What A Day!!

Thought I'd finally get to tackle the stuff I needed to do around the house today..ha. Ever have one of thooossseee days!!?? Everything I touched...disaster. Got up went to church, fine. Stopped by the shop to check the computers. Fine. Went to Wal-Mart...forgot to use all the coupons...coulda saved $10...pooh. Went to Meijer (the grocery store)..kept picking things up out of date! or dropping things. Poor Jim, good thing he tagged along to check them or pick em up. Got home..the bags rip..arrggg. Went to sweep and the vacuum clogged...unplugged from the wall...oomphf. Jim finally told me he'd do it to rest. See, earlier in the week I fell a bruised my knee badly, so I haven't been sleeping well, I can't stand long..sitting in one position is......oh! I can't beleive I did it!! Anyway, I tried to do some creations, but can't sit long, so since my computer lost some of my pics..no not some...all.(it was not my fault, I could not hit a wrong button, could I...sob) ..have ya all noticed I haven't posted a pic latley? sorry posts are so boring. Even if I'm really having a bad blog day, pics seem to liven things up. Well, you guessed it I attempted to download all my picture CD's into the new file. today of all days. This is a new computer...yes blogger friends..it took me forever to figure out all the files to go thru and to tell my Techno Security I was not putting risky info from an unknown source into it's little world, but little pictures it could peruse at it's liesure...I offered pics of scenic beauty, bright posies, cute puppies..well Shadow is cute. It seemed to be appeased, it allowed the downloads, eventually. (especially when I threatened to turn it off til I was done, and it shot the message
Are You Sure.....). Now I decided it was time to stretch a little. I'd get my camera and take some shots of the garden and porch. I'd get my outdoor room decorated properly..I've been behind since the shop has been so hectic and we've a few medical emergencies. Of course , what was I thinking? I can't get up and down steps. Okay. Let's take some photos of the yard and garden..herbs are up, trees in bloom, butterflies gliding, bees buzzing, and birds on the wing and at the feeders. Quiet, slowly turn on the camera......it turns off. All by itself. Okay calmly, turn it back on..sigh. No batteries. Of course..go inside....out of batteries. I was done. The evil forces had won. I went in the bedroom propped my leg up and looked at the new Country, Birds and Bloom, and Country Living. I turned on the radio to listen to some classical music to unwind. The news came on..weather. A freeze warning for tonite. I looked outside. Yes the trees have leafed out, the flowers are blooming, the butterflies are still gliding..my luck Cincinnati will have an inch of snow by morning...but I will not have pictures!!!
Oh Good Night.

I hope I'm not to late to join in at the Blog Party? Isn't this the time the party usually gets started? Marcella has a great theme for this party.
' What makes you get out of bed early on a Saturday morning. What makes you giggle when you
find it, especially at a good price? What makes your heart skip a beat?
What gets me up early on Saturday? Usually on Saturdays we're doing flowers for weddings at our flower shop...so we're up early. So mine would be Sunday....When I hear 'Lets go for a ride' That means we usually go before sun up til the wee hours. As far as we can. Going antiqueing in different towns somewhere in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio,Maryland, or Tennessee. Leaving early in the morning you can get far in 5 hours. If you go to my past posts you'll see some of my favorite finds that brought a giggle, a little happy dance. My heart skips a beat when I see my husband Jim and our Norwegian Elkhound, Shadow....I know mushy. Two or three posts back you'll see a photo of Tennesse. That'll always make my heart skip, jump, beat it's own tune.
Sorry for no pics, but my computer just got back from the comp doc a little while ago. It seems I lost some of my files in the new computer I just got 14 days ago. They found most, but my saved pic have disappeared.
Well I'm off for visits. Thanks for visiting, come back often. Be sure to visit the Etsy Cottage Style blogspot link on the side of my blog page. to visit other party goers. Remember, leave a comment about what your answer to the questions would be.
Melody

Hello!
Wow, I can't beleive it's been this long since my last post and I've missed all my blog friends. I haven't even had time to peek at all my fav blogs recently. It has been a long past few weeks. I just wanted to pop in now to invite all to the Etsy Cottage Style BlogParty tomorrow, Wed. 5/13. The theme is "What makes your heart skip a beat ? " This should be a fun exercise. Be sure to leave comments at the bottom of the post and let me know what makes your heart skip a beat.
Okay, I'm off again. See you tomorrow!

