Monday, October 31, 2011

"Miss Effie" The New School Marm

  

Ditt School
Taney County, Missouri

These are the students of Ditt School, a one room school located in Taney County, Missouri.  My Grandfather Andrew Jackson Simmons in sitting on the front row far right.  He is 11 years old.  This photo was taken in 1899.  At that time there were 23 male teachers and 7 female teachers employed in the Taney County school district.  The average school term was about 4 and 1/2 months and a teachers average salary was about $25.00. (The Land of Taney by Elmo Ingenthron)

"Miss Effie" The New School Marm
"Miss Effie" is anxious to take up her position as the new school marm at the Ditt School.  She is 18 inches tall, made from cloth and stuffed with wool roving.  Her hand sewn mid 1800's reproduction print dress has pagoda sleeves with cotton lace edged under sleeves. 
Her hand sewn under garments consist of a cotton lace edged petticoat, pantalettes and a red wool petticoat to keep her warm on those cool fall days.  Her collar and decorative lace are hand crocheted cotton.
 Her wool hair is braided and fashioned into a high bun.
Her dress has hook and eye closures with 3 decorative vintage shell buttons.
 
She carries a vintage basket.  Just perfect for packing her lunch or carrying those school supplies.
Her hand crocheted shawl will keep her warm on the buggy ride to and from the Ditt school.




"Miss Effie's" straw spoon bonnet is lined with muslin and embellished with velvet flowers, composition and spun cotton fruits and vegetables and a creme silk ribbon.
        Her boots have little shoe laces.

Her face is hand embroidered. Her fingers and nose are hand stitched too.
She is signed and dated on her body and has a special wooden "Make Do Doll" tag. 

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Fall in the Ozarks

  

Here in the Ozarks we experience the 4 distinct seasonal changes, but I have to admit that Fall is my favorite time of the year.  The locals have a saying,  "If you are tired the weather, don't worry, it will soon change!"  The Ozarks are especially beautiful this time of year. The landscape is rich with reds, yellows, oranges and browns.  Here are a few photos of the lane that leads to our cabin and the wonderful scenery I view daily.  I love to hear the sounds of the Swan Creek that is just outside my back door.  Wildlife abounds here so you you never know what critter will cross your path!

How lucky I am to live in the Ozarks!

HAVE A SPOOKY HALLOWEEN!!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Hand Cast Paper Xmas Ornaments

Christmas is just around the corner.... Be sure to visit Early Work Mercantile November 1st and 15th.

 I've been collecting Brown Bag Cookie Molds since the early 1980's.  Over the years I have enjoyed making cookies, chocolates, cinnamon pomanders, paper ornaments, embellishment for cards, and bees wax ornaments.  I especially enjoy working with hand cast paper.  I have made a set of 100% cotton linter ornaments for "A Log Cabin Christmas" at  Early Work Mercantile.  The paper pulp was blended with PG Tips (my husbands favorite English tea) to give the ornaments an aged look.  See my "Favorite Places" (bottom of my blog) to read more about the Brown Bag Cookie Molds and all the wonderful things you can do with these collectible molds.
 Big Sheep-1983
5 by 5 1/2 inches

Horse-1992
4 1/2 by 5 inches
 Cow-1986
5 1/2 by 5 inches
3 Dimensional Star-1994 
4 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches
Santa With Pack-1985 
4 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches
Nutcracker-1991 
3 by 7 1/2 inches
Angel With Lute- 1986 
6 by 4 1/2 inches

Be sure to visit "Early Work Mercantile" the 1st and 15 th of the month!