Mother Hen Antiques - Life in the Past Lane

Caring for the Past

2011-11-11T05:04:00.000-08:00

Probably the best part of selling antiques besides shopping is meeting people from around the country who have the same love of vintage that I have. I just met a lovely woman from California who purchased this quilt top.

This is a huge postage stamp quilt top approximately 100" square. I get stressed if I have to sew on a button, this quilt is all hand sewn with hundreds of little squares of gingham. It is no wonder it was never actually quilted, I can't imagine the hours of dedication that went into stitching this. The nice lady who purchased it is so excited about it and can't wait to see it in person. Right now it is on its way. I got thinking about where this quilt came from and since I bought it near Gloucester MA, I suppose it could have been lovingly stitched by a sea captain's wife while her man was out at sea. I can picture her stitching and waiting. It gives me chills. I am glad that this quilt will now live on the other side of the country with a person who appreciates every single stitch. One just doesn't get this experience from Macy's. This lovely customer is having the piece quilted so it will be used and loved and passed down and one day it might make its way back east with a child or grandchild. I am such a dreamer.

Enjoy your day and if you are lucky enough to have a quilted treasure, you might look at it more closely and think about where it has been and where it will go next.

On this solemn Veteran's Day my heart reaches out to every brave person serving in the Military in any capacity, past or present, with enduring thanks for your bravery and dedication to this great Country.

What the Heck is This?

2010-12-15T06:10:00.000-08:00

Linens of all types have always intrigued me and I never gave much thought to the different categories. I was fortunate to have inherited some beautiful pieces and I purchased what appealed to me and went on my merry way. Now that I am always attracted to the biggest box of linens up for auction I have a new perspective. This is partly because I had no idea how ignorant I was on the subject. My first large purchase was probably the biggest shock because I had no idea what many of the lace items were. Sure, I know it’s a table runner, doily or tablecloth but to sell it one has to describe it.

One lace type that was particularly interesting was a group of doilies and runners from approximately 1900 that I discovered were called Guipure D’Art, which is embroidery in cotton thread worked on a handmade net, or fillet, background. It looks incredibly time consuming and the technique is very old. There are instructions and examples in BEETON'S BOOK OF NEEDLEWORK By Isabella Beeton (1836 - 1865), that are very close to the runner pictured. If you want to read more about this type of lace go to http://beetonsbookofneedlework.com/page_503.htm where you will find instructions and diagrams. Meanwhile, I have many pieces of lace left to identify and the research is very interesting. I know if you look closely at your antique linens you will be inspired to find out their history.

Happy hunting.

True Confessions of a Milk Glass Addict

2010-12-14T06:27:00.000-08:00

Somehow, Sometime, Somewhere, I started collecting milk glass. Actually, I think it started with a pierced bowl that was always on my mother’s dining room table full of artificial red apples.

I inherited that bowl and something came over me, an obsession, there is no other word for it. It started with bud vases at yard sales. This summer I bought a box of 12 for $2.00. How could I possibly pass up a bargain like that? Fortunately, they are all different which means I can keep them all. I progressed to larger vases, all sized bowls, creamer and sugar sets and covered hens. Then I discovered a few pieces of Westmoreland and Fenton and I knew I was in trouble.

Because I am now obsessed, it is very hard for me to actually sell a piece. I took the plunge and put the pictured Fenton serving piece on my website for sale. It is the Silvercrest Pattern and I am particularly fond of it, however, if I am ever to start on the road to milk glass obsession recovery, I have to clench my teeth, say a prayer and let go. Let’s hope it sells before I have a relapse!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64014887/vintage-fenton-silvercrest-two-tiered

Christmas Past

2010-12-13T06:16:00.000-08:00

I have a new old love. More and more vintage Santas, flocked deer and plastic lighted Santas and Snowmen are creeping into my home I Iove them all but this year a new category has appeared. I purchased a group of plastic houses and churches decorated in Christmas splendor. They bring me back to when I was very small and I am sure I saw them in homes that I visited but I don’t remember them at my house. I think what I like most are the memories they bring back of my childhood at Christmastime.

One favorite memory is of my brother and myself waiting for the Sears Catalog. Finally it would arrive and we would plop on the living room floor with our sharpened pencils and quickly get to the toy section and start circling our favorite things for Santa to hopefully put under the tree. It always amazed me that he got the list just right! The other great thing about that ritual is that my brother and I shared the catalog and some quality time together. I have decided to part with a few of my special treasures and you will find several Christmas houses and churches at http://www.etsy.com/shop/motherhenantiques.

Enjoy this nice warm day, winter will be back at the end of the week.

A Quilted Treasure

2010-12-12T03:13:00.000-08:00

Probably the best part of selling antiques, besides shopping, is meeting people from around the country who have the same love of vintage that I have. I just met a lovely woman from California who purchased this quilt top.

This is a huge postage stamp quilt top approximately 100" square. I get stressed if I have to sew on a button, this quilt is all hand sewn with hundreds of little squares of gingham. It is no wonder it was never actually quilted, I can't imagine the hours of dedication that went into stitching this. The nice lady who purchased it is so excited about it and can't wait to see it in person. Right now it is on its way to her. I got thinking about where this quilt came from and since I bought it near Gloucester MA, I suppose it could have been lovingly stitched by a sea captain's wife while her man was out at sea. I can picture her stitching and waiting. It gives me chills. I am glad that this quilt will now live on the other side of the country with a person who appreciates every single stitch. One just doesn't get this experience from Macy's. This lovely customer is having the piece quilted so it will be used and loved and passed down and one day it might make its way back east with a child or grandchild. I am such a dreamer.

Enjoy your Sunday and if you are lucky enough to have a quilted treasure, you might look at it more closely and think about where it has been and where it will go next.

Starting a Blog with No Time to Spare

2010-12-11T07:48:00.000-08:00

I have a million things to do and not enough time to do them so naturally I add one more thing to the list!

This is the worst or best idea I have had. I read blogs every morning that inspire and fuel me. I have a very real need to connect with other insanely busy people.

This image of a hen and her chicks is my life in a nutshell! My family first and then the rest of my life keep me on my toes and always trying to keep those many "chicks" on my list in order.

My hope is that all who read this blog will share and receive support, inspiration, organization and the occasional chuckle.

Please visit Mother Hen Antiques at http://www.etsy.com/shop/motherhenantiques.