A Valentine for you (and me)

I purchased this valentine last year at the Queen of Tarte Sale, and it is one of my favorite things. It is large--about 12 inches high and 10 inches across. It is a mixture of paper, trims and fabric.

When I went to the Tarte sale this year, I saw another very similar valentine in the space occupied by Karen Otto. I realized that she was the creator of the wonderful collage. My Stars partners and I have known Karen for over 20 years as she participated in the lifestyle show called The Magic of Christmas that we produced at that time. Karen has a wonderful blog called A'Musements and has been featured in the beautiful Stampington publication called Artful Blogging. It was fun to visit with Karen and see other creations she had crafted.

I started out trying to be a craftsperson when I was a young mother. I actually did sell my works at various sales (to be honest I was not the most talented of artists). But after years of being around really talented craftspeople, I came to realize that I could recognize true talent. And that ain't so bad!!!

I keep saying to all of you that I am humbled and in awe of the creativity that I see in so many ladies--their work, their photography, their blogs, their collecting, their home decorating--even the way many of them dress and present themselves to the world.

Because of those shows we produced years ago and owning and working in the Stars malls, attending other craft and art and antique shows, I have been blessed by being surrounded by these hardworking, imaginative ladies. (There are men too, but I am mostly talking today about the ladies).

I do think it is important to keep working on "right-brain" activity" and I have kept up with my painting classes all this winter. Our exceptional teacher, Jude Siegel, always has something positive to say about our work. One of our classes in January was drawing and painting a face card. Some of the more accomplished students ended up with whole pages of cards. I had only one, but it occured to me that my little page of the Queen of Hearts would make a valentine. So I share, once again a page with you.

My Queen has a banner surrounding her and it reads:

"Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast", said the Queen to Alice.

--lewis carroll

I agree with the Queen.....it is really fun to think about impossible things.....and sometimes they really do happen. I know.

signing off....

Gayle@starsantique.com

2 Comments   Add a comment

---

....only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself."

-Ruth Stout

***************************************************************

I connected with the above quote when I found it, because in the first two weeks of January this year, I have given myself permission to concentrate on ME.....

my thoughts...

my plans for the months ahead

my memories of the past year

my ideas for home decorating

my plans for gardening....

and so much more.... ****************************************************************

I always shop the Stars Haggle sale in January to find those things which give me delight in the dark days..... good value for my $$$$$ and something for my house and of course ME (I told you--these days are all about ME). I purchased a sweet repurposed pin from the booth of Pat Hattan at Splendid (check out her showcase--she has the coolest jewelry).... Pictured below, the tiny writing in the frame says..

"The compliments of the season

with kind remembrances"

How could I resist this at $35??

Next, something to warm up my bedroom.... a 1940's cotton jaquard coverlet in just that shade of pinky-coral that perfectly slips into my color scheme. A real find from Melanie Corson at 50% off--making it a bargain at $9....

And finally, a narrow four-drawer little chest with old "dry" pink and gray paint...purchased from Marcee Melton for $75...Perfect beside the bed to hold a lamp--and storage to boot...

************************************************************** In thinking about the last year, I came up with my own "awards"...I share these with you....

Best books

Appetite for Life-A biography of Julia Child by Noel Riley Fitch

The Help by Kathryn Stockett - I didn't want it to end. ______________________________________________________________

Best Periodical series

Where Women Create published by Stampington Co.--comes out four times a year--I wait for every issue. ______________________________________________________________

Best TV shows

Return to Cranford PBS-Masterpiece Theater - (based on books by Elizabeth Gaskell) set in an English village in the 1840s, the costumes alone are worth watching over and over

Mad Men--the AMC series about the Madison Avenue men and their lives--a trip back to the 1960s. ______________________________________________________________

Best shopping (after Stars of course)

Palmer Wirfs Antique shows

Anthropologie (if only for inspiration)

Queen of Tarte Sales (ditto inspiration)

Marguerite--New shop by Stars owned and created by Daisy Phillips ______________________________________________________________ My favorite online journal to visit

The Pastoral Dollmaker--the photos and musings of Christe' Crocker and her dollies

______________________________________________________________

I could go on and on, but this is just a sampling of what I found delightful in 2009.

