Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Reminiscence

"It is never too late to have a happy childhood."
~ Tom Robbins


I really enjoyed reminiscing with you about childhood memories. When I awoke this morning, I had no idea what I wanted to post on my blog. I then read the latest comment from Tanya and was still thinking of the joys of childhood things. I loved reading her story about winning a coloring book from her childhood on eBay. I don't think it is silly as it takes us back to fond moments and endearing people when we discover things of childhood.


I found this antique cradle when I was shopping with a friend about 3 years ago. It was perfect for the tiny doll's quilt I had just made from castoff corners of another quilt. I sewed these cut off corners together to form little pinwheels and the size of the doll's quilt was determined by the amount of scraps I had. Still, when I saw this cradle, I knew it was just the right size! My friend was amazed that it really was just the perfect size when we got it back to my house.


I set to work making this old fashioned mattrass. Even though you don't see it now as it is covered with the sheets, pillow and quilt, I wanted to know it had its own little mattrass.


The sales lady told me the cradle was probably from Eastern Europe. It has sweet painted sides. The front and back are of a man and woman dancing.


The sides have roses painted on them.


The cradle sits happily in my living room as decoration and a reminder that we never really grow up if we are lucky.

Do you have items from your childhood or things you have purchased that remind you to always search for the child still inside you? I am really looking forward to reading your comments so please stop in and say hello...

"There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again."

~ Elizabeth Lawrence

21 comments:

Nancy said...

This cradle is so cute and you did very nice bedding for inside it. You never need to worry, you will never grow up Heidi. The quilt is perfect, I know, I have seen it. LOL.
Love you, Mom

Melissa said...

Heidi,

I think we must be soul sisters. We are on the same wavelength, aren't we?

I adore that cradle. The workmanship is so beautiful.

I am sorry about the loss of your father. I know that our memories keep them with us.

I wonder if our next blogs will be similiar tomorrow.

Melissa
Sunbonnet Cottage

Ragged Roses said...

Heidi what a lovely post. That cradle is beautiful. Our childhood stays with us forever doesn't it, I think it is what makes our adulthood so special,
Kimx

Rhondi said...

Hi Heidi
The cradle is precious and I love the painting on the sides. It looks like it is quite old. The little quilt suits it perfectly too.Is that quote by Elizabeth Lawrence, the gardener? She lived here in Charlotte and I've been in her home and garden. It has just recently been purchased from the present owner and is going to be taken over by a trust and eventually opened to the public.
Hugs, Rhondi

Suzann said...

Such a wonderful post Heidi. I often look back on childhood memories and the things and people that brought me such joy. My favorite doll was Mrs. Beasley and I bought myself one on my 30th birthday. There was a clock that I loved and I've asked my husband to buy it for me for Christmas. I can hear certain songs and be 8 years old again, singing and dancing with my sisters and our 45's. When I saw the movie 'Mama-Mia' over the weekend with my mother and sister it reminded me of when my mother took us to see Grease and then ran out and bought the album and we listened to it all summer. I purchased the cd for 'Mama-Mia' and I hope it will bring lasting memories for my daughter. I still dance and sing like a goof and color. I love your cradle and that you have such wonderful memories.

Elizabethd said...

Heidi, that is so sweet. I love my childood things. I ahve books that I only have to pick up and I am transported back. My bears live with me still! I even have some of my baby clothes!!

Anonymous said...

Out blog hopping. That cradle is wonderful! What a find. I have my grandmother's rocker that sweeps me back into childhood.

Tanya Willis Anderson said...

Precious cradle and the mattress is perfect. What a treasure.

I have two particular Madame Alexander Dolls (the large baby doll size ones) that I loved and still cherish. One was called Pitty Pat and the other was Puddin. My great grandmother sent me birthday money so I could pick them out and oh how I loved them soooo much. Holding them and carrying them around the house - nothing like it. They are stored at my grandmother's house - I should get them and bring them here!

I had a dollhouse that was quite large, probably not that big since I was a kid but everything is so big when you're a kid!, and I'd stand at it and play from room to room. I loved getting dollhouse stuff- furniture, dolls, etc. Oh what fun that was!

