Spring is Coming!!!!!

Spring is coming oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!

Here in the Greater Cincinnati area we really can't complain about this past Winter.  We've only had a few very cold days and really not below 0 as in the past Winter's. But, that said, I am tired of gray, rainy, brown filled days. I am soooo ready for blue skies, songbirds, Spring flowers, and gentle showers with sun shining and rainbows....not the tornadic storms of the past weeks, but Cincinnati is known for it's thunderstorms and lightening shows....so we are always ready for those. And, finally time changed! That means longer days!!!! which I start counting down on Dec 21st the shortest day of the year. I am the person who after Christmas and New Years 50+ degrees could start.HEHE.
This past week I got my wish....must've been the luck o' the Irish.....everything has budded out and flowering beautifully....daffodils.........
Forsythia has been blooming since January for pete's sake and daffodils have been up since February in some places. Their little heads are just starting to pop out now....March's flower is the Daffodil. Crocus, phlox, and the little wildflower ground covers are showing their finery too. The greenery for nerine lilies and spiderwort are up too. Usually they aren't showing til Late April early May...that tells me the the ground is warmer than usual, but the same thing happened in '93

St. Patrick's Week!

Oh I am so glad you stopped by today! Let's go down the kitchen hall.............

......and sit on the porch....................................

 

I can't wait to show you some St. Patty's inspired designs...............................................

Okay ya comfy? Wow it still looks a little wintry, but boy it sure has been warm. Here, let me get this stuff outta the box........................................................................

You said you were looking for a different birthday gift for your friend.....This is Colleen......

my March Angelic Inspiration ($27.50). She is a little (4" tall) lady from 1950. She has the prettiest blue eyes and long strawberry blonde curled tresses. Her dress was created from a 1930's hankie with a daffodil motif (daffodil is the flower for March) accented by new hand-tatted flowers embellished with glass beads. It has an overlay of a vintage hand-crocheted potholder in coordinating colors. The bodice and hat is embellished with a smaller hand-tatted and beaded flower. Her wings are embroidered tulle and she holds a bouquet of dried Babies Breath and a little charm that reads, 'Make a Wish'. Now, I just use this candlestick she's sitting on to show off her flowing gown, but she sits on the edge of a shelf prettily with her dress hanging down. And, she'll also sit on a small pedestal cake plate with her dress flowing over the sides making a unique cloche display. 

Here's another cute idea.....I know it smells wonderful....it's a potpourri pillow ($24.95). The pillow was created by using a 1950's linen hankie with machined-embroidered daisies as it's accent. I then took the 1940's dress potholder and added it to the center of the hankie. The potpourri (in a small cloth bag) is tucked into the bodice of the dress. To change the potpourri you just untie the the ribbon and take it out. The material on the back of the pillow is a coordinating yellow. It is soooo springy and St. Patty looking. Did you know the Celts of Ireland believed that when daisies bloomed in the Spring fields where children were buried it was God's way of letting them know they were okay and in heaven...isn't that a nice thought.

Oh, and look what I did for a Lady who was making a shadow box for her new little Granddaughter........

She brought in a 1950-60's Irish linen and lace scalloped hankie with little shamrock's that were machine-embroidered. I was worried the material would shred if I tried to hand-embroider the wee ones name (and what a truly Irish name it is!) directly on it, so I created a small fabric name plate 

I was pleasantly surprised it didn't take me long to hand-embroider those letters at all and the dye lot of today's thread matched the vintage perfectly...phew! Within the week she was off to the framers and then flying to meet the new bundle of joy.

Hm...what else is in my box......well.................................................................................

This big throw pillow was created by combining new lace over a pillow form and embellished with a 1940's Southern-Belle hand-tatted doily...perfect for your inner little girl..hehe......I love the black centered white daisies..Oh ya that is a 1960's enamalware black and white daisy pin she's holding..LoL, two gifts in one... pillow for decor and jewelry to wear! ($44.95)

You saw the other apron I did like this. The apron ($24.95) is from the 1940-50. I embellished the pockets with  vintage  hand-crocheted rick-rack edging and flowers, then I hand-embroidered some little flowers on the apron to match. My Aunt had one of these...plain, nothing on the pocket or anything...the same color...that matched her waitress (dress) uniform. Couldn't you see yourself in the kitchen Saturday...Oh my gosh.....speakin of kitchen...I gotta run inside and check on dinner!!!...wait here I'll be right back..........Can you call Hubs and have him meet ya here for supper? And, go ahead, check out the Weekly Blog Parties Page to see all the fun goin on in Bloglandia!