And now my two weeks of ME are up and time to get busy.... signing off....

Gayle@starsantique.com

2 Comments   Add a comment

---

I always like to spend time at the end of the year over at my Neskowin condo. It seems to clear my mind of all the fuzziness of the glitz and glitter (not that I don't love that too!!!) of the holiday season and help me to prepare my attitude for the coming new year.

The quietness is a tonic with just the roar of the ocean in the background, and life seems simpler there.

In my decor, I incorporate bits of nature--shells, sand dollars, bird's nests, and my favorite of all--heart -shaped rocks. This started when my grandson Aaron was young. We would walk on the edge of the surf during the low tides, and he would look for the rocks. There are some where you really have to squint to see the heart, but I could not disappoint.

Now years later, I have accumulated quite a few specimens, and I was thrilled to find a book about them to put next to my collection. I try to remember to document who found them, and the date they were found. Pictured below are some of the best ones.

****************************************************************

I had a former Stars employee, Molly Roth, paint one of my favorite quotes on an old architectural piece to hang in my guest room. It reads:

And all the loveliest things there be Come Simply so it seems to me.

--Edna St. Vincent Millay

I do believe that simple things are lovely, but, being the complicated person that I am (actually, aren't we all?), I love my "stuff" too. I really enjoy the hunt for my vintage treasures and antique furniture. And I really enjoy being surrounded by things that I believe to be beautiful. Some people might find this shallow, but in my heart, I know that I am only the custodian of the things I purchase. I can always sell my treasures (booth at Stars?) if I want a different look, or need to make room.

I have created some of my shell art myself, but the most beautiful pieces I have bought from others. The mirror below was bought years ago from Justin Burks at one of his famous sales. He had created the mirror for a condo he had at the Oregon coast. In the reflection in the mirror, you can see an old wrought iron piece bought at Stars and hung as a work of art.

I am enjoying the new year and all its possibilities. I don't really make resolutions any longer, but I have a continuing desire to be more organized. I may never reach that goal and I guess it's OK if I don't!!! I have accepted that my life is a work in progress.

Enough philosophizing for now.....

signing off....

Gayle@starsantique.com

2 Comments   Add a comment

---

***************************************************************

Deja-VIEW Happy 2010...!!!!

This photo was taken in December 2008. What a memory of that snowstorm.... My computer is acting up.....more later.... signing off.... gayle@starsantique.com

1 Comments   Add a comment

---

Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart."

Washington Irving

****************************************************************

Sheldon and Norma Ainsley give a Christmas party every year. Norma goes all out to decorate her home with items collected over a period of many years. This year was her first party in their new home, as the party last year was canceled because of the snow. So I would say this was the first "official" party in the home.

Norma, Sheldon, and a team of workmen have been working for over a year remodeling the ranch style house into her vision of a French cottage. They have rearranged the floor plan, added on, put in a new kitchen, new windows, doors, moldings, and redesigned the fireplace from a brick facade to a stucco one. Norma, herself, has added stone walls and texturing to the interior. She has done all the painting and chosen the flooring, and hardware. At some point in time, I will share more of this house with you later.

Last Saturday was the evening of the party. I drove up to the house to see an old wrought iron fence installed at the entry to the front walk. Yes, indeed, I felt welcomed.

The fence was perfect--antique enough to have flaking paint which gave it an old-world appearance. Next, I was greeted by a cheerful Santa by the front door.

I purposely arrived a bit early so I could try to snap some photos before the rooms were filled with the Ainsley's many friends. To the front of the entry way, there is a snug library which houses walls of bookshelves, comfy wing chairs, an armoire (which holds a TV) and small tables and French-type lamps with Pierre Deux shades. Actually, Norma has used wallpaper, fabric and other accessories from Pierre Deux There was a bar set up in the room offering a varied assortment of beverages and tended by a handsome bartender.

The living room was glowing with a snapping fire, a large decorated green tree, mismatched chairs and a Ralph Lauren wicker couch accessorized with throw pillows. And, of course, holiday decorations placed about the room.

