april's things

My dolls from Germany

2010-10-24T06:23:00.000-07:00

I told you one time, on my other blog, about these dolls that my grandmother's brother in Germany sent to me when I was a child. His name was Oswald and I have included him in several of my art pieces lately. I love these two little "twin" dolls and I guess they remind me of Heidi.

But I think my favorite was always this larger doll in the middle. She always brought Heidi to mind too. She is 6 inches long, so you see they are all small dolls, but beautiful.

I never met "Uncle Oswald", but he must have been a very very kind person to think of me. He wrote to my grandmother, who we lived with, and I still have some of his letters to her.

I knew they were something special, so I never really played with them. They look just as they did when I got them.

Pinks!

2010-07-26T08:56:00.000-07:00

When we moved into this house, my mother lived with us and moved along with us. Her health was failing and she was with us for about two more years. When she died, I wanted so much to keep her memory alive in whatever way I could. I wanted her around me. She loved pink.

We bought those flowered pink couches and then my art teacher had this watercolor that matched perfectly!

Pink flowers from Bella Fiori!

My mother's crocheted afgan in pinks.

My grandmother's cups and saucers that she brought over from Germany. Pinks and purples.

A rosey plate from a garage sale.

A framed mirror that I made at one of Rosie's workshops with paste paper.

I assembled lots of other pinks...

to go with my mother's pink dishes...

and started looking for these pink statues that I would find in antique shops. This charming couple...

this bashful girl...

her suitor...

another cute couple...

and this telephone. My mother loved the old time telephones!

Love birds.

And then there was pink girl and...

boy blue...

and these lovelies that she had for years, all the while I was growing up.

Treasures. All of them.

Bunnies!

2010-04-10T06:32:00.001-07:00

Before putting Easter away, I thought I'd show you some of my favorites. I love bunnies!

The little orchestra serenades the others.

Here are some old ones that were my mother's and some from when I was a child. Treasures.

And some I have found in antique shops.

One year, I made these little hanging gingham baskets. Directions were in a Family Circle or Woman's Day magazine.

And then there's the ones my Mom crocheted.

More treasures of the heart.

Many years ago, I took ceramic classes and produced another kind of egg. Now it holds M&Ms for Danielle.

Can't forget this duck. My Mom's.

Happy Spring!

Thinking of February

2010-03-14T09:55:00.001-07:00

Packed all my Valentine stuff away and forgot to post some of my February treasures here. This gal is still hanging around. I made her one year, before my valentine party, to sit at the little dolls' tea party. Her tea companion changes from year to year, according to who Danielle chooses to be at the party. She's just a funny rag doll, but I had fun making her and I love her jewelry and her button mouth.

She's dressed for the occasion with her heart fabric dress and look at those beautiful red shiny buttons!

My Christmas Eggs

2009-12-26T03:26:00.000-08:00

A long time ago, in our first house, I had a wonderful neighbor and we became great friends. Her name is Ida. She taught me how to make egg ornaments. Many times, in the evening when the children were asleep, we would get together and work on them.

We would take apart old jewelry and look in all the stores to collect tiny things to put into our eggs. There was a woman who owned a very special store called "Crescent Landscaping" where we would buy rolls of gold cord and extra beads and do-dads. She had everything.

After blowing them, letting them dry and applying the gold cord, we would use a tiny scissor to cut openings in the eggs for special things to show through or sometimes leave them as they were and decorate with the finest embellishments.

Each one was a treasure to us, and as soon as we finished one we were on to another, thinking that one would be the best.

They have lasted all this time, about 45 years now. I love them as much now as I did then. And I love the memory of that time. I guess that's what I love most.

It's that time of year...

2009-12-14T03:54:00.000-08:00

This was the first Christmas Mouse to come out this year. She is enjoying visiting with the other forest animals on my buffet.

This bunny I found in an antique shoppe and the others in a gift shop in Door County one year. I love forest animals.

These are beautiful, I think, and they stay on my buffet all year long.

When we got home from Door County that year, my husband called back and had this one delivered as a surprise! The biggest!

Now yesterday while shopping, I just couldn't resist one more. This squirrel and his acorn.

Pilgrims and Indians

2009-11-28T09:31:00.001-08:00

My favorite pilgrim. Julie made her years ago in grammar school. She's made from an empty paper towel roll.

Complete with her cute little wire-rimmed glasses.

A basket of apples in one hand...

and her fresh turkey in the other.

Here are the Indians.

And the pie-baker.

Memories of Thanksgivings Past. These paper decorations were around in my house since I was a child. They are all stamped 8 cents on the back.

The beautiful pilgrims.

Getting worn over the years, but I still love them.

"Frederick"

2009-11-09T06:15:00.000-08:00

This is my Boyds Bear. Several years ago, I visited my cousin and her husband in Maryland. One of the days, we drove to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to see the Boyds Bears. I fell in love with this mushy one. He is so soft and he kind of just hugs you when you need it. He flew home with me, with his head sticking out of my backpack. I think I will name him "Frederick".

Just look at those piggies!

