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I am so happy that you have stopped by for a visit!

It is here that I will try to share with you my creations, a bit of my home, my gardens and what inspires me.

Periodically, I will feature those dolls and creations that are available for purchase on my other blog:

EVI'S COUNTRY SNIPPETS SHOP ... click HERE

Thank you for visiting!
I hope you enjoy your stay here!


Sunday, January 19, 2014

A TRIP IN SEARCH OF .........

 
During the holiday season, hubby and I
took a trip to Pennsylvania,
in search of something that I have been looking for
 for good five years.
The beautiful, embroidered, fine antique wool fabric,
 I use on many of my creations.
 
It is VERY, VERY hard to find and can be quite pricey.
 
 
It was TIME to hit the road.
After we had exhausted all the other areas around us
(and yes, I have been on E-bay too many times),
we thought of Adamstown, in P.A.
It claims (and I swear it probably is) to be the
Antique Capital of the country.
 
We allowed for a three day journey, and I believe we
went to every antique store or mall in the vicinity.
First we went to Renninger's in Kutztown.
Lots of fun !!!!!
 
After that off to the Zionsville Antique Mall.
I literally and figuratively got lost in that
wonderful mall.
I spend hours finding great things,
alas, not what my heart desired most.
No matter, it was just the first day....
 
By the time I got through it all, it was 9:00 PM,
and time to leave.
 
We stayed in nearby Readding.
The next morning we had a big breakfast to make sure
we had the strength for all the antiquing to come.
And since it was right across from the Marriott,
we went to McDonald's.
Well, I have NEVER been so surprised!
It was not your average décor, oh no.
It was done really interesting,
starting with neat clocks all over the walls......
 

 
.....all the light fixtures were unusual......
 

 
I loved the art pottery.
Every piece I could have taken home.

 
Searching for the "little girls room",
was another surprise.
Stars everywhere !!!!1

 
Even in the Ladies Room,
topiaries to boot.
 
Nothing like this in our area, or anywhere else I have been.
Anybody out there have anything like this?
Just one other interesting experience while traveling.
 
But the search for the elusive fabric was still on.
 
We ended up in Adamstown.
You really need time to see it all.
We went from place to place, and nothing.....
I was about to give up....
AND THERE IT WAS !!!
 
After I had nearly done all of the last mall, I came upon
two booth filled with the most charming
antique dolls clothing,
 and everything to do with antique dolls.
 
Other antique items were mixed in as well,
 and after some looking, in a corner, on a rack,
tightly pushed together,
there they were.
Seven skirts ( this used to be under ware).
I could not believe it!!!!
And I must confess,
tears came involuntarily.
I was that happy.
 
While checking out, the lady behind the counter told
me that the owner of the booth had another location
in Adamstown.
 
We scooted over there (almost closing time)
and here we found this charming little village.
It brought back memories of Germany.
 
 
 
It is off the road a bit, and we would not have found it easily.
We met the owner of the shop, a charming lady,
who informed me that she had more of the woolen skirts, etc.
I should come back the next day.
 
And that we did!
But first a little stroll through this cute village setting....
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
Loved all the wrought iron work.
 

 
Hubby and I felt at home.
I think he wanted to move there.
 

 
We went to have lunch at the Black Angus,
which is right across through the arch.
There is a restaurant, not fancy, but with great food.
You can actually see them bake breads and
other goodies.
Of course we brought 5 different breads home with us.
Delicious !!!!
They also sell cheese.

 
Outside there were pretty murals.
 

 
And so, strengthened, we went back to my favorite shop
 
Plum Pudding Antiques Etc.
 
 
 
Janet Diefendorf, the owner,
greeted us warmly, and she was not kidding....
she had lots more wonderful clothing,
all with embroidery, lace, tucks etc.
She had been up late the night before washing
 and ironing it all.
How sweet is that!
While I got to choose from all the goodies
she had hung carefully on racks in the garage,
the hubbies were talking.
I felt like a kid in a candy shop.
Nothing like this has ever happened before.
I bought much, much more.
 
JACKPOT !!!!!
 
Janet, thank you so very, very much !

 
It will make its way into my new creations.
(All the dolls you see on this blog are spoken for)
 
So many of you love these fabrics,
and now I can make new things again.
 
 
Here are some of them....
They take my breath away....
To think people actually wore these pretty things under clothing.
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
I hope you enjoyed coming along.....
I am inspired, and am working on the next "babies".
 
I'll let you know when...
 
Meanwhile,
I wish you happy winter month.
Stay healthy and warm.
 
God bless,
Evi

14 comments:

  1. Evi, I'm thrilled for you that you hit the jackpot of textiles. These woolens are gorgeous, and the handwork is incredible. I'm eager to see the new babies you will create. Happy Winter to you, my friend.

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  2. A great adventure to find the perfect pieces. No wonder your dolls are so beautiful.

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  3. What an awesome trip and such beautiful linens! I can't wait to see your next set of dolls!

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  4. Such beautiful fabrics, I'm really looking forward in seeing them in your future creations.

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  5. Oh Evi, what a wonderful trip....and beautiful finds.....the village is so charming....isn't it fun finding treasures and how it inspires you to create...have fun!!!

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  6. Hi Evi,

    Quite the journey! But oh, so many rewards! The fabrics are truly amazing, and you will have so much fun making clothes for your hew 'babies'!

    Living where I do, shopping in person is pretty much out of the question. There just isn't anything like what I'm looking for, so I go online and the UPS guy delivers to the front door. I just found a complete set of antique French canisters via Etsy. They were very reasonably priced, well packed, shipped quickly from France and I couldn't be more delighted with them. I wonder if you could find more beautiful fabrics online?

    Thanks for bringing us along on your shopping trip. So fun to see new places and hear about/see your treasures!

    Enjoy your day!
    Lin

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  7. Evi, you did hit the jackpot!! How great to have such a fun adventure with your hubby. That little village is to die for!!! I would want to stay there all day. Your fabrics are just gorgeous and I know you will put then to good use in your creations. Happy winter month to you, too!

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  8. Hi Evi! What a wonderful trip you had, thanks so much for sharing! Glad your husband is better for traveling! I thought of you the other day, a woman came in the shop selling an old tablecloth from Lithuania. She'll be back with other linens from there too. The tablecloth wasn't as lovely as the ones you found!

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  9. What a lovely treasure. And such a wonderful time you two must have had searching. Thank you for sharing your adventure with us.

    Smiles,

    Carol

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  10. Oh evi, you are right, the jackpot indeed!!! I love them all and I can just see them in your creations!!!
    I will be waiting anxiously for the new babes!! I know I need a Momma Rabbit from you this year!!
    Hugs,
    Mags
    xxx

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  11. Look at all those beautiful fabrics Evi... an addiction I share.
    And to see how you breathe new life into each and every thread with your wonderful creations.
    Stay warm my dear another Arctic blast is on its way...
    Susan x

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  12. I'm an antiques dealer, from New England, and never heard of wool slips - just union suits. You would think we would have them here too but I imagine many fell victim to moths so it's amazing you had two great finds. Thanks for sharing, was fun to read!

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  13. So happy that you found these amazing pieces Evi! Glad to finally catch up and see pics of all the fun you had on your adventure!
    Amazing creations to come for sure! :)

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  14. How fun... Adamstown and the little 'German' village are somewhat in my backyard and I have never been to that village. Great photo shoot of it. some day I will have to wander there. :) Glad you found what you were looking for.

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