Norma designed the kitchen with open shelving and the range hood is flanked by two wonderful corbels purchased at Stars & Splendid. The entire back of the house, which faces a creek, is a bank of French doors added in the remodeling.

The dining room (which is where the former kitchen was) almost appears to be a stage setting with the stucco arch above it. The pine farm table was groaning under the weight of the delicious food waiting to be sampled.

Sheldon is proud of the house and has supported Norma in all of her innovations, but he gives her credit for the design. Norma has many more ideas, and there are more rooms for me to share with you. (There is a small round window in the master bedroom that just plain makes me smile, and an arched door in the den which is like out of a fairy tale.)

I felt honored to be invited and left feeling warmed by the holiday spirit.....

signing off....

Gayle@starsantique.com

2 Comments   Add a comment

---

GETTING INTO THE SPIRIT OF IT ALL.....

I have been to two wonderful Christmas events last week that I planned to write about in my "view". However, I had some camera issues (story of my life!!!), so I am relying on the kindness of friends to get some photos to me. In the meantime, I would like to share with you parts of one of my collection of snow paintings and prints.

I bring these out in December and keep them out until Valentine's Day.

It was not my original idea to start collecting these. My late friend, Judy Knowles, had started purchasing them, and I was quite taken with her collection. (I always like to give credit any time I use someone else's idea.) Naturally, working at Stars over the years, I have managed to find some really nice ones and at good prices too.

The first one I bought is my favorite. It is an unframed oil painting and I can almost feel myself being a part of the scene. I have no rules about collecting these--they can be quite primitive, copies of oil paintings, paint-by-numbers, framed, non-framed....I am not particular--I just have to like them. Most are purchased for under $30.

I always prop them all together on the wide shelf below my front window, under the faux Christmas trees I use every year.

I would like to figure out a more pleasing way to display them, but haven't come up with that yet. As always, with collections, they look good clustered all together

My Stars partners, Darwin and Brent, know of a collector in Oregon who collects snow paintings with the old sparkled mica added. I have never even seen one of these in my searches. My good friend, Joanna Kreitzberg, bought some of Judy Knowles paintings at the estate sale after her passing, thus starting her own collection. I'm sure there are other collectors out there that I do not know about.

Most of my favorite Christmas decorations are handmade--either purchased by me or given to me over the years. I like to think they carry the spirit of the artisan with them. I share with you this wonderful excerpt from a D. H. Lawrence poem that my good friend, Don Floren, turned me on to.....

"Things men have made with wakened hands, and put soft life into are awake through years with transferred touch,

And go on glowing for long years.

And for this reason, some old things are lovely,

warm still with the life of forgotten men (and I include women also .G.)who made them.

Signing off.....

Gayle@starsantique.com

3 Comments   Add a comment

---

I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.

--Henry David Thoreau ****************************************************************

I leave all my pumpkins out and about even though Halloween has come and gone. I just like even saying the word--pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin.

They share the stage with my outdoor statuary and front porch, and indoors nestled around my collectibles. I am lucky to be the recipient of many pumpkins because my son grows them commercially (for Winco and others) and provides me with as many as I want.

My late friend, Marion Hilton, also loved pumpkins and used them in her wonderful photographs of early homes and settings. I once went to an autumn gathering at her antique-filled home and she had emptied out an old painted primitive open cupboard of everything on display and filled the shelves with all sizes of pumpkins. She was thrilled when she discovered the variety of pumpkin called "Cinderella" years ago.

I made a little vignette above my kitchen sink nestling pumpkins,a great gourd (from Bauman's in Woodburn), and some autumn leaves next to my shell pot (purchased at stars, of course). I really like the pale pumpkins mixed in with the others.

I had fun using a pumpkin as a model and painting it a couple of weeks ago and using a quote from a book called The Merchant of Marvels by Frederic Clement. I took a photo of the painting for you.

It says: "I possess pumpkin seeds and carriage seeds. If you plan to go to the ball, you had better now plant the carriage seeds...

unless, of course, you have a Fairy Godmother. Then the pumpkin seeds will suffice."

****************************************************************

After the Thanksgiving weekend, it is time to turn my thoughts to December and a different sort of decoration. The pumpkins are given to the neighbor's cows across the way.

