Prim Paradise Purchases

I found some fun treasures on our trip.

A pair of tiny German paper mache candy containers with metal feet. 

They don't stand very well, so I just give them something to lean on :)

A wonderfully old papercutting mounted on a marbled book cover under bubbly old glass in a wonderful folk art frame purchased from Joe Cardetti of Kracker Barrel Antiques.

Don't mind Peanut who was trying to help me :)

This precious little hooked rug that mirrors the current conditions outside.

Finally a sewing bird of my very own!

I've wanted one for as long as I can remember.

This one is in fabulous shape with all pincushions intact.

When I held it, I knew that this was the one to come home with me :)

And finally this fabulous treasure!

Each and every side features a different 1930's fabric.

What really struck me was the size!

Each diamond measures 1 by 1.5 inches and the entire Moravian star is 3.5 inches tall!

Can you imagine working on something so tiny?!

Mom bought two tomato pincushions (I wonder if a new collection is starting?)

I love the velvet one on the right from Jacque Bradford.

And it's been a while since I shared a pic of the pups.

Poor Leia on the right had surgery and 20+ stitches. 

She's been working on recuperating.

Good thing she has her brother Peanut to take good care of her :)

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.

    Give thanks to him, bless his name.

For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever,

    and his faithfulness to all generations."

~Psalm 100:4-5

Blessings, Patti 

Primitive Purchases

Isn't this sewing bird wonderful?!

Ginny Hensen created the bird from antique linsey-woolsey and added it to an antique sewing spool stand with a burl wood base. The tiny antique strawberry emery is the icing on the cake. The moment I saw it, I knew that it absolutely had to come home with me :) 

I saw the tiny leather shoe pincushion at the show last fall and was so glad to see it make a return appearance - it was waiting for me :)

The woman in the tintype spoke to me. I need to find a place to tuck her away in my sewing supplies as the men in my house find antique photos "creepy" ;)

I can never pass up a nice piece of cutter quilt.

(or most other old textiles for that matter ha!)

A forged iron heart 

And two very unusual bottles with very tiny screw tops.

I wonder what they were originally used for?

One already has a future purpose... the other may be a bud vase, if things ever begin to grow again...

These awesome scissors came from the always inspiring booth of Jacque Bradford. 

I love the prim look and unique color and shape.

You see so many incredible antiques at these shows. As I was trying to fall asleep that night, one item that I saw kept filling my mind. Why didn't I buy it?! Could it possibly still be there tomorrow? If it was still available, should I really splurge? Or should I behave myself?

Luckily it was in the booth of Ginny Henson. And lucky for me she replied right away to my message that it was still available. Needless to say, I didn't behave myself and I did splurge :)

And here is my new treasure:

An antique shaker slatted market basket!

I love the stenciling.

 The basket is in great shape and the wiring is so fascinating. I love how they twist the wire between each wooden slat. 

I'm so thrilled with my new treasure ~ all of them!

When I got home and started putting my new treasures on display, I noticed a familiar face among my collection of Ginny Henson birds and animals:

Another Ginny Henson linsey~woolsey sewing bird. 

I think they look happy to be together with my stack of antique shaker boxes...

I had a few very old spools where the "labels" are burned into the wood ends rather than paper labels. I thought they would look nice on display on my new old spool stand.

"Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."

~2 Peter 1:2

Blessings, Patti

Primitive Paradise ~ Spring 2015

As usual I have way too much to share and difficulty finding the time to post...

This past weekend was spent visiting my parents in Primitive Paradise.

Time for the wonderful primitive shows in Tuscola, Arthur and Arcola.

The picture above is from my favorite booth at the Rural Life Show ~ 

the booth of Ginny Henson, folk art artist extraordinaire and  collector of incredible antiques.

I would love to have everything from her booth in my home :)

I love that she uses antique materials in her art.

This backdrop was stunning.

You will have to wait for a future post to see what came home with me from her booth :)

Next it was on the the Homesteaders on the Prairie Show in Arthur.