Made it....nothing burned. Can you two come for dinner? It's Irish Stew, Soda Bread, and Emerald Isle Cake.........Oh good. 

Ya know it has really been nice this week.....up in the 70's down in the upper 60's........how bout we eat outside. It is really Springy..what am I saying next week is the first day of Spring isn't it. I'll have some other things to show ya next week like a new music box and a pillow I'm finishing. Let's go in..you can help me get the plates and all to set the table...............................

The Bridal Season is Here!

Spring kicks off the busy wedding season and also sees the increase of Bridal Showers. I love showers there are so many themes and gift ideas...and gift registries are a great help in figuring out the Bride and Groom's tastes and choosing that all important wedding gift...., but the Bridal Shower for me has always been a time when you give a gift the new Bride may not have thought she needed at all, but it sure comes in handy. Or, it is a second marriage or the Couple have been together for a while and have decided to tie the knot...they usually have the necessities, but the shower gift can be something special..unique.


The most popular flowers for weddings are roses..white roses for pure love and red for passionate love. For the Bride who chose the classic in flowers for her wedding how about an American Beauty themed shower?
Invitations could be sent attached to a silk rose..be sure to mention the theme and that gifts should have a rose motif....this could be a very rosy party. Gifts might include,bedding with a rose motif, rose soaps and rose scents for the bath. Rose-scented candles with candlesticks or holders. How about  rosy red appliances or kitchen utensils for the kitchen. Think outside the box...a gift card to the local nursery for Knock-out rose plants for the garden or container gardens on the porch.
Decorations would include an arrangement of roses...guests could take one as they leave the shower as a remembrance. A sheet cake or cupcakes with sugar roses is a given. I always like to use decorations the Bride can take with her to use......how about a gift set for the Bride............................................................

 This is a 1940's table cloth perfect to place over the gift table or place on the food table with the cake. She can use it on her table in her new home.

A matching Hostess apron  was created using a 1950's red and white apron that has rose appliques on the pockets I made out of another table cloth.
The Bride-to-Be would don this upon her arrival....
those pockets can hold a lot of gift cards..hehe

Included in this set is 4 1940 beverage glasses in a rose motif. You could find glass votive cups to fit across the mouth of the glass and they become votive holders for on the table. The perfect shower gift for a Bride.








The complete set is available for $49.99

I think the American Beauty Bridal Shower is a fun theme...oh..and don't forget to 'shower' her with rose petals as she enters the party..every Bride should walk on rose petals. Please come on back again...I'll have a few more ideas to show you.
Don't forget to visit all the BlogParties on my party page at the top.

Pink Saturday post a little delayed

It has been a a hectic day around the Greater Cincinnati area today. For those who haven't heard the news a Super Cell Tornado hit the area Friday afternoon. It's path made it's way from Louisville Ky , thru southern Ind., along the Ohio River on the Ky side and across up into North Eastern Ohio...that is hundreds of miles in 3 hours! Here in Cincy we just had a Thunderstorm, but , not 50 miles away, WOW...this reminded me of the 1974 tornadoes....whole towns are gone...wooded areas pulled up by the roots...sigh....thoughts and prayers to those who lost loved ones, are hurt, lost homes or businesses.


A little Pink Saturday should help lighten the mood. I thought I'd do a little pictorial of pinks straight from 1949-1955 as seen thru the decor and ads in American Home, Woman's Day, and Family Circle Magazines.


This layout shows same floral print in 4 different colorways with different accent colors and styles, but all use pink somewhere.

 Now this 50's basement Rumpus Room showcases 2 salmon pink leather chairs!

And, this stately home utilizes a pale pink brick.

I love this spread. Pink and turquoise..so 40-50's...

 look at that great pitcher for lemonade and

 that condiment server ferris-wheel with black wrought-iron and pink ceramic! LOL Now I'm gonna have to be on the look out for these two pieces ;)

 Of course I had to include this illustration from a short story in a 1949 Woman's Day. What every homemaker daydreamed of...all her everyday tasks that she pirouetted through in pink ballet toe-shoes!!!

