Gift of Wild Flower Book

This book was set aside for me by a local thrift store manager. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Gift of Wild Flower Book

There really is something special about giving a book. My grandmother used to give us pre-loved books at Christmas. Over the years, I have passed on that tradition by finding books through the years for family members and special friends.

I also shop for used gardening books for our local bee club. Growing healthy plants is an excellent way to ensure that bees are getting nutritious foods. I am picky about those books, I only pick up ones I know well and that will help beekeepers with feeding their bees naturally.

So I was delightfully surprised when one of my favorite thrift shop managers said she had set aside a book for me.

“It had your name on it,” she said as she handed me the “Handbook of Wild Flower Cultivation.”

What a wonderful unexpected surprise!

I like books that have illustrations and this one did not disappoint. Every listing includes a black and white drawing of the respective wildflowers.

Love the black and white illustrations and descriptions. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Not all of the flowers grow in Missouri. That’s because every part of the world has unique plants native to their individual growing conditions.

The book now joins the rest of my wonderful wildflower book collection, good friends to visit during cold winter nights.

Charlotte

Enid Collins Les Fleurs Wood Purse

Enid Collins "signed" Les Fleurs Wood Purse is an easy gift to quickly personalize.

Enid Collins "Les Fleurs" Wood Purse

There are a number of unconventional ways to give someone flowers and this should definitely be on that list.

I didn't know anything about Enid Collins and her career in the 1970s of making eclectic purses out of wood, I just knew I liked this little gem of a purse. The bee on the side was the first thing to catch my attention.

As a beekeeper, anything with a bee tends to catch my eye. Flowers will also get my attention so this one had both, a gold-toned bee and white, daisy-like flowers, one of my all-time favorites.

The designer's initials are on the side and the bottom, which helps to date the purse to the earlier days of her designing these interesting purses.

Bottom of the wooden purse identifies the artist.

The vintage wooden purse is in pristine condition inside with a mirror spanning the entire lid inside.

Inside of this wooden purse from the 1970s is in pristine condition.

This wooden purse is wide enough to fit a cell phone, a glass case, a bill fold and still have room without being too big, and cute to boot.

What I like about the concept of this purse is that it will not easily be banged into or damaged so the contents won't be damaged, either.

Charlotte

Autographed Star Trek Books on Ebay Auction

Two autographed Star Trek books are currently up for auction on Ebay.

Autographed Star Trek Book Proceeds Benefit Missouri S&T's Leach Theatre

Two autographed Star Trek books are currently up for auction on Ebay. Proceeds of the books will benefit Missouri S&T's Leach Theatre, which is currently fund-raising to buy furniture for its public reception area.

The two previously-owned books were autographed by William Shatner when Shatner was in Rolla, Missouri October 29, 2017 for his one man show at Leach Theatre here in Rolla, Missouri. I can't think of a better way to personalize a gift than to have it autographed by the original author, and actor, can you?

These were the flyers associated with William Shatner's visit to Rolla October 29, 2019.

The 1994 Star Trek movie book features interesting photos behind the scenes as well as stories about the iconic Star Trek movies.

This is 1975 First Edition Star Fleet Manual autographed by William Shatner up for auction.

The Star Fleet manual is a 1975 1st edition that will delight any Star Trek fan. It includes a lot of interesting details including to scale plans to make Star Fleet uniforms as well as William Shatner's autograph.

The Ebay auction ends Sunday, December 3, 2017 around 7 p.m. CST. Ebay fees will be covered by Bluebird Gardens LLC so all auction proceeds will be donated to Leach Theatre. They are buying new furniture for the public reception area so it will be a gift that keeps on giving, or at least helping!

Charlotte

Pearls, June Birth Stone

I thought I had lost one of these favorite earrings. I was wearing them when I was checking my bee hives, a wide hat with veil attached to a white jacket covering me in case my honeybees were cranky as I checked in on them.

At one point, a bee flitted across my face inside the jacket. It's my first beekeeping jacket, always springing holes and apparently I had another one. I slowly stepped back from the hives up the path towards the house, carefully removing my jacket so I didn't scare the bee.

Once I had my hat off, the bee flew off and I realized I had an earring missing.

