Early American Children

Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884)

I've always love folk portraits by this artist. Let's pretend these youngsters are dressed in their Christmas finery. via

Scrimshaw Double Heart Mourning Jewelry Circa 1807

A lovely memorial for a departed loved one. "Beauty and youth in vain to these you trust For youth and beauty shall be laid in dust."

~~~via~~~

Coffee Cup on My Assistant's Head

I had a request for a picture of my folk art assistant with my coffee cup on his head. Here it is before my first sip of the day.  See how handy it is to have such a great item? The edge is burned from the days someone used it as a smoking stand. I'm sitting just to the left. Aren't you glad I don't have to reach 'all the way' over to the coffee table each time I want a sip of coffee while I'm blabbing blogging?

Remember to make a wish at 11:11 am today (11/11/11). You'll have to wait 100 years to do it again. You might as well stay up late and make another wish tonight at 11:11 pm. It can't hurt and remember to wish big.

My Personal Assistant

I got this wonderful dog smoking stand years ago at an antiques center. He now has the job of holding my coffee cup in the morning as I work on my laptop in the living room. It's so nice to have a hot cup of coffee right at hand.

He has a real dog tag around his neck too.

The Ultimate Sliding Barn Door

Let's find this place and have our July 4th picnic in front of the Flag Door.

The American Museum in Britain

Queen Kapi’olani’s Fan Quilt, early twentieth century, Hawaii.

The American Museum in Britain: The only museum of Americana outside the United States, the museum was founded to bring American history and cultures to the people of Britain and Europe. I've never been there, have you? I love that eye-dazzling red and white Hawaiian quilt. 

Folk Art Painting | Child with American Flag

Don't forget to display the American Flag this weekend.

Eye-Dazzling Red and White Quilt

This is one of the quilts that was exhibited in New York City at the Park Avenue Armory. I don't have any information on this particular quilt but I really admire this monumental graphic design that makes me dizzy and a little woozy when I look at the photo. The display lasted only 5 days and there were 650 quilts -- all red and white. I saw a short segment on Martha Stewart and learned that this color combination was the most popular because the dye formula that was used made the red fabric the most stable color of all. This must be true because I don't see any fading or running in all of the quilts that were on view. I didn't go in person but I've seen many photos...including those sent to me via iPhone by a friend.

650 Red and White Quilts at Park Ave Armory NYC

Free to the public. On display March 25-30, 2011

Park Avenue Armory, New York City

“Infinite Variety: Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts”

On loan from American Folk Art Museum

This special exhibit has a very short run which is such a shame. Five days is not long enough!!! When will you ever get another chance to see so many red and white quilts in one place so beautifully displayed? It's free too. Are you going? Read a great article about these quilts in the online edition of the Wall Street Journal.

You can download the FREE App for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod showing all the quilts in the exhibit in case you can't attend in person. How cool is that?

Blue and White Antiques Love

You know how much I love blue and white textiles. I have a blue and white checked wool blanket on my bed right now and I have blue and white curtains on the windows (see clickable photo in my sidebar). I own an antique spongeware pitcher like the one on the dry sink and I would dearly love to have that stunning gameboard. via

Antique Pig Family

I just walked past these hand-carved pigs and snapped a photo without rearranging them. They were probably part of a Noah's Ark. I should have taken the time to move them around for their debut on my blog but I didn't. Sorry. It's Sunday and these were Sunday toys. Check back, my OCD will make me take another picture. :-)

Much better ~ I'm happy now.


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Beautiful Early American Dollhouse

This is wonderful. I am so glad Nancy Allen's signed dollhouse survived in such good shape. If only those walls could talk. Massive size: 47" high x 5'6" wide. Image found on 1stdibs but was sold. 

   

Circa 1840 Wooden Doll's Head | Do Want

Don't you love this Circa 1840 Wooden Doll's Head? I especially like the way the hair is carved. The wear and patina are just right. Do want.



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Miniature Art on the Tip of Pencils by Dalton Ghetti

Dalton Ghetti (a carpenter by trade) uses three basic tools to make his incredible creations – a razor blade, sewing needle and sculpting knife. He even refuses to use a magnifying glass and has never sold any of his work, only given it away to friends. He said: “I use the sewing needle to make holes or dig into the graphite. I scratch and create lines and turn the graphite around slowly in my hand” Click on the link to see many more photos of this Miniature Art on the Tip of Pencil by Dalton Ghetti




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26 Pencil Sculptures Make Alphabet

"Many artists have used pencils to create works of art - but Dalton Ghetti creates miniature masterpieces on the tips of pencils. The alphabet is carved from 26 pencil tips. Photograph by the artist. I can't throw away pencil nubs either. Pencil sculptures: miniature masterpieces carved into graphite by Dalton Ghetti Click to read more.




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Bookshelves and Folk Art

I like everything about this room, don't you? via The Architecture Blog




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Be Patriotic Today Inside and Out

This would be nice to see when you first walk in a house, wouldn't it? Don't forget to honor our veterans and soldiers today and go to a parade if you can. Have a great Memorial Day.




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Mattie Lou O'Kelley | Spring Paintings

Mattie Lou O'Kelley didn't start painting until she was 60. This self-taught Georgia artist was quite prolific until her passing at age 89 in 1997. Read her obituary in The New York Times.

She also wrote poetry, which was as homely as her canvases:

"Now my one room house has only me,
I never roam,
No lessons have I. But I paint
And paint
And stay at home."

Images from my book: Mattie Lou O'Kelley, Folk Artist




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Sophisticated Log Cabin

Backwoods Design ~ Slideshow
A look at Butch Anthony’s home, part of an 80-acre compound in the Alabama woods, and his “micro” folk-art festival.

Images: The New York Times




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