Bibliosophy Handmade

New Stuff

A few new things that I've been working on lately....available now in the Shop!  Convo me if you want a dishtowel, they are ready to go, I just don't have them listed yet.

For Mom

I am offering a 20% discount on all items in my shop from now until Mother's Day; simply enter the code MOM20 at checkout.  Treat your own mother, or yourself Mom!  Subtle (or maybe not-so-subtle) hints to husbands are also good:)

Inside Oldfields

Views from inside Oldfields, the Lilly (of Eli Lilly Pharmeceuticals) country house estate, in Indianapolis.  Vintage 1930's.

Wednesday Pretty

Inside the greenhouse at Oldfields, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, from our recent trip.

May Day DIY

Please hop over to Going Home to Roost today to see the May Day basket DIY that my loveliest of friends, Briana Snyder, and I put together.  Hope you enjoy!

Vintage Kids Book Friday

Today I bring you Ameliaranne Keeps School, by Constance Heward.

Another great character filled tale from the 1930's, the Ameliaranne books were written over the course of several decades.  There were several different authors, beginning with Constance Heward. 

In this story, Ameliaranne ends up in charge of a private children's school, solves some problems that arise, and is overall very responsible.  A sweet story about being mature and accepting resposibility.  You just can't beat these old books.

And the very cutest of endpieces:

Please leave a comment with any great vintage reads of your own!

Vintage Kids Book Fridays

This is one of my favorite books.  Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr are the male counterparts to Flicka, Ricka, Dicka, with illustrations just as charming, and stories just as old-fashioned.  In this tale of the "Big Surprise," the triplets mother leaves for a trip, and the boys decide to plan a surprise for her return. They decide to get her a chair, and so, they work to earn every element of the chair. 

First, they volunteer to work for the local carpenter in exchange for his construction of the chair frame.  They proceed to the uphosterer, where they clean his workroom in exchange for his services.  And so on, through the linen drapers, and their nanny who sews the slipcover.  I love the lesson this teaches, and wish our society was still structured in a way that could make this possible.

Please leave any good vintage read suggestions in the comments, and come back next week for more of the same!

 

Work in Progress

Some of my products will now be carried in Running With Scissors Creative Collective in downtown Springfield, Ohio.  It's a lovely gallery featuring work of Ohio artists, excellently curated by the owners.  Stop by for some local art, and some neat architecture in the downtown area of Springfield.

(*These are Paint-Your-Own Paper Doll Kits with everything you need to create your own Audrey and Company.  Some will also be available soon in my Etsy shop.)

Wednesday Pretty

Leftovers from a little project I've been working on with a good friend....

The bright freesia on my desk were a treat and took me back about 20 years to the same desk, in a childhood room in London.  My dad would stop at the flower stand on his way home from work to get a bouquet for Mom, and freesia for me.  The vase he bought at an Irish pottery shop on the high street just down from where we lived.  The freesia have a distinct and intense scent, and reminded me of life then, as only smells can.

a little art-away

ETA: I wrote this post over three years ago, and, two children later......we visited the IMA again.  Always such a pleasure.

Sewing, by Louis Ritman (1889-1963)

 

Sunlit Window

We went to the Indianapolis Museum of Art last weekend with Little Guy, and I have found my new favorite artist, a little known American painter, Louis Ritman.  The picture above, Sunlit Window is in the IMA's permanent collection, and is a beautiful study of patterns and light.  The coloring of this image does not do it justice.  Nearly every area of the painting, from her skirt, to the tablecloth, to the plant leaves, Ritman has treated as a kind of stylized pattern.  It's wonderful to see in person!

And his painting, Sewing...!  It is my perfect painting, from the subject matter, to the clashing colors and background patterns....I love it.  Why have I never seen his work before? I believe these colors will be influencing my spring and summer wardrobe plans...

The Little Guy enjoyed his art too, particularly the paintings of babies and their mothers.  It's so sweet to hear him squeal as he recognizes other little beings like himself!

What are some of your favorite little known artists?