Monday, June 20, 2016

I'm the Daughter of an AMERICANA-phile!

Ad-FRee Blog

IF There EVER WAS such a DESCRIPTION?

My Mom was the ultimate collector of Americana and especially anything celebrating our American Flag or heroes. Has any of her traits rubbed off?---well yes, and no, because I have totes of plates, figurines, glassware, and coins---celebrating the bi-centennial, state centennials, presidents, wanna-be presidents, and pretty much anything commemorating our American Heritage. 

I learned my history lessons from Staffordshire plates such as these from the dining room hutch of my childhood home.

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Spirit of 76, iconic portrait of the American revolution. Center piece for this plate is Spirit of ‘76 painting by Archibald Willard. This painting, which was originally known as Yankee Doodle, centers around America’s Revolutionary War victory and was among the featured works that were on display at the Centennial International Exhibition of 1876 in Philadelphia. 

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Faneuil Hall, Hall is the center print of this historical plate, no.1 in the series of the Ye Olde Historical Plates. 

This one is marked British Anchor Potteries with anchor mark in green as well as Staffordshire England R no. 553308. Anchor was the pottery mark for Rowland and Marcellus and used to export to America -R&M was in business from 1893-1937.



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Our Capitol building in Washington D.C. with Martha and George at Mt Vernon in one of the side pictures. 

Plate in Flow-blue transfer printed on earthenware, this is a wonderful plate with the Capitol Building in the center. Side panels have the Executive Mansion(White House), Congressional Library and the old State War and Navy Department building on it. 

Mom had over twenty of these flow-blue historical plates depicting scenes in history or places. I was probably the only student who knew that DeSoto discovered the Mississippi or at least claimed it for Spain before we even started our American history classes.

I have boxes of postcards, ephemera, and other memorabilia. My mom and dad had a 1853 farmhouse/cottage which my mom filled with red/white/blue Americana memorabilia. We had horns, eagles, muskets, and bunting everywhere-even drum light fixtures. When the 1976 Bi-Centennial came...she went into hyper-drive in buying, just about everything.

I think I have at least ten bicentennial plates by different makers.

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Spirit of 1776" Bicentennial plate by Indiana Glass in marigold iridescent carnival glass.

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A Bi-Centennial plate from Avon, I think. 

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Mom had a special affinity for Presidential memorabilia. Campaign buttons, posters, stickers--plates! 

You may remember those slant-eyed Presidential plates made overseas...I have totes of those. Mom was convinced generations in the future would be dying for a (Chinese) version of Reagan, Ford, Carter---etc., on a plate or two, or three, or four. She tried to corner the market and I have them all-in multiples---different views---with wives without...sigh.


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She treasured many items for Lincoln and JFK. A glass commenting JFK's death?or his presidential years.

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1965 plate commenting Lincoln's death? (100 years commemoration?)


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An etching from a 1901 calendar of Lincoln (probably in honor of 50 years after Lincoln's death.)

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How about Lincoln Douglas debates. This plate has a lot of color and energy. Issue number on back is 4059A. Third in the series, "Lincoln-Man of America Series" Made by the Knowles China Company, 1987.

Then there is war memorabilia.

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Allies of WWII flag plate possibly from the 1950's. Marked K.T. & K. , S---------V, China, VGK.


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Another unusual plate in a similar series of Commanders of our armed forces in WWII.

Large ceramic commerative plate for WWII with allies flags and Admiral Leahy in the center. Nice gold trim  and plate in v.good to excellent condition. Back of the plate has Allied Nations Commerative Series, Exclusively by Salem China Co., Salem, Ohio, Made in U.S.A. 

Some references indicate this series (there are many) was made during the war, 1943-5.
These are at least valid collector's items, though how many generals/admirals can you have scowling on your walls. Mom had four that I have found so far.


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Eagles and flags were also her favorites. This is a Royal Copenhagen or Bing and Grondahl Bi-Centennial plate for the USA.

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Then there were the inexpensive plates commemorating just about anything, here the Flag, Sesquicentennial (1964-150years)

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And of course Avon stinky stuff Liberty Bell commemoration jar with original box.

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I loved my mom and her ....collections...well er, some of them.

We basically have a real Old Glory on a flag pole. My porch for the season has a flag banner, all hand pieced and stitched, $5.99 from a thrift store.

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The shell pedestal, makes me think of "Sea to shining Sea."

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One of my mom's Striking Bi-Centennial plates on the table. Faux geraniums, as ours are just beginning to bloom.

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The flag banner background is washed out denim, the quilting on the edges is a rope design. Beautiful workmanship on this piece. I love it. My mom would be proud.

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How do you celebrate? After living with so much Americana, we are pretty low key here.

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I can always switch out the runner and add strawberries for a summer.


Or change out a plate or two or three or four....Mt.Rushmore ceramic insert in pewter.

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This Avon one is quite pretty though and echoes the navy in the banner.