New for Mother's Day

Just a quick note. I have added some new things to my Etsy site. Please visit me at www.BrownGinghamCreation.etsy.com Items will be added daily.

Etsy Cottage Style is having a blog party. Not just any blog party, but a Blue Blog Party!!!

Click this link to view the fun.

http://www.etsycottagestyle.blogspot.com/

When I think of blue ...a Robin's egg comes to mind. The vast blue sky comes into view and a deep azure blue sea calls, but when I think of blue some of my fav creations come to mind.

I think when one has the blues it can be a beautiful thing. Please follow the link above to all the wonderful blue finds.

Where's the Sun?!

Holy Cow. It's such a gloomy Wednesday outside my window and only in the 40's..yikes..what's up with that? They're saying it's gonna be in the 60's and 70's for the next couple of days....then storms 8( Thought I'd share some pics to brighten things up.

This reminds me of Eastern Tennessee. The Townsend/Cades cove area. It is my screen saver on the laptop. Every day when I turn it on..no matter what..it makes me smile.




















This apron is a new vintage find. I just finished embroidering the word 'California' The cactus and palm trees make me think of warmth and it's always sunny in southern California.

This is my newest table topper. The background fabric is a groovy 1960's retro motif in oranges, yellows, aquas, and greens. I was shocked to find a 1950's mod hankie with similar flowers in the same aqua tones. And, then to my wondering eyes should appear, but a 1940's dresser lamp scarf that has the same aqua color in the hand-crocheted edging. The hand-embroidered accent in the center just makes it pop. It just makes me think of Summertime.





















Just a sittin' and a swingin'. It was really warm and humid the day I took this photo.





















This display just says sunshine and warmth






















And, lastly as a parting shot....Fresh Flowers...always sunny, bright, and cheerful.

Is it gloomy where you are? What reminds you of sunshine and warmth?

Vintage Alphabet

This Month's Vintage Alphabet is "C" for Cookbooks
Spring is finally beginning to bloom all over. We're all thinking of flowers and vegetable gardens, re-doing our 'Outdoor Rooms' and making plans for entertaining around the grill. Food is a major part of the Spring and Summer picnics, potlucks, and social gatherings. I use cookbooks and recipes to help create themes for my get together's. I might create a cowboy theme using my Lodge skillets, enamelled dishes, and the Cowboy Cookbook. An Amish quilt party would be planned using my Dutch oven for chicken and dumplings and the Amish Cookbook. A retro patio party would be cool using my 1950's serving trays and recipes from one of my Better Homes and Garden Cookbooks.

I began collecting recipes..hand-writing them....at the age of 10. I purchased this wooden box in 1970 and filled it by the time I was 12.
Even back then I found these bits of paper as treasures to be saved. I wondered who had used them, what occasions were celebrated with them, and wondered how old the recipe was. As I find myself perusing antique malls and flea market those questions still intrigue me today, but now the vintage cookbooks seem more like snippets of time. They give us an insight into the kitchens of the past and to the homemakers who used them. Below you will find some of my favorite vintage (and not so vintage) cookbooks. Maybe they can give you some ideas for your own gatherings and, hopefully, while your out antique/flea/thrift/estate sale/yard sale cruising you'll find your own copies or equally wonderful vintage cookbooks.

These were the first two cookbooks I purchased to begin my collection. The Pioneer Cookbook is from 1970 and Colonial Kitchen Herbs from 1972.

The page on the left, from the Pioneer Cookbook, shows recipes that were the first things I'd ever baked all by myself. The other two pages are from the Colonial Cookbook and they still help me create more flavorful dishes. I use these books to create old timey birthday and Christmas gifts.
You can enlarge these three pages to copy.

These two books are just plain fun. Aunt Bea's Mayberry Cookbook and Aunt Bea's Delightful Desserts are a collection of recipes that Aunt Bea would have made with love for Andy and Opie. Some are recipes from certain episodes, and others are given by people who worked on the show. Throughout you'll find food related snippets from episodes, show memories, and even recipes from the diner in Andy Griffith's real hometown in North Carolina. I love to plan a menu Mayberry style and watch old episodes while eating.

