Come With Me into the Sea

This wonderful mermaid drawing comes from a book from my fairytale collection. She is indeed lovely, a true siren.

I love mermaids, but in many stories of the sea, they 're rather dastardly. These beautiful creatures have been known to lure ships onto the rocks, to pull a sailor beneath the waves to suffocate him. There are even tales of stolen lovers and missing children.

Still, I tentatively choose to believe there are those among the merfolk, who love mankind and choose to be good to them.

The Ungrateful Enchanter

Here is another illustration from the fairytale Snow White and Rose Red, found in one of the books from my collection. The dwarf pictured here is really an evil enchanter, who's beard is caught in a tree. The two lovely sisters free the ungrateful little fellow, who then stomps off into the woods.

Later in the story the girls rescue and befriend a bear who is really a prince, under a spell cast by the dwarf. To make a long story short, eventually the bear-prince eats the evil little spell-caster and the enchantment is broken.

The artist's work is beautiful, and the details are exquisite. Enjoy!

Blue Daisies in her Hair -Postcard Friendship Friday

Here she is again--the little French Girl. I have made some inquiries, and so far, no luck on finding out who she was.

I have, however, discovered there are a lot of other people who are as intrigued with her, as I am. I found one woman who wants to write a book about the lives of these unknown Edwardian Children. Especially those children who came from Paris. But so far her efforts to discover who they were have been unsuccessful. Some people believe she was the daughter of a photographer, who's negatives and originals were destroyed during the bombings of WW2.

So, if anyone out there knows anything about this lovely young lady from Paris I would love to hear from you.

Happy Postcard Friendship  Friday!

Law of the Desert

I was perusing the books on the shelf of a local antique store, when I came upon a fascinating book from the 1920's. This picture was in the flyleaf.

I enjoy old books, especially those written around the turn of the century as this one was. The romance was set in the deserts of Arabia, and ends in tragedy on one side and enduring love on the other. 

The first time I saw this book I didn't buy it, because I like happy endings, and thought this one ended unhappily. I have had enough of tragedy in real life. Later on, I did buy the book, and realized there was a happy ending for the heroine and hero--but not for the black-hearted thief who tried to end their lives.

I just love old books from around the turn of the century!

Flowers Fair

This card is one I received when I was in my mid-20's. It is such a gorgeous card--the flowers look so real. If one turned away for a moment, these lovely blossoms might just sway in an unknown breeze.

Little Princess

Here is another postcard of the intriguing little French girl. Recently Jann posted two more photos she recognized as being the same small girl I have wondered about. This is my favorite of the two. (Thank you Jann!)

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There are so many of these postcards, all of the same little girl, in various poses. She has such a unique face, such a delightful, whimsical way about her. I continue to wonder who she was. If anyone out there knows, I'd love to hear from you!

Vintage Summer Beauty

Here is another postcard from my "cyber collection." A friend who knows I love photos of this little French girl, sent it my way.

Here you see she's a little more grown up. Her face is maturing, and her hair is done up, denoting young womanhood. I wonder what happened to her. I wonder about her life. I wonder who she was.

She reminds me of someone.

Happy Graduation, Son!

This card is from a collection my sister Clytie gave to me for my birthday! I love this artist's work. The children in these paintings have so much personality! This artist inspires me, as does the young man who is graduating today.

I'm posting this card to honor my son. Today he walks across the stage to accept his diploma. He has worked so hard to get to this point, and it has not been easy for him. I am VERY proud to be his Mom.

Seems just yesterday he was a chubby newborn, with such sparkling eyes and that ready grin. He still has the sparkle and the grin!

But that tiny boy I held in my arms now towers over me at six foot four! What a wonderful young man he is. What possibilities he holds in his hands, with his whole life stretched out in front of him.

I Love My Rug -Postcard Friendship Friday

The beauteous lady is truly lovely, and seems to have great affection for that bearskin rug she's leaning against. If you enlarge the picture, you can see the look on her face belies the body language of her pose. In fact, the expression on her face is a little unsettling. (Eeek!)

Somehow, though, something about this postcard makes me laugh. I don't know what it is, except the title I Love My Rug totally fits! (grin)

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

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Woman in a Window

I adore this lovely illustration from over 100 years ago, found in an ancient book on Friendship.

This young woman's graceful pose as she picks flowers for her home, the beauty and detail of the window glass, give this scene a sweet realism.

When I peruse pictures like these--I become homesick for what our Grammie used to call, "the good old days."

This illustration also reminds me of one of the most expressive writers I've come across in recent days--Erin, of Woman in a Window.

First Anniversary--a Humdinger

I just love this card! It was a gift from my darling Sissy, who's glorious card collection is incredibly wonderful and extensive.

This card actually doesn't have anything about a humdinger in it, only that with those cuties on the bell dinger--the name fit somehow.