I sign off with a photo of my side yard and an excerpt from a Thomas Hood poem:

...No fruits, no flowers

no leaves, no birds,

November!

(There will be no leaves that is until after I rake them!!!!)

Gayle@starsantique.com

2 Comments   Add a comment

---

Halloween revisited....

Hello out there...I really intended to write a lyrical ode to the wonders of Halloween in the Westmoreland neighborhood.

After all, the whole area is decorated in the most tasteful of Halloween adornments. And there is the adorable Monster March held in the streets every year and attended by hundreds.

BUT....

On the day of Halloween, Brent, my Stars partner, sent out photos of two fill-in employees to me with a note saying they were from Scappoose and worked for a six-pack of beer and a carton of cigarettes. He was also considering them for Christmas holiday fill-ins.

I have always been the one in charge of hiring as I am the Human Resource person. But somehow I let things slide, and Brent (in his pushy way) went above my head and hired this pair. He knows full well that Stars is known for its excellent (even over-qualified) employees, and also that we have a dress code befitting our stores. I just want you all to know that I am not the one responsible for this lapse. Hence I share photos of the pair... presenting Mabel and Hazel----or the "twins" as they call themselves...

Now, just yesterday, I received an e-mail from Brent saying he had offered them the Christmas gig. Before I called him on this, I thought I should meet them. I caught one of them for a short interview (actually, they do have potential--maybe with make-overs and a 12 step program they would be acceptable). Mabel (or was it Hazel--can't tell them apart) said it was exhausting working a shift at Stars because the bedroom slippers lacked support. (Oh how well I know those cement floors and how important it is to wear good shoes).

After the interview, I realized they were just too far gone to pass the muster of my high standards for employees. Therefore, I avoided making eye contact with them the rest of the day.

Well, it turns out they declined the offer from Brent as they winter in Arizona in their matching pink travel trailers.

I sign off....

disappointed that I couldn't wax poetically about this particular Halloween....and also that I do not think that this is a reflection upon the city of Scappoose--just an isolated incident...

Gayle@starsantique.com

1 Comments   Add a comment

---

Italy....Tuscany.... Part 2

After the busy-ness, hustle, bustle, over-the-top man-made architecture and art, our painting group headed south to Tuscany and the heart-stopping beauty of nature.

The layered landscape with Cypress trees poking up, vineyards, low-laying crops, olive tree orchards and meadows was a marked contrast from Florence. We arrived at Villa Bacio ready for a more peaceful experience, and we were all completely charmed by what we saw (If you follow the link, you will also see). Family run, Fattoria Bocio with its 340 acres of olive groves and vineyards, is under the personal supervision of its owners, Alberto and Patrizia Cascino. The 19th century villa, and its adjoining farmhouses have been lovingly restored in an authentic Tuscan style.

I shared a small cottage with my sister Carol, and longtime friend, Jan. Our stone-fronted, shuttered abode was decorated in a tasteful "Italian Country" style with an old farmhouse table, toile fabric spreads and padded headboards on the beds, a large fireplace, and armoires for hanging clothes.

Our rooms were also stocked with bottles of excellent wine produced on the villa and could be purchased for five euros (so much for expensive American "honor bars"!). We were served this wine every evening with a marvelous meal prepared by our hosts. We all sat at a long harvest table, complete with linen cloths, candles and flowers. The first course was always a sumptuous pasta, second course was vegetable and meat, third course salad (in the European manner) and lastly dessert.

Several days, we prepared our own lunches with the fresh tomatoes, vegetables, breads and cheeses purchased at local markets. We would lunch alfreso at a table on the patio.

We had a painting lesson every morning. We painted the huge olive jars, the landscapes, worked on "perspective" by painting angles of the buildings, more olive jars, grapes and sometimes we sketched our meals before enjoying them.

One day we went to San Gimignano, the legendary hill town with towers. Our teachers demonstrated in the busy Cistern Square there, and then we all sketched and painted the skyline of the towers. Tourists were abounding and stopped to watch us and took pictures (we didn't clue these people in that we were Americanos, and I found that I liked being thought of as an "artist"--whether I was one or not).

