Latest Farmhouse Finds...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Finds

I stopped at my favorite antique mall yesterday and came home with a few fabulous finds. Let's start with this stack of beauties, shall we?

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Finds - Enamel Mixing Bowl

This is an enamel mixing bowl. It has measurements on the inside and was an advertising bowl for Volrath Company here in Wisconsin. I'm especially fond of enamelware and this will be a useful addition to the collection.

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Finds - Large Ironstone Oval Dish

I also have a few lovely ironstone pieces, and this is the largest one now. It's an oval dish that measures about 9" long. I'll use it in the (new) studio, and it will also be welcome in the kitchen. It's in pristine condition with no cracks, chips or crazing.

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Finds  - Large Enamel Tray

This is the largest enamel tray I've ever found. I popped a few wooden utensils into it to give you an idea of how large it is. It's about 3.5" deep, and it's also in great shape.

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Finds - Grain Sack

The antique mall is in Kewaskum, Wisconsin. As I was walking around, I say this intact grain sack that was being used as a table cover. It's like a big pillowcase, so that's likely how I'll use it. I'll insert a king size pillow into it and then close up the end. It might look nice on the sofa or on one of the beds...after it's washed.

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Finds -Enamel Cabinet

Speaking of enamelware, I also found this great little cabinet. I needed something to place next to the washer in the basement for holding cleaning supplies and my homemade laundry soap. It's the same height as the washer.

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Finds - Cabinet Top

 

The top is in great shape, too. It was marked $35.00, and the booth was having a 30% off sale! I'd say it was the perfect price, too.

I spent $85 (including sales tax) for all my purchases and came home with some really useful, practical and attractive, vintage items. I'm looking forward to installing all of them in the farmhouse.

When I got home, I spent the evening stitching. I'll show you my finished Block Nine tomorrow.

Flea Market Finds...

Brynwood Needleworks - Flea Market Finds

Before going out for a Birthday dinner with my aunt and uncle on Friday, I had lunch and a visit with Sis (Deb, who is Mom's elder daughter). No trip to Wisconsin is complete without a trip to Kewaskum, WI to their antique mall, so Deb and I went there after lunch.

I always check to see if there are any needle tools or books that I don't yet have (or need), but these beauties beckoned me instead. I love vintage enamelware, and have a few different trays like this one. The difference is that my others have black edges and this one is blue. Oh, how I love blue and white. It was the first thing in my basket. I paid seven dollars for it.

Brynwood Needleworks - Flea Market Crock

There were two crocks - perhaps matching - for the same price, but I chose this one over the other, which was chipped on the top and bottom edges. It was five dollars, and I can already see a use for it when we get back home.

Brynwood Needleworks - Flea Market Find - Windsor Castle Plate

When I went up to the second floor, there were lots of vendors selling dishware. I notice whole sets of blue and white Currier & Ives sets, which reminded me of my "good dishes" in my first real apartment. I had to smile. I guess I loved blue and white from the start.

Then, I noticed a rack, filled with more blue and white plates, but there was one that caught my eye. I had it in my basket, but put it back...three times. I took that as a sign. It really was supposed to come home with me. (Don't you love how I make decisions on these matters?) It's a blue and white collector plate featuring Windsor Castle in England...my "homeland".

Brynwood Needleworks - Flea Market Finds -Windsor Castle Plate Back

I turned it over to see how much the dealer was asking. Three fifty? Giggling, I put it into my basket for keeps and headed to the checkout counter. 

 

There was one more item I purchased, but I'm saving that for my Monday post. In total, I spent twenty seven dollars (counting the item I've yet to show you). I'd say that's a pretty good day at the flea market!

 

The Kingston Quilt...

It was created in Kingston, NY - circa 1930 - by a family of talented women. Ann was just a child when her mother, grandmother, and various aunts sat at a huge quilting frame to quilt this top.

As I sat with Ann yesterday, she recounted the story of this quilt to me. She still can't remember where the kitchen table "went" while the women worked over this quilt, but she can still see the kitchen bustling with the busy hands and chatter of the quilters working at the large frame that held  their handiwork.

It has been in her care all these years, and she has been a loving steward of her family heirloom. As I looked at it yesterday, I marveled at not only the quality of the work, but also of its current pristine condition. It's spotless, undamaged and clean. The whites are nearly as bright as the day it was completed.

This is a Friendship Star quilt (one of my favorites). It repeats throughout the design, and will symbolize the friendship that Ann and I began over these blocks.

