YOU THOUGHT I WAS GONE FOREVER. DIDN'T YOU?

There were times this past winter when I wanted to run away to a tropical island, but that's just not possible!! It was a tough winter, lots of snow and lots of lugging wood for the main source of heat - my airtight woodstove. Although I was busily searching out little treasures for you, I'm afraid I let my inventory and record keeping go all to pieces. But today I'm busily sorting that out and getting ready to start posting some more goodies.

So, in order to whet your appetite, I'm posting some pictures.

The first two are the three volume set of "My Travelship" published  by Olive Beaupre Miller of Bookhouse Books. These three volumes were first published in the early 1920's and are filled with poems, chansons, stories and beautiful artwork based on paintings by world renowned artists. I think the Japanese one took my fancy as a tiny child, and I later discovered wood print artists such as Hiroshige, and the Japanese poets who wrote Haiku - the 17 syllable poems that express a complete thought or experience.

But then again, these two also caught my fancy as soon as I could read the stories and began school where we were taught French from Grade One.

You can choose to buy just one of these lovely heirloom books or go for all three - your choice.

Contact me to discuss relative pricing as my assortment includes first editions and later editions.

janet@novascotiaquilts.com

The other day I opened up a bag tucked into one of my supermarket totes and look what was inside!! The paperweight is a vintage handcrafted item made by Nigel Pain of Dorset, England. He used a print of a painting of the young Victoria, painted in 1840 when she would have been in her very early twenties.  Along with this sweet paperweight there were several handmade doilies, a length of the most delicate embroidered French silk ribbon that would look lovely on a toddler's special occasion dress and 4.5 yards of handmade vintage maltese lace 1.25 inches wide - what a treasure!!

Here is a close-up above of the lace, beautifully made and in immaculate condition!

Another treasure above: a child's teaset in perfect condition, of lustreware made in Japan early in the 20th century. A special gift for a special grandchild? Or will you keep it on your small table as a vignette?

The spool is in the picture for size comparison - it is one of the vintage wooden small spools - measures maybe 1.25 inches tall. By the way, both the lovely ecru doily and the teatable cloth embellished with lace are also for sale, the cloth is not Cath Kidston, but doesn't it look like some of her lovely fabrics? The tablecloth has a matching handquilted tea cosy I will be listing soon.

Ready for afternoon tea? Try Crabtree and Evelyn's - it's tops! A better view of the lace on the edge of the teacloth, and my sweet Torquay Watcombe pottery - circa 1930 to 1940's - so art deco, isn't it? I also have a posy ring that matches the tea cup and sugar and cream. Ask for details.

This lovely tablecloth will be just right for serving a somewhat larger group as it is amply sized at 44x57. A very understated but painstakingly crafted vintage item.

If you're looking for just the perfect gift for a new baby - this lovely unengraved solid silver napkin ring, made in Malta might be just the thing - you can have it engraved or give it as it is.

Below is the hallmark the maker's sign and the maltese cross signifying country of origin. This is not silverplate - it's the real thing. I have several other silver cups and baby cutlery for your consideration. Ask me about them.

Les Olivades is a well known upmarket retailer whose products are mainly clothes and tablelinens made in Provence. This little blouse will fit a toddler  - ask me for measurements so as not to be disappointed. Can't you just see your grandchild wearing this blouse made of vintage indiennes fabric, perhaps with a jumper or overalls out of denim or chambray? Adorable!

And last but not least, a funky little beeskep honeypot, imported from England - vintage, but not a mark on it, the drizzler had long been lost, so I bought a new one carved from wood to replace it - it's still in its wrapper, so you know it's new and fresh. I love this and have wanted to own one for a few years now - but you can have first dibs!

CONTACT ME: janet@novascotiaquilts.com to enquire about cost and availability of anything you've seen here. I will be posting some items on inner pages, trying for a handful every day, so keep watching.

 BECOME A FOLLOWER, because I'm also making plans for a new giveaway soon and you wouldn't want to miss that!

Until next time - Janet

UNIQUE GIFTS

I'm adding Tablelinens today, and decided to feature this lovely vintage and hard-to-find cloth by Charles Demery, Souileado Fabrics. Demery has passed on now, leaving the firm to his daughter and son and the firm still functions today in Provence and is known for its connection to Pierre Deux.

This lovely 51x66 inch cloth is printed in shades of pink, green and ivory and signed Charles Demery. It is quite likely printed using woodblock technique - the grenier or attic of the old factory is stuffed with shelves of antique woodblocks that until a few years ago were regularly used to print the textiles made by the firm. The colours in this cloth are delicious and are as appropriate to today's decor as they were some 40 or more years ago. I'm going to be sorry to see this one go!

Check the listing at: http://funkybabymine.blogspot.com/p/table-linens.html

I also have other textiles from Pierre Deux and from Souileado: A mouchoir or handkerchief in traditional blue, red, mustard and green, several cushion covers for kitchen chairs and so on. As well I have some Quimper faience - mainly small pieces for display and two handbags and a baby tote from Pierre Deux - ask if you don't see what you want.

