Garden Of Daisies

Monday, May 23, 2011

Puttering And Potting

It was a beautiful weekend!
I took a break from the college-kid-stuff-storage-chaos-mayhem
going on inside my house,
(how do they accumulate so much stuff?)
and puttered around outside, potting up herbs and annuals.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

I'll Huff And I'll Puff

I think all of us know the tale of the Three Little Pigs

who went out into the world to seek their fortune,

built homes from straw, twigs and brick,

and did their best to keep away from the big bad wolf.

That was my favorite story when I was a wee girl

and I remember my Grandpa reading it to me, over and over again.

My grandma made this crib size piggy quilt when my Dad was little.

She embroidered and appliqued each square.

The quilt was passed down to me,

because I was the granddaughter who loved piggies.

And I used it when I had children of my own.

It says (in rebus form):

"Open the door and let me in.

No! By th' hair of my chiny chin chin.

Then I'll huff and I'll puff,

I'll blow your house in!"

Ruby Short McKim was the designer and illustrator of this quilt. Her quilt patterns were published in newspapers across the country in the 1920's and 30's. This piggy quilt was designed as a series. Years later I discovered the piggy pattern republished in this book of McKim designs. Naturally I had to buy the book!

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UPDATE: Please visit this link to Karen's post, Ruby McKim's Big Bad Wolf

to see another fun version of the piggy quilt.

Join us for Vintage Thingie Thursday at The Colorado Lady.

Monday, May 16, 2011

The Country's Newest Social Worker

We had a very special event to attend this past weekend.

Our daughter's college graduation.

(Family photos may not be borrowed or pinned.)

She earned a double major in Social Work / Justice And Society.

(Family photos may not be borrowed or pinned.)

We are so proud of her!

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Franciscan Desert Rose

You could probably tell from my previous post that I have a thing for pink roses. One of the most beautiful flowers in the world! I love them in my garden. And I love them inside my house too.

Franciscan, Desert Rose

I remembered seeing this pattern when I was a kid. And I loved it! So, several (15?) years ago I bought 6 place settings of this stoneware at a department store. Then my Mom and I picked up a few vintage serving pieces. That is when I discovered that the newer pieces made in England weren't as nice as the older ones from California.

Franciscan Pottery (Gladding McBean Co) started making Desert Rose stoneware in 1941. The dishes had a lovely raised relief rose design which was hand painted. It proved to be a very popular pattern, so they still make it to this day.

BUT, it's not the same anymore. After a series of mergers and sales, the American factory in Glendale California was closed. Wedgewood bought the Franciscan line of dinnerware in 1984 and moved all production to England (and later to China). The roses on the newer pieces don't have as much of a raised feel, and I don't think the detail is the same either. When you see them side by side, there is a very real difference.

I still have the mix of new and old pieces, but I only buy the older ones now. (I only purchase those that say California or USA on the backstamp.)

My large serving bowl was made before 1947.

This creamer and sugar were made after 1958.

My sherbet dishes were made about 1954.

It is really interesting to see how the backstamps changed over the years.

And it helps to date your pieces. (Enlarge to see.)

(from Franciscan Marks brochure)

And speaking of roses, this is what my"Nearly Wild" looks like today.

Lots more buds have opened up in the past two days.

Today I'm linking to Vintage Thingie Thursday at The Colorado Lady.

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