We also spoke about our families. The quilt was born in Kingston, NY. (I was born in Kingston-up-Thames, England); her son is a professional photographer (my husband made his living as a professional photographer); her son's chosen subject of photography is "jazz" (Handsome's life is his music - specifically jazz). There were more such coincidences, but you get the idea. I believe we met for a reason.

The Kingston Quilt now lives with me. 

It will be known by this name from this day forward.

I promised to give it the same love and care that has preserved it for the last eighty plus years. I will continue to marvel at the workmanship of the gifted women who created it, and I'll share its story with those who share my appreciation of it.

I'm going to make a label so that in the coming years, and hopefully another eighty years hence, more will know its history and continue to care for it.

Window Shopping...

I managed to take a little time to visit my favorite antique mall recently, and thanks to the modern miracle of the "camera phone" (my trusty iPhone), I'm able to share some of my favorites with you.

These are the sorts of things that never fail to catch my eye. Colorful, hand-crocheted potholders and table runners. Then there are the knitted slippers on the second shelf of this rack. Imagine the hours of blissful creating spent on all of these items.

 

I thought this satin wedding dress was pretty as I imagined the young woman who must have worn it on her special day. I wondered why she hadn't kept it to pass down to another young woman in her family...perhaps her daughter? It was lovely.

I know many bloggers who would have snatched up these suitcases to stack with others to create a side table in a bedroom or living room. These were in great condition!

I might take some measurements and go back and check out the prices. Remember, Sofie still needs a case since the tooled leather one I used last summer fell apart. The one front and center above might just work!

Yo yos always make me smile. 

These were joined to create a sweet pillow cover.

Stunning silk ribbon embroidery on a velvet background makes for not one, but two gorgeous pillows.

If the velvet had been a shade of steel blue rather than peach, this pair would have gone home with me. Just look at the detail!

This party dress was part of a booth that was artfully arranged with items of clothing, jewelry and handbags. All were meant to be used for festive occasions, and more than a few items were begging to jump into my basket.

I had the needlepointed footstool in my hands for quite a while before I set it back down and walked away. I loved it, but thought it too pricey for my taste.

I couldn't walk past this array of 18" fashion dolls (including more than a few Barbie™ dolls) without taking a picture to share with Twyla's daughter, Lindsey. She is a hard-core collector of all things Barbie™, and trust me. Her collection is truly impressive. She has every single piece of Mattel's most beloved set of dolls and attendant paraphernalia ever made. She has all the pieces I had as a child...now long gone.

This display of hats made me smile. It took me back to my childhood when my sister, Mum and I would shop for that special outfit for Easter. It usually included a new dress and coat, gloves and little handbag and a hat. I stood and examined these hats for quite a while. I love hats, but don't often wear them in Florida. Can't you just imagine this whole display in a corner of your bedroom? Swoony!

I behaved. I only purchased what I had in mind when I went into the mall. A whole, four dollar purchase. Aren't you proud of me? I may yet go back for that suitcase...if the size is right and the price isn't crazy expensive.

So. When you go to your favorite antique store or mall, what catches your eye? What to you always seem to gravitate to and what always begs to go home with you? I'd love to know.

Can you believe it's nearly time for another stroll through my favorite remembrances? Monday, May 29th is my next installment. Memorial Day Monday.

If you're interested in joining with a story of your own, you might want to write it before the holiday weekend takes hold of your time. I'll put my post up on Sunday and add the linky so you can add your blog to the list. I'll also leave that link open for a week, so you can join after the weekend if you'd like.

If you're on your way out to do something special for the holiday weekend that heralds the start of summer, have a great time. We'll catch up when you get back!

My Kind of Mall...

I went with a friend to my favorite kind of mall...an antique mall! We spent the better part of a morning peeking in nooks and crannies, picking up this and that, and finding a few choice items to purchase.

I love tins. Especially those with a British theme. I found this Boston Harbour Tea canister with a hinged lid and just know that it will serve a useful purpose in the studio. I'm quite sure that it's not old, but I don't think it has to be - especially if the price is right.

I found this pretty little girl and couldn't put her down. I have something special planned for her, but can't tell you just now what that is. I wouldn't want to spoil a surprise, you know.

I concluded my purchases with the very first thing that caught my eye as I walked into the first booth. If you read my "Steampunk Bird" post, you're going to know exactly what I have in mind for this little set of old binoculars. Now, all I need is a little wooden bird...or perhaps I should make a Steampunk Squirrel (or Corgi!). Oh, no! I can see another "expedition" is in my future.