A WIP, a Purchse, a RAK and some Flicks

GR&DF the title says it all - a very low key weekend - no visitors, no pressure, just doing what we want to AND I had a big dog nap on Saturday afternoon!!! Could it have been any better????

I think I will start off today with an updated snap of the BP Companion Quaker piece -

I really have no idea why I put this piece down as I am really enjoying the stitching. I took the time to actually read some of the info again on the chart and it mentions both the Beatrix Potter Quaker piece and another Quaker beauty- the M. Quertier piece. All three of these samplers are from about 1799 - with two of them dated in that year. I have already done the Beatrix Potter piece - now working the companion - I think next I need to work up the M Quertier - thank goodness I have already acquired the chart. Now what silk to use??? and on what linen.....

Even though it was a lazy weekend there was one Estate sale out there - so we went on over and it was a total bust. I was still in the browsing mood so over to the Salvation Army Thrift store we went and I am so happy we did - a little background - for the longest time, like decades, I have collected early 19th century English Transferware - all colours, but I really like the pink (really red, but in the trade called pink), blue and brown. I couldn't believe my luck when we got over to the shop - here is a snap of what was waiting there for me.....

These two beautiful transferware pieces - a covered sugar bowl and cream jug. Both in excellent condition with no breaks, chips or cracks - what luck!! I have never seen anything like this in any thrift shop out here - ever. I actually walked past them when I first came into the china area and then on my pass back through I noticed them - so it always pays to walk around a couple of times to sift through all the stuff.

Th mails on Friday brought another beautiful RAK from a dear stitcher. I took the box home on Friday evening and out came this lovely piece of work....

All framed up and ready for hanging - from Julie. How sweet of her to think of me and how appropriate for the time of year. I am just itching to get some jam or preserves made and put up for next year. Thank you so much!! Dear Julie - I don't have your email or address to send a card of thanks - my email is on the Blog - let me know yours so I can thank you properly!! It looks so cute in my kitchen!!

There where some flicks over the weekend and three of them where new to me and worth mentioning.....

Lets start of with "Under Eighteen" - 1931 - starring Anita Page, Marian Marsh, Regis Toomey and William Warren. This pre-code goodie is the story of hard working girl, Marsh, (seamstress in fancy boutique) who envy's the models of the fancy clothes and their "sugar daddy" gifts and trappings. When her sister needs $200, Marsh, sees that the only way to get the $200 is to go the way of the models and "shake her shimmy" - eventually that doesn't work and all is right in the end. A very moral picture that good is always triumphant - some gorgeous art deco sets of the rich and some scrumptious clothes designed by Earl Luick. A little wooden in the acting department, but worth a look.

The next film is "The Gay Sisters" - 1942 - starring Barbara Stanwyck, George Brent, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Donald Crisp, Gig Young and Nancy Coleman. This was one humdinger of a film. A beautiful piece from the Warner Brothers factory. Great photography and a super score by Max Steiner. This top notch film revolves around three sisters and their estate that is in litigation for decades. The story comes to a head when a family secret is let loose, but everything wraps up nicely in the last 10 min's (of course) This is not often shown on TCM and I watched a copy as it is also not on DVD - but I would highly recommend it if you get the chance.

The last film I wanted to mention was "The White Angel" - 1936 - starring Kay Francis, Ian Hunter, Donald Woods and Donald Crisp. This film is a bio-pic of the life of Florence Nightingale. I very Hollywood film with the basic story of her life told, but in a very melodramatic way with lots of schmaltz. I totally enjoy all of Kay Francis' films and wish they would put out a DVD set of her films. What I watched was a copy as this also is not on DVD - but they show many of Kay's films on TCM from time to time. I also would like to mention Donald Crisp- a really wonderful character actor of the time. He shows up all the time as the father, grandfather or just all around good guy. In this film he is a bad guy and it was very interesting to see him play against type. If you don't mind too much silly over the top emotional stuff then give this film a chance.

There you go sports fans - thank you again for stopping by and for you great comments!!

Take care,
edgar