Best Pickle Ever!

Growing up in Ohio, we always ate Don Hermann Kosher Dill Pickles. They were the best (and still are in my book). When I moved to the west coast, I had a hard time finding a good pickle. I finally looked up Hermann's Pickles online. I emailed them and told them I was having a hard time finding a good pickle and could I order online? They kindly wrote back telling me that in California, they sell under the name Nathan's and the pickles I craved were the Half Sours. I went right out and bought myself a jar! Yummy, yummy, yummy. Still the best pickles ever!

Best Pickles Ever!

A watercolor I did a few years ago of...Pickles!

Writing about pickles has made me hungry. I think I'll go eat one now....

Eric Ravilious Coronation Mug

Angie Lewin's linocut featuring the Ravilious mug

I first saw the1953 Queen Elizabeth II Coronation mug by Ravilious in a print by British print artist Angie Lewin. Known for his paintings and prints, Eric Ravilious (1903-1942) also designed for for Wedgewood Potteries. Ravilious was killed during World War II while working as a war artist. The mug was reworked posthumously for the coronation. I was lucky enough to win this lovely mug on Ebay.

The real thing with paler colors

While I would love to have an original print by Lewin to go with my mug, I shall have to make do with the greeting card above of the image. It's published by Art Angels and I purchased mine online from One Brown Cow (they have lots of other images by Angie Lewin, in case you are a fan!)

Two by E. Probst

Who is E. Probst? I can't find any information on this mid- century illustrator but their illustrations of fairy tales are fantastic. Today I am sharing two of my books- Tom Thumb and Little Red Cap (aka Little Red Riding Hood). Both of these books were published in 1965 by McGraw-Hill and printed in Belgium

Little Red Cap is from Grimm's Fairy Tales and was adapted by Evalyn Kinkead. 

Tom Thumb is from Grimm's Fairy Tales and was adapted by Audrey Claus. 

 

Other's in this series that I have seen include Hansel and Gretel, The Brave Little Tailor,  Puss in Boots, The Good Elves, and The Magic Table.

Patchwork Long Beach Part 2

Since the Patchwork shows are always busy, I like to walk around before the show starts to see everyone's booths and to do a little shopping. Here are some of my favorites.

Spiral bound notebooks made from vintage book covers by Brown Bag Books (of course, I was attracted by the vintage suitcases!)  You can check out their blog here.

 

 Accents had a great looking booth (with more suitcases!) full of vintage looking bow ties, scarves and pocket squares. Check out their shop here.

I really liked the packaging from Wildflower Botanicals. In addition to bath and body products, they also sell candles. Check out their shop here.

Whimsical original artwork and art dolls were offered by Little Sage Creations. There's lots more to see in her Etsy shop here.

Being a pottery lover, the ceramics of Lizbeth Navarro really caught my eye. The little pot on the right went home with me! Check out her website here.

Patchwork Long Beach

The last two Sundays were spent at the Patchwork festival. Here are a few pictures of my booth in Long Beach on June 2.

 

I'm getting quite a collection of vintage suitcases. They make excellent displays and I can pack everything up inside for transport and storage.  A trip to Home Depot gave me an easy and inexpensive way to hang my tote bags. A few bungee cords, plastic chain and some carabiners make an easy display.

I have new zip pouches to go with my tote bags. I printed the pouches on my letterpress from some of my linoleum blocks. Now I just have to photograph them and get them in the shop!