If I Had My Own Blue Box:

While looking for a couple pieces of furniture we need, I saw a few fashion plates.

This one caught my eye first because of the red cloak. I love red.

Then I saw the fichu.

This plate was next. Actually, I almost missed it because I was looking at a cat painting.

I am glad Dan pointed it out. Do you see that morning wrap/robe?! Wow. I would love to make this. I doubt I have enough of the brown silk velvet. So, I’ll be keeping my eye out for black silk velvet for this dream garment.

This is the third print. Nothing screams at me right now. A new green coat is on the list, but it will be longer. I would do this coat if I had just the right fabric, because I enjoy this cut.

I just had to share this one from Vicki Betts’ nwspaper research…

DAILY CONSTITUTIONALIST [AUGUSTA, GA], May 23, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
Lost Cat.
            The valuable cat which we noticed a short time since as having taken up quarters at the Georgia Engine House, has been lost, strayed, or stolen.  She had on, when missed, a red leather collar, with a silver plate, on which is engraved the name of the cat, “Georgiana.”  Any person finding the animal, and leaving it with Captain T. A. Bones, at his hardware store, will be suitable rewarded.  

I can not say just how excited I was when I flipped to this page the other day. I’ve been fond of this type of purse/bag for some time now. I think what interests me is the tight gauging needed to attach the outer silk to the inner shape. This has such a beautiful look and is very fun to do.

I still can not decide whether to share the trio of CDVs I found of sisters or to save them for those who pick up my shawl book. I bought them specifically for the book. But, they are justso cool.

Instead, I’ll share the story of the CDVs that are now in the freezer.

Yes, you read that right.

While Dan and I were driving through the Adirondacks, we saw several antique shops and yard sale signs. But, since we were zipping along and very, very eager to get to the relaxation of Plattsburgh, we didn’t actually stop. Until we knew we were much closer and slowing down as we came into a little town that is. It also helped that it was definitely time to walk around a bit. We found quite the little shop. (though not as “wow, awesome” as the small shop tucked into a barn on the way back that had the most amazing dark wood bed for a fraction of what I would have guessed.) Inside there was a nice variety of antiques, well-organized. There was a beaver top hat in its leather case, both in incredible condition, a nice lap desk lacking a price tag, a hand-carved sewing bird, a whole room of well cared for vintage textiles and much more. Now when comparing the state of the linens to the state of the ephemera….. well….

When I saw the stack of CDVs I was excited of course. I’m on a continuous quest to find good images with shawls to add to the shawl book. (I’m likely to keep adding until just before it goes to press.) I picked up the stack. It felt cool. Hmm. As I flipped through, they felt damp. ooooo. not good. As I kept flipping, mostly seeing children and later adults, I started sneezing and sneezing….. and sneezing. Ugh. Very much not good. Since they were all 50 cent, I picked  out the three early 60s images including one that may or may not get used thinking maybe just maybe I could rescue them.

They went right into a plastic baggy in the truck to keep them from spreading their ick. Not the best container…. but their ick…. As soon as we got back, they went right into the freezer, receipt and all.

Honestly, I don’ t know if I’m going to be able to kill everything and get the moisture out enough for me to ever feel safe enough to put them with the rest of the images. These may need to be scanned really well and kept only as electric files. Sad that they got this bad.

Once they are out of the freezer, I’ll add images of them.

Of course this had no tag as do many to most things that catch my attention. I inherited that from Dad.

In recent strolls through antique shops I’ve seen a variety of items I would like to own. As both money and space are basically non-existant, I’ve been “shopping” with my camera phone. (I have Lots of photos)
Dan has mentioned he would like a desk. While there have been several that were nice, there was just something about this one I liked. I don’t know if it is the wood or what that appealsto me.

Oddly, with aisles and aisles of cases many packed with jewelry, this is the only gutta percha broach I saw. This one is small, less than an inch across the shorter way. The simplicity appeals to me.

Interestingly, both of these items were priced the same.

In light of this being the anniversary of Dad’s death, it just felt right to go to an antique show. It was comforting to walk among the many things he would have appreciated. There were several items I’m sure would have caught his eye. There were also many things that reminded me of Grandpa and Grandma.

I was able to get a few photos of items as I purused. Since I was just writing about miniature portraits in jewelry, here are theonlytwo I saw at the show.

Of course there were a few shawls. The paisleys were fairly ordinary, none having enough uniqueness to make them worth considering. There was an incredibly well-preserved black silk shawl that I would love to have in my collection. After chatting with the couple displaying it, I found they have a few more shawls including some family shawls they are whiling to show me as they would love to learn more about them. I have their card and look forward to talking with them again. There was one other shawl that I considered until I saw the extensive, unstable damage in the center. The fracturing along the center folds was significant and supplemented with either moth or rubbing damage. I did take these photos because the color was so nice. It is a fairly standard sized double square shawl with a border plaid. The weave is very fine. It would be nice to look at the threads under magnification since there appeared very long fibers used.

Here is the item I would have just loved to bring home with me. This is the smallest needlebook I have yet seen. It is just about an inch by just under two inches in size. The cover is silk. I couldn’t tell if it was ribbon or a yardage scrap. The pages inside are just so cute and tiny. The pocket is incredible. Then, there is the two color bow on the outside. LOVE IT!!! It is taking a good deal of self-control not to go back to pick this little guy up.

There were other needlebooks including a felt hat and a braided grass fiber. This one was different in color and embroidery technique.

For all my doll loving friends, you would have loved this show. There was an abundance of doll items available. Here is just one of the displays.

At the beginning of the show I leafed through the piles of cdvs one gentleman had looking for some with shawls. No luck. Since it was just the beginning, I allowed myself one cdv thinking I would see something else I had to have (like that needlebook.)  I’ll likely do a separate post about her attire and that trim.