Storytelling

One of the common aspects of transferware china that I love is its ability to tell a story. There's a line from a movie in which a character is asked to relate an incident from her life. She asks,"Which do you want? Lies or the truth?" 

"I want both," comes the unexpected answer. But then we realize that a good story includes both reality, and the fanciful. Pictorial china is like that too.

It's no secret by now that I favor brown in transferware china! Last week I came across these small plates in my travels that will serve as my 2015 souvenir of summer. They were four for 3.50, and remind me of childhood journeys when I had a similarly small budget for a roadside memento.

I was first captivated by the little cottage pictured, and then sold by the pattern name,"Garden House." I have visited George Washington's home, Mount Vernon, near Washington, D.C., but have little recollection of the garden house. But I love the romantic scene depicted of a perfect summer day long ago. The leisurely stroll, the sails and the birds flying. . . , the picket fence.

In reality, when we approached near the Potomac River from the grounds, a startling unseen voice from a loud speaker sternly cautioned us to stay away from the water! Our summer ventures this year have been somewhat like that. A few wonderful pleasures mixed with lesser joys. Aren't they always? But what do we most want to remember?

My forays brought me a few more pleasing colors and textures to carry home that I am showing here. A mix of weathered greys and browns. Sand colors. Old wood. Chipping paint. Reminders of faraway places. What better way to tell the story of a passing summer?

I hope you have enjoyed my small tale!

We are savoring the gentle unfolding of another season. I hope you are too!

So nice that you stopped by for a visit!

Jacqueline 

Join me at

FrenchCountry Cottage~Feathered Nest Friday

Between Naps on the Porch~Metamorphosis Monday

Coastal Charm~Show & Share

Savvy Southern Style~Wow Us Wednesdays

Common Ground~Share Your Style

Soft Looks For Fall

So many of you commented that you enjoyed a softer look for fall that I thought I would show you a few of my recent choices.

I'm in my work room/nursery/guest room getting ready for ironing, so come right in! It's a rare cloudy day, and I have too many reflections to work with, but this is what we got! You have already seen my dish choices if you have been visiting the blog, but I am also incorporating more deep linen colors this time of year. By "deep" I mean natural undyed linen and off white threads and fabrics.

I'm loving the sepia color of this pair of French prints I found. The white frame with just a touch of gold is perfect for them!

Lots of silver casting light around makes me happy in the cooler months.

I actually went hunting for floral prints, and was lucky enough to find  a couple of them in perfect muted tones and colors.

And these are the new pieces that I'm ironing! I want to say that I do love a rumpled look every bit as much as a smooth ironed finish, and so you should see them before. . . .

The larger item is an over sized towel of the type one would hang on a nice washstand to show it off. (Or actually use!)

Just look at that fantastic inset!

And yummy trim to finish it off. . . . (it's a good three inches!)

Pressing will really make the details show better, and I would only hang it for use if it was ironed.

I am showing this small runner on a dark background to show you the rose detail that the iron will bring out.

Battenburg lace is always lovely. . .

but only after pressing will you be more able to see the heart motif! This is not an especially old piece, and it has a small dark stain that did not soak out. But it is a very long valance that I will use as a shelf runner, or turn into a basket liner. Five bucks!

Russet and yellow, with a softness. . . .

Deep color mixed with lots of white keeps things light. But I will always have soft gowns and garments hanging in here anyway!

Check out that billowy drape!

And sweet hand-worked details. . . .

Now back to work!

I hope it's a fantastic weekend for you!

Jacqueline

Join me at

Savvy Southern Style~Wow Us Wednesdays

Common Ground~Share Your Style

Shabby Art Boutique~Shabbilicious Friday

French Country Cottage~Feathered Nest Friday

Gathering Up The Threads

I'm back home again among my own things and finding myself surprised once more about how little it takes to turn toward a new season. Merely a change in color can do the trick, as nature herself demonstrates.

Most of what shows here is always within arms reach in my own dining room year round. It's all in what I choose to emphasize. But that's true in all aspects of life isn't it? (Even my chairs are always ready for fall!)

But there are a few new things to celebrate another September, and this delightful embroidered vintage tablecloth is one of them! Can you see that gorgeous crocheted edge all around??

Someone valued this cloth at ten dollars. But really how can you put a price on such a thing? The heft is wonderful, as is the stitching.

Individually, the colors are not what I would choose, but scattered thinly across the table they are understated, and a perfect reflection of gently falling leaves. I can't tell you how much they cheer me!

All in perfect condition.

Another newcomer is this entertaining jar in rustic colors with a nod to all things French. No doubt it is a reproduction, as its lack of crazing and age proves it cannot possibly be as old as 1892. Love it anyway!

I did manage to come across this old ironstone bowl in my travels, all mottled and crackled as it should be.

I love the interesting rim details on top and bottom. A keeper!

Everything settles in together as though it had always been there. Gathered up snug and cozy like a few more strands of nesting material woven into place.

Isn't that what we all start to do in September?

I hope you are enjoying gathering up all the threads of summer too!

I so much enjoyed all of your supportive comments on my last post! Thank you so much! It was just so heartwarming to me. I'm looking forward to getting back to you, and celebrating another new season together!

Jacqueline

Join me at

Savvy Southern Style~Wow Us Wednesdays

Common Ground~Share Your Style

French Country Cottage~Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home~Home Sweet Home