I've been busy scraping wallpaper at our "new" building...soooo much wallpaper. With 13' high ceilings, and 100+ years of wallpapering and paint over wallpaper, you can imagine the thickness of what I'm removing. Many of the patterns have been so rich, so colorful, even after all these years. I'm trying my best to get a few pieces to keep, but most of it just falls apart once it's off the wall. I did find this treasure yesterday, though. It was found just as my spirits were a bit diminished by the sweaty, gritty work (it's in the 90s and SO humid here in central Missouri). This was wedged between two layers of paper, on an area that oddly enough was not sticking to the wall anymore. It has a chunk of paint on the back, and a glob on the front, and it did tear (that's my modern tape in the top corner), but for having a date of 1923 on it, it's in good shape.
We don't know what was in our building before the furniture store that occupied it from the post depression to the 80s. Could this label for embroidery floss be a clue? A dry goods shop? Was the wife of the shop owner doing some handywork while waiting for her husband? We may never know!
We also may never know who this fellow was:
This is on the base, bare, plaster layer of the wall. He's been under their for a long time...especially if the embroidery floss gives a clue, as that was on top of two layers of paper already.
Our fellow on the wall was a real surprise as I scraped along. He appears to be in an Edwardian coat and collar. I get an Elvis mixed with Abe Lincoln vibe from him...but then I've been working really hard in the heat.
I plan on putting in a few neat finds for the next folk, maybe some Obama clippings, a few local ads, a nice note. I just love finding treasures!
For simple charm, whimsical garden print, and reminder that sub-zero temps will soon be forgotten, I love this simple print skirt. It has tiny watering cans and flowers!
For it's incredible fullness, and the skill it must have taken to stitch in row after row of cording to make the fun ridges that go all around this skirt (and to keep them straight!), I love this navy blue skirt.
For a fun print, again reminding me that summer's posies will be in bloom eventually, I love this simple, full, cotton skirt.
And finally, for its bold coloring and theme worth crowing about, I love this rooster print full circle skirt. I'm not sure if they're fighting, loving, showing off in the barn yard, or dancing, but they're bold and beautiful! Chicken Dance, anyone?