This last picture doesn't have much pink in it, but I found it remarkable....................................

isn't this a pretty dining room?  Black and White..leather and glass....pink tulips. Straight out of IKEA ideas?
Um...kinda....this is a decorating layout from 1967 touting Scandinavian decor in Better Homes and Gardens!!! Were you one of those who thought IKEA was new..modern?.....guess you like like 'Vintage' modern. hehe. Have a pinkiliscious day! And fon't forget to stop by Beverly's for Pink Saturday listed up on my Blog Party page to see all the other pink posts!

It's Old Stuff Day!!!

Who da thunk it!!! A whole day dedicated to the celebration of OLD STUFF! We in Bloglandia have known for a very long time what a national treasure there is in old barns.....garages.....basements......attics.......closets...
just waiting to be found.....restored, repurposed, renewed. In celebration of OLD STUFF DAY here is a pictorial salute...............................................................
                                       These are some old things in my kitchen
 

 This is a vintage stamped for embroidery tablerunner I completed and have for sale on my website

 This vintage apron is one I hand-embroidered. It's available for $19.99
I took this pic in the garden next to the old child's wheelbarrow filled with heirloom sedum taken from my Grandma's house..she planted it in the 40's

This is a vintage tray and coasters from the 60's

Old landscape

vintage embroidery Transfers

Vintage Religious card














and Postdard

 Old stuff in a dining room cubby

And, old aluminum and glass stuff over the dining room window

This is just a little of my OLD STUFF. Just things I've picked up over the last 40 years..LOL..I started when I was....10! The best thing about old stuff it was either given to me by folks who didn't want it anymore or was purchased for only a few dollars.......who says you can't decorate on a dime. It might be old stuff, but it cleans up real good.

Now let's visit the Thrifty Groove for her party

March 1st

March 1 already!!!! Time for wearin of the green......

days are gettin longer...

daffodils are poppin up!!












And, today is Pig Day! One of my favorite animals.

Well, Whooooo-ey or rather Sooooo-ey. Ohio is the pork state and the city of Cincinnati was known as Porkopolis for ever. Kahns Meats started here.....Queen City Sausage started here too. Being an Ohio girl, of German and Irish decent, there were pork producers in the family.Now, I am a city girl, but growing up we always visited relatives on weekends in Northern Ohio and they had pigs. Huge pigs, the breeder pair, as tall as the tractor tires..with tusks!....that stayed in the back fields and and wetland area...they always came to the fence for a pat. My Uncle'd laugh cause I would stand at the fence calling here piggy piggy and here they'd lumber up, snort, then saunter away.

In 2nd grade the teacher told us to draw our favorite place to visit in the Summer to hang in the classroom for decorations for Parent/Teacher meetings...of course I drew a sun filled scene with the pig barn entitled, Pigs at the Barn....the teacher called me to her desk and asked if my picture was finished. I looked at it, handed it back and said yes. Um, she said, I think you forgot to draw the pigs......no, I replied, they're right there behind the barn where they always are.....She smiled and said okay. When Mom came for the meeting  they called me in and Mom asked where the pigs were in my picture....I couldn't understand why Mom or the Teacher didn't remember they were behind the barn..they are always behind the barn. Mom tells that story on me quite frequently and still has the drawing!
Finally one day one of my wishes came true.....I was at the pig barn and no one was watching and I slipped between the fence rails into the area with Momma Pig and her Babies...she even let me pick one up. Momma laid down and continued feeding the other piggies and I squatted down on the clean concrete just talking away and petting. that is until my Dad and Uncle got to the other end of the barn at the door and Dad called my name. Momma got a little perturbed they were bothering us. She got up and came between me and the fence...guess she didn't like their tone..hehe..I put little piggy down and climbed back thru the fence, said bye and skipped down to where they were. Dad quickly picked me up and Uncle then explained why they sounded so funny, Momma was not a pet, she had never been held, she was brought in to deliver the piglets, ween them, and go back out to the field..free range they call it now....a wild pig can hurt you badly
especially if try to pick up their young. I promised to never do it again To this day I remember that pigs eyes, she had no intention of doing anything...she looked a little sad really..this wasn't her first litter, so I guess she knew what was to come. From that day on I always knew I couldn't be a real farm girl...I would get way too attached to the farm commodities. I had a new respect for my Cousins and their 4H  projects....they were much stronger than I could be.

