Thursday, December 31, 2009

A Prosperous New Year To You

I saved this greeting to my computer a year ago when I did not have a blog. I have no idea where this 105 year old calligraphic image originated or I would give proper credit.

I am told by my friends who have grandchildren that in some school kids don't even learn cursive writing these days. Is that true? I loved penmanship in grammar school where I was taught the Palmer Method using a real ink pen that was dipped into a bottle of ink.

Actually I find myself writing less and less with my fountain pen and that makes me sad. There is really nothing more beautiful than fine penmanship on nice paper.


Before this day is over in my time zone, I want to send my thanks for all of your words of encouragement that please me no end. Another blogger was able to articulate this sentiment perfectly and I quote,

"To all those people who have commented or sent emails to which I've not replied because I was too busy or too lazy or forgot, and to the rest of the faceless silent hordes who traipse through this rest-stop and who, like me, find some measure of beauty or solace or interesting weirdness in this crazy world among the illustrated cultural history we are privileged to have access to online, I wish a peaceful and happy new year." I couldn't have said it better! Thanks, Peacay of BibliOdyssey



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Harmony Calligraphy


Don't you absolutely love this fabulous HARMONY calligraphy? Nice thought for the last day of the year, isn't it? Let's carry it over into the next year too.



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Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Vintage New Year Postcard

Nothing says Happy New Year like an elf riding a pig in the snow. Or is that a gnome?



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G. K. Chesterton | A New Soul

he object of a
new year is not
that we should
have a new year.
It is that we
should have
a new soul.

G. K. Chesterton



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Vintage Tin Noisemaker to Ring In 2010





This vintage tin noisemaker is amazingly loud. I'll use it to ring in the New Year.



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Mourning Picture Circa 1811

American painted silk with watercolor and ink. Executed by Sally Miller at the Litchfield Female Academy, Circa 1811, Litchfield County, Conneticut. A fine example of schoolgirl art, one of eight known examples from this Academy. From the American Decorative Arts collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.



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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Poligny Virgin and Child

This monumental yet engagingly intimate image of the Virgin and Child was probably a gift of John the Fearless, duke of Burgundy (died 1419), or his wife Margaret of Bavaria (died 1424) to the convent they founded at Poligny dedicated to the Franciscan Order of Poor Clares. This is one of four large sculptures from Poligny in the Museum's collection. As court sculptor in Dijon, the influential artist Claus de Werve (active 1396–ca. 1439) created many works for his patrons, and this is certainly one of his masterpieces.

Metropolitan Museum of Art ~ more details ~ limestone carving with paint and gilding. This French antiquity is so very beautiful.



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50 Best Interior Design Blogs Worldwide

This should keep you busy for a while. Enjoy browsing. Maybe you will get an idea or two on how to make your blog better. I'm always tweeking mine and I plan on studying all of these award winners -- a few each day. Busy day ahead for me. Later, Rosemary



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Puppy Love

Age 4 Weeks [Christmas and New Year card depicting portrait of dog with stick and brick wall].

Don't you just want to pick him up and kiss his belly? He couldn't even sit up by himself for his first portrait.
via



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Monday, December 28, 2009

Moss Chair Tutorial

Step by step instructions for making a Moss Chair. This is so beautiful. Be on the lookout for a good sturdy chair somebody put out at the curb so you can make one of these for your garden in the spring. I have an old adirondack chair that has seen better days. I think I'll repair it and make one of these in about 5 months. Those of you that are already in the "gardening zone" can make one right away. Isn't this a wonderful thing?

Grass chair outside the Hotel de Ville in Paris. I would imagine the same instructions would work for a grass chair too. Just push some dirt in the chicken wire and sprinkle grass seed.

Let me know if you make one! You could use a bench too.



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Beautiful Photo with Book

This is such a lovely composition. I wish I could say that this photo was from my camera but it isn't. You know I love anything with antiques and books.
source



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Life's Little Instruction Book page 149



It's Monday and this is going to be one mixed up week with another holiday weekend at the end. The last week of 2009 - didn't the year seem to fly by now that it's almost over? I'm not much of a shopper but I might check out some office supply stores to see if anything is on sale that would make me more efficient in my home office. This is the last week to buy something I might be able to write off as a business expense. I must write tip #496 from Life's Little Instruction Book on my hand with a Sharpie or Ball Point Pen to remind me not to buy something just because it is on sale!!! I can't think of anything I really need except a dumpster..HaHa. Whenever I run across something downstairs that I don't know what to do with, I always take it to my third floor studio and it is packed right now. I hope it will look a little better when I put all the Christmas decorations away. That's something I want to do this week. I usually wait until after the New Year but I am going to do it sooner rather than later this week.



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Sunday, December 27, 2009

Eleanor Roosevelt | A Woman Is Like A Teabag

"A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she's in hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt

I love her likeness on the 20¢ U.S. Postage Stamp, don't you?



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Jessica, The Pet Hippo Video

The hippopotamus is considered to be the most dangerous animal in Africa. Hippos kill more humans annually than lions, crocodiles or snakes. Jessica, the pet hippo is oblivious to this fact since she was raised by humans.

This is the cutest thing I have ever seen!

Have You Written A Letter Lately?

"If you really want to touch someone, send them a letter."

This graphic design/photo by Avi Abrams says it all, doesn't it? Look around and see if you can find your old fountain pen and write a New Year's greeting to someone. I still have the real ink pen I got as a high school graduation gift. Send people handwritten notes if you didn't get around to sending out Christmas cards. Just do it! Snail mail is a good thing.



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Top Ten End-of-Year Home Office Upgrades

You know I almost never urge anyone to go out and shop but this article is well worth reading if you have a home office as I do. There are only 5 shopping days left in 2009 if you count today. Is there anything that would enhance your work space and make you more productive? Need some ideas or suggestions for items that you can probably write off? Read more.



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