Marmalady's 1920's Cloche Girl's Hat

1920's Cloche Girl's Tea Hat

For some of you that have been following my blog for awhile you have seen this hat when I had the vintage clothing series. This hat was styled after the cloche hats so popular in the 1920's. Now I will be selling this pattern on www.marmaladys.com starting the first part of May. It is a little girl's hat and has three sizes in it. It probably would fit a small adult head also. My prototype is made out of a velveteen, but a pretty cotton or even wool could be cute. You can decorate it with a flower, a brooch, or just leave it plain. Wouldn't this 1920's Cloche Girl's Tea Hat look darling on any little girl in your life, then take her to tea for a special afternoon experience.

******

Don't forget to leave a comment for the give away mentioned yesterday.

Today is my 200th blog and I am celebrating.

Friends and Quilts

Friends are the best at knowing what I like. A special friend tucked the above three quilt squares into my birthday gift this year. They are vintage quilt squares. Now my mind is running with possibilities to do with the three squares. Eventhough each square is a different color the center is the same, much like each of us. We may look different on the outside, but inside we each have a heart that loves, cries, and rejoices in the daily small things of life. I think I will frame these three beautiful squares and hang them in my office to enjoy each day.
Another friend gave me a tea cozy made from an old family quilt. It is one of my favorites. It is used almost daily over my morning teapot. Friends are indeed "the best".

Today is the last regular Monday for sharing quilts. Tomorrow is my 200th blog. In celebration of both events I am giving away a copy of the book mentioned several weeks ago, Hidden in Plain View, A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad. Just leave a comment here throughout this week and on Friday, April 3rd, I will announce the winner.

Springtime Teapot

It is time to bring out the springtime teapot. It comes out with the blossoms and birds that are making their appearance. Even though I might tell you, "I don't collect teapots". My cupboards may tell you a different story.

***

Teapots

I collect teapots.

That's just what I do.

Because they make me happy.

They make me think of you.

Some collect valuable things

Like coins or stamps or trains.

Others save the whimsical,

Or practical, or strange.

I collect teapots.

Any color, shape or size.

Especially the odd ones,

Those I truly prize.

Some may scoff and mock

When they see my menagerie.

Lots of work to dust and clean

This whole magical display.

But each one is special,

For its individual reason.

A thoughtful gift from someone loved,

Or just to fit a season.

But most of all I treasure

What it symbolizes,

Brew some tea with a friend

And closeness epitomizes.

I collect teapots.

That's just what I do.

Because they make me happy,

They make me think of you!

~by Mary Ellen Brown, 1994

Vintage Apron

Front of Vintage Apron
Back of Vintage Apron
*****
For 25 years I worked in the world of apparel as a patternmaker. I worked for Jantzen and Nike. The sewn items you see on www.marmaladys.com are my patterns. I have been asked over the years if I have certain fabric patterns for my aprons and tea cozies. Not being able to have individual fabric patterns for each person's desires it finally hit me, why not sell the patterns then you can make it or have someone else make it for you. Why I hadn't thought of that sooner, I don't know. But finally here is the beginning of Marmalady's Patterns. Starting the first of May they should be on my website for sale or contact me by email during April and they may be ready. I will feature a different one of the patterns during the next month.
***
The Vintage Apron pattern is a copy of an apron I found several years ago in an antique shop in Portland. I wear it everytime I am representing Marmalady's at a show. So many people have asked me about it and I finally have made the pattern for you. It is very comfortable, as there is no binding tie around the waist. I love wearing it. On my website the ready made apron is only one size. The pattern will have four sizes in it and will fit everyone from Small (4) to XLarge (20).

Historic Portland

Recently this book arrived in my mail. A beautiful coffee table book of historic Portland from the 1860's to the 1970's. The pictures are all black and white, which definitely portrays the feel of history.
Here is the original Forestry Center built for the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition of 1905. Inside was exhibited forest products and photos of Native Americans by Edward S. Curtis, circa 1905. Later this spectacular log building burnt to the ground and was later rebuilt in a different location in Washington Park.

I loved this picture of the swimming pool at Sellwood Park taken 1935. The pool is still there and looks much the same. It is a round pool, which was fascinating to me. In this picture I wondered what is everyone looking at. A fun picture.

***

It was fun to see the pictures and realize how much Portland has grown and changed over the years. But at the same time, it was a joy to see buildings I recognized that are still standing, such as the City Hall, the main library, the Skidmore Fountain, the Thompson Elk Fountain, and the Courthouse. There was one bridge that is no longer in Portland, but others that were being built replacing the use of ferries to get back and forth across the river. As my son and I looked at the pictures we thought it would be fun to travel through the city seeing how many more buildings were still standing or how much a particular corner had changed. Historic pictures tell a story of consistency and change. They are a part of each of us and give us pause to remember and reminisces. Thanks for the memories of Historic Photos of Portland.

***
Do you have pictures that depict your history? Old family pictures? Pictures of the places you have lived?

Tea at the Chinese Gardens

Step into the Moon Gate, the entrance to the Portland Chinese Gardens.

Though it is in the center of the city, for awhile you can be transported to another more peaceful place.
The Reflection Teahouse sits behind the reflection pond.
The star magnolia was in bloom.

Sit awhile, sipping tea, and enjoy the peacefulness of a Sunday afternoon.
There were young couples, older couples, families, and friends, both men and women
enjoying the day.

We each ordered different oolong teas served in gaiwans. Along with the tea we enjoyed a daikon salad and peanuts.

The two vegetarian steamed savories. Each part of the tea was delicious and enjoyed by my husband and me. If you ever visit Portland, come with me to the Chinese Gardens for a time of quiet sipping and chatting.

Using Quilts

Photographing my own quilt collection was quite a surprise. I had no idea I had so many different quilt items. The above quilt is called "Around the World". When my husband's grandmother was about 90 years old I realized the quilts we received as wedding gifts were worn out and we wouldn't have one made by this grandmother. I wrote her and asked what her favorite quilt pattern was and if she could make a small quilt for us. She sent me the pattern and asked me to piece it, then she quilted it. We have hung it on the wall throughout the years and now it covers our television when it is not in use.

As a side note the pillow fabric was found under upholstery fabric on my grandfather's platform rocker. I made several pillows for family members from that fabric.
The crazy quilt star was found in an antique shop in Kansas. I have always loved crazy quilts; so the star came home with me to be placed in a frame.

This quilted heart I found at an antique sale in Austin, Texas. There are many things that old worn quilts can be used for, including framing pieces of them. Someday I will be brave enough to cut the worn quilts in my cupboard.

When my mother-in-law moved into a retirement center we divided up her family quilts. I love this quilt and it has the honor of residing at the foot of my bed. It was made by one of my husband's grandmothers.

Sometimes you can find pieced quilt squares that have never been put into a quilt. These two squares were found in an antique shop in Oregon and immediately I knew they would be made into pillows.

A quilt made by my mother-in-law.

My sister and I found this quilt among our mothers belongings when she moved to a nursing home. I love the soft blue in it. We didn't know she had this quilt and believe it belonged to our step-grandmother. It is very light weight and I love using it as a table cloth when we serve tea in the back yard.

************

I treasure each quilt and love sharing them with you. I know there are more tucked away, but they are my treasures for another day.

Next Monday will be my final quilt day and I also will be celebrating my 200th blog entry. Please visit to celebrate with a special give away.