In Time For Christmas: New 'Old' Prim In A Kitchen Corner

Christmas came a little early in the kitchen. . .I had looked and looked for a dry sink that would fit the narrow corner opposite the stairs. . .Everything was too wide or too long. . .I had a small table filling the space for the moment but it lacked storage. . .and in this small house, we needed as much storage as possible. . .

The remedy? Call Dottie at WHITEHOUSE CREATIONS for a custom-made piece that fits the space perfectly. . .

Dottie is a genius at making their handmade furniture look vintage and well used. . .It is a talent that I have long envied. . .Right down to the mouse hole along the lower door, if you didn't know better, you would think this dry sink had been used for years and years. . .

I simply love it with the 1800s mustard color cupboard. . .I chose a gray finish for the dry sink for contrast. . .People in the 19th century weren't sticklers in their furniture matching. . .and it brought more color to their life. . .I wasn't sure I would enjoy non-matching pieces. . .but I truly do. . .

With a prim Merry Christmas board on the dry sink. . .a wreath and candle on the cupboard. . .that corner of the kitchen is ready for the holidays. . .The lack of more decorations is intentional. . .Pioneers had little and decorated only in what they could find or make. . .There are times when simple is best. . .

Many thanks to Dottie for making one corner in our kitchen stand out in 19th century fashion. 

And from John and me and Mr. BJ LaShay (who thinks he owns the Heil House). . .

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. . .

MAY THE NEW YEAR BRING YOU NOTHING BUT BLESSINGS. . .

Santa Begins Christmas At Heil House

For years I have wanted a large prim Santa from Whitehouse Creations in Bernie, MO, so I was thrilled to find one still available on a recent visit with Dottie. . .She had had a Christmas Open House the week before, so I didn't have much hope of finding any Santa, much less this one that is tops in my book. . .

Eventually, he'll travel to THE COUNTRY FARM HOME for a magazine photo shoot there. . .but for now, I'm enjoying Santa at Heil House. . .

The Ste. Genevieve Christmas Festival was last weekend. . .which is the officially opening of the town's holiday season. . .There was a huge crowd for the parade, with shopping, concerts and historic tours afterwards. . .It was a really fun weekend for all. . .Many historic places have had to rethink their tours because of COVID-19, but there are still many activities open from now until Christmas. . .Don't miss it!

The Art of Wool Applique

Recently, I was digging around for some boxes of patterns I designed and discovered several wool applique projects--some finished, some not. Years ago wool applique was my favorite handwork and it occurred to me that once again, I needed to get back to those former days, pick up the needle and again enjoy being creative. Even in stolen moments, nothing relaxed me more than those times in my past. Since we are living in a French Colonial town, I was curious whether the French did applique in the 18th century or not. What I found was intriguing. 

The term appliqué is actually derived from the French word appliquer (and the Latin applicare ) that means to join or attach. While its early use was most likely to strengthen worn areas or serve as a patch over holes, appliqué developed into a creative art form used by many cultures over many centuries. In 15th century Europe, applique began to replace crewelwork embroidery on bed curtains and linens. Over later centuries, its popularity varied but it has remained one of the best-loved art forms in most cases. 

With that bit of information, I was ready to start a new project--one that I had often thought about when dressing in winter costumes that are often made of wool. What about wool pockets that could be worn on the outer layers for added decoration? Before I knew it, I was digging into storage bins for wool pieces, some dating back to the 1960s but still good as new. 

And that's how I came to make the two pockets (and one in progress). I think they turned out wonderfully and would look so beautiful with almost any costume. I had to draw my own patterns but that was part of the fun. I wanted to design something that would fit in with 18th century fabrics. While one looks more primitive, I think it could have been passed down from my ancestors. 

I had so much fun with these that I plan to do more wool applique in the future. I'm thinking maybe Fleur-de-lis or Celtic Knots?  We'll see. . .

 

Log Cabin Reveal: Don't Miss This!

Here if is!. . .The LOG CABIN AT SASSAFRAS CREEK is almost finished. . .

I got to look inside last week and was blown away. . .You will be, too. . .

From the welcoming front porch. . .

to the inside. . .this amazing log cabin is styling. . .

puts a smile on my face the minute I walked in. . .

Who wouldn't want to spend a night in this upstairs bedroom?

What a wonderful addition this will be to the B & Bs of Ste. Genevieve. . .

It will open in November. . .styling a little different from these photos. . .More rustic and prim. . .but just as inviting. . .

Don't you LOVE IT?

THE LOG CABIN AT SASSAFRAS CREEK ORIGINALS

311 ST. MARY'S ROAD. . .STE. GENEVIEVE, MO 63670

An Appropriate Dress For The 1850s Log Cabin

The really great thing about Ste. Genevieve is that being founded in the 1700s, there are so many opportunities to interpret numerous eras. . .and more reason to expand my costume wardrobe for period dressing. . .There's nothing I love more than to get out the patterns and start sketching. 

Since log cabin on St. Mary's Road is nearing completion, I've been thinking more about what the 1850s pioneer woman might have worn. I remembered taking photos of a dress at the Homeplace in Kentucky. . .where pioneer life is carried on everyday among the log houses and log barns. . .The digital camera I had at the time doesn't do them justice, so the colors of lavender are a little off. . .but I loved the dress and the details so decided to share them with you anyway.

An everyday work dress such as this had to be functional and comfortable. . .The daily chores of a pioneer housewife were many--from toting water from the well to cooking over a hot stove to weeding a garden and milking the cow-just to name a few. . .This was no place for a corset either. . .I like that. . .