I remember our first anniversary--we walked beside the thrashing sea, held hands, and looked deeply into one another's eyes...after 26 years, we still saunter in the sand beside the ocean. We hold hands and smile at one another. Best of all, we often laugh together. I think laughter is the spice that keeps marriage fresh.

The Clustered Stars of Flag Day

This is a postcard from my "Cyber Postcard Collection." I adore the graceful composition of this lovely piece.

I was born on Flag Day. For years and years I believed flags were flown on Flag Day in celebration of my birth. (grin) As a child I was disappointed when I learned the truth. But as adult, I don't mind so much, that really--flags are flown on this day to honor our country's Flag.

Our Flag has stood for liberty and the pursuit of happiness for over 200 years! Compared to many countries America is quite youthful. I hope and pray our flag will stand and fly for hundreds of years to come. I pray that the courage, bravery, faith, truth and sacrifice this country was built upon will not falter.

The Emperor's New Clothes

This is an illustration from one of the books in my fairytale book collection. I have yet to discover how to take a picture of an illustration without that odd warping of the photo. (sigh) However, even so--this picture is just delightful. The expressions on the faces of the adults are priceless.

I have always enjoyed the story of the Emperor's New Clothes. It not only totally hits my funny bone--thinking of that pompous fellow parading before his people in his birthday suit--but there is such a lesson to be learned from that fanciful story!

The wisdom of a child is often profound. Children see things as they truly are. I think we adults sometimes need to step back and see things through the eyes of a child.

Old Homestead

The old barn behind the house where our Mother was born reminds me of this picture. This lovely drawing comes from a book about friendship published sometime in the late 1800's. The book was given to me by my beloved friend Marian--who since has gone on to heaven.

There are cords of gold which stretch from this world into the next. I know she loves me, and she is often in my thoughts.

From a Trainway Carriage

Faster than fairies, faster than witches

Barns and houses, hedges and ditches;

Charging along like troops in a battle

On through the meadows the horses and cattle:

All of the sights of the hill and the plain

Fly as thick as driving rain;

And ever again in the wink of an eye,

Painted stations whistle by.

I found this lineart picture an ancient book of illustrated children's poetry. I especially love this picture because it reminds me of my own children and some of the pictures I drew of them when they were tiny.

You Figure With Me

Published by the E. Rosen Company, in Providence Rhode Island sometime the early 1930's, this darling card is the Valentine plea of a hard workin' farmer boy. I love the way his cheeks pooch as he labors with that hoe. One might think he's about to burst into a happy whistle.

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These cards are made of very thick cardboard, and have holes where a "pop" candy on a stick was thrust through--these "Valentine Pop" cards were quite popular around that time.

Violets and Babes

This beautiful card was given to me by my sweet Sister Clytie, who knows my weakness for all things whimsical, imaginative and faery.

I adore the tiny babes as they pull the ribbon tight to create a fragrant violet bouquet. Their little faces, fat feet and chubby fingers are so delightful. I feel inspired. Oh, to be able to draw like this wonderful artist!!! Thank you, Sissy! I LOVE this card--I will treasure it always.

Little Darling -Postcard Friendship Friday!

Here again is the face of the Little French Girl. Her likeness is found in many postcards around the turn of the century. She has the face of an angel.

If anyone out there has information on who she was, I would love to know.

Happy Postcard Friendship  Friday!

Picture of Perfection

I dunno--these days if I were to see a guy hiding behind a tree with a camera or binoculars, I'd call 911, or take off running!

This card was from the era of the flappers, printed in the USA. It has movable parts. When the little red heart on the side of the card is moved, tiny metal rivets cause the little girl to peek from the water and the boy to pop up from behind the bushes. It was also made to stand upright by bending the flaps at the bottom of the card.

An Old Fashioned Word Picture

I found this word picture page at the back of an ancient book of animal stories for children. The illustrations in this book are exquisite! The artist signs his name Chas Copeland. The book was published in 1887, and is an early example of this wonderful artist's work.

Charles Copeland (1858–1945) was an American book illustrator active from about 1887 until about 1940. He was a member of the Boston Watercolor Society and the Boston Art Club. His illustrations were used in a variety of books.

I found it interesting that at that time, adults did not shield their children from the harshness of life. The book contains horrifying stories of man-eating tigers, with corresponding lineart, along with other tales of difficulties in the animal world.

I bought this book many years ago, and have enjoyed having it in my collection of tails, er, tales. (grin)

Pinocchio Put-Together Book

This book is fascinating! It was a gift to my son from his Grandmother. I read it to him when he was small and he was totally absorbed by the story. It became one of his favorites.

This version of Pinocchio was called a "put together book," because it came with sheets of stickers, which were then cut out and carefully affixed to the large illustrations within.