This velvet penny rug was stunning, especially with a background of antique pewter.

I have to admit that I am regretting a bit not bringing this great tongue rug home with me...

Something about the turquoise and brown and the neat shape of the tongues...

The next day it was on to A Gathering on the Prairie in Arthur, Illinois.

So many wonderful booths that I can never pick a favorite.

This basket of pin cushions and needle books kept my attention for quite some time.

(just ask my Mom lol)

Look at these beautiful velvet birds!

And this stunning velvet make-do should have come home with me as well :)

Antique lanterns and crazy quilts *sigh* make my heart pitter patter!

I find the clip clop of the horses hooves to be so soothing as we travel the area.

My parents are so lucky to have that as a sound in their daily lives :)

I hope to be back soon with pics of my purchases and the latest installment of Pennies from Heaven ~ my Mom's latest creations...

 "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments."

~Deuteronomy 7:9

Blessings, Patti

Prim Paradise Purchases

On this trip to "Prim Paradise", or the central Illinois primitive antique shows, I think that all my purchases were sewing related.

I found this great pincushion made of all different colors of velvet. The three balls in the middle that make up the pincushion are a bit mushed. When I have a bit of time I thought I would see if I could puff them up a bit.

I also purchased this puzzle ball pin cushion and tiny tin box. You can't get a feel for the scale here, but the puzzle ball is 2 1/2 inches across and the tin box is 1 by 1 1/2 by 2 1/2 - so sweet!

This wood box is super prim and has seen better days. I loved the hinges and am thinking of covering the wood or at least the top in needlework or antique fabrics...

Here is my purchase from Maggie Bonanomi.

I loved that this pinkeep is made of all old fabrics.

And finally my big purchase

well, actually it is fairly small :)

The dealer thought that this piece was civil war era.

A leather sewing kit.

Once opened it has several pockets.

My favorite part - the initials - J.A.B. and M.C.P.

Who were they? Maybe young lovers?

In the center is a pincushion with well worn needle pages attached.

Such a pretty plaid. And thread wrapped round pieces of paper.

The little side pockets created by lacing fabric over old order forms.

And in one of the pockets was a paper of the tiniest pins that I have ever seen.

Oh I wish that I knew the stories that these pieces could tell!

"With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.

I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.

I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."

~Psalm 119:13-16

Blessings, Patti

Prim Paradise

Last weekend was spent in Prim Paradise with my sister and my parents.

The first stop was the Rural Life Show in Tuscola.

And the first booth we visited was that of Maggie Bonanomi.

Her booth was as beautiful and inspiring as you would expect.

Such lovely treasures.

The best treasure was getting to visit a bit with the phenomenally talented Maggie and her sweet and personable husband, Harold.

This lovely show is in two locations and also features the beautiful booths of Steve Shelton and Ginny Henson. I missed them both, but enjoyed their booths :)

Then it was on to the next town... Arthur

Homesteaders on the Prairie is charming before we even made it inside.

A great photo op for my mom and my sister.

Dad was home resting up for a late night of visiting :)

Here we started getting in the spirit of the upcoming holidays.

These sweet pics came from the booth of 

The Olde Homestead.

You can see their shop...

by clicking here.

(The pretty lantern above went home with my mom :) perfect for a timer pillar candle...

On Saturday we returned to Arthur for 

The Gathering on the Prairie.

It's days like this that you wish that you had won the lottery :)

So many treasures looking for a home.

And you wish it was coming home with you :)

There seemed to be an exceptional number of sewing treasures this year.

That made me happy!

This may be the most beautiful sled ever!

The shows were fantastic! There were two more shows in Arcola, but we ran out of time.

Coming up I'll share my treasures that came home with me

along with another installment of my Mom's latest penny rug finishes.

"I seek you with all my heart;

do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

Praise be to you, Lord;

teach me your decrees."

Psalm 119:10-12

Blessings, Patti