Hours later as I was doing laundry, I heard a clanking in the washer barrel. There at the bottom was the second earring, under the newly-washed beekeeping jacket. 

I love pearls. I have worn them ever since I can remember, each one a gift. The Japanese believe that's the way to get pearls, as a gift, not as something you purchase yourself. Although it's a traditional jewel gift for June, I think pearls are a wonderful gift all year around.

I don't recommend washing them in a washer.

Charlotte

Saturday Chore Dish Towel

It's the weekend and how. Our "Kitty Trouble" handmade muslin dish towels with embroidered cats are all set to help you in the kitchen this weekend.

These vintage-inspired dish towels were very popular a few decades ago. I remember embroidering my own set of stamped dish towels with dogs for my "hope" chest when I was a teenager.

Now I also tend to spend Sunday afternoon getting ready for my upcoming week by baking and planning my meals. So much easier to get it all done when I divide up the chores every day.

What do you think these two are cooking up?

Charlotte

Sea of Salahit Fiber Piece

One more interesting piece from the Missouri Fiber Artists display at St. Louis Lambert International Airport Christmas 2014.

Of all of the fiber pieces, this is the one I would have liked to touch. The finish was very interesting, reminiscent of fish scales or maybe the side of a dinosaur.

Can you guess what the artist used to make the opening?

This fiber piece was made by Leandra Spangler out of cotton paper, reed, paint and a zipper. That's a zipper wrapped around the opening!

What did you think was used to make the jagged opening?

Charlotte

20,000 Leagues Fiber Boat

Behind the charming Tea in Paris pitcher, you can see parts of another charming piece in the Missouri Fiber Arts display at St. Louis Lambert International Airport Christmas 2014.

20,000 Leagues Fiber boat was also made by Joyce Pion out of felted wool, silk and "found objects." 

I remember seeing some of the glass pieces at a local dollar store including the fish hanging off the side and the yellow scuba diver.

Aren't the little scenes at either end fun?

Interesting yellow melon-looking piece in the back, I'll take a closer look at that fiber piece next.

Did you read Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"?

Charlotte

Tea in Paris Fabric Pitcher

Another charming use of fabric in the Missouri Fiber Artists display at St. Louis Lambert International Airport Christmas 2014 was this fabric pitcher.

According to the sign, the piece was made by Joyce Pion and includes wool, cotton, waxed linen and "found objects. I can see where wool fabric was heated to become felt and embroidered to make this wonderful tribute to having tea in Paris, France.

The pitcher reminded me of Victorian-era crazy quilts where fabric pieces are cut in different shapes, sewn together and embellished with hand embroidery.

Look at the details including a little map of downtown Paris.

So delightful. C'est la vie!

Charlotte

Beautiful Inside and Out

As I was travelling through St. Louis Lambert International Airport over Christmas 2014, a Missouri Fiber Artist display in a corner caught my eye.

I am fascinated by what people can do with fabric, and not just for quilts. This small display had some wonderfully charming examples of fabric becoming something totally transformed.

The first one was a face made out of fabric, both front and back. The face reminded me of a ship's sail taking on wind to move across water.

Here's the back, which interestingly enough was the first side one sees. Maybe this is why I thought of the sailing image.

What do you see in these fabric pieces?

Charlotte

Happy Birthday Rag Doll

It was late evening on a record-setting cold day. When the phone rang, I fully expected it to be a neighbor needing help, or a repair man putting me off yet again.

Instead, it was the familiar voice of a recent customer who had asked us to gift-wrap one of our Howard Furniture Care gift kits as a birthday present. At the time, she had also mentioned how much she admired our 85th Anniversary Raggedy Ann doll.

“She’s so perfect,” the customer said. Her husband had bought it for her as her birthday present and it had arrived just in time.

“Did you notice the address?” she asked. Of course, I said, but I thought it was a Christmas present so I didn’t want to say anything.

Did I mention we are very good at keeping secrets?

 Charlotte

Great Book Title!

Over the years, I have received mail through the post office in a variety of shapes and details.
The ones that still arrive addressed to "Charlotte" without a last name, sometimes without an address, amaze me.
Of all the half-addressed envelopes - with thanks to my friends at US Postal Service - this one is one of my favorites.