Marian Edwards DreamWeaver

Amish country...[part two]...

Day two in Amish country and i was anxious to hit the quilt shops in Intercourse & the neighbouring village of Bird-in-Hand...these are some pics i took of the shops and the gorgeous quilts & gifts displayed within...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

i hope you enjoyed seeing these delightful shops thru my eyes..i've certainly enjoyed sharing my photos with you...they bring back wonderful memories!

Next week i'll show you some Amish treasures that came home with me :)

Vintage Thingies Thursday...

Welcome to ~ Vintage Thingies Thursday ~ and boy it's a brrrrr FROSTY morning here in the valley...the grass is glistening..looks lovely!!..i've just got home from my early morning walk and geez was it ever invigorating LOL!!!

Here are a few pics of ~ Rich Man Poor Man Antique Mall ~ in Cayucos, California...lots & lots of rooms with amazing displays of delightfully eclectic vintage treasures!! I had the weirdest experience as i walked into a small room crammed full of fabulous kitchenalia [pics 3 & 4]..i was overcome with a such an overpowering feeling of deja-vu, everything looked ssoo familiar..spooky!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i couldn't resist these gorgeous cobalt blue salt & pepper shakers...

 

and this irresistible ~MERRY WHIRL~ egg beater..made in USA 

 

ooooh i squeeled with delight when i spotted these three cuties..i LOVE kewpies!!!

 

it's promising to be a lovely sunny winter's day and i've got lots to do!!..but before i do anything i'm going to pop over to Suzanne's blog and see who's playing VTT today..ENJOY!!

Amish country...[part one]...

When were planning our holiday to the United States i knew there was one place i definitely HAD to visit without a doubt...and that was...Amish country...in Lancaster County, Pennysylvania.  The Amish culture and lifestyle have interested and intrigued me [for as long as i can remember] and i simply adore Amish quilts!!  You can imagine my excitement as we arrived in Lancaster County on a miserably wet & cold afternoon [having spent the earlier part of the day in Gettysburg]...but that didn't spoil it..NO WAY!! As we approached the quaint little village of Intercourse look at what we spotted clip-clopping down the road ahead of us....we received a smile and a wave from the family inside the carriage as we drove past..howDELIGHTFUL!!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage Thingies Thursday...

Today's ~Vintage Thingies Thursday~ comes to you from a quaint little 'gold panning' town in Colorado by the name of Cripple Creek...this was the view as we came round the bend and down the steep descent into the Main Street. Many of the buildings & facades are reminiscent of the gold panning days and i can only imagine what a bustling little metropolis it must have been in it's heyday...

  

this shop beckoned and i just had to have a little peek inside :)...how adorable is that sweet little carriage out the front??

 

stepping inside i was overwhelmed!!...three levels [packed to the rafters] of my kinda vintage STUFF!!!

 

oh how i love those fabulous tins on the top shelf!!..and look at that antique camera, what a GEM!!

  

shelves overflowing with layers & layers of the most gorgeous vintage linens & lace..drool!!!..i wish i could've squeezed that adorable wicker chair into my suitcase lol!!

 

you all know how i love collecting kitchenalia well look at this little beauty!!.. a ~GENUINE DOVER EGG BEATER~ ...PATD May 6th 1873...making it the oldest one in my collection :)

 

this little bottle was one of many unearthed in the surrounding hills of Cripple Creek...it's inscribed ~SPOONER'S BOOT DRESSING~

 

and you know how much i love my tins..i was overjoyed to discover this [ARTSTYLE CHOCOLATE CO..Boston] tin decorated with a lovely Victorian courting scene..and i think the little catch at the front is simply adorable!!..

 

You know how i was drooling over the vintage lace..well i simply couldn't resist this Victorian lace collar with all it's gorgeous detailing...

 

and i'm sure you've been admiring the cloth in the background and rightly so..it's a STUNNING piece of barkcloth decorated with beautiful magnolia flowers..aren't the colours YUMMY!!..i can't bear the thought of cutting it up..i think i just might use it as a tablerunner for now :)

Happy VTT everyone..i wonder who else is playing today..i better go and check, why don't you join me :)

Christmas in July swap...

Six months ago Karen from Mrs Martin's Quilt Shop decided to organize a swap..her very first one..a 'Christmas in July' swap..and it's been a fab success with sixty people signing up to participate...well done Karen!! We had to post our gifts on 22nd June to allow enough time for long distance swappers to receive their pressies by 1st July. I've had my pressie tempting me since it's arrival last Tues..that's a whole week and i can tell you it's been one heck of a l-o-n-g week!!..but hey the waiting's over and today's the day i get to rip it open..HOORAY!!!

'SQUEAL'...look at this delightful bag that Kerry [aka Queen Bubble&Baubles] made for me..stuffed with lots & lots of treats!!!!...and a gorgeous handmade card too :)

 

i squeeled with delight as i excitedly tore the wrapping off!!!..i love redwork and this little angel stitchery is simply GORGEOUS!!..and a pack of glossy red embroidery floss so i can make more redwork stitcheries...PERFECT!!!

