Wednesday, March 30, 2011

...And then we found the "Old Quilt Room." our trip to Witmer Quilt Shop.

I have the best mom ever. She takes each new Grandbaby to Witmer Quilt Shop in New Holland, PA and helps them pick out a baby quilt. Today was the day for Mimi, so we drove down Rte. 23, through farms and town shops...past hardware stores, bakeries, and produce stands. I had not been to Witmers since we bought Max his quilt in 2005, so I was like a little tourist, checking everything out along the way.
We parked at the quilt shop which is located on a farm. Three rooms of a little house on the property (not the actual farm house, more like a little 50's house- a newlywed house or in-law home) are used as quilt sale rooms. We got out of the car and glanced across the street to the striking Amish house with the prettiest clothes line ever. Oh, the colors- the black Amish dresses and trousers mixed with the plums, blues, and aquas of their shirts- so pretty against their stone home.

This quilt in front of Witmers is hung on the line by the road and simply lets drivers know this house has quilts for sale...

Mimi (dressed in her French Clayeux cozy jumper onesie on this chilly morning) let Grandma hold her the WHOLE time. she showed a couple of shoppers her two teeth. One of them said, "she'll be able to eat corn!" I paused ("did she just say...corn?!") before I laughed out loud!

Mimi helped pick out her baby quilt. she really liked the red on white. we thought this could really be pretty hanging up later in her apartment or house. As I uploaded this photo I was taken aback by how gorgeous it is.

And THEN we found the OLD QUILT ROOM.
That's what the sign said on the door.
Thinking they'd all be crazy expensive we hadn't even peeked in there.
Maybe they were archival/museum quality.
Maybe regular people weren't allowed in there.
but we decided to check it out and we started (carefully) pulling quilts out of piles, and out of baskets, and off tables. and this is what we found....
gorgeous lovey dovey fabrics, from aprons and dresses, decorating magazine styling worthy, funky, folky bits of heaven.

it was at this point that i became aware i might have started to pant. And my mind started spinning. talk about a sea of vintage fabrics. an ARCHIVE of vintage fabrics. this one or that one would be so perfect on a wall. on a bed. pair with 2 vintage lamps. pow pow pow. Pant.
for prices like $275, $390...to me the pricing seemed to depend on the amount of hand stitching. and age. some had the age. with notes like: "early 1900's from Terre Hill"

this stitched quilt had birds. birds. red birds. (and oh how i love red birdie things) and words, and lots of other fun things. it was $795. splendid-ness.


And here was a small piece about the size of a small pillow. you could frame it up under glass, and hang it in say, your bathroom. i think it was $30 or $65...some kind of perfect-findy price.

this one i thought would be cool in my architect brothers apartment in Boston as his bed quilt. or on a wall. in a loft. behind your Eames chairs.

And then I found what would become my 38th birthday present from my Mom. A Queen size quilt with the best, funnest vintage fabric selection ever. and red edging. For the amazing price of $100. We actually went to the car to leave, and went back in to get it.

can't get enough...and on closer inspection at home some of the red edging scallops are uneven...killer folky. love love love.

bet your britches they're on the beds already...!


Thank you for shopping here Friend...Thank you Grandma! Best morning EVER!

Friday, March 25, 2011

"Wear Vintage Clothing"

The Stevent takes place tonight, which benefits Steve Murray of Zap & Co.
Mimi and I took some pics of the facade of the Zap building last week on our studio work day. (We work each Thursday in the Studio of My Aunt Debbie which allows us a little bit of downtown fresh air as we mail packages and make little deliveries to the shop.)


Due to the bands, and Matt working, I won't be attending with little Mimi and Max of course (too loud I'm sure of it:) ) but my MIL will be representing the family. what vintage number will she wear?!


We continue to read wonderful updates on Steve in the newspaper, and are ovewhelmingly glad that Steve is on the mend, and is still his witty self. Reminding us of good things to come for him, and all those people that care about him and his influence in Lancaster.
The burning down of Zap has changed all of us someway or another. Insurance plans are being tweaked, friends are hugged more often, downtown food tastes tastier, and all those treasured vintage labels in your closet have a reason to party.
Have fun to all those who attend tonight.

Just in at the My Aunt Debbie shop...


British Wensleydale french hair barrette with sparkling fibers, sequins and beads.
Available at My Aunt Debbie located with Mommalicious at 310 North Queen Street, Lancaster PA. It's big...so I'm thinking...Prom!?
(image by Debbie Serdy)

Monday, March 21, 2011

Bonjour Sweet Mimi French...on Etsy!

Today, March 21, my dear sweet little Mimi is five months old.
In celebration, I have opened up an Etsy shop for her...

Inspired by all the fun we've been having with her cute French name, Mimi's shop is selling French inspired felt accessories made from wool blend felt... Rings and hair clips (so far). Prices for the current offering range from $12-$14, with pendants coming soon. I hope that as Mimi gets older, she'll be excited to create her own designs for her already established Etsy shop.

It's been lots of fun getting it ready, doing lots of research of french treats:-) Gorgeous strawberry delicacies, chocolate masterpieces, raspberry tarts...hard work i must say:)
We are excited to announce that her line will be available at her first retailer soon, The My Aunt Debbie Shop, at 310 North Queen Street in Lancaster. Keep an eye open for little pastry hair clips and bold souffle rings at this favorite Lancaster destination!

And here's the best bit for you: Be one of the first three historic sales in Mimi's Etsy shop, and her Momma will send you a super special felt treat:-) Visit www.sweetmimifrench.etsy.com to see the fresh selection first hand.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Best shots from the week...

a scene from our walk downtown during Mimi and I's work day...

The Silly Heads...

Dinner as a family of four at El Rodeo on a Saturday night...


Sunshine!


Max on his big boy bike...

Mimi dress shopping at Old Navy...

Max, first time on the new trampoline...before the safety net was added. he kept saying,"it's awesome! it's awesome!"

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Salon Fin....

I met the fantastic Leigh Lindsay of Fin Salon while Max was in his first year at the Coop preschool. I loved that she named her girls Lulu and Poppy. Loved it.
and a year later, I had a new baby girl to name. And I knew that I'd love a simple sweet name like that. One that started with an "M"....so that is how I picked the name Mimi.
So if I loved her kids names, i must love her salon? yeah...more like super love!

There's vintage aprons-

and art from local artists lurking everywhere...

Repurposed furniture (her station is a work bench, and the towel storage is a vintage dresser...)


and cool places to sit. (and cool local people to sit next to!)

I wanted to buy Leigh's painting...but she had just promised it to a charity for children. (of course)

On your way out, local handmade jewelry and even locally made in Lancaster hair and body care products from NAMA.

so now, i not only get my haircut by the professional, confident, and swift Leigh Lindsay, but I go home smelling and looking great...
Inspired by Leigh, our artistic community in Lancaster and all of Leigh's Very Real Artiness!
All just 5 minutes from my house. that's Love.

Salon Fin is located at 602 North Mary Street in Lancaster.
Reach them by phone at: 717-396-3891.