Friday, January 30, 2009

My Collections: Pt. 1 - Stuffings

I am a pack rat. There's no two ways about it, I just love being surrounded in a little rat's nest of junk. I decided I should start documenting things a little better - so here we have the start to a little series showcasing all my 'ol stuff!

. . . S T U F F I N G S . . .


It's the raggly and scraggly humble old friends that people once formed their childhoods around and they steal my heart each and every time! I have them scattered about - sitting on suitcases and hiding in book shelves - I try to keep them spread out as it's best not to lump this collection all together - at 22 you might be mistaken for having pre-cat lady symptoms.

I did however get the the gang together for a family portrait of sorts. It should be the first and last - but there's no promising!

My 'collection' (?)


. . .


I buy most of my stuffings at flea markets and antique stores. I rarely find the nice oldies in thrift stores. I've had the best luck at flea markets but sometimes people ask for outlandish amounts of money - I try not to pay anymore than $5 - but once in a while there are some you don't mind forkin' over a few extra doll hairs for ... I think these two pals were the priciest.. Each alone could be a new pretty dress - but we all have our vices.

new friens


. . .


This little one eyed bandit was a gift - and I think he hails from Western MA and he just might have been the catalyst for the collection...

IMG_0940


. . .


This fancy cat was a gift from the always lovely Rhiannon He's so long and lanky and I really adore his blue bow-tie!

IMG_0946


. . .


Lion Dog was also a gift and comes from one of the most beautiful antique stores I've ever been to in my entire life. His two tone tail is my favorite part!

IMG_0950


. . .


The next few were all found in flea markets and are some of the very best!

IMG_0942

IMG_0982

IMG_0978


. . .


I bought this zebra at the Bizarre Bazaar - I really love zebras, because they're awesome and also because my last name starts with a Z. The lovely girl who makes them lives in Boston and has a wonderful etsy shop. You have no idea how much I want this and this!

IMG_0952


. . .


Sadly, I have more - a lot more - but I'll only share one last one! Alice bought this for me for Christmas. It's a little wind up lion and it's probably the most perfect thing I own. His little red tongue and exposed spring tail is really too perfect!! They're both very dear to my heart!

Read More...

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Uncle Wiggily's Adventures

I really like reading books out loud. I call them read alouds, and my boyfriend is usually my only audience. Right now we're reading Uncle Wiggly's Adventures and I think it's one of my favorites. There's too many silly characters to count, and they each get their own voice! 

The book chronicles the travels of dear old Uncle Wiggily - a rabbit with one crutch, a big 'ol Mary Poppins-esque satchel and a nasty case of rheumatism. The narrator has a peculiar sense of humor too and touches upon Uncle Wiggily's near death encounters with very, very hungry animals. There's also his meet up with Fido Flip-Flop, the ex-circus poodle dog who does tricks for his supper and turns even the meanest of foxes dizzy at his sight.... Surprise parties hosted by Arabella Chick in her humble chicken coop with games like, "Please don't sit on my hat, and I won't sit on yours." ..And there's other stories I haven't gotten to yet, like those of paper boats, mud pies, and hundreds of ants teaming together to carry a glass of water to Uncle Wiggily. As if this wasn't great enough - the illustrations are strange in the most wonderful way!

GnuBookJP2-11

. . .

GnuBookJP2-12

. . .

GnuBookJP2-13

. . .

GnuBookJP2-14

. . .

GnuBookJP2-10

. . .

GnuBookJP2-9

. . .

Uncle Wiggily Starts Off

. . .


I promise - if you read one, you won't be able to stop!

Read More...