For your gift giving, I offer gift certificates in all denominations, just contact me at mailto:janet@novascotiaquilts.com to discuss purchase ~ I also take Paypal at the same email address.

A reminder that my Christmas GIVEAWAY will be going on until midnight Christmas Eve, so go on over to: http://quiltingwithjanet.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-christmas-giveaway.html

and enter today - it's fun and easy and you can win your choice of one of 5 items, one of which is a $30 value from FunkyBabyMine!!

ADDED: Girl's Handknit Sweater; dollquilt, bedding set and vintage cradle

Before I draw your attention to some new additions to my site, I want to mention the great Christmas GIVEAWAY I am hosting over at my regular blog http://www.quiltingwithjanet.blogspot.com/
I'm trying to give a gift that will be attractive to followers who have all sorts of interests, so have decided to give a choice among 4 different prizes. Pop over and see if you'd like to enter and also if you would like to increase your chances of winning by simply telling your friends and having them enter too. A fun idea. I want to grow my site and one of you will be a winner as a result!

Now I want to tell you about some new additions to FunkyBabyMine. Pictures of the vintage doll cradle and handmade quilt, mattress and lace trimmed pillow and case are above, and as always you'll find the full descriptions and pricing on the appropriate page. Check out Items for Children Page: http://funkybabymine.blogspot.com/p/childrens-items.html

Below is a picture of a handknit sweater for a little girl, knit in acrylic yarn so it is completely machine wash and dry. I made similar sweaters for my daughter and they wore for years and were passed on to other children, so you will get your money's worth from my handknits. I'm also making some pairs of mitts and hats for the tinies and hope to have a few posted soon.

You can check out measurements on this sweet little sweater if you go to the Children's Items page by clicking on the same link as that for the doll cradle and bedding set.

Keep checking regularly for more items to be posted and meanwhile, check out the giveaway at http://www.quiltingwithjanet.blogspot.com/.

Janet

GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED

munching cookies and stitching!

My pre-Christmas giveaway was drawn last night at midnight, and the winner was Lavender Dreamer http://lavenderdreamstoo.blogspot.com/  who chose to win the $50 gift certificate. Congratulations to you, my long-distance blogging friend in North Carolina - hope you enjoy choosing your treasures - when you have decided what you'd like to have, drop me a line with your full name and mailing address and I'll get your choices off to you.

Remember, textiles are always wrapped in acid free archival quality tissue and then popped into a sealed Ziplock bag before wrapping and mailing, so that winter wetness can't get in!

I can hardly wait to see what you choose! I enjoy following your blog and will be checking back as your Christmas preparations advance.

Because http://www.funkybabymine.blogspot.com/ is a very new cyberplace to buy vintage treasures especially chosen for my clientele, not as many people as I would have hoped decided to take up the offer of my giveaway - indeed only three qualified applicants gave it a try.... so for Tahnya Marie (http://smittenwithspirit.blogspot.com/) and Linda  (http://bumbleknit.blogspot.com/)I was feeling a little sorry they couldn't win too and decided to send them each a little consolation prize - if both you ladies would contact me with full name and mailing address I am going to send each of you one of my fragrant lavender filled handstitched sachets as a little Christmas gift. I would love it if you mentioned it on your blog, and since I will be having a giveaway soon at http://www.quiltingwithjanet.blogspot.com/ perhaps you will drop over and enter there - I hope you do!!

I will be announcing that one before the end of the week and I will draw it on Christmas Eve!

my sweet smelling lavender sachets

Look for another giveaway on http://www.funkybabymine.blogspot.com/ in the new year and check back regularly to see what new treasures have been added.
Talk to you soon!
Janet sending hugs!

PIEBIRDS IN COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2010

                                            Country Living magazine, November 2010

We all know the old nursery rhyme "Sing a Song of Sixpence":

      Sing a song of sixpence, a pocket full of rye
      Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie
      When the pie was opened, the birds began to sing
      Wasn't that a pretty dish to set before the king?
     
      The king was in his counting house, counting out his money
      The queen was in the parlour, eating bread and honey
      The maid was in the garden, hanging out the clothes
      When along came a blackbird and nipped off her nose.

The old song was inspiration for the ceramic piebirds which became popular in the early twentieth century in England as a way to vent off the steam which bubbling away in a pie would cause the filling to overflow and make a mess of your oven and also spoil the perfection of the pie being baked. The "piebird" as it was called was a perky little addition which could be removed and washed up after the pie was served and then would decorate a shelf in the kitchen until needed again.
I've long loved these little kitchen treasures and picked up a few along the way. And seeing the article in last months COUNTRY LIVING magazine ( http://www.countryliving.com/antiques/ ) I decided to list them and see if there will be a demand for them. And so, check my page Other Great Stuff  (http://funkybabymine.blogspot.com/p/other-great-stuff.html) to view these sweet bits of kitchen decor.

Just reminding you that you have the rest of today to enter my free giveaway and the choice of a $50 or a $25 gift certificate to spend here. In addition, remember that there is no cost for shipping within North America on any items ordered by Dec31 so your Christmas shopping dollar goes much farther with me!

VINTAGE EMBROIDERY TRANSFERS!!!