Grandpa Bear

2009-11-08T10:32:00.000-08:00

Well, I think he looks like a grandpa bear. He is also a handmade bear. He has a beautiful vest. All he needs is his pipe and his newspaper.

I think any little boy or girl bear would love to sit on his lap to listen to his stories.

"Gene"

2009-11-07T07:49:00.000-08:00

Introducing "Gene". I bought him many years ago in Michigan and, according to the papers that came with him, he was handsewn by Jennifer Reeves. He is "A Twin Lakes Bear". I bought him for my mother. As I said before, she loved bears. When I brought this one home to her, she said it looked like a German circus bear and she loved him.

With each bear that Jennifer made, she lettered a little book to tell about each one. This is Gene's story.

"Gene was born on December 12, 1992.

The entire Bear Clan moved here from Montana over two years ago. They found that the woods, near Twin Lakes, in Dowagiac, Michigan proved to be an ideal place for Mama and Papa Bear to raise their cubs.

Gene is the newest addition to the Bear Clan. Mama and Papa Bear are counting on your love and devotion to Gene and ask that you provide him with a cruel-free home and an occasional jar of wildflower honey. In return, Gene will keep any secrets safe, won't judge you for anything you might do, and will be loyal and love you forever.

If you ever get around the Twin Lakes area, maybe you will be able to catch a glimpse of Gene's brothers or sisters playing in the woods or swimming in the water. Be careful though because they will run and hide if an uprighter is near them. Each one only allows one special person into their life. Their devotion is forever. Hopefully, this means you! "

Friends

2009-11-07T04:17:00.001-08:00

I seem to have aquired so many teddy bears and puppies over the years! My mom loved teddy bears, especially ones that looked like German circus bears (i will have to take a picture of him), and Danielle loves puppies (and cats and deer and bunnies and...and...and...).

Before Danielle was born, and we were planning the baby shower, I designed the drawing for the invitation and then later had gift cards and prints made from it too. They come in handy, but I also need to make a card that is appropriate for a boy. I dug around in Danielle's bedroom and decided on these two friends. I love their sweet faces.

Isn't this little guy just the cutest thing? Hmmm...looks like he's been into the markers!

Leaf Fairy

2009-10-31T05:29:00.000-07:00

Made her a few years ago. She says she loves the new leaves that I have brought in and wants some friends! I guess there was more than one reason for me to save them.

Let me out!

2009-10-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

Matryoshka dolls (Russian nested dolls). I guess that is what these are called, although they were made in China. I bought them many years ago, probably when Brent was little. Anyway, they say "let me out"!

They want to join in the Halloween fun!

Would it be a boy or a girl?

2009-10-19T12:12:00.000-07:00

Twenty-one years ago, I made these babies for my daughter's baby shower. I was sewing and sewing and stuffing and stuffing for months before. I have pictures of all of them somewhere. I must look. They were all lined up, like a parade, until the day of the shower came. Everyone got one to take home.

We didn't know if it was going to be a girl...

or a boy. I wonder what happened to all those babies? I loved them, but I sometimes wonder where the others are. Did anyone care?

And...it was a boy! A prince.

I love colored pencils

2009-10-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

My colored pencils are happy. They love their tomato cans! Here are the greens.

Reds and oranges.

Pinks and purples.

Browns and golds.

Yellows and whites.

and blues and silvers. I love tomato cans too! Aren't they pretty?

And one more...

2009-10-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

She found the best seat in the house!

Here come the witches!

2009-10-13T04:34:00.000-07:00

The witches are ready for a party today and soon Halloween! October! Their favorite month!

Pictures are a little dim, but I was trying to take them in their natural surroundings. This is the sweet witch. She is shy.

Party Girl!

Pretty witch.

And here are their dancing shoes!

Let's party!

Baking day

2009-10-10T04:50:00.000-07:00

Most of my mother's recipes I have on cards in her own handwriting. That makes them very special and I feel like we're baking together. And today is a special birthday. My granddaughter's. My daughter has requested that I make "grandma's" Milk Chocolate Cake. She remembers that as the traditional birthday cake for her, with white frosting (made with Crisco) and colored shot (sprinkles) on top. Let's continue the tradition!

Fairy gifts

2009-10-08T05:36:00.000-07:00

The woods are full of fairies;
The sea is full of fish;
The trees are full of golden leaves;
Let's make an autumn wish. Anon

Here come the pumpkins!

2009-10-05T05:14:00.000-07:00

The pumpkins know it's October and they are getting anxious to come out of their box. The second one in line is a special one. I have had him since I was little. I think it was the first pumpkin that my mother bought for me. He's a very smart pumpkin. Never mischievious or naughty. Well, the others are little "hollow-heads".

And here is a little pumpkin portrait that I bought many years ago at a shop in Michigan. It's tiny. 2"x3". I immediately fell in love with it when I saw it. It's signed "Yvonne" '95. If you're out there, Yvonne, I still treasure this little painting.

The pumpkins are talking! They're saying that they want to have their portrait painted. Hmmm.

Maybe if we just sit here and pose...

And I will try to smile.

October days

2009-10-03T04:20:00.000-07:00

Wet weather! Open up your umbrellas! It's time for the fall rains. It's so wet and slippery in my backyard, and those dogs want to have a chase every morning!

