Anderson Art Center Quilt/Fiber Art Exhibit

I read in our local newspaper about a quilt exhibit being held at Anderson Art Center  located on Lake Michigan in my hometown, so my friend and I made plans to go on Thursday afternoon.

I have become interested in quilting (not that I quilt, I just look) after reading Cathy's blog Blueberry Patch. Cathy is an accomplished quilter/fiber artist, and I have enjoyed reading about her progress on the quilts she makes and seeing her final product. Cathy combines beautiful colors and designs to create stunning quilts. Take a few moments and check out her blog, especially her post titled Modern Mini Challenge which is an optical illusion lap quilt. 

The Anderson Art Center  was donated by Janet Lance Anderson who deeded her house to Kenosha County to be part of Kemper Center park grounds. Mrs. Anderson lived in this magnificent home until her death in 1989, at the age of 96. 

Walking into the art center sun filled the first room we walked into and on the walls hung gorgeous quilted designs. Here, is a sample of what we saw.

How incredible the fiber art pieces looked in this sun filled room.

This was one of my favorite pieces.

The terrace door lets sunlight flow inside the room.

Looking out the terrace door - 

you can see beautiful Lake Michigan.

I thought of my blog friends Anne from Marmalade and Catmint,

and Ruth from Dian's Timpanalley, when I spotted these cat quilts.

We headed up this stairway to the second floor.

Spiral staircase to the second floor.

After climbing the staircase, we were greeted by whimsical quilts.

A view of the court yard from the second floor window. 

Second floor view of some of the grounds.

This abstract/illusion quilt I thought was stunning.

After viewing these, I look forward to the spring flowers.

What a marvellous afternoon I had, spending time with a good friend, viewing stunning fiber art work, and walking around that grand old house. 

Midweek Thrift Find

Thought I would do a midweek stop at the GW Boutique. 

This is what I found....

I noticed the coffee/chocolate pot as soon as I walked down the isle and knew I wanted to use it as a vase for some spring flowers. I'm looking forward to the daffodils blooming and producing a bouquet of lovely yellow flowers. 

It was 66 degrees yesterday, and I have to admit I am getting spring fever. Has spring fever hit you yet?

Vintage Limericks

Do items at thrift stores or estate sales sometimes find you instead of you finding them? That is exactly what happened with these autograph books while I was shopping at an estate sale this past weekend.

My shopping experience at the estate sale was cut short, (you can read more about that story here) while I was waiting to pay I bumped into a round coffee table and noticed the autograph books.

I have a love for ephemera so, I immediately picked up the autograph books took a quick peek and knew I was going to purchase them. 

I came home and read all of the entries, examined the hand writing, and chuckled at the sayings.

This album for autographs is well loved 

with the gilding faded in many areas, and has

limericks from 1903 to 1904.

Inside cover - it was made in Germany

When your old and can't see

Put on your specks and think of me.

When your married and your husband is cross

Come over to my house and eat some applesauce.

I thought it was odd that Alias and Viva Donovan 

added their names to Mrs. Rice limerick.

Round is an apple soon it is rotten

A young mans vows are soon forgotten.

I wonder why E. Johnson is bitter towards men? 

When you stand before the tub

Think of me before you rub.

This one made me laugh out loud!

These entries are from 1930 to 1934.

Here's to the American Eagle

May he never loose a feather

Til his big shoes and your little feet

Are under one bed together.

Yours till the ocean wears

rubber pants to keep its bottom dry.

This one is my favorite.

When the sun is slowly (written slowely) sinking

And on earth no more you trod

May your name in gold be written

In the autograph of God.

Sailing down the stream of life

In your little canoe,

May you have a pleasant trip

And room enough for two.

When you get married and live by the lake

Send me a piece of your wedding cake.

I never had an autograph book while growing up, but my high school year books have many stories and signatures written on its pages. I wonder if my children will sell my yearbooks at an estate sale.

Polish Patriot ~ Casimir Pulaski

My grandparents left Poland for their honeymoon to America and never returned. My father was the youngest  of seven children all first generation Americans. 

My grandparents located in Chicago, the Polish district, before purchasing property in North Chicago, Illinois and building a home. While growing up I was surrounded by Polish culture, in a two block area, in my neighborhood, was the Polish Catholic church, school, funeral home, bakery, liquor/candy store, dry goods store, hardware, bowling alley, shoe repair, my grandfather's rug business, and a small grocery store all of these businesses were owned by people of polish descent.

