Crazy Quilting was all the rage back in the Victorian times (1880-1920). This was a way to show off your needlework skills to all your visitors. 

They were made of silks, satins, velvets, and brocades and were embellished with embroidery stitches of all types. Along with buttons, ribbons, lace and hand painted sections. These sections were hand stitched together then the top embroidery stitches were added.

Most were made for show rather than use. You were not to concerned with having to wash these quilts. Which made for all the different mixes of fabric.

Most show all kinds of embroidery stitches along the edges of each piece and embroidery motifs on the patches themselves. The different stitches were feather stitches with many variations, chain stitches, lazy daisy, herringbone, chevron,blanket stitch and many more. Other hand embroidered stitch motifs included flowers, animals, birds and oriental designs.

The Victorians were enthralled with all things Eastern. Incorporating oriental printed fabrics and often adding fans to their quilts either embroidered or pieced into the quilt will often be seen. 

You will sometimes find names, initials and dates embroidered into the quilts.

Ways you can display these beautiful works of art. Frame small pieces, pillow covers, dolls coverlets and runners for tables. Larger pieces can be draped over backs of chairs and couches or at the ends of your beds. If you have a trunk or old suitcase drape a few pieces inside leaving the tops open.

             Work at home for $4.00 a day.

Flower Frogs can be traced back to the 16th century in Europe. Glass Flower frogs were not generally marked prior to 1870. In 1870 it became possible to record patents and trademarks on glassware.

Since the turn of the Century (around 1914) some 20 well known glass and pottery houses have manufactured Flower Frogs in the U.S. They range in shape from simple rounds to elaborate figurals. They are made from glass,ceramic, pottery, and metal. 

Colorado's Van Briggle one of the oldest American Art pottery firms still in operation made Flower Frogs.

Cambridge Glass Co. located in Ohio was one of the most prolific producers of Flower Frogs. During the Depression high end American glass manufacturers limited the use of color in their product lines. This is why you will see an abundance of clear Flower Frogs.

They were designed to sit in shallow bowls or vases which made it easy to create beautiful floral arraignments for the home. 

The Flower Frogs heyday was from the "1920's" through the "1940's". Where did the name Flower Frog come from. No one knows for sure. Its been said that frogs like to sit in shallow water so perhaps thats where the name came from. Today not only do we use the Flower Frog to arrange flowers. They can be used to hold pencils, pens, makeup brushes and artist paint brushes. 

1941 Pontiac Torpedo. Deluxe Torpedo Business Coupe. $828.00. A mighty low price for a quality car!

1940 Studebaker Champion. Prices starting at $660.00

1939 Hudson Six starting at $670.00 No wonder they call it "Most amazing lowest priced car ever built!"

For $119.95 to $269.95 you could purchase a Philco Refrigerator. Keeps your foods in new and better ways.  

Or maybe you prefered a G.E. Refrigerator. You could purchase one for as low as $124.95

In 1825 two Mauchline, men William Smith (1795-1847)and Andrew Smith(1797-1869) set up a factory to make snuff boxes in Scotland. Out of this venture grew an industry which was to dominate the market for wooden (sycamore wood) souvenirs during the Victorian era.

During their success and survival for three generations the Smith Brothers produced a variety of souvenirs in at least a half dozen styles of decor. Their greatest success from the 1850's onward was in the production of knicknacks, most of them useful as well as decorative. They were embellished with transferred engravings of scenes in or around the area of Mauchline. 

They started to see a decline in the taking of snuff so they decided to off-set this by extending their range to include ladies work boxes,tea caddies, trinket boxes, and later card cases and needle cases. There was also a market for cheap souvenirs which consisted of books, boxes, games, toys, household articles, knitting and sewing accessories. Every item would have an identifiable purpose.

On Williams death in 1847 his independent business was wound up. The firm W&A Smith was reconstituted Andrews son William and George son of the deceased William took charge of the firms mercantile business in Birmingham. The next 20 odd years saw the Smiths at the peak of their business powers. The production of "Mauchline Ware" was phenomenal it would be impossible to list every scene or subject. After changing hands quite a few times the Birmingham branch closed in 1904 and William at the age of 72 sold the company to three local men and W&A Smith (1937) Ltd. was formed. They went into liquidation and sold the stock and machinery and the name W&A Smith disappeared after 114 years. Such was the volume and variety of articles that now almost all articles made by many different companies are classified as "Mauchline Ware"

This years fashions have put the emphasis in tailored wear on white. Here a beautiful tailored frock of white linen and a smart way of combining black and white. You will see the coat and skirt suit of white serge or mohair.

There will be no linings and will be made in the lightest, coolest ways. Four simple styles shown here.

Two pretty negligees graceful and simple. You will see trimmings in wide white braid and stitched bands and facings of white silk or satin. The white linen frock will have a touch of Irish lace or a little hand embroidery being the only trimming permitted.