Beauty & the Book

{image from Rapunzel's Delight}

In the last couple of weeks I have started to develop an obsession with Victorian hairwork ~ the flower wreaths, the jewelry and even simple tokens kept in cards or scrapbooks. This all began because I finally made the trip to Leila's Hair Museum ~ something I have had on my "to do" list for 20 years! My visit to the museum piqued my interest further, so I have spent a good deal of time hunting around the internet for more information, only to find out that there is not much to be found.

During my search I did find this wonderful advertising card for Lyon's Kathairon ~ a hair treatment of some sort. The card itself reminded me of a book I loved when I was a child ~ Dandelion, by Don Freeman. While I do remember loving this book, I only have a vague recollection of the details. I know it had to do with a lion who got a fancy haircut and new clothes to impress his friends at a party only to be turned away because no one recognizes him. So, what is the moral of this story? (You know there must be one!). You'll have to pick up a copy to see what happens!

{Dandelion: Before}

{Dandelion: Getting dandified!}

{Dandelion: After}

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Spoils from the Schlepp Sisters Sale

Thought I would share with you a few shots of the treasures I came home with from the Schlepp Sisters Sale last weekend. As you will see, I made especially good use of one of the items already ~ an ancient bound book of sheet music ~ it is in terrible shape, but that makes it easy to utilize the pages in all sorts of ways.

Spotted this inexpensive onyx and brass brooch and couldn't resist ~ I just love the floral and mesh patterned border. The stone is loose, so repairing it will be another project to add to my "to do" list ~ at least it should be a quickie!

{mini collection of vintage buckles}

{beautiful black and cream transferware plate ~ another great prop for photos!}

{Old favorites to add to my collection ~ Hull & McCoy matte white pottery}

{spine of the "bound" sheet music book}

I was so surprised to find this book of sheet music since I had arrived at the sale late in the day ~ I cannot believe that no one else snapped it up ~ lucky me! While it is in rough shape ~ there are water stains, all sorts of foxing, and it is basically falling apart ~ this was the perfect state for me! The condition made it affordable and all of its imperfections will make for interesting backgrounds for styling photos or utilizing in artwork. So, guess what?! Another project for the "to do" list ~ this won't be a quickie as there are at least 100 pages (printed front and back) to scan ~ but, once scanned, will be a great resource for my personal library of images!

{great water damaged page and illustrated cover}

{samples of some of the beautiful typography in the book}

{lovely foxed page of music}

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Bon Poisson d'Avril!

This morning I read about how the French celebrate April Fool's day here ~ I have always wondered about the meaning of these funny postcards with fish ~ I just figured some artist liked fish and had a sense of humor. It is nice to know that there are still some clever people out there who like fish ~ visit here and see for yourself! Happy April Fool's Day!

{images from here}

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Finds from the show

{great graphics on these lotto cards}

This weekend the weather cooperated and I was able to get some photos taken of my finds from last week's antique show. As you can see I didn't get quantity, but was pleased with what I did come home with! I also have the added bonus of not being broke ~ hurray!

The cards above are some very old flash cards ~ the dealer selling them had gotten them from a retired schoolteacher. I thought the silhouette images were so interesting ~ I've never seen flash cards like these before.

Also found a beautiful piece of antique lace ~ I love all the little details in the pattern. The button card below also beckoned ~ mostly because of the handmade graphic across the top ~ the buttons aren't much to write home about.

{antique cuffs ~ hoping to use these in some sort of art project}

I also picked up a little recipe booklet for Jell-o from 1931 ~ the graphics on the cover and throughout are just beautiful ~ it is sad that this sort of illustration and attention to detail seems to have gone by the wayside. Not sure about some of the food combinations such as Jellied Cooked Lettuce, Orange Moss, Chicken Mousse, or the Ham & Celery Loaf (shown below), but the illustrations make all of them look appetizing. According to the copy inside, Jello-O dishes have "looks" - gay, sparkling, quivery, luscious looking, they lend appetite appeal to a meal! Some day we plan to have a pot luck jello mold party ~ I guess this little cookbook will come in handy for that!

{front and back cover of book ~ love the design!}

{mmm, mm, ham & celery loaf}

{lovely two color illustration ~ this style used throughout the booklet}

{Peach Delight ~ this one does look tasty!}

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Object Ephemera

Lately I have been spending much of my free time trying to clean and organize my house and my stuff ~ it has been slow going ~ the dining room table is still not fit for dining! Of course, I am my own worst enemy as I always manage to squeeze in another antique show or flea market between cleaning/organizing binges.

Maybe that is why the grouping of metallic objects above is so satisfying to me ~ everything is all lined up and in its place, the colors are a lovely subtle mix of metallic neutrals, and it is a collection of objects I love. I think I will keep this idea in mind as I am cleaning and organizing ~ if I could get my house looking like this, it would be a good thing!

{Love the intricate pattern on the ladies pocket watch!}

Another thing I really like about the items shown is that they are rather simple and imperfect ~ the roller skate pincushion has a broken wheel, the buttons are rusty and the watch is broken ~ even so, to me they are lovely treasures. This reminded me of a quote I read recently:

Perfection does not exist. To understand this is the triumph of human intelligence;
to expect to possess it is the most dangerous kind of madness.
• Alfred de Musset •

Embrace the imperfect!

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Brown Paper Packages

Here's another item I bought the weekend of the antique show ~ vintage craft envelopes! I got these in an antique shop in Greenwood, Missouri ~ a tiny town with several shops ~ I always stop on the way home from Antiques on the Common. I love the graphics on the box and the great size (4.5" x 6.5") and color of the envelopes. My brother is shaking his head again!

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Happy Easter!

Hoping you are all having a wonderful Easter day! Here is a postcard and two advertising cards I picked up in the last month or two to celebrate the holiday. That's a cricket on that chick, not a cockroach, right?!

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Luck of the Irish

A Happy St. Pat's to all ~ sending good luck for the year via this wonderful collection of 4 leaf clovers gathered over a period of 10 years or so! This scrapbook of 1355 four leaf clovers was amassed and artfully arranged by Alda Carlson starting in 1910. It was sold on ebay for $532.52 ~ just the sort of thing I'd be interested in ~ but in this case would need a pot of gold to afford it!

Spotted this several months ago over at anonymous works ~ a great blog to explore! Have a safe & fun St. Patrick's Day!

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