Small printed fabrics such as this were typical of the era. . .This dress is a one-piece with round pearl-like buttons down the front. . .Wooden buttons or flat pearl buttons could have been used also. . .Notice the piping at the waist and sleeve. . .The details make it stand out and more historically correct.

Love this little cap sleeve that adds interest to the dress. . .with piping again. . .

The biggest difference in the 19th century dresses from today's versions is the way they were gathered. . .This was also true in the 18th century, as well as the early 20th century. . .The gathering is done in uniform accordion pleats. . .with two rows of stitching to draw them up. . .In fact, my Grandmother was born in 1896 and was still using this technique at times when she stitched her own dresses. . .She particularly liked the pleats at the cuff. . .

The skirt top is turned down two or three inches so that each pleat is doubled fabric. . .A modern serger was used to finish the raw edges on this one. . .I am not so much a purist that I wouldn't use one myself. . .as long as it didn't show on the outside. . .

To add the pleated skirt, only one side of a standing pleat is slip-stitched to the bottom edge of the finished bodice. . .Notice the pleats "sticking out" on the underside in the photo above. . .This is typical. . .Pleats were not to be flattened but to remain in the accordion shape. . .

The piping on the bodice helps hide any stray stitches. . .and is a wonderful detail as well. . .and it's the details that count. . .I do hope that this winter I will be stitching my own 1850s style dress. . .I have some printed lavender yardage much like this. . .if I can just remember where I last saw it. . .

Made in Ste. Genevieve: A Jokerest and Haley Furniture Co. Wardrobe Returns

For months John and I admired this lovely cherry wood wardrobe at St. Mary's Antique Mall. The only problem we had in buying it was our inability to load and unload it. Thanks to Dale Mahurin and his offer to help move the massive piece, we finally were able to bring it back to Ste. Genevieve where it was originally crafted. 

We thought it would go in the bedroom at Heil House, but it added so much to the living room that it will be staying there. It reminds us of the Shaker furniture we found at Pleasant Hill Shaker Village in Kentucky. Others have suggested Amish. Of course, the families didn't have to be from either culture to build a wardrobe in this style. . .

. . .only to say that we know very little about the piece other than it came across the river from a dealer in Illinois to the antique mall. I have tried researching online for the Jokerest and Haley Furniture Company of Ste. Genevieve. No luck. There were several Jokerests and Haleys in the late 19th century  in Ste. Genevieve. I found them on Ancestry. Other than that, I haven't a clue. . .

If you have any information aboutt this furniture company, we would love to know the history of the families and the company. Please go to FACEBOOK PAGE and comment under the post there. It will be the easiest way to get the information to me. 

Until then, I'll just enjoy its simple Shaker/Amish style design. 

So excited that we could return this beautiful wardrobe back to its hometown. . .

Broom Making and Storytelling

Pioneers and colonials, for the most part, had to make their own brooms for the household. . .From whisks to pot scrubbers to floor brooms, the task was left up to each family to craft their own. . .Some made many brooms at one time for a year long supply. . .Others made them as needed. . .They were fairly easy to craft, with only a few items necessary for success.

Fall Harvest will be coming up soon. . . We often gather together our own broom making supplies and spend a day or two demonstrating the technique and teaching others the craft. . .Alas, this year we won't be making brooms for the public, due to the Virus and cancellations. . .But we hope to one day demonstrate our broom making technique here in Ste. Genevieve and maybe teach a few classes on it. . .

Until then, why don't you click over to our farm page and read the article I wrote for the  2018 Fall Issue of COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE? . .I think you will enjoy it. . .And hopefully next year, we'll be back on schedule. . .

BROOM MAKING AND STORYTELLING AT THE DUNCAN FARMSTEAD

Fall Issue Country Rustic Magazine Features Herbal Wreath Making at the Felix Valle Wash House

Has it really been almost a year since John and I dressed in costume and did a photo shoot for COUNTRY RUSTIC MAGAZINE at the Felix Valle wash house? The time has certainly flown by.

I shared  the making of the wreaths HERE in the Ste. Genevieve Journal last year.

But there is more to the article than just making a wreath. There is mention of "LE JARDIN POTAGER" or the French kitchen garden, much like the one at the Felix Valle. I actually collected more information than I had space for. . .and since then, my interest in these gardens has grown. . I am familiar with the English gardens, but as I have said before, life in the French colonies is like a whole new world to me.  I'll write more about in another post. . .

And. . .if you follow this link, you'll find a whole chart on THE LANGUAGE OF HERBS.

Just wanted to again thank Donna for allowing us to enjoy the wonderful setting at the Felix Valle wash house for the article. . .We had so much fun that it sure didn't feel like work! Hoping to do it again one day and invite everyone to join in!

Masks For Ste. Genevieve

To wear a mask. . .

Or not to wear a mask?

That is the question these days.

In Ste. Genevieve, you may run into cute signs like the one at RUST. . .

I smile every time I pass by it. . .

So. . .Do you?

And if you do. . .

Why not be fashionable. . .

and have fun with it. . .

I was up until the wee hours of the morning. . .

Snipping and stitching. . .

Stamping and embroidering. . .

so I could deliver a new batch of masks to Sassasfras Creek Originals for the weekend. . .

There's Fleur-de-lis for you French Colonials. . .

Patriotic for the Americana inclined. . .

Vintage linens for some. . .

Reproduction fabrics for others. . .

And for the fun at heart. . .Cats. . .Bees. . .Floral Prints. . .

Stop by and see the selection. . .

Priced right at $8.50 each,

there are openings in the back to slip a filter in 

for added protection 

They make great gifts, too.

  

 Make Sassasfras Creek Originals on St.Mary's Road your first stop. . .

and

STAY SAFE, EVERYONE!