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Today's Inspiration: The Bee Keeper's Review

I really think that those years between 1860 and the 1890's are the best time for printed matter of any kind (books, advertising...). I think it has something to do with the typography and handwriting styles, but I can't exactly pinpoint it. My love affair first started a few years ago when I watched this really low budget documentary on quilt making. There were so many images of beautiful factory advertisements from that period and I've been obsessed ever since. I've recently spent a lot of time with lots and lots of Bee Keeping books, from the 1860's to the early 1920's and of course - the ones from the later part of the 19th century are best!



beekeepersreview41891nati_0007.jp2&scale=1

. . .

americanbeekeepe1415falc_0007.jp2&scale=1

. . .

americanbeejourn1314hami_0007.jp2&scale=1

. . .

americanbeejourn481908hami_0007.jp2&scale=1

. . .

gleaningsinbeecu91881medi_0007.jp2&scale=1

. . .

gleaningsinbeecu32medi_0015.jp2&scale=1

. . .

americanbeejourn1680hami_0011.jp2&scale=1

. . .

americanbeejourn1680hami_0009.jp2&scale=1

. . .

americanbeejourn1781hami_0005.jp2&scale=1

. . .

Okay, okay - so a few snuck in from the early part of the 20th century - but I'm telling you, after that - the pretty images and fancy font goes away! 

The second best thing about these bee journals? They have great photographs and funny little illustrations!!! 

americanbeejourn1983hami_0011.jp2&scale=1

. . .

GnuBookJP2.php

. . .

americanbeejourn2084hami_0159.jp2&scale=1

. . .

americanbeekeepe1011falc_0019.jp2&scale=1

. . .


gleaningsinbeecu21medi_0017.jp2&scale=1


Read More...

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Nothing like good 'ol academic camaraderie!

One of my favorite things to do at my parents house is ransack their photo album stashes. It always ends up in stomach achin' laughs from someone's silly childhood photos (usually its my dad's!) and I always hear a new over the top family story I haven't heard before. I think the best album I've come across so far is from my mom's mother as a high school girl. There are some cool and somewhat angsty art collages in there along with some of my favorite family 'fashion' photos - but for now, I'll only share a few (I want to scan the entire thing properly!)

My grandmother is right in the middle and I have to say, she has quite the group of smartly dressed friends!! The jumper dresses with oxfords and mary jane's, the subtle details on their blouses and those cute little belts that pull everything together! It's got me wishin' for a new pair of shoes and a freshly ironed white blouse!





. . .


I have no idea who this lady is, or what's got her so upset - but, she has herself a really wonderful top and I keep hoping and praying for the day I find something similar. It's actually what inspired my recent quest for more old blouses.



. . .


I'm also quite a fan of this crew. None of which are my grandfather - but certainly a strapping crew none the less. Funny to think of them as grandfathers or great grandfathers now! (if you look closely at the boy in the front on the right, his sweater is totally making me want to steal all my boyfriend's sweaters and stitch the Ivy League letters on the front!)



. . .


This last photo should make me sad, but - I mean - of course the library at this school is without a soul - everyone is too busy outside lookin' good and chummin' around!!!

Read More...

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Harrison Avenue

big empty buildings


Yesterday my boyfriend and I went to Gaslight for their brunch special and afterwards wandered into that gigantic empty brick building that's right next door. I've driven by soo many times but have never stopped to check it out. I think I just found a nice new default spot to take photos!!

Read More...

Saturday, January 3, 2009

twins?!

Visiting New York was the plan for this weekend, but the cold weather made me chicken out. I'm a baby and slushy streets make me so miserable! (the salt stains make my shoes miserable too!) So, instead I spent a lovely day with my boyfriend and best friend visiting the Watertown Diner and doing some shopping at Bobby's and Ars Libris.

It gets dark so early and it's too cold for photos outside, so Jeff and I had ourselves a little Wardrobe Remix photo shoot in his apartment. Just to clear things up - Jeff isn't actually my twin brother, we just joke about it all the time. I've known him for forever and I'd say he's the best fake twin a girl could have!!




PS Jeff bought his military jacket from Bobby's yesterday! And I kept this box in mind when I was getting dressed yesterday. I found it tucked into one of the closets in my gram's attic. I think it's one of my favorite things to come out of her house. The colors are top notch and that umbrella is wonderful too!

Read More...

Related Posts with Thumbnails