Another day, we motored to Certaldo Alto, described as a "medievial jewel in Tuscany's green heart". The town is built on top of a hill and a cable car took us up. We drew archways, streets, windows with flower boxes, towers, churches, clothes hanging on lines outside windows--the possibilities were endless.

All in all, I would say the whole of the Italy trip was about passion--the passion of humankind for art, beauty, good fresh carefully prepared foods, hearty wines, olive oils, garlic, on and on--and we saw a zest in the Italian people that we found refreshing.

Our teachers and their passion and talent for painting inspired us all, and I think I can honestly say that we, as students, were also passionate!!!!

A fellow painter, Sue St. Michael, wrote a poem and read it to us on our last evening at the villa. Here is an excerpt of what she wrote...

"All the watercolorists are packing.

My paint box dries on the grey stone of the window sill.

Patrizia prepares a Tuscan seafood dinner.

We've written our evaluations and painted our last pictures.

In the distance ancient tile roofs catch the sunlight, dark shadows pool in trees.

It's hard to say good-bye to this Tuscan countryside; the olive orchards, the vineyards, and the companionship we feel.

Home beckons, so I prepare for my departure noticing the qualities of farewell."

We all have our watercolor journals, and even now,looking at mine, I can conjure up all the images and sights I have seen and wondered at.

Back home, I was asked to share my journal with a group of ladies at a luncheon recently. (I stress that I am only a beginner--don't expect perfection from me!) But it was fun to share the stories, and now I share with you...

..... signing off thinking that passion is an invigorating and wonderful feeling--( all of us who are antique and junk collectors know about that kind of obsession too)....

Gayle@starsantique.com

--photos 2 and 3 courtesy of Winnie Givot

-- photo 4 courtesy of Dianne Muyskens

3 Comments   Add a comment

---

troppo bello....(translation from Italian..."when something is overwhelmingly beautiful)

An Excellent Italian Adventure

Part 1 - Florence

As a longtime collector (and lover) of Early American country primitive painted furniture, it is ingrained in me that I am attracted to patina, peeling paint, muted colors, an "alligatored" surface, and the general wear and tear of age. How could I not love Florence????

This centuries old city has all of the above. I was there with eleven other ladies and two teachers as a student of watercolor journaling. We stayed in the heart of the city in the convent Casa Santo Nome di Gesu (follow the link to see scenes of Florence and our accomodations).

Every morning after our breakfast in the dining room, we would meet for our painting lesson. Our teachers, Jude Seigel and Winnie Givot would give instructions and demonstrate and then we would paint until lunch time.

In the afternoons, we were free to explore the city. We could walk to the Ponte Vecchio (the amazing bridge over the Arno), explore the sights, the museums, the shops, the outdoor markets, and the restaurants...

Picture winding cobblestone streets, shuttered windows, small markets with their fresh vegetables and fruits displayed outside...outdoor cafes filled with people drinking wine or espresso and partaking of the most delicious meals ever.....

The most fun was getting to know the group of ladies and our teachers. Between us all, there were great stories and life experiences to be shared.

Our class each day started out with an inspirational reading by Jude:

One of my favorites:

**************************************************************

I stopped and flung my arms wide and I turned six circles

sky over me

sky to my north and south,

sky to my west

One person underneath it all

alive and wondering

soaked in the great surround

--Louise Erdich

**************************************************************

Although we were taught definite watercolor techniques, it was made clear that our work was to be one of self-expression. Pictured below is a great view of a window taken in Florence. Next, I'm sharing a painting of mine (remember now, I am only a beginner)--my version of the window. Every evening, we would meet and "share" our work with the group.

My impression of this cultural city is that the beauty was created by man--the buildings, churches, monuments, bridges, statues, walls--using the most primitive of tools. The Botticelli room in the reknowned Effuzi museum made a deep impression upon me. We all stood transfixed at the magnificent "Birth of Venus".

I bought a large postcard of the painting and decided it would be on the cover of my journal--a symbol of Florence..

Signing off.....still in the glow of Italian memories

gayle@starsantique.com

...to be continued


1 Comments   Add a comment

---