what kind of story would this one tell?  While visiting some estate sales yesterday this forlorn Ford F600 spoke to me.  Maybe it is because I’m thinking of putting those galvanized panels on my garden shed, however maybe it was trying to say something else… something on the order of… if you don’t stop going to estate sales you might be living in the likes of me someday!  I didn’t hear it actually say that though so it’s off to another one… LOL

Crazy idea maybe, but this year… First Friday’s will be remembered in a tag (until the idea grows old anyway).  There is a bit of improvement needed here so there hasn’t been any glueing, but it is 85% there!  Handwriting is something that I wish I had practiced more during my lifetime… possibly the problem was those pages and pages of letters required every night in the third grade… not much fun!  Maybe “someone” has some stamps that can be used to stamp that month??!!  All of the materials must have been a “find” of the day.  The “E” is the logo from the card of Christopher Elbow Artisan Chocolates and the “BE who you are” is from the business card of Brenda Eslinger of BE at Restoration Emporium.

Tucked inside the vintage flower is a charm honoring friends… what would First Friday be without friends? … no fun at all!  The flower, the charm and the crystals were from Re-Runs vintage apparel.

Good JuJu was where the hearts were scored.  They were nice and shiny before I used the clorox and vinegar technique on them.  Rust is good so all of the shiny parts… the hearts, charm and crystals, got “the treatment”.  The ribbons and crocheted “snowflakes” were from Bottoms Up Antique Market… the gallery space is one of my favorites and I don’t even know her name… can’t remember everything, but next FF it will be written down!

Each first Friday the hope is to take home some form of art, either current or antique. Friday’s purchase, or “the Friday heart” is an antique Iroquois Pincushion. The seller shared a brief history of the Iroquois women (it appears it possibly wasn’t just the women) and their art so research quickly began…

The publication Flights of Fancy: An Introduction to Iroquois Beadwork by Dolores N. Elliott, is out of print. Click here to read portions of the text.

Following is a brief excerpt from the book that speaks of the heart form pincushion.  The most common pincushion heart form began around 1890, featuring a leaf in each of the top lobes with the tip of the leaves toward the center. Sometimes the leaves are replaced with balls. Purple velvet is a favorite cloth in these hearts. Tan velvet and hot pink cloth were also used frequently. Often there is a date or design in the center of the heart. The larger the heart, the larger the design in the center and the more elaborate the loops along the bottom of the heart. The hearts that feature clear beads and clear bead handles and fringes were made before World War I. Those with white edging beads, a white or multicolored hanger, and multicolored bottom loops were made after World War I. Later pieces are more likely to have cord hangers than hangers made of beads. Mohawk beadworkers made this style of heart.

This one has certainly been well used (loved) because it’s wool is very worn and it is missing the loops on one side as well as the hanger.  According to the writings above, it was made before WWI due to the presence of the clear beads. I can feel the love of the artist when I hold the cushion… and it’s simple back shows how it has truly been a part of someone’s (maybe several someone’s) needlework life.  I find the mending tells a bit more of the story as well.

The Saturday heart was a thrift store purchase… a very heavy blue glass beauty. The moss is thriving in this balmy weather we are having. I found spirea blooming this weekend as well as the witch hazel and the daffodils are up almost two inches… very scary!

The Sunday heart is somewhat more demure that the other two… a simple little piece of metal, but I found it, along with the hand at an estate sale. I also got to see my old friends, Melvin and Mia whom I haven’t seen in quite some time. They were kind enough to employ me during my layoff a few years ago.

… and of course what home doesn’t have a few of these? (also from the estate sale today)

There are a few ideas in my head for them… now, just enough time to follow through would be nice!

Thanks to all of the previous owners who have shared their hearts with me.

Can’t think of a memory of too many January first Fridays that have been 60 degrees… what beautiful weather we are having and it seems that there is more of the same tomorrow.  It’s pretty easy to take a few freezing days when there are three or four 60 degree days in between.  First Friday destination is always the West Bottoms… things are growing there, as well as the Crossroads Art District.  It was surprising that there weren’t more people out this evening given this beautiful weather!  The photo above was taken at our favorite photographer’s, Melinda Dennis, gallery area.  She said she picked up the tumbleweeds, while coming back from vacation… her husband was sleeping!

Love how people can make simple things so beautiful.  I’m not sure who’s area this was, but the sunshine was casting some perfect light.

My guess is that hand crafted furniture making is rare these days, but at Bennett Mullens Furniture Makers, their art was in full swing today.  I’m sure he leaves a bit of his soul in every piece.  (I don’t edit, but should I crop that light out?)

Happy First Friday everyone… it really is an event in Kansas City, not just something that I’ve conjured up for my blog!

It appears that the reason people use a light box is so that the unsightly shadows that are in this photo aren’t there… oh well… no room at jewel for a light box!  The new year started with a little stitching project among friends and two new “favorites”… InkJoy pens and evolution of smooth (eos) sweet mint lip balm sphere.  Both have a new home in the stitch basket.  The Chiefs beat the Broncos, the weather is still absolutely beautiful (getting cold tonight) and the beans (black eyes peas) were delish. Oh, and the lovely scissors were one of the favorite Christmas gifts this year.  Things seem to be off to a great start… bring it… 2012!!

Today was one of those days to reeeeally enjoy… yes sunny and sixty in the middle of a midwest winter!  A lot of good leaf raking was to be enjoyed!  There were some signs of lingering fall which are usually frozen to the bone by this time.  The aster above is a tiny survivor!

The “Christmasy” things in the garden usually have some snowscape around them, or have had at some point up to now… not this year!  (thank goodness)

Then what to my wondering eyes would appear… a bud laden quince.  I hope they are very resilient because we have a good three months of winter to go… and maybe more!

Might have lost my mind while Christmas shopping this year, but while buying for the nephews I found this Hot Wheels car and it somehow found it’s way into the cart… not for the nephews mind you!  Who wouldn’t love a car like this??!!!

This also found it’s way to jewel… and also not for the nephews.  Two toys and each was only 99 cents, but the fun that will be had with both… priceless!

Christmas is celebrated at jewel, but if, and whatever, you are celebrating at this time… even if it simply be life itself… have a merry one!

Emery Bird Thayer… a small piece of Kansas City history

The first presents of the season were shared yesterday… the friendship is the valuable gift, but the presents are fun too!!

All that Glitters

Shatto Egg Nog, McLain’s Cup Cookies, Great Friends &  a CHIEFS WIN OVER THE GREEN BAY PACKERS, (yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus) oh, and Crown… let the holidays begin!!

Note… I reeeeally wanted the bottle with “CHEERS” on it, but that awesome egg nog is scarce and I only had three bottles to choose from… LOCAL, FRESH and TASTY so TASTY it was!  Oh well, that bottle will go back to the store and maybe I’ll get lucky and find a CHEERS next time.

Cheers to the final days of 2011!