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Sunday, April 29, 2012

Let's Showoff Some What-Not's

I hope you all enjoyed meeting Mattie and reading her story last week. If you'd like find out how to purchase Mattie for you own or as a gift go to my Brown Gingham Shoppe and just follow the path to all the different showrooms. Mattie is at the tab Angelic Lights and Music Boxes. If you didn't get to read Mattie's story go HERE

Today I'll be joining Etsy Cottage Style for their Cottage What-Not Party. A what-not is a Victorian term for an ornament used for decoration in a room and it also includes the shelf or cupboard that they are displayed on.

This is the what-not shelf we put over our dining- room window. It's a 2x10 that was painted the same green color to match out Farm Table and was edged with a floral patterned molding that was spray painted Cherrywood tone. The shelf is held by 3 rusted iron brackets with a floral and bird motif.





   The What-Not's displayed are a few pieces of my hand-wrought aluminum collection, Viking Glass, and Agate Glass


There is also a smaller what-not shelf made from a wood and ceramic cupboard and a wine bottle shelf beneath it.

and, lastly in the dining-room the green and cherry hutch, which holds the rest of my what-not's.
More of my aluminum, assorted serving pieces, Agate Glass. and crystal are displayed here.
As you can see.....I have a lotta what-not's throughout the house.....this is the living-room...............
You can tell I love to collect a little of everything...and believe it or not....some came with Jim when we got married...yes he was a hoarder  collector too!..... you'll see  a small scale vintage train on the shelf.

Now you see what a what-not is.... do-dad, whatjamacallit, and thingamajig...the other 3 classifications will be forthcoming in later posts.

I'm off to visit all the Blog Parties. Visit my Blog Party Page and join the fun.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Vintage Dolls Help Tell a Story

Hi Everyone!
Today I'd like to tell you the story of Matilda Deflor, Mattie for short.
She was a pretty little thing, but very small and extremely shy. She loved all the plants God created on his green Earth. She preferred to stay in the gardens...the prairies...the woods....the Rain forests...anywhere away from people...(they were loud, destructive creatures. She had tried many times to help one of them only to be disappointed in their thoughtlessness and selfishness)... or disapproving eyes of her peers, you see, her favorite thing was to make plants grow. Now all these things in themselves are not bad attributes, except if you are an Angel as Mattie is. There were countless times when all were looking for little Mattie when she was to be doing chores..in choir with the other heavenly seraphim...or in prayer..only to be found dancing in the garden or making plants sprout and flowers pop.











Well, this day  there she was...twirling and pirouetting to her tune. gown disheveled, wings soiled.

                                                         










When the other Junior Angels found her. They made great sport of her and  to her embarrassment and frustration gave her the nickname of Waltzing Matilda. It was all Mattie could do this one day not to disappear in a puff of angel dust. In tears and hurt off she flew, not caring where or how far. It had grown dark by the time her little wings had gotten tired and she landed in a heap on the hard ground crying herself to sleep. When she awoke it was to a brilliant sunrise unlike any she had seen.............................................................
and a voice was speaking to her......'Mattie it's time.......wake up sleepyhead......you have much to do'.

spread before her was the most beautiful garden she had ever seen with a winding path that seemed to go on forever. 'Mattie', the voice said,' it's time to share your music and flowers with my beloved creation. You will join St. Fiacre (patron Saint of Gardeners and Florists) at the end of this path and he will send you into the world to spread your lovely flowers and plants where they seem needed.'  She looked incredulously at the view before her...'I don't have to go back? They won't make fun of me anymore?' She asked in disbelief. 'No' the voice answered, 'and you need a new outfit for the job.' In a blink of the eye Mattie looked down at herself and saw that her tattered and soiled satin gown had been transformed.......................................


Fragrant rosebuds, daisies, peonies and dianthus bloomed profusely. Dewdrops became like diamonds shining brightly in the light. Her halo had also transformed into a crown of dewdrops and peonies..................
'Oh thank you Father' she said, but as she looked at her wings a slight frown wrinkled her brow. 'My wings are still soiled?' 'My Child,  your soiled wings are beautiful. They show how hard you work to make the world a better place for my people. Where ever you walk plants and flowers will spring forth. Now run along St Fiacre is waiting for you. Oh, and next time don't wait so long to come to me with your troubles.'
With that Mattie flew off to begin her new life humming 'Waltz of the Flowers' as she went.
Remember, when you're in your own garden and you notice a plant growing you know you didn't plant or while walking in a downtown and find a small flower growing in the sidewalk crack...think of all those Angels trying to bring a little color and happiness to your day. It's the little miracles we need to notice...we sometimes walk right by them.


This is the story of my newest Angelic Inspiration, Mattie, also proudly now known as Waltzing Matilda. is part of the Angelic Music Collection   .....she happily twirls to Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers.

Mattie has a special gift for you....if you look closely in the middle of her dress she has a Dianthus Pin attached to her apron....it can be removed and worn. She also would hold other flower pins on her apron if you collect floral pins or would like to start.
For more info about Mattie contact me here or find her HERE Then go to Angelic Inspirations-->Angelic Lights and Music Boxes.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

A Souper Supper





I found a new 1950's Home Beautiful this week and this soup-er ad was inside. I think I'll make a copy and frame it for on my kitchen wall..Love the graphics! It also gave me an inspiration for for a table setting, which I have not been able to do for a realllly long time. It's nothing fancy....just a table for 2. It's been so warm and nice here in Cincinnati that eating outside on the porch in the evening has been a wonderful change.  Soooooooo, here is........






The Simple Soup-er Supper For Two

This table for two began with...........................................................

the brown gingham tablecloth Cindy Adkins sent me as a surprise a ferw months back and a vintage topper I found with the basket of spring flowers and hand-tatted brown edging. Now this topper is from the 30-40's and has been lovingly used, so it is not in pristine shape, but for the two of us it'll do. Eventually this will become 4 different designs...one for me to keep and 3 others for some else to enjoy......maybe a pillow.....an apron accent....or quilted table scarf....yes, yes, I said quilted and you remember I have said I don't have the patience to quilt, but I'm talking large square.....let's not go overboard..LOL...not those annoying 1' squared....Oh how I envy you quilters!!!! Anyhoo, the next layer are the plates or chargers as they are being used this evening...................................................
I found these dinner plates at the Antique Mall...$2 each! I love the red/burgandy and brown pattern.......................
Rose clusters with wooden patterned ribbons and

A farmhouse with a mountain view, or, if you live in the West a ranch scene.
I had never seen this pattern in my vintage quest before so I snatched them up quickly. The booth I found them in is one where the vendor offers a lot of 'Diner' dishes, so maybe this some sort of Ironstone. If you've ever seen it please let me know.
I found the flatware at Burlington Warehouse. I love the brown handles, but the pattern and maker slip my mind...the 4 peice place setting (for 4) was $9.99. I coordinated with the napkin and napkin ring, completing the placesetting.


I then added the 'stuff'.....................................................................................
a Hull Mochaware Bean Pot/Soup Tureen and ambiance with the rusted lantern lamp

A Longenberger Bread Basket with Warming Brick

McCoy Butter Dish

and a Ladle...that doesn't have a maker on it, but it matches fine!
And, voile'......a Simple Souper Supper for Two

                                                                                         
 .
Not too fancy, but just right for me and my CarGuy. 

I so glad you stopped by today. Don't forget to go to my Blog Parties Page at the top and visit all my other friends with parties that I link to or you can go right thru HERE