During the 1930, 40, and 50's, small pamphlets were distributed by food companies like the ones shown here. These small jewels were big on impact when advertising. The graphics and colors are wonderful and the recipes, tips, and serving suggestions were and are still very useful. They are readily available and quite inexpensive. When I create a vintage inspired apron I always like to include a vintage food pamphlet. It adds a warmth to the fabric, it even lends a theme to the apron for a gift set.

This over-sized pamphlet was distributed by the General Foods Co. in 1940. I was so excited when I found it last summer. As you can see by the cover, it has been very used and there are checks by recipes that the homemaker found

especially good. Each chapter begins with a calender and each day has a corresponding recipe suggested for the day. If you click on the pic it should enlarge for a better view. I love to open the calender and see what surprise I can make for Jim on that day.

I found this Better Homes and Gardens All-time favorites Cookbook in the late 90's through Publisher's Clearinghouse, of all places. It has great recipes spanning the 1930's-1990's. A little over a year ago I found the Better Homes and Gardens Best Buffet cookbook from 1960. Over a little time I found the trio of books dating from the late 1950's.

The pages above gives a little insight as to how food was presented and served. Even the picnic seems fancy.

Last month I found these Better Homes and Garden Cookbooks.

Pies and Cakes, Dessert, and Holiday.They are later dates of the 60's, but just as colorful and full of inspiration.

These books, The Ball Book published by the Ball Canning Jar Co from 1939 and the McCall's Cook Book from 1940, were both my Grandma's. I love her hand-written notes and the accumulated recipes she clipped from the newspaper, magazines, food packaging, and appliance manufacturers. I would love to have a canning party utilizing some of the wonderful recipes in the Ball Book, but alas my kitchen is too small. I do use the McCall book quite a lot for everyday cooking ideas. When I use the books....Grandma just seems closer. Maybe that's why I like vintage cookbooks, all the accumulated memories fill the pages too.

I hope you have been inspired to get your old cookbooks out and decorate with them. They add quick splashes of color. Have a get together and surprize the invited to a vintage spread or give your family some old fashioned goodness you don't find at the drive-thru . Vintage cookbooks are chocked full of suggetions and memories.

Spring is Sprung

" Spring is Sprung, the Grass is Riz
Brown Gingham Creations

is Bloomin All Over!"

Remember this 1940-50's hat I found way Back in January?

Well, after searching for a vintage doll to go with this dandy topper, I finally found her. She was in the bottom of a box in a dealer's booth at the Florence Antique Mall with various doll parts and other more modern dolls. She looked a little frightened, but seemed relieved when I pulled her from the her dolly nightmare. She was in amazing shape, despite her ordeal and only needed a little repair, and, embellishment of course.




So, now without further adieu, may I introduce




'Miss English Country Garden 2009'

Viole' The hat has been cleaned, fluffed, and placed on a cermaic base. Miss English, sporting her original hand-crocheted pinafore and hat has been accented by bits of vintage costume jewelry and a 1950's hand-crocheted hot pad for her wings. Porcelain and pearl roses also grow in her garden and butterflies abound. For a little whimsy, and surpise, she not only looks good, but she has her own song! When you look under the base, a music box movement has been added.
It plays,'The English Cottage Garden Suite".
This is the first in my new line of musical angels.
Since I now have an outlet for music box movements I'll be able to do custom orders for these in various themes and requested tunes.

I've also found carnations have sprouted in my creative garden.

These carnations are in perpetual bloom! I was surprised to find this 1950's hostess apron in great condition. It was taken very good care of. If you look closely I have hand-embroidered the fern fronds as well as the center bouquet, but my fav thing is the Carnation Milk Co cookbook. With spring entertaining beginning this apron would show off your individual apronature and your good taste!
Before I go I had to show how my floral garden flowers come together when 'arranged',


These flower baskets were created with French Knot roses, daisies, and other blossoms. Whimsical appliqued butterflies hover around. This bolster pillow actually began life as a 1940's stamped embroidery bridge table cloth. It just shouts spring!
Here's a closeup:








Please visit my website www.brownginghamcreations.com and Etsy often. More blooms are sprouting everyday.

Happy St Patrick's

Hope the days leading up to St. Patrick's Day

Finds your path warm and sunny,

Your day blessed and lucky,

And, a bit o' the gold fills your purse.