 

isn't this 'snowflake' pincushion the cutest thing!!..and look at that delightful thread & needle roll..i LOVE IT!!

 

Kerry obviously knows i love aprons & i can't wait to make this one..i love the stitchery design on the bib :)...a sweet rose button & yummy fabric in my fav colours :)

 

mmmmm c-h-o-c-o-l-a-t-e..drool!!..how did she know i've got a sweet tooth???...i can't wait to make that delish pudding :)

 

do i feel spoilt???..most definitely!!! Thank you Kerry for all the gorgeous pressies you made & chose for me..i LOVE them ALL!!!...and the chokkies too LOL!!!!

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS in July to EVERYONE!!!

Historic Gettysburg...

It was a miserably cold & wet Sunday..our last day in Washington DC..when we picked up our rental car at midday and we couldn't wait to get going!!...but it was a bit tricky at first..driving on the 'wrong' side of the road you know!!...we ended up a 'one way' street facing the wrong way lol!!!..phew that was close :)...we just sat there and chuckled!! Then we thought right..it's time to get serious!!..lucky for us we remembered to pack our trusty GPS so we keyed in Gettysburg and before too long we were on our way!!

Within two hours we had reached our destination and although the rain kept bucketing down, not for one moment did it dampen our enthusiasm to explore this historic place.  I was overcome with a deep sense of sadness as we drove around...it was eerie yet somehow very serene.  I honestly felt like we were trespassing on sacred ground...you just can't help but be aware of the massacre that took place on these grounds in 1863..the American Civil War, the Battle of Gettysburg and of course Abraham Lincoln's famous speech. There are historic reminders at every turn... monuments::statues::markers::canyons::intricate fences...several dating back to the 1870s..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see the rain was relentless and it got heavier as we drove through the main part of town...i was lucky to get a shot of these shops before we got drenched running down the Main Street..

 

looking pretty wet & miserable i ventured into a huge antique shop which housed many civil war antiquities under lock & key...i was mesmerised at the row upon row of cabinets displaying all kinds of civil war artifacts including a huge array ofartillery, flags, dishes, clothing, photographs etc...

i was especially drawn to these little treasures...a pair of baby's first leather boots circa 1880..aren't they adorable??

 

and a sweet little silver Tiffany tape measure circa 1900...i would love to know who HRI might have been?? 

 

Vintage Thingies Thursday...

The weeks are flying by and it's Thursday again..funny that!! Thank you to everyone for your 'get well wishes'..i've still got a chest infection [barking like a dog] but happy to report that i'm feeling ssoo much better at last!! Hope everyone's well & happy on this beautiful sunny ~Vintage Thingies Thursday~ it's hard to believe it's winter :)...

 

During my stay in California i got the chance to meet up with my sweet blogging friend Debbe...

 

here she is wearing a scarf i made for her..i recognized her straight away!! 

 

After a lovely lunch..[thank you Debbe] and exchanging gifts Debbe & I couldn't wait to hit the shops..and boy did we have a fabulous time scouring the numerous antique & op shops in the main street of Ventura.. 

BUT first i want to show you the lovely gift i received from Debbe...beautifully boxed and tied with a yellow ribbon :)

yes i bought it home just as i received it..i couldn't bear to throw away the box lol!!

 

and on the inside...the sweetest little patchwork book :)

 

and under lots & lots of tissue paper...'squeal' two of the sweetest quilt blocks ever!!!..i love the fabrics & the delicate hand embroidery!!...

 

 

and look what the back of this delightful quilt block reveals...it's made from a vintage flour sack..i LOVE it!!

 

and you know what's extra-special about these vintage applique quilt blocks???..they were made by Debbe's great-great grandmother!!..i was speechless and in complete awe that i should be the LUCKY owner of these priceless treasures!!!..THANK YOU Debbe, i will treasure them FOREVER!!!

and here's a few lovely vintage thingies i picked up on our 'FUN' shopping spree in Ventura...a lovely old blue tin...a 'Dunkee's pumpkin spice tin...a vintage book...the cutest little egg beater...a sweet blue crochet potholder... 

 

i couldn't resist this gorgeous little dress in the softest yellow voile with beautiful detailing::smocking::embroidery on the bodice & the tiniest buttons along the shoulders..

 

and who doesn't love these???..the sweetest collection of paper dolls with lots & lots of dress-up outfits..i'm spoilt for choice hehehe!!!

 

now i'm, off to visit Suzanne and see who else is playing VTT on this glorious winter's day...happy VTT everyone :)

Vintage Thingies Thursday...

Woe is me!!..i've been bed-ridden with the flu these past couple of days...nagging cough, aching joints the WORKS!!...feeling pretty miserable to say the least!!..BUT i woke up this morning feeling a teensy bit brighter and i'm so pleased coz i'd hate to miss out on ~ Vintage Thingies Thursday ~

Have you heard of Ferndale, CA in the USA??..it's a sweet little town on the northern coast of California [approx 250miles north of SF] full of gorgeous 19th century Victorian buildings...you can imagine my delight when we 'accidently' came across it.

i had the loveliest time in this gorgeous shop...'Golden Gate Mercantile' Dry Goods:Nostalgia:Antiques

inside this high ceiling/two-storey building were lots & lots of vintage treasures...look at that counter & cabinet...isn't it GORGEOUS!!..LOVE  those scales!!

