Beautiful Art

Had a great weekend shopping with my daughter.  We stopped off at a shop in Jacksonville called Upscale Resale.  They have a lot of beautiful antique and vintage items.  Nicely laid out, easy to shop, clean, and the prices run medium to high.  I was able to find some new items to add to my collection of goodies.

This is a 1785 portrait of Mrs. Siddons by artist Thomas Gainsborough.  I collect pieces by this artist and feel good to have snagged another for my crafting projects. The frame is pretty too.  This is a nice replica of the original piece and measures 6" x 8" unframed.  Bill and I will be traveling in a few weeks back to Washington D. C. to visit our son for his birthday.  During that trip, we are stopping off at the National Gallery to view this piece along with several other original works by Thomas Gainsborough.  Can't wait.

These postcards are dated between 1903 and 1908 and are all printed in Berlin.  Love the German Christmas one.  Oh really, I like them all. 

These pictures seemed touching.  The mother and daughter seem particularly endearing.  I liked the background scene in the one with the woman.

This is a piece of early World War II propaganda art by James Montgomery Flagg.  I was struck by Lady Liberty ringing the Liberty Bell. It's a large print measuring 14" x 10".

  Last week I was able to pick a few rubber stamps.  I like unusual ones!

How romantic this Victorian couple walking together.

I really felt this bicycle stamp was special because of the flowers in the basket and suitcases on the back. 

This is a Stampin Up set Tender Toile 2002.  Love the rabbit.

This one is Hero Arts Italian Poetry.

Just a quick update my foot is better and out of the boot cast.  Made it out this morning (early) to horse ride now that I can fit back into my riding boots.

I am in the middle of redesigning my crafting room and moving everything from one space to another.  It is really hard to craft while all this is going on, but will have some new pieces out soon.

Be well my friends,

Valerie

Help! What Are These Things?

Alright all you knowledgeable vintage folks out there, I need some help identifying what is this thing?  Fiber and knitting, crochet folks, read further down for helping me identify some fibers I bought too.

Bought it in a consignment shop for $3.00 along with the Bakelite crochet hooks below.  It was all in a sewing basket, but I only wanted these pieces.

Yes, I crochet too.  These are more for fine detail work.

Need help here too.  What is this?  All you fiber folks, take a look at this lot and let me know what it might be.  Bought this lot for $1.99 and would like to make something with it.

This is incredible soft and lightweight.  The two bundles appear hand gathered, if that makes any sense, not like how you buy fibers from the store.

This multi-colored pink, yellow, and white fiber bundle was tucked into the same bag, and I know what this is.

Found this gem.  A large spool of white cotton thread, great for all my tag making. 

Found some more really pretty fiber.

If you have friends that are into fibers, please ask them to let me know what a few of these things are, I sure would appreciate it.

Oh yeah, for some reason I am unable to respond to every ones postings.  With my new computer system that runs Bing, Blogger won't recognize me.  I get blocked.  So until I can figure this out, don't think I have been ignoring you all.

Thanks for the help.

Valerie

Uppercrust

Bill and I adventured out to a new area of town in Gainesville today.  You may not think it is a big deal, but when you live out in the country, exploring and finding new places to eat and shop can be fun.  We had a late breakfast at a place called The Flying Muffin.  All I can say are the grits are the most amazing I have ever had, and I've eaten a lot of grits.  These had sharp white cheese in them.  Yum!

We then strolled over to a French pasty shop called Uppercrust.

The minute you open the doors you are overcome with the smell of herbs and fresh baked bread.  The back wall behind the counter was lined with French Pain aux Noix, baguettes, French Pain de Campagne Rustique, Epi, the variety of breads were overwhelming.  We chose this rosemary herb baguette for dinner tonight and will have it with a bottle of our Running Waters wine.  (Yes, I make wine as well.)

Freshly made pastries, croissants, scones, and cookies are lined up front and center in the glass display cases.  I would have had a picture here of two chocolate chip cookies, but we ate them in the car before we got home.

Teas, wines and other imported goods from France and Italy lined the other wall.  It reminded Bill and I of our adventure out on the backstreets and shops of Venice, Italy.

I picked up this can of Harney & Sons tea called Midsummer's Peach.  It is a decaffeinated black tea with peach flavorings.  More than likely, I'll have mine iced!  Love the canister too.

Have a blessed day,

Valerie

Summertime Tag Series

I'm having fun making these Summertime Tags.

We have butterflies everywhere in the garden and orchard this year.  They are so pretty and wanted to include them as part of this series.  I designed these tags titled Butterfly KISSES in black and hot pink colors and printed them out on my laser printer.  Then I hand-stamped the butterfly in black ink and hand applied the the cotton candy pink ink on the wings.

The magnolia trees are blooming here in the South.  The From the HEART series I did captures the beauty of the flower on this vintage looking tag set.

With all this heat, it is time to escape to the beach and walk the seashore.

This series of tags has the theme of beach, seashore, and seashells.  I like the pearl on the seashell tag, it adds a little dimension to the piece.  Also, the aquamarine colors on the starfish tags remind me of the seaside.

Hope you enjoyed this Summertime tag series.

Valerie

Get It Before the Racoons

My Spring garden is just wonderful this year.  Lots of corn to pick, shuck, and can.

I'm just having to hurry up and get it picked before the racoons get it.  They have already started getting in and helping themselves during the night.  Ooh, that makes me mad!  They are sneeky little varmints. 

Hard work, and a lot of "fresh" fertilizer paid off.   Doesn't this ear look so pretty.

The water is boiling, so I have to go finish cooking up a few ears for dinner tonight.  Pass the butter, please.

Valerie

Honoring Our Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day

Honoring those men and women who have sacrificed their lives serving our country.  It is because of them and those serving in uniform today, that we enjoy the freedom we have.

God Bless The U.S.A.

A Broken Foot Won't Keep Me From Crafting

I can't believe this happened to me.  Yep, broke the left foot in two places. No, I don't know when or how this happened.  Six weeks in this boot and stay off of it the doctor says, right!  Doesn't she know I have a garden to tend, canning to do, animals to keep, wine making, fruit to pick, oh this is terribly inconvenient.

The only good part of this is having time to sit and read all the latest crafting magazines from Somerset studios. 

Picked up Memories, Artful Blogging, and Where Women Create.  Yeah!  This should keep me in the right mindset for a while.

There is a wonderful article on Fabric Collages by Nancy Maxwell James in this edition of Memories.  Visit her blog too at http://sugarlumpstudios.blogspot.com/

Blessings to you all,

Valerie