The Red Room

I love a room with red walls.  I decided in this house it would be the laundry room.  We replaced the floors and painted this room before the moving company delivered.  It was a luxury to start with an empty room.

I've now been able to add some of my red and white textiles.
The rods are Umbra Swing Arm curtain rods.  I use them to hang coat hangers for some 'hang to dry' items, but also some of the quilts.

This room does not have a window so I have little worry about sun fading and will also swap out the textiles.

Above the plug in is a little vintage crochet hat pin cushion.
I put some vintage pieces on the bracket end of the rods for visual interest.

This is Looking in the opposite direction, the door from the garage.

The Little VIV (Vortex in Variation) is our new pattern - Click HERE.  It's lightly pinned to the wall with tiny applique pins so I can easily take it down.

There are a couple of the redwork samplers in the room.  I love these and have left room to add more to the collection.

The samplers were used when teaching/learning various sewing techniques.

This one has mending in the lower left corner.

Besides the utility (upper right) of button holes and hems, there are beautiful flowers, feather stitches and a monogram.

This one has a ruffle.  It has hanging loops and is filled from top to bottom with techniques.

Here is a closeup of the top band.

This is the other side of the hall tree.  My little quilt from Annie.  So Annie, thanks for keeping me company during laundry!

The vintage kitchen towel was a find my SIL shared with me.  The maker did some embroidery, applique and finished it all off with binding around the entire towel.


The little crochet reticule bag was a vintage find.  It is comprised of very tight small single crochet stitches.

The red fabric is a reproduction Documentary Design (Authorized Adaptation Alsace 1830) from the Musee Des Arts Decoratifs, Paris.  Done by Brunschwig and Fils in 1983.
I only have a yard, and will never cut it - so I have it out to enjoy!




I hope you enjoyed the laundry room tour.
Do you have a red room?

Doll Dressers

Newest has a little 'mirror' on the back

Thanks for guessing what I bought at The Brass Armadillo.

You were all so close!

I bought another doll dresser.  Yes, after you have three of something, it is a collection.

I love these little pieces.

Here are a few from my collection, and to keep it 'quilty' I put a few of 'The Littles' with them.

Stacks of Doll Dressers

This is a grouping of little dressers on a small 'bachelors chest' in the guest room.

There are three dressers in this grouping.

The largest dresser in this group has a doll sock hanging out of the fourth drawer...those dolls...


The smallest piece is about 4"

Doors and Drawers

This one is made of cherry.

It is very well made and may have been a salesman's sample.

It is about 9" long.

2 Drawer Wooden Handles

This piece is oak, rather heavy - but sturdy for lots of use.
The drawers are a good size for doll clothes.

It is 12" tall.

I like the shape of the back piece.

Cortez Colorado Doll Chest of Drawers

I also collect souvenir cedar pin cushions so this piece really fits - it is a cedar souvenir dresser from Cortez Colorado.

When I found this dresser, the top drawer had the printed patchwork quilt and the second drawer was the blanket drawer.  I thought that was very sweet.

I like to think she got it on vacation and when she got home she filled the drawers...

Thanks for taking a look at my 'accidental collection' of doll dressers.

Do you have any doll dressers?  Remember having one?

Have a great week!



More pictures of doll dressers:
Click HERE

Quilts That Settled The West 1840-1870

I had a fabulous Wednesday afternoon - took a break from unpacking and attended:

Quilts That Settled The West 1840-1870, presentation by Jeananne Wright.

If you are looking for programs for your group, she has many to chose from.

Look at the stacks of quilts we got to see and hear about I lost count of how many!

The Brass Armadillo (Denver CO) hosted the presentation.

It was taped by iAntiques.com so maybe the program will be archived.

Jeananne does portions of her presentation 'in character' beginning with earlier quilts in her collection.

She weaves entertainment, history and beauty into a memorable experience.

Signature quilts with names in cross stitch

Many times as I look at the Rockies, and I think about seeing them from a wagon for the first time - the courage it took to keep going.  

I think I would have asked my DH if we couldn't just stop here in Colorado and make a go of it!

It probably would have something like, "You want us, and this wagon to cross that?"

Signature Blocks - each inked/signed and dated

Fascinating to think how much history each of these quilts holds.

Beautiful blocks, sashing and borders

So many stacks of quilts we were running out of places to put them!

I volunteered to help hold and fold the quilts - lucky me - up close and personal.

Small Blocks - I think they are less than 6"

String Star Quilt - Diamond Setting

I've been thinking of making a string quilt and I love this setting - small scale stars, interesting setting and wonderful setting prints....hmmmm  Maybe a new winter project...

This is just a very small sampling of the quilts Jeananne brought for this presentation.  I was so busy holding and looking I only took a couple dozen pictures.  She has several other presentations and oh, so so many more beautiful quilts and stories filled with history.  When you have the opportunity be sure to attend her presentations.  

And yes, as usual I never leave the Brass Armadillo empty handed - I'm saving that for another post.  What do you think I brought home?

Have a great week.

Tree Of Life

I've been going through my treasure chests (acid free storage boxes) thinking about what I'm going to hang first in the new house.

I think this reproduction Palampore purchased years ago from Den Haan Wagenmakers in Amsterdam, The Netherlands will go back on a wall.

It isn't quilted.  I basted the edges in a 'hem' not wanting to alter the fabric too much.

I also like that the selvage printing is hidden, yet still readable.

A palampore image was in my head when I made this 3.5" applique block for a medallion center - a tiny Round Robin.










We are about half unpacked, hope to get internet today.  Currently running wireless off my phone and it is SLOW.

Everyday is better, and more fun as we make this house our new home!
Hope all is well with you!

Also of Interest:
Antique in NY Historical Society Museum
Early 19th Century Tree of Life Quilt from a Welsh Family
Palampore Images