Quack! I am still trying to clean up the garden!

And I am nurturing the last of the juicy red tomatoes! yum.

Oh, come now. It's time to just sit down with a good book.

The melancholy days have come, the saddest of the year,

Of wailing winds, and naked woods, and meadows brown and sear.

William Cullen Bryant

Surprise!

2009-10-02T04:01:00.000-07:00

Came down to the computer this morning and look who was waiting for me on my mousepad! I think some naughty Brownie is playing a trick on me. I guess it was raining too much last night and he didn't have anything else to do.

The jack-o-lantern

2009-10-01T06:04:00.000-07:00

Brownie has learned that "the most famous icon of the holiday is the jack-o-lantern. Various authorities attribute it to either Scottish or Irish origin. However, it seems clear that it was used as a lantern by people who traveled the road this night, the scary face to frighten away spirits or faeries who might otherwise lead one astray. Set on porches and in windows, they cast the same spell of protection over the household. " from All Hallow's Eve by Mike Nichols

" I will watch for him."

And in the shadows...

Getting ready...

2009-09-30T16:42:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for the season are these two scarecrow pumpkins that were given to me when I was young. They were given to me by my mother's best friend, Bernice. They are the very first Halloween decoration that I bring out. I can't wait to see them because they remind me of wonderful days gone by.

Introducing Mr. Mouse

2009-09-28T05:09:00.000-07:00

I have already showed you Chipmunk and thought I'd better show you Mr. Mouse. He didn't want to come off his little shelf, so this picture is a little dark, but I will try to coax him off another day. I want you to know that Audrey carved him too, and he loves being on this shelf with my little old book "Adventures of a Brownie" that I found in an antique store and my special little prints of drawings that my friend, Joan, did. She knows all about the Brownies. Do you? My book says "a Brownie is a curious creature - a fairy, and yet not one of that sort of fairies who fly about on gossamer wings, and dance in the moonlight, and so on. He never dances; and as to wings, what use would they be to him in a coal cellar? He is a sober, stay-at-home, household elf - nothing much to look at, even if you did see him, which you are not likely to do - only a little old man, about a foot high, all dressed in brown, with a brown face and hands, and a brown peaked cap, just the color of a brown mouse. And, like a mouse, he hides in corners - especially kitchen corners, and only comes out after dark when nobody is about, and so sometimes people call him Mr. Nobody."

Remembering

2009-09-26T04:55:00.000-07:00

" Mrs. Salisbury"

"Maureen"

"Rosemary"

Oh my goodness, bringing out all these old treasures made me dream about my old house and all our neighbors when I was a child. They were a wonderful group of people, like the Midford series or something like that! I love to think about them and they will always be in my memory. I think I need to write notes about them...maybe a story. Anyway, I think some of these "storybook dolls" used to come on Cupid Candies boxes. I think I will name them after my old neighbors!

Do you remember?

2009-09-25T17:37:00.000-07:00

Do you remember "Story Book Dolls"? This one is looking at you from my hallway, which is darkened this evening. I will take another picture tomorrow. I have my childhood collection. They've been packed in the basement for too long. They are happy to come up and be noticed again.

A surprise!

2009-09-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

Audrey brought me a surprise today during art classes! Remember the chipmunk that I showed you a couple of days ago? Well, this is his peanut and his acorn. Aren't they beautiful? Now he is prepared for winter!

And here are my spooky oak leaf sisters! I must make dresses for them and they will be ready for the season. What do you think? Flouncy gauze?

The old meet the new...

2009-09-23T15:23:00.000-07:00

Quilting class today reminded me of fabric collected and the yo-yos that I have put away. The difference in size. The top ones are either my mother's or my grandmother's. The bottom ones are mine.

Mine.

And here are the old treasures. How did they make them so small?

First day of autumn

2009-09-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

My little chipmunk, that Audrey carved, sits on a shelf by this empty fairy chair. I have always wanted to make more of these chairs, and this one needs some repair before it's time for the fairies to come in from the garden for the winter.

Winter is an etching,
spring is a watercolor,
summer an oil painting,
and autumn a mosaic of them all. Stanley Horowitz

Critters!

2009-09-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

When she was little, my daughter made little creatures out of little pom poms. Not having been reminded of them in a long time, I was taken by surprise when one jumped out as I was cleaning cabinets yesterday! He told me he was separated from the others, and it was so warm and dark in the back of the cabinet that he fell asleep. He said, when he heard me in there, that he knew I was looking for him. Well..."hello, little fella"! It' s fun to be reminded of days way back when.

Having fits with the other blog that I was trying to use, and in too much of a hurry to get on with this, I decided to continue with user-friendly Blogger. I just can't wait! Anyway, for those who have seen this - yes, I am repeating myself. But this guy needed to be here.

Memory

2009-09-21T08:43:00.000-07:00

"Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose." Kevin Arnold

I am in the midst of cleaning closets and sorting things that I have saved. Reading that quote on my calendar yesterday just reminds me of how important some of these things are to me. They deserve a journal of their own. So, that is what this blog is about for whoever may be interested (especially me). Here goes!