More Miss Frenchie's

A few more pictures from Miss Frenchie's April in Paris show...


and a look at my purchases. These adorable Bingo cards are


from Beth's booth.


Next to Beth was Karla's booth where I bought a pretty flowery tray.


And on the tray are two French chocolate cards purchased from Gwen (French by Design at Mission Road Antique Mall).


Mary and her sister were there Friday night too.


Mary and I swapped ATC's recently. She sent me this one using a lovely opera singer image. I love it!


Mary is an incredible artist and does awesome collage work! You really should check out her blog if you haven't yet been there!


She wrapped my ATC in lace and ribbon and mailed it in one of the delightful
envelopes she creates--a gift in a gift:) Thanks VERY much, Mary!

Marilyn

Miss Frenchie's

What a fun evening...Shawn and I went to Miss Frenchie's April in Paris Show. I bought just a few small items but there were so many beautiful pieces that caught my eye!











And these were just a few of them.....(sigh)

Marilyn

Irresistible Holiday Shopping, Part 2

This is for Michelle who concluded her comment to this post with, "thanks for sharing ... but wait ... what did you get?!?".

Well, of course, I would have wondered the same thing!

Thanks for asking, Michelle...I'd love to show you what I bought. It's all too beautiful not to share!

From Karla, vintage bird ornaments and a bottle brush tree that Karla foofed up (a term I learned from her) to be even better. If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you can see how they really sparkle!


From Beth, a nice length of crocheted trim and a darling pair of some little girl's shoes. Karla observed how much dancing that little one must have done in these shoes!


At Carol's booth I found an embellished box of matches that I just had to have for lighting holiday candles!


And from Gwen and Teri (French by Design), old French post cards and cancelled checks...and lovely French ribbon. Perfect for my paper arts stash!


I'm so glad you asked, Michelle...it was fun to play with my goodies again!

Marilyn

Irresistible Holiday Shopping

On Saturday, I went with Shawn and her daughter, Bethany, to Miss Frenchie's Holiday Brocante. The lovely display at the entrance told me that this was going to be good!


Indeed, it was! This is just some of what could be seen looking up towards the balcony. Enchanting!



Karla's and Beth's spaces were set up next to each other and filled with lots of beautiful things...irresistible actually, so purchases were a must! Karla painted this magnificent mural and used it to display her vintage ornaments--soooo pretty.


I also got to meet Carol, Raised in Cotton when we were there. Her displays and items were gorgeous...another fine purchasing opportunity:)


Karla, Beth and Carol have beautiful photos and descriptions of Miss Frenchie's Holiday Market on their blogs. I highly recommend a visit to each one!

Gwen (French by Design at Mission Road Antique Mall) had a booth with antique and flea market finds from France. Gwen and her sister, Teri, travel to France twice a year on buying trips--just look at these treasures!





(Yes, more purchases.)

I am thrilled that this group of incredible women got together and created such an event. I'm especially thrilled that it was held in my very own city--what a FUN day!


It's beginning to feel a little more like December to me, too.


Thanks to all of the talented Miss Frenchie vendors!

Marilyn

Suddenly, There's Stuff Everywhere!

Sometimes, without warning, life takes on that crazy whirlwind effect, doesn't it? I do understand, for some of you, life is a constant whirlwind, not just for several days or a few weeks. I remember balancing forty hour work weeks and family, a wonderful family mind you, but a house with four kids and five pets IS a whirlwind. Thank goodness for my incredible husband--we made a good team. Still do, but things have slowed down some with just the two of us in the house.

So, the whirlwind...that's my dad, literally, for as long as I can remember and he hasn't stopped yet. A widower for five years, he went to his 60th high school class reunion in June where he met up with a woman, a former classmate, also widowed, for 11 years. In spite of her living 900 miles away, they were immediately inseparable and married on September 4th. My growing-up-house went on the market, sold in a week and they're packing up to move to Corpus Christi, TX. Whew!

After my mom died, my sister and I, over time, helped my dad look through some of her personal items. We kept special pieces and packed up the rest to move along. Because of Dad's big move, the past two or three days have been a re-living of that process. He isn't interested in taking a whole lot with him and I understand that, and my two brothers aren't interested in much either. So in we went again, my sister and I, with an eye out for the special things...photographs, books, dishes, knick-knacks, sewing supplies and some pretty linens made by who knows who. My mother did not crochet or embroider, but my grandmother did so perhaps they're her handiwork.

Mom did love dolls, though, and we knew we would find some of her old favorites in a cedar chest in the basement. I just love these three and chose them to bring home with me. They need a little TLC but I enjoy doing that. And take a look at that great old doll quilt!


We also found a box of doll clothes and accessories. So adorable! Do you see the "Monday" undies, on the right hand side underneath the "Dolsox"? Heehee, kinda makes you wonder what happened to Tuesday through Sunday.


Do any of you know anything about the doll on the right? I never saw this particular one prior to Monday and haven't taken the time yet to do any research. It's very unusual--the arms and legs seem to be a bendable metal coil and her hands and feet remind me of Mickey Mouse's. I'm quickly becoming attached and would love to know something about her:) (Thurs., Sept. 18 - UPDATE - Last night, I was able to find this information online: "1938 Fanny Brice as Baby Snooks, 12" tall, flexy doll with wire mesh torso and a metal cable thru arms & legs. IDEAL DOLL." Interesting.)



As I go along, I'll try to share some more of my fun finds with you. Thanks for coming along with me on my little trip down memory lane.

Marilyn

Vintage Easter Postcard

(click image to enlarge)

I think vintage postcards have the most interesting images. This is one that I purchased about a year and a half ago. The postmark is from Columbus, Nebraska and dated April 14, 1911.

The postcard itself was printed in Germany and the squiggly lines are raised, but it was the image that attracted me. To me, it could be an illustration for a fairy tale--I'm sure there's a story in there someplace. It also reminds me of vintage images I've seen of children riding on the backs of turkeys or flying geese, etc.

I'd love to share this image with you. Please feel free to copy it and use in any of your artwork.

Marilyn

Girls just wanna have fun!

Don't these gals look like a fun-lovin' trio?! I bought this post card at a nearby antique mall. The postmark reads Kansas City, MO, October 15 , 1917. It was written by a woman, named Willie, to her "Homefolks" living in a rural town that is now about an hour's drive (on the interstate) from Kansas City. She notes that she is having a good time and will be coming home Tuesday night.

I started wondering about Willie's life and the lives of other midwest women in those days. I most often imagine it as one filled with work, work, work...and I don't doubt that it was. I do wonder, however, if those same hard working women took a break once in a while and just let loose! I'm guessing that they did. The times may have been different, but a woman's spirit couldn't have been so different just 90 years ago, could it?

Now, I'm not saying for sure that Willie was in Kansas City in October, 1917 letting loose. But she was having a good time and she bought a postcard with a picture of three free-spirited, tree-climbing women on the front. That's enough for me. Willie, you go girl!

Marilyn