I have a large hanging glass-fronted cupboard in my bedroom and I have started to go through its contents. I took out what I thought was an unexciting stack of patterns and small embroidery kits and look at what I found!!! I've just finished photographing them and when I have assigned each a number I will post them on the Other Great Stuff page.  http://funkybabymine.blogspot.com/p/other-great-stuff.html

Pennsylvania Dutch and folk embroidery were popular motifs in the late 40's and early 50's. This could be the finishing touch to a retro kitchen. There is a sweet rendition of such a kitchen  on the envelope - great ideas!

 I recall my mother working a pair like these - I have no idea where they ended up! Wish I had them!

 The American Beauty Rose was a popular pattern for household linens during the late 40's early 50's and this type of pattern is so versatile for curtains, tablecloths, sheet tops and pillow slips as well as guest towels.

 Every male on the Christmas and Father's Day shopping lists ended up with Old Spice toiletries ~ can't you just see bathroom curtains embroidered with the Old Spice figures, perhaps a framed advert or two - some of them were wonderful!  Perhaps you could find some of the ecru milkglass looking bottles in a flea market somewhere? This transfer pattern was a free bonus from Shulton, the makers of Old Spice.

This sweet applique pattern could easily be adapted for either a tablecloth or a bedspread - just by simply blowing up the size or reducing it - what fun!!

 Winter sports in the late 1940's looks great until you realize that the snow gear worn by children was pure wool and the galoshes were thinly lined rubber worn over shoes and socks. Mittens and hats and scarves all wool too - I recall my mom bringing me indoors freezing cold and covered in snow clinkers stuck all over my snowpants, coat and mitts. All the layers were removed in the kitchen and immediately hung on the drying rack which was a fixture over the huge old farm house sink, where for hours after you could hear the clinkers falling into the sink. By the time my own daughter came along, nylon onepiece snowsuits lessened the misery considerably!!

I hope you enjoyed looking at these - most, if not all, have been out of print for about 50 years and would look lovely in a retro or vintage cottage home. How sweet it would look to arrange the envelopes as part of a vintage sewing notions vignette even after you have used the transfers to recreate some vintage treasures!

In some cases I can locate vintage floss  from my collection to go with these transfers if you would like some. The only exception would be the very complex shading of the Mallards and Ringnecked Pheasants pictures, but I recall there is a list with standard DMC numbers enclosed with these transfers, and DMC is always easy to source.
For pricing and more details, visit
http://funkybabymine.blogspot.com/p/other-great-stuff.html

 

PLEASE CONTACT ME mailto:janet@novascotiaquilts.com IF I CAN HELP, and please remember to enter my giveaway for your choice of either a $25 or a $50 gift certificaye. Go to: http://funkybabymine.blogspot.com/2010/10/pre-christmas-giveaway.html

THIS JUST IN - GRAB MY NEW FUNKYBABYMINE BUTTON AND DISPLAY IT ON YOUR BLOG AND GET 5 MORE ENTRIES ~ GOOD LUCK!

ECHOES OF A GENTLER AGE

Back in the days before two job, two car families when there was no television in the evenings, women turned to handwork when their house was tidied from supper and the kids put to bed. From time to time, too, during the busy day, things became quiet and women sat down to listen to the radio soap operas with some handwork to occupy them.

I'm drawing on my own memory here as I grew up during the 1940's, and was not in school until 1944.

During this period of time, many women subscribed to weekly women's magazines that specialized in dress patterns, and knit, crochet and embroidery patterns. Quite often an iron-on pattern or two were bound into the magazines as a free bonus - such patterns might be good only for a few transfers but after the colour was all gone, they could be copied using a pencil and thus were saved. (When I went through my mother's things upon her death 20 years ago, I found many of these patterns, carefully saved through all those years. Embroidery floss was cheap and plentiful and once I was in school I was often sent to the tiny yarn and embroidery shop to pick up floss for my mum. It was up an alleyway behind a radio and record sales and repair shop and the victorian counter's plate glass top had been so worn by coins that you could not see through it. Floss was three skeins for 10 cents at that time. Pure linen to work your pattern on could be had for very little and if you were too frugal to spring for the linen, Indian Head cotton (a firm, heavy, close-woven fabric) was to be had for around a dollar a yard and worked equally well.

So you see, cost was minimal and time was available because there were fewer distractions.

The attitude toward household linens was one of respect and care; and orderly and protected storage was regarded as necessary as well as just being a nice touch. Both the linens storage set of two cases and the nightgown case are shown on
 http://funkybabymine.blogspot.com/p/other-linens.html I think we might do well to revisit this sort of value today as we strive to make-do, recycle, repurpose and reduce our carbon footprint. Perhaps sometime in the future we again will have no plastic in which to wrap things and 'preserve' them..... ?
Be sure to contact me mailto:janet@novascotiaquilts.com if you wish to purchase any of the items listed, and also make sure to visit my GIVEAWAY post (http://funkybabymine.blogspot.com/2010/10/pre-christmas-giveaway.html)to enter the draw for your choice of a $25 or $50 gift certificate which will take place November 30 and be announced here on December 1.