Sunday, March 30, 2008

Kitsch














Kitsch: Prounounced "kich"
Function: NOUN - remember, the teacher taught us a noun is a person, place or thing....
Etymology: German
Date: 1925

Definition:

1 : something that appeals to popular or lowbrow taste and is often of poor quality
2 : a tacky or lowbrow quality or condition

aka: Kitschy, which is an adjective.

Hmmmm...ok, I admit, I am a bit confused, dazed, perplexed. Reason? Well, I have been loving
"Vintage Kitsch" things for many years and have been proudly collecting and displaying them in my home because I LOVE the sweetness of the pieces. Little did I know that Kitsch refers to things in poor quality, tacky or lowbrow. Lowbrow? What is that? It sounds rather nasty to me...lowbrow. Ok, get my mind out of the gutter on that one.

I don't care what the definition truly is. I love Kitsch! Tacky, blase, imperfect.... Bring it on!!!! The cuter, the better. They are little pieces that bring a smile to my face! A tacky and imperfect smile at best!!
For a little "vintage" thinking...check out Laura's post on Card Tables. I had to share this with you, if you haven't read it already, because it really tickled my funny bone...well, all of them! Laura has a keen sense of humor and her posts are very amusing, to say the least!!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Seeing Red ~ In A Good Way, Of Course

To begin this post, I just had to share this little picture not only because the red lamp shade goes with the post subject, but I hadn't realized that Doogs was peeking around the corner at me. He is such a funny little guy. Oh, wait, he said, "Momma, I have a red collar!!"
There is something about the color red that draws me in,
even in the most subtle of ways.
It says, "Hey look at me!"
Just a little bit of color here and there,
or double doses of red double doors.
In the garden for a pop of color,
or the star attraction in a room.
A happy and jubilant color,
or the softer and aged palate of old barn reds.

Just a splash here and there.
Even little chickens sport some red.
Hopefully the little birdies will like it, too.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Vintage Textiles - Display and Repurposing

One of my favorite things to collect are vintage textiles. These sweet vintage embroidered towels were sent to me by my sweet friend, Marta, who has me pegged and knows I love Scotty Dog things! Thank you, Marta!!!!
I used an old ladder, that came from the side of a toy crib, to hang some of my towels and crocheted potholders on.


This little cabinet door makes for a great place to drape a little towel over.
Vintage textiles can be repurposed into bags, totes, pillows, etc. This bag (which I know I have shown before) was made by the talented Beth, over at Beth's Bagz.
A sweet vintage motif ~ I sold these and now wish I hadn't.
A vintage laundry bag with a fun embroidered design.

An antique monogrammed linen bag.
Charming little doily with sweet embroidery and crocheted edging.
I have many framed samplers, and this sweet one hangs in my kitchen. Vintage samplers also make great pieces for pillows.

Here I salvaged embroidered pieces and used them on pillows
You can find vintage inspired iron-on transfers for embroidering. This pattern came from Turkey Feathers. I love using red DMC floss to stitch the design and adore Redwork.Some of my work using vintage embroidered pieces. Below is a pillow made from a vintage tablecloth. Red ticking and pom pom fringe give it a nostalgic look.


This little pillow was made using a piece from a vintage towel.
One of my favorite tote bags that my sweet friend, Sharri, bought. I used one end of an embroidered runner for this one.



There are endless things you can make, even if you don't own a sewing machine. Many small quilts, sachets or small projects can be handsewn. Now go and get busy creating!!


Saturday, March 22, 2008

Wishing you a very sweet and blessed Easter Day!

Then Pilate went back into the palace and called for Jesus to be brought to him. "Are you the King of Jews?" he asked him. " 'King' as you use the word or as the Jews use it?" Jesus asked. "Am I a Jew?" Pilate retorted. "Your own people and their chief priests brought you here. Why? What have you done?" Then Jesus answered, "I am not the earthly king. If I were, my followers would have fought when I was arrested by the Jewish Leaders. But my Kingdom is not the world." Pilate replied, "But you are a king then?" "Yes," Jesus said. "I was born for that purpose. And I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth are my followers." John 18: 33-37


Thank you, dear Jesus, for being our Heavenly King. Today we celebrate your love and sacrifice. Amen.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Hippity, Hoppity...The Secret Is OUT!

Hello dear friends! Can you believe that Easter is in 3 days? It sure came fast this year. With all of the doggy busy that has been going on at our home, I forgot to even post about Easter decorating. A few have politely reminded me of such, too. What was I thinking? Well, I just plain wasn't.

With camera in hand yesterday, I snapped some of our little Easter things tucked in here and there. So come along, I will show you.

Layers of vintage cake plates with my favorite chocolate Rabbits.....

....a little pink plaid bunny with a springy neck...boing...boing...

....my very favorite bunnies ~ Velveteen Rabbits and little vintage chicks ~ ....

....Miss Peeps with her wild wind-whipped hair ~ made by the ever-so-talented Lallee!....

....these are REAL and are at my friend's house ~ they look fake!....

....not really Easter-E, but had to share this cute little bluebird sweetie that I bought recently. He makes me smile!....
....an Easter - Summer bag I made and is available on ETSY....
...sweet stone chicks....
...on the left is an old McCoy pottery piece with little chicks all around it...

NOW I will let the cat out of the bag with my SECRET!! Nope, Michele, sadly enough it is not a trip over to visit you in England (someday though!). Nope, Maria, no International Travels.....

BUT!~~~~~~ drum roll please ~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~the little Millicent (on the left)~~~~
.....has been adopted by none other than MISS JEAN AND HER SWEETY, MR. S.!!!!....

Please visit Miss Jean for her sweet story about MISS MAGGIE DEAR (aka: Millicent).

I am just so HAPPY for the two of them because they have been wanting another Scotty Dog for so many years. Their beloved Marjorie passed on six years ago and since then their hearts have been lonely for her. Now Miss Maggie will bring them lots of love and puppy kisses and great joy! How I am so happy that their home will be filled puppy love!

CONGRATS!!!!!!!

(Mr. Finnegan is still at our home. My youngest son is falling in love with him...oh dear! He has adjusted rather smoothly not having his little Sis here. Doogs is accepting him more and they chase each other around and around.)