So today, I celebrate Casimir (Kazimierz) Pulaski Day. Casimir (Kazimierz) Pulaski Day is an annual holiday in Illinois, that is celebrated on the first Monday of March. It celebrates the birthday of Casimir (Kazimierz) Pulaski, a Polish born soldier who is remembered for his contributions to American independence.

He was born in Warka, Poland, on March 1747/8. His father was a founding member of the Confederation of Bar that fought Russia which controlled Poland at the time. After his father's death, Casimir (Kazimierz) took over military command, which earned him, an impressive reputation. He was forced to leave Poland after being accused of plotting to assassinate the kind of Poland.

Exiled from Poland, he travelled to France, where he met Benjamin Franklin and learned about the American Revolutionary War. Later Franklin introduced Pulaski to George Washington.

Casimir (Kazimierz) Pulaski headed to America to help in the war, he was involved in several battles, and it is believed that he saved George Washington's life in the 1777 battle of Brandywine by uncovering a sneak attack by the British. He was promoted to brigadier general because of his brave action in the battle of Brandywine. He was in charge of the first cavalry, giving him the nickname "Father of the American Cavalry."

Pulaski said, "I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it." Casimir (Kazimierz) Pulaski was killed by cannon fire while riding on a horse in battle at Savannah, Georgia, 1779.

On January 16, 1931, the United State Post Office released a 

2¢ commemorative stamp honoring Casimir (Kazimierz) Pulaski.

In 2009, Pulaski became the seventh person to posthumously receive honorary American citizenship.

Today I celebrate my Polish heritage by remembering Casimir (Kazimierz) Pulaski, and how he fought in the Revolutionary War for our rights and freedom.

Thrift Share

Every so often we will have an estate sale in the area that starts on a Thursday and runs until Sunday. On Thursday morning, I was standing outside waiting for over an hour for my number to be called with extremely cold feet and hands that had no gloves. You would think I would remember that I live in Wisconsin, and it is still winter.

When my number was finally called, I understood why only a few people were allowed inside. This was a three bedroom, one bath, living room, dinning room, small kitchen with an attached garage, and a basement ranch styled house. 

The ladies working the sales appeared fluster whispering amongst themselves, after several phone calls, and more whispers everyone in the house was informed that a worker was found dead in her home from carbon monoxide poisoning. Many of the regulars shopping the sale knew her, as you can imagine everyone was terribly upset, and a dark mood fell over the house.

Everyone quickly checked out so that the ladies could have a few moments together to recover from the shock of their friend and co-workers passing. 

This is what I purchased....

While walking around the garage, the 

shape of these tools caught my attention.

I liked the shape on top of this screw.

This one was linear in design.

The center had both straight lines,

and curves to compliment the other pieces.

What will I do with these three tools? My first thought was to group them and hang them on the wall, but now I am thinking perhaps they can hold/display some of my vintage photos. What do you think?

As I waited in line to checkout a coffee table was next to me (photo taken with my phone at the sale) so of course, I checked out all the items on the table while I waited. I also purchased two autograph books 

(see the red arrows) with some pretty amusing limericks written between 1904 and 1934. I will do a separate post about autograph books and the limericks.

Looking forward to see what everyone else found this week.

I am linking up:

 with Her Library Adventures, Flea Market Finds

Apron Thrift Girl, Thrift Share Monday

Me and My Shadow, Magpie Monday

Hey, What's for Dinner Mom? -  The Penny Worth Project

Dr. Seuss' Birthday

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. 

You can steer yourself any direction you choose. 

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go... 

                                                                             Dr. Seuss  

   

Today we celebrate Read Across America also Theodor Seuss Geisel aka Dr. Seuss' birthday, born on March 2, 1904 he is known for the 46 children's books that he has written. 

Photo Source: Wikipedia

A few of the most popular books he has written include:

My daughter plans to celebrate with my grandchildren by having the traditional green eggs and ham. Inside a clear cup, blue jello will be the sea for gummy fish that will be swimming around. Deviled eggs with the yolk tinted green, and cupcakes decorated with "Thing One and Thing Two."

They will also be treated to the newly released movie;

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax.

Will you be doing anything special with your little ones today to 

celebrate Read Across America and Dr. Seuss' birthday? 

Mantra