Otto writes who visited that day or if he walked his little daughter Martha up to his Momma's house for supper, which he called "going up home". Grace records the eggs that were laid and sold. Every item they purchased was recorded and the amount they paid. He notes if the town doctor gave him a ride home in his automobile. There were church meetings, ice cream socials and picnics at Llyod's Grove.
Otto loved his wife and was concerned if she was ill. He recorded the illnesses of her and Martha, the birth of his son William on May 18, 1913 and then again almost a year later William's death on March 24, 1914 from Cerebral Meningitis. After that entry he records every cemetery visit, which were usually made on Saturdays or Sundays after church. Grace didn't make anymore entries after William died.
I read them over and over and each time I pieced their lives together from those short entries. These two simple books transported me into Otto's and Grace's life for an afternoon. They are cherished treasures.
I haven't been a very active blogger lately. I am hoping to get into an ETSY routine so I have more time here. Thank you for all of your sweet words and support.
This first one is Dale and Helen Dexter. Little Helen does not look very happy. I bet she has a set of lungs on her when she does not get her way!
This fella looks so proud in his bow tie and best suit:)
And this cutie has the sweetest face! I have used her a lot in my work.
I know this last one is not very clear, but I find it really fascinating. The boy is in his room and on the wall is the equivalent of modern day posters. He has cabinet cards, RPPC's, calling cards and greeting cards. It's cool to know that even in the early 1900's teenagers were still teenagers:)
Today is my Mom's birthday!! Her friends (they call themselves the Yo-Yos after the Ya-Ya Sisterhood:) are taking her away to a casino for the weekend. They get together once a month for a Yo-Yo party and they all have Indian Princess Names. FUN! I was sneaky and called the hotel before they got there and paid for their stay. I so wish I could be there with her. Have fun Momma and win big!!! Love, Jamie
Here is the piece I made with this week's free image. I named them and I hope they don't mind. I think the names fit them well. Here's a tip. I bought paint brushes from a store where everything is a dollar. Don't do that. They were shedding like a cat all over the place! I'm still picking them off the painting.
This is another full plate tintype that is a copy of another photograph. Look at those sweeties!!! I love everything about this picture. Their plaid dresses, their solemn expressions and the way that someone painted the lace on the little one's pantaloons. Just lovely. I hope you will use it in your art and share with us.I apologize for being absent lately on your blogs. Please know that even if I am not commenting I have been thinking of all of you daily. I have been getting ready to open an ETSY store and share some of my wonderful vintage things with you. I can't wait!
Collage made with vinatge letter, CDV and bird's nest/eggs reprints, acrylics, gel medium and ribbon.
Here are the rest of the girls from yesterday. There are two missing, but I will scan them in later:)
Collage done on wood base with vintage eggs, vintage letter and vintage image reprint, acrylics, distress ink and matte gel medium.
My heart was a flutter when the mail man came this morning!! I knew Miss Ooh Lah Lah was coming home today:) She was made by Lori at Faerie Window who is so talented and imaginative!! I love how everything came wrapped and tied with sweet bows. She included a sweet note, some yummy Moo cards and a little ribbon covered box to hold Ooh Lah Lah's cone purse. And even an extra treat!! Her sweet table made from a vintage album cover and sweet wooden spools. So enchanting!
Here is everything unwrapped. I love how Lori's note has her banner picture on the front! Smart!
And here is Miss Ooh Lah Lah in her new home:) She's going to rest a while before she starts her two-step lessons:) Thank you so much Lori!!! Your attention to detail is wonderful and your craftsmanship is top notch! Love, Texas
Collage done on antique ledger paper with transparency overlay, vintage image reproduction and vintage text.
Look at this sweet cigar box assemblage piece by the talented Miss Sue whose blog is called When I Get Around To It. I LOVE that name girl! Thank you so much for using the image in your art. I can't tell you how thrilling it is for me to see it in an art piece. Thanks sweetie!
I also got a special ATC from super talented Mrs. Nancy Maxwell James of Vintage Papers. It came in it's own handmade card and was made using one of my free images. What a sweetheart Nancy is to share that with me. I love them both Nancy!
Well, today is also devoted to all (all of you!)the wonderful artists out there who inspire and make my heart go pitter-pat:) I have some lovely things to share that the mailman brought me during my vacation. I'll start with the super talented Miss Lori from Faerie Window! Boy, does she spoil me. This is my consolation prize and console it did! Look at those sweet art pieces. Her talent, attention to detail and craftsmanship is above none! Thank you so much for your support and friendship sweetie!
Next, the fabulous Corey Moortgat at Corey Moortgat-Collage Artist sent this wonderful package of goodies as a thank you to me and I love every piece of it!!! Thank you so much Corey. I can't wait to use them in my art!
This wonderful piece of art was purchased from the very talented Tricia Scott at A Little Birdie Told Me. Not only did I receive this wonderful beeswax collage (I love those eyes) I also received some fabulous goodies from Tricia. Thank you so much for inspiring me Tricia! 
I also was thrilled to see some very wonderful pages from a 1912 book called The Book of Knowledge on her ETSY site. I bought these because my copy of the book (see photo above:) is not so great and I love the print of the dolls from around the world. (see photo below:)
Colette Copeland of A Bird In The Hand who makes wonderful fabric art, collage art and even paints:) She is a dear and this is the sweet cabinet card assemblage I purchased from her. I love how she wrapped it in fabric and the sweet Thank You tag. Wonderful work Colette! 
And last, but not least! This is the beautiful piece I purchased from the super talented Linda Harre from Studio Stuff. I have been in love with it ever since I first saw it in Somerset Studio magazine. Linda has so much beauty in her and it comes out in her art. Thank you Linda!
Meet Willard and Carl Shinn. I don't know how they made those feisty boys sit still to get their hair curled, but I bet it wasn't easy. I can barely get a comb through my guys' hair in the mornings!
There are no names on the back of this one, but I so love the sweet expressions on their faces. This photo was taken in Philadelphia.
This beauty is Miss Belle Davis from Burlington, NJ. She looks like a very independent gal to me. I wonder how long it took to get dressed in all those layers of clothes? 
This is a full plate tintype I recently purchased. It is about 8 by 6 in size, so large for a tintype photo. The coolest thing about it to me is that I think it is a tintype copy of an ambrotype photo. So it really is one of the earliest forms of photocopy. Cool, huh? You can see the edges of the ambrotype and where the original photo had been in an oval frame. I also love the little girl and the sad face of the mother.
This next photo I found on EBAY and it went way to high for my pocket book:) But I wanted to share it because it's so unusual. Poor little things. At least they were found and taken care of by someone who cared. You can enlarge the back of the photo to read about them. It says,"I found them in a stable on one of the coldest days in winter without fire, or clothing. Their bed was in the dirty straw taken from under the horses. Parents drunk and of the most unpromising kind."
