Saturday, February 18, 2012

Whitney remembered...

I had this afternoon to myself, and I did some puttering around the house. I have been watching a lot of the commentary on CNN and HLN on Whitney Houston the last few days. Today was her funeral; she went home to the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, the church where she grew up and got her start. Whether a fan or not, the funeral was precious and endearing, as many gave tribute to her in words and song. Two stood out for their raw honesty and emotion; Tyler Perry, and Kevin Costner. If you didn't see the broadcast, I'm encouraging you to search out Costner's few minutes on his friendship with Whitney during the making of his movie, The Bodyguard. I imagine it will be on YouTube.
I'm not a big cryer, but I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. And at the end, when her pall bearers carried the casket, her recorded voice was heard singing I Will Always Love You. Amazing person and talent gone too soon. Anyone who watched this definitely had "been to church". And they said that would have been just what she would have wanted.




Friday, February 17, 2012

More on Brown Transferware...


I know that there are so many of us out here that really do have a passion for transferware. By the looks of my comments, many of us collect or at least have a few pieces. Sally from Salmagundi is one of these big time collectors, not only of transferware but of my new love, Aesthetic Movement transferware.

Sally was kind enough to drop everything and do a special post for me and all of you. Below is one of her pieces, please click over and visit Sally and see her wonderful collection. Even if the bug hasn't bitten you yet, you'll really enjoy seeing her post.




and here's a couple of Pinterest Inspiration photos,
just to "whet your whistle"...











OK, see ya at Sally's!
(next post, Nancy will give us the dish!)

and if you haven't linked up for 
Vintage Inspiration Friday
just scroll down to the next post.

Vintage Inspiration # 77 Aesthetic Movement Transferware

I'm not an afficianado of transferware by any stretch of the imagination, but I do love a few mismatched pieces that I've found over the last several years. And the history buff in me enjoys how design trends are formed within cultures and how they affect art, furniture, and our everyday lives. Brown Transferware is one of my "favorite things", so it's fascinating to me to discover the different patterns and trends that we find it in.

...are ya still with me?




Last weekend we headed over to the Antique Festival of the Ozarks held here in Springfield. This is a new show in it's second year, that my husband and I really enjoy. You can find a little of everything here, definitely not categorized as garage sale items. As we like to say, "Retail at it's finest", if you get my drift. Not particularly bargain shopping, but real antiques and collectibles, very much worth the time and price of admission to the show.




A dealer friend of mine, Teresa, who always has interesting things and great prices had a space at the show, and the whole time we were "visiting" I kept glancing at this old Brown Transferware tureen. 



It had been broken and "repaired" many years ago, but that kind of thing really doesn't deter me, if I find something that I want. Hey, stick it on a shelf, or turn it the other direction. Little imperfections, or even big ones, don't keep me from buying.

At the time I couldn't remember the name of this certain design of transferware, but when I checked the Internet I found the name of the pattern, Burmah, which is highly influenced by Japanese motifsIt's a piece from the Aesthetic Movement which started in the latter part of the 19th Century. As a counter reaction to the Industrial Revolution in England, artists and designers looked for opulence and imagination in art and life which translated into the Aesthetic movement, Craftsman Style, and then into Art Nouveau.  

 I checked out some platters that would match at This Site
but since I only paid a smidge for the tureen,
I thought I'd let the $375 platters just be a dream for now.



OK, history lesson over, but don't you love learning something new?

So let's see what was happening with last week's Valentine Party,

Julia, from Vintage with Laces has some of the most romantic creations. 
Take a peek at her lovely lace hearts she made for Valentines gifts.



MaryAnn from Classic Casual Home has something new and gorgeous!
Love her one of a kind bejeweled clipboards.


Sandi from a Cottage Muse shared some adorable vintage Valentines.


Kerry from House TalkN created a romantic table for two
with this wonderful grouping of candleholders.


Karen from Decor to Adore created this
Romantic Shadow Box. She even has a tutorial.


and who could resist some vintage Puppy Love from Walnut and Vine?



Thanks everyone for joining in and broadcasting the Valentine Party!
I really appreciate you taking the time to come over here 
and join in on the party week after week.
You all are the best!!


I also want to mention Dee from French Bleu Vintage,
a new sponsor, 
is having a 25% off Sale early tomorrow morning,
Be sure and check her blog for the code.




Hope you'll join in for the party today
"with anything vintage or vintage inspired"

Please have a visible link to Common Ground
within your blog post.

I'll be joining in at these great party places:

What Have You Redone at Redoux
Inspiration Friday at The Picket Fence
Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Potpourri Friday at 2805
Home Sweet Home at the Charm of Home
Show and Tell at My Romantic Home
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk
What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
Thriftin on a Thursday at Savvy City Farmer
xoxo,

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Meet... Sherri Mitchell


Every once in a while a blog comes along 
that just causes me
to fall in love...




I'd like to introduce you to Sherri Mitchell.
If you haven't met her yet, I know you'll want to.
She's only been blogging since December,
but her humor and ability to make you feel right at home,
reads like an old friend.



Her talent for creating paper goods 
and her beautiful photography skills
cause her blog to be just this side of heaven.


I was captivated my very first visit...



Sherri is my newest sponsor so
I'd love for you to drop by her blog and say "Hello",
and to visit her wonderful online shop where she carries
Beautiful handcrafted paper gift tag sets and greeting cards.




Thanks Sherri, for letting me share your beautiful blog and shop!


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