Prairie Style is Coming Back

I fell in love with the first issue of this magazine by Fifi in 2012 and am so happy to know that it is returning. You should be able to find it on the news stands in just a few days *** May 1, 2014 ***.  Here is some other great news - Fifi will be a guest at the Old Glory Antiques Fair in Clement Park this year. I know you'll want to mark your calendar....so I've posted the details about it as well.

Little Girl's Pink Bedroom

This is a photo of a little girl's bedroom that I found online at Houzz.com. I just love it. But I couldn't help but think...that this sweet room could be even sweeter if it had a touch of my Hanky Art.  Perhaps a framed Hanky Dress or a few of my Hanky Cottage pillows.



Traditional Kid

I call this one - Little Princess

I created these Hanky Cottages using bits and pieces of vintage handkerchiefs. They are slip covers that fit an 18-in pillow form.

You can find these items and others in my Etsy Shop.

 Hanky Dresses

Escutcheon

Allow me to introduce you to Amber and her Etsy Shop which is an extension of her unique hobby and talents. If you have not already read my previous blog post, "Custom Order for Amber", please do so because it explains how I met Amber online and how I first became exposed to her special talents.

She hand paints and sells these wonderful baby hangers based on designs from the 1930's. I think they are just so precious! You may click on the pictures to get a better look at her beautiful work. Now I am going to let Amber tell you in her own words a little bit about herself her hobby.

I did not have many toys as a child and for that reason I am extremely sentimental and a big collector. I have always been attracted to children’s things, especially from the 1920’s and 30’s. I take the imagery influence from things just like my childhood hanky.

When my son was little, I really wanted to open a baby boutique with a blend of new, vintage and artist made items. I was a single mother, so it never happened. 

But, I was also a collector; so once I found something like the vintage baby hangers, I was hooked.

I soon came to realize though, that the decal designs were very limited. I looked around at other textiles, books and toys I had also acquired and thought how fun it would be to move some of that imagery to new hangers made in the old style.

I made a pattern based on one in my collection, and originally had my grandfather cut them out of thin wood. (I am not super comfortable around a saw - I like and need my fingers!) My grandfather passed away several years ago, so I work with another experienced woodworker to cut them.

I do all the sanding, patching, priming, base and decorative paint, sealing and add the hanger hook and a bow...and Voila! 

I have even sold these for miniature dog clothing. 

This is just a small sampling of what she can do. I urge you to visit her Etsy shop and check out what she currently has available....and don't forget to check out the "sold items" so you can see all the cuties you missed out on....or might want to ask her to do as a custom order for you.

She also does hand embroidery onto baby Onesies. What a perfect baby shower gift that would be.

In addition, you will find many charming vintage items.

Click here to visit:  Escutcheon

Custom Order for Amber

This is just one of the cutest handkerchiefs I have seen, and the only one like it that I have see. I had such a fun time creating this Hanky Dress that I wanted to share the experience with my readers. This project was nothing but fun, fun, fun, from the day Amber found me on Etsy and wanted to know if I could turn her childhood handkerchief into a Hanky Dress.


I asked her to convo me a picture of it. (A convo is Etsy's communication system - sort of like email). So she did and we discussed what she might want. I gave her an estimate and she agreed to mail her handkerchief to me. A few days later this amazing envelope arrived in the mail. Her sweet little drawings had me grinning from ear to ear. Not only did she decorate the front, but she decorated the back as well. That was when I just knew I was dealing with an artist and I wanted to document every step of the way so I could share it on my blog.


Escutcheon is name of her wonderful Etsy Shop. Look at that sweet label on the back of her envelope. She is so clever....but that is another story...Literally! I determined that I must ask her if she would share what she does with my readers. She said yes.  So, you can read all about her Etsy Shop in my next blog post. In the mean time here is a link to her shop. Escutcheon

I carefully open the envelope with  a knife to find this....the hanky sealed in this fun tissue paper and the buttons she sent along were sealed with this precious little bunny sticker. I honestly admired the little bunny rabbit for a few minutes before I finally had to rip him in half to get to the buttons inside. Silly, I know, but he was so cute.

All the while I am thinking that Amber just has to be a really fun lady and I wish I could talk to her in person.

Ta Da!....the much anticipated hanky...and it was every bit as wonderful as I thought it would be. Take a moment and zoom in on it so you can read all the phrases and see the sweet little drawings that accompany each one. My favorites are "Every dog has his day." and when the cat's away the mice will play." I just loved that little black scottie dog!

Here is what Amber was able to tell me about her very special childhood hanky which can be dated back to the 1950's.

"I remember always having it when I was a child in the early 70's, It was originally given to my mother by my grandmother in the 50's when she was a little girl, and then my mother gave it to me when I was little in the early 70's. 

Grandmother Ellan was born in 1896, and was very practical, and never fussy, frilly or girly. She did not buy traditional toys for her grandchildren, just the necessary things. I smile when I imagine her selecting this hanky as it IS very whimsical and even she could not resist that."


This is the finished and framed dress.

And....this is a picture of where Amber hung it in her house.

I am so glad she gave me the opportunity to to do this for her. It is no small thing to be trusted with such a treasure.

Thank You - Amber