 

and here's another antique cabinet full of interesting notions & potions...

 

lots more antique cabinets & fittings at every turn...

i eventually make my way upstairs and WOW am i in for a treat!!...it was like stepping back in time..i was surrounded by glassed in rooms showcasing amazing 19th century displays [that's why the pics are a bit dark & fuzzy]

a fabulous grocery store...look at all those wonderful old tins..DROOL!!

 

here's the view from the other end of the counter...

 

next door is the dressmaker/milliner shop displaying the couture of the day...and the seamstress hard at work..

 

around the corner we see shoes, hats, gloves, hosiery etc...i love that dressmaker's mannequin..check that tiny waist..OUCH!!

 

and here's my fav shop...the Toyshop..i ssoo wanted to have a closer look!!..isn't that rocking horse simply adorable??

i would love that little cart full of the sweetest vintage storybooks..mmmmm

 

and another shot of the toyshop...i love the pianos and the gorgeous pram :)

 

these vintage items chose to come home with me...a sweet valentine card, a 'K&R' Pure Lard label, some 'GORGEOUS' bob-pins, several 'Superior Quality' bakelite buttons on cards, an amber glass bottle inscribed ~ ELY'S CREAM BALM ELY BROS OWECO N.Y., and a darning mushroom...

  

Now it's time to see who else is playing on this foggy VTT..and then i really must have a lie down..

Happy VTT everyone..and stay healthy :)

Vintage Thingies Thursday...Tender Buttons NYC

It's Vintage Thingies Thursday and have i got a treat for you..i'm sure you'll love it!!

 Come with me as i take you on a journey to Upper East Side, New York..our destination is a quaint little shop by the name of...

~Tender Buttons ~

  

As i turned the corner into Lexington..there it was a tiny 19th century brick building flanked either side by tall buildings..the home of 'Tender Buttons' est 1968.

I was thrilled to bits!!..this visit had been planned six months ago and i knew i couldn't leave New York without spending a few hours 'in bliss' perusing all the goodies within this charming little treasure chest :)

 

 

My heart stood still as i stepped inside and fumbling for my camera i started clicking...

Row upon row of boxes containing thousands of buttons; lining the full length of one wall..

Look at the chequerboard floor..i really did feel like Alice in Wonderland hehehe!!!

Time stood still as i oohed & aahed at all that lay before me..oh what eye candy!!

 

i so wanted to take all these antique cabinets home with me..and i love that chair!!!

and you know what i didn't walk away empty handed..oh no!!!..i've had these goodies sitting on my bedside table for the past two weeks and this morning i decided today was the day i would unpack & reveal the gems inside. Sometimes the packaging is just as exciting as the contents within and quite often i will leave things i buy unopened for a few weeks..and then when i'm ready to open the package i get a buzz again, sometimes i even forget what's inside...a little strange i know hehehe!!

see what i mean about the packaging..sweet little boxes with soft tissue & cotton wadding inside to cushion the buttons..

 

a selection of bakelite buttons...circa 1920/40s

 

the cutest nursery rhyme buttons circa 1950s...~Three little kittens~ and

 

~ Mary had a little lamb ~

 

a teeny button book written by the co-owner of 'Tender Buttons' ...and a set of the cutest 50s die-cut buttons...

 

I would have loved to have bought ssoo much more but i'm really thrilled with the little gems i bought home :)

I hope you had some fun on this little excursion...i know i did!!

For more VTT fun pop over to CoLoRaDoLaDy and say hi to Suzanne the charming hostess of VTT and see who else is playing VTT today...

and the winner is....

Thank you to everyone who left a comment on my 1st Blogiversary post last week and i wish you could all be winners of my giveaway..alas i had the difficult task of drawing only one winner and with eyes shut tight i drew CC...i promptly emailed her and within minutes i received her delightful response...  

 Oh my gosh!!!!!!!! I can't believe I won. When I read your message, I did a happy dance all about. This is just wonderful and so exciting. Thank you so much for having a giveaway.... you have made my day..........CC

I was equally happy for the fact that she was so excited hehehe!!!

so here's what's coming your way CC....

two craft books, a ~Vintage Chic Bags~ pattern and bag handles...

 

a vintage sewing basket packed with lots of yummy vintage goodies...lace, buttons, zipper, buckle, embroidery floss, pins & needles just to name a few...

 

a bundle of fat quarters, an embroidered tray cloth and...a vintage apron with...

 

a furry little something hidden oops...peeking from inside the apron pocket hehehe...why it's a cheeky little koala who was begging to be sent to Kansas..how could i resist lol!!

Congrats again CC..i'll send your goodies in the next couple of days and they should arrive on your doorstep very soon..ENJOY!!!