Another year for my birthday money I used for a doll that was all cloth - bought at a store in Old Town Alexandria that doesn't exist anymore, sad to say - it was called Grannie's Place. They had toys like you wouldn't believe. Anyway, this doll was probably 18" long and had long strawberry blond hair. Her face was painted with a smile - loved that one and lost it. I do wish I still have that doll.

I also had a Snow White Doll - she wore a fluffy white dress that was scratchy abit - much have had netting underneath too. She was so pretty; had dark hair.

Ah,the things that come back to you.
Tanya

BittersweetPunkin said...

That is the sweetest cradle..I would've snapped that up too...very very nice!!
Hugs,
Robin

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

What a beautiful cradle!

I still have most of my Barbie dolls from my childhood. I loved them so much and had a lot of fun playing with them. Another thing I enjoyed was playing Tiddly Winks with my gram. I wish I had the actual set that I played with her, but I don't know what happened to it. I did, however, come across a set at a yard sale...that made me happy.

Thanks for coming by to see me...you always leave me the nicest comments!

Love you Heidi,
Kim

Amy Marie said...

The cradle is beautiful!

Betty said...

Heidi,
I like your cradle, quilt and mattress....I still like teddy bears and tea sets......Betty

Susan in SC said...

Oh, I am so jealous! I would love to have a cradle like this!! The quilt is very pretty!!

Dena said...

Heidi,

What a beautiful cradle and such sweet words.

Hugs,
Dena

Melissa said...

Heidi,

Just a quick note to let you know that I have an award for you at Sunbonnet Cottage.

Melissa

Mia said...

That cradle is just beautiful, as is the pretty quilt and mattrass you made. My first thought, on seeing the cradle, was that it must be from Eastern Europe, even before I saw you saying so.

I have a few books an some games from my childhood. But I am afraid they are not on display, and I seem to forget about I have them. Yet, when I do look at them, they do indeed bring back memories of my own childhood.

I really enjoyed your entry about the pig and her piglets. Such glorious creatures, and how lucky for them to be able to roam outside and enjoy the mud. Unfortunately most pigs are not that lucky!

Mary said...

Heidi, the older I get the more I seem to reminisce about my childhood at home. I look at a child's life today, especially here in the US (and it's more or less the same everywhere I guess), and am saddened that kids no longer spend their days as I did......being a real child and making one's own entertainment. Today's average kid knows little about Nature and the beauty outside their front door - they don't sit to dabble in creative pursuits - just turn on the computer and hit buttons! I know they can learn an awful lot from the internet, but I feel sad they don't climb trees, search for wildflowers in a meadow, chase a butterfly or fish for tadpoles. Oh my, don't get me started - the old fashioned girl is getting fired up - so I'll quit now, and take Jasmin out for a Nature walk before it hits 100 degrees again!

Love and hugs - hope your weekend was great at the cottage. You made such sweet bedding for this lovely cradle.

Melissa said...

Heidi,

Congrats on the award. You are most deserving of it and I enjoy our visits, too.

Melissa

Andylynne said...

It is indeed a sweet cradle. I recently purchad a spindle cradle to store quilts and extra blankets . I haven't made a quilt for it though. I have a Tea Set my mom gave me when I was very young. I have found larger pieces that go with it,and have grabbed them when I can. I snap up almost anything my mom wants to get rid of from my childhood. All the old classic books I read as a child. The most recent item is a red wooden handled dog brush I used on my Collie when I was a kid, I was thrilled to bring it home. So I too hope to never grow up, at least not in the sense of ever losing the feeling of fun and wonder in the world around us. I'm on the look out for the Magic bunny song record. " He's got magic in his nose, He turns you pink he turns you blue, etc....,The little yellow or blue records kids had in the fifties :)

Mandie said...

How CUTE is that little cradle and as always, your beautiful quilt! I have the quilt you made me when I was little, remember the purple one with the frilly edges! I was so girly when I was younger LOL. I also have my Barbies from my childhood which I have now passed down to Zoe and I love that she gets as much enjoyment from them as I did when I was little! All of these things are special to me :o) ESPECIALLY your quilt! Love you!!!

Mandie

Kristen said...

Hi aunt Heidi! I love it! It is adorable!! I have my rocker from when I was a little girl sitting in my living room! :)