind to my bushes this past season - can't really blame them given what a long, cold winter it was for them to suffer through - still this poor bush will need a real haircut.
But there were lots of signs of "life" amongst all the debris as well - Spring really is here!
As for my enemy pine cones - they really don't play fair - look at my poor rake! And of course, silly me thought I could clean it all up in a couple of hours - sigh. I am going to pull out all my garden "knick knacks" this weekend and brighten up the place a bit, and continue the advance on those cones! .... TO BE CONTINUED>>>

Pretty Pictures

I'm a Librarian by profession (please, no Marian jokes, I've heard them all) and if there is one thing that really gets me going its the look, smell and feel of lovely old books. Our University Womens Association have regular book sales at the mall and you just never know what you will find. I happened across this little gem last year.

From the Preface "Art Stories, Book Three is the third of a group of books on the appreciation of art". This particular book was published in 1935 and is in pristine condition.

The "contemporary" drawings are wonderful- really shows the dress style of the time.

I'd live in the fourth house - wouldn't you - if only for the garden!

We all need a "Beauty Corner" don't you think?

Although I have to say I don't know what I would do if I woke up with all this stuff going on around me - and the dress for tomorrow - as a British friend of my would say "nightmare"!

I'm just sorry Books One and Two were not also there...

Nightstand Report

First, it is GREAT to be back! The novelty of business travel was lost on me a long time ago...You may remember my last Nightstand Report on Hedgehogs :->....Recently I picked up The Kitchen Linens Book by EllynAnne Geisel. You may remember her The Apron Book. I think I like this one better. I even took it on my trip to read.

I enjoyed a number of things she writes about.
My own collection of kitchen linen is small (compared to the rest of my embroidery collection) - but I do have some cute things.
These "Dutch" folks were given to me by a friend that belonged to her Aunt.
I've picked up other linens through the usual places.

I found this toaster cover last year - and since then I've seen it show up on a number of blogs - must have been popular for its time! It even show's up in Geisel's book. And yes, it took me a couple of reads before I "got it" ..daaaah... Huck Towels are another item I've found alot of - the little booklet dates 1936. Anyway, if you're into this sort of thing I give this book 4 out of 5 lampshades...So what's on your nightstand?