Years later Mom found this cute little piggy resting in a burlap sack.....
you can just see his tiny pink ear and nose sticking up...it reminded me so of that day in the barn.






I thought I'd link over to ColoradoLady with this vintage memory on Vintage Thingie Thursday. Come on with me and let's see all the other vintage thingies!

Thank You For Bein a Friend

Since learning Google Friends Connect was closing it's garden gate I  have been taking a little walk thru the neighborhood to see if I could find a new place to meet and so you all could come on in to the Brown Gingham porch easily. 

I think I found a nice little spot.......Linky Followers. It is a nice place overseen by Brent and seems very nice. I have placed a link right under GFC (not knowing how much longer Google will have theirs up and running) I hope all Friends will Follow me over...see you there!

Where did the day go!

OMG! I lost Monday and it seems part of Tuesday! Actually I know where it went...down the drain..LOL.
You see its that wonderful time of the year.....mold and fungus time. It seems there is some type of fungus amungus again..it hit me last year at this time too. It has never really froze hard here in Cincinnati and we are still having rain...lots of rain...standing water everywhere. My face was swollen, my ears feel like I'm underwater, well, I won't go into further description...suffice to say I am a mess and thank goodness I do not have webcam turned on At least it seems to be a little. better .I can at least hold my head up to type right now8o/

I had a Presidents Day post all ready to do, but best laid plans. I was gonna show off my Presidential Pyrex

with it's white glass and copper trim and eagle. And, here is a great pie..................................

Mom baked from Southern Living Magazine's recent edition.....Apple-Cherry Cobbler with Pinwheel Biscuits.......................

Ingredients

• 
  

• APPLE-CHERRY FILLING
• 8 large Braeburn apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick wedges (about 4 1/2 lb.)
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup butter $
• 1 (12-oz.) package frozen cherries, thawed and well drained
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest $
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice $
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon $
• PINWHEEL BISCUITS
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour $$
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar $$
• 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt $
• 3/4 cup cold butter, cut into pieces $
• 2/3 cup milk $
• 2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted $
• 1/4 cup finely chopped roasted unsalted almonds
• SERVE WITH
• Sweetened whipped cream (optional)

Preparation

1. 1. Prepare Filling: Preheat oven to 425°. Toss together first 3 ingredients. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add apple mixture. Cook, stirring often, 20 to 25 minutes or until apples are tender and syrup thickens. Remove from heat; stir in cherries and next 3 ingredients. Spoon apple mixture into a lightly greased 3-qt. baking dish. Bake apple mixture 12 minutes, placing a baking sheet on oven rack directly below baking dish to catch any drips.
2. 2. Prepare Biscuits: Stir together 2 1/4 cups flour and next 3 ingredients in a large bowl. Cut cold butter pieces into flour mixture with a pastry blender or fork until crumbly; stir in milk. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead 4 to 5 times. Roll dough into a 12-inch square. Combine brown sugar and 2 Tbsp. melted butter; sprinkle over dough, patting gently. Sprinkle with almonds. Roll up, jelly-roll fashion; pinch seams and ends to seal. Cut roll into 12 (1-inch) slices. Place slices in a single layer on top of apple mixture.
3. 3. Bake at 425° for 15 to 17 minutes or until biscuits are golden. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Southern Living 
FEBRUARY 2012

Talk about an All American Pie and was it good! It's also the perfect recipe since February is National Cherry Month. Also in honor of Cherry Month I thought I'd show some very cheery  cherry pics!

A vintage Cherry Postcard

One of my plaster fruit wall pieces

One of my fav shirts

A vintage square I used with an applique I created from a vintage cherry hankie

This are some vintage buttons...they look like little candies

I couln't do any cherry post without a vintage cookbook

The last three pics are a few cherry reds I love to have....someday.......

Isn't this the cutest retro trailer..love it

And, these two retro inspired kitchen appliances would be perfect in my kitchen!

Well, seems I need to rest a little. Please visit all the Weekly Blog Parties for more fun posts!