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I had wanted to cover some pillows in bandana material---but haven't found red or red material right now. So that will have to wait.

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I wonder if they would be pleased to have their faces on a mountain or a plate? Theodore Roosevelt  would be saying...'deface a mountain, by Golly not on my watch!' (as founder of our National Park System.)


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If we can only keep the 'Spirit of 76' in our lives and hearts this election year--how do you keep the 'Spirit' of Americana in your home?


Thanks always for stopping by, and I will be happy to answer any comments, and questions if I can.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own unless indicated. I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

I'll be sharing at these fine parties: 

Sandi





Friday, June 17, 2016

Vintage Teapot, Peonies, and Strawberries

Early this week I picked a huge bouquet of banged up peonies after a beating rain...but with the crazy weather we have had, HOT-HOT-HOT....they were already wilting. Loosely arranged in my trusty OLD Granny's enamel coffeepot, they shabbily graced the kitchen table. 


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Next morning my NEW OLD teapot arrived from Etsy. It's a 10-cup unmarked porcelain teapot with a brass handle. Vintage for sure, but no way of knowing the age.



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I didn't even wash it, but immediately put my teapot on the table, just as is...and had to take pictures. OMG, I love the design, the weight, and the great brass handle. The price was right, and I had been looking for a teapot for quite awhile. I have no less than six coffeepots for serving, but no large teapots.


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The brass handle unscrews for proper cleaning. I love the quilting design. I chose it for the classic shape, and the blue/white design on the gray-white porcelain. This will blend well with my Copenhagen porcelain. The teapot that matches my dishes goes as high as $350 or so --- so, this one was a desirable alternative.


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As a potter, I had probably made a couple of hundred teapots, but had never kept any. This has a nice classic and yet country vibe.


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My husband tried to eat one of these strawberries. Heavy resin, they were $2.00 at a thrift store and perfect for June.

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They really do look delicious. The fridge has had fresh strawberries in it for the last month. 



These strawberries all have crispy green tops, and are non-staining on my OLD vintage napkin. I love old linens. This napkin is the last one of my mom's from the 40's.



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The OLD 1930's stoneware bowl has a waffle design glazed in a rich baby blue matte.  I have had no luck in finding the maker on this one as many potteries used this design. But, I picked it up for $2.00, so it doesn't matter.

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So NEW OLD Teapot, OLD stoneware bowls, OLD family wool carders, vintage OLD 40-50's enamel coffeepot, vintage OLD linens and NEW fresh resin strawberries.

HOPE you have a great Fathers' Day Weekend, and thanks for spending time with me. I will try to answer all your questions and comments, Sandi

ll the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle


Sandi



Thursday, June 9, 2016

Supporting Fine Arts and Crafts #2

'Tis the season' for the summer Arts and Crafts Shows. Over the Memorial Day weekend we perused roughly 100 artists at the The 29th Annual Prairie Arts Festival Fine Art & Fine Craft Exhibition and Sale held in Schaumburg, Illinois.


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The park itself is gorgeous and a huge new section has been carved out and landscaped this delayed Spring.


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We waffled between blinding sunshine and moody clouds. Loved these recently trimmed trees near the creek.

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E posing with a bicycle, not ours we opted for walking the huge park and over 100 exhibitors.

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We really took our time, perusing the wide variety of fine arts and fine crafts. This is always such an interesting show.


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Choosing an artist to feature from this one show was difficult, but artist, Monica Langowski's wonderful painted furniture spoke to my OLD NEW GREEN REDO soul. 
A Chicago gal, she was lots of fun to talk to. 
We compared stories of 'dumpster diving' and had a good laugh.
Best of the Weekend



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She basically paints on anything that doesn't walk away. 
Her card says, 
RENEWED FURNISHINGS by MONICA
Monica Langowski, Artist 
"RENEW...REPURPOSE...INPIRE" 
One of a kind pieces, custom furniture, custom murals-
Budget Friendly





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I love this telephone seat with the Seurat homage to 
"Sunday Afternoon on the Island  Le Grande Jatte"


This is one of those Lane 60-70's cedar hope chests given a new life.
The paneling on the front is disguised with latticed roses. 



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Close up of her multilayered finishes. It's undeniable that she paints on used and well-loved pieces.


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Even humble tray tables...take on wonderful NEW life.


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I loved this MoulinRouge chest....so much fun...you can hear the music and rowdy laughter in the background.



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More homage to the masters. Monica uses techniques and inspirations from many.


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You can visit Monica and her works at an artist-bio for a Chicago show:


or her blog


Pinterest

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Nothing is safe from her paints and brushes, love this violin.

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Cherry coffee table----a REDO, spectacular!

Don't forget to support your local Arts and let this inspire you to create, reuse, REDO and keep our planet GREEN and our landfills less filled.

Thanks always for stopping by, I appreciate all your comments and suggestions 
and will try to answer all. 

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own unless indicated. I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

I'll be sharing at these fine parties: 
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