Little Girl Reading A Book | 1898 Painting

I love this antique oil painting of a little girl reading a book, don't you? via

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Interior Design in Children's Illustrations

Baby Eats At The Table

I picked up a great little book with wonderful illustrations at a garage sale this morning. I'm always impressed to see the great care that goes into getting the design of the room into children's illustrations. Reproduced from Le Journal de Bébé first published in Paris in 1914. Don't you love the wallpaper, chandelier shade, potted plants, and table cloth? Simply a wonderful composition I think. Great dining room too.




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Young Kitchen Helper

I though I'd end the day with this fabulous image of a young helper in a fabulous open-ended kitchen. I had a great day today...hope you did too. Goodnight.




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Winding The Yarn With A Helper

I love the antiques in all of Jessie Wilcox Smith's illustrations. These two young girls sitting on early ladderback chairs are concentrating with all their might because when your hands are small tasks like this are very hard. I hope you can find a willing friend to help you with your work today. This is another wonderful illustration that is new to me. How do you wind your yarn?




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Woven Castle Playhouse

How wonderful is this playhouse made from woven English willow? Such fun awaits the lucky child who gets a handmade architectural masterpiece by Willow Design. I wouldn't mind taking a nap inside one of these eco-castles later this afternoon. I love the way this one blends into its surroundings unlike the awful, garish plastic versions I see dotting the landscape in the US. Just something that caught my eye this week that I thought you'd like too. Have a great Sunday, Rosemary.




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Young Designer In Training

Isn't this how all fashion designers got started? I learned to sew by making doll clothes by hand before my mother would let me use the sewing machine. I adore this image by Arthur Rackham, don't you? It's chilly this morning and it rained all night, a perfect day to sit on the sofa and look at pretty pictures in books. Agreed? Happy Friday, Rosemary.




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Sweetest Child's Room Ever

I absolutely love this map bed, don't you? It's in the perfect boy's room that he won't outgrow anytime soon. So sweet and not too juvenile. I like the wooden soldier lamp too. Actually I like it all. Interior design for children must be so much fun.


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Free Pancakes Today at IHOP

If you love pancakes then this is your day. IHOP restaurants across the country are hoping to stack up donations for Children's Miracle Network and other local charities.

IHOP plans on doing this by offering a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes and inviting people to make donations to the charities.

This is not the first time IHOP has celebrated National Pancake Day.

Last year pancake lovers donated $1.5 million dollars to children's charities and IHOP served up 2.5 million free pancakes, which they estimate, would have reached nearly 20 miles high.

You can receive your free short stack from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM today only.

So enjoy a free meal and support children's charities all at the same time.




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Knitted Dog Toy | Woof

This has got to be the cutest knitted toy dog I've ever seen. I would not dare give anything like this to Webster the wonder dog because he would snag it immediately with his nails. He'd love it though and smother it with kisses. Unfortunately I can't furnish any instructions other than pointing you towards the website where I found it. http://blog.plymouthyarn.com/ Go to the site and type "dog toy" in the search box and it will come up after you scroll down a bit. This would be a great project for a new baby or favorite toddler and I'm sure it would end up being cherished. I love the "spot" on his eye and his blanket-stitched ears and back seam. He's the perfect pet...quiet, housebroken, and he doesn't eat much. WOOF. To a good home only, please!

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Weekend Reading

This wonderfully creative ad from Neilson Dairy promotes reading, going to the library, and drinking milk for a strong body and mind. I like it. It reminds me of my childhood. This young girl in in for some great reading. Luckily it appears to be summer and hopefully school is out.

Have a great weekend. Try to find a good book and escape. xo, Rosemary




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Wonderful Child's Room

Nice. Perfect room for a child of any age including a second childhood. I forgot all about Groundhog Day yesterday. Staten Island Chuck said spring would be early this year and Punxsutawney Phil said spring is 6 weeks away. I think Phil is right. Enjoy the day, Rosemary.




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Ammi Phillips Double Portrait Auctioned For $782,500

Two children, a dog, and a cat; what could be better? A 43" x 40" oil on canvas folk art portrait by Ammi Phillips (1788-1865) of Theron Simpson Ludington (1850-1922) and his older sister Virginia Ludington (1846-1865), circa 1852, sold for $782,500 (includes buyer's premium) at Christie's in New York City on January 22, 2010.

Rare Double Portrait by Ammi Phillips (1788-1865)
The lead highlight of the Americana Week sales is an exceedingly rare, full-length double portrait of Theron Simpson Ludington (1850-1922) and His Older Sister Virginia Ludington (1846-1865) by the prominent 19th century American portrait artist Ammi Phillips (pictured page one, center; estimate: $300,000-500,000).
Unknown among Phillips works until earlier this year, this dynamic, even humorous portrait of two young siblings has been passed down through generations of the Ludington family of Goshen, CT until the present day. Phillips was commissioned sometime around 1852 to paint the family’s members, which included formal portraits of the children’s parents, Theron Daniel Ludington (1826-1900) and Eleanor Bailey Ludington (1826-1863), also to be offered in the sale (estimate: $12,000-18,000).
The full-length double portrait of the children is unusual for its departure from the conventional poses Phillips typically employed in his formal single portraits. Here instead, in a moment of playfulness and insight into the sibling’s relationship, the artist depicted the younger boy leaning away from his older sister to hug the shaggy dog by his side, while a small grey cat bites at a single strawberry that has fallen from the bunch in Virginia’s hand. While hundreds of single portraits by Phillips survive today, only a small number of full-length double portraits of this type are known to exist – a measure of rarity that is sure to attract collectors.

The buyer was Atlanta, Georgia, dealer Deanne Levison. I remember when she worked at Israel Sack in New York. Christie's photo, listing information. The good things always command high prices. This would be lovely above my fireplace.

Take care of your antiques and they will take care of you."




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Children Playing On A Fence Circa 1914

Young Barbara Douglas (4th from left) and her friends climb a fence about 1914. Look at the size of some of those hair bows. What fun it must have been being a child of privilege living and playing at Brucemore in Cedar Rapids, Iowa during The Douglas Era 1906-1937.

Photograph from one of my architectural books: OF HOUSES & TIME by William Seale, Personal Histories of America's National Trust Properties.

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Reflecting on Christmas

"When the (Christmas) celebration is over may you turn in your memory the love, the giving and the receiving." An illustrated quote from the book, A Christmas Blessing.

I have to say my Christmas was absolutely wonderful. Hope yours was too. Rosemary




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Life's Little Instruction Book, page 147 + Vintage Christmas Images

Today is a much nicer day than yesterday. I had to make a raincoat for Webster out of bubble wrap. I attached it to his coat with clothespins and it worked beautifully. There was a cold icy rain all day. It's much warmer now and clear. Nice. I felt so sorry for the people selling Christmas trees yesterday. Have a great Monday and a good week ahead. Thanks for stopping by the cottage. Rosemary

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