Welcome to My Red Cape. Long ago in another time my husband Jack and I lived in a little old red house. It was the stuff of dreams to us for the few years that we were there. I live there still a number of hours every day in imagination, with old dolls and paintings and fabrics and feather trees. I draw inspiration and happiness from the memories of that space in time and share some of it here with friends who remember how to step with Alice through the looking glass and take delight in whimsies and antiquities. ~Edyth O’Neill

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Doll quilts from Marian































Fine small quilts like these are every bit as much art as a painting to hang on the wall. Beautiful, thank you for sharing. The Bears paw is a favorite for me.

The first quit I ever made was a full size bear's paw in red calico. This was in 1952. I underestimated the amount I woud need and by the time I was done piecing several months later, the fabric was all sold from the retailer in the rural West Texas town of Comanche. I went to the store and asked the proprietor about getting more. She contacted others who she rememberd very well having bought that fabric, and two brought in their scraps for me!!! Try that now!! I did not feel I could quilt my first top, lacking space, ability etc, so I took it to a woman in Pottsville who was recomended in my church, and she did a nice job of quilting it by the piece, for an incredble $9. I had to furnish the thread. Then I got it back and bound it myself. My daughter Beth has the quilt now, not a machine stitch in it. E

Monday, November 21, 2011

Australian book request

Hello Marian in Australia! Thank you for writing about the Pockets and Rollups book. I am sorry I cannot manage the extra forms and hassle of mailing outside continental USA. I am almost 81 and am taking some things easier in order to do other things still. I will have to add that to the blog note about the book. My error, I apologize.

Perhaps I can scan the Pockets book to pdf and make it available that way also. It has many antique doll quilts, just your thing! We lost all of the dolls but one pictured in that book when our beloved red Cape burned down in 2005. All of the antique textiles in the book were lost without exception. The photo and text pages will be great on pdf files. It is the pattern sheets that I am concerned to get just right

About Rugs for my Red Cape, I have only a few Rug books left in hard copy, like 20 or fewer, and my daughter has some in her closet too so in case of fire they would not all be gone. I have many grandchildren and already 3 great grands, and am keeping these last books for future needs, so the book is out of print and no more are to be had except the pdf’s. The pictures on a good computer screen are so much more vivid than on a printed page.

I’ll bet your doll quilts are beautiful. Send Dixie and me both a few photos. And you will love one of her dolls! Congratulations on that choice.
Have a Great Day. Edyth

Post Script, Now an answer from Marian in Australia!

Dear Edyth,
I would like to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving..it’s a very special time to be surrounded by those you love.
I also wanted to let you know that I purchased your Rug book pdf last night and it’s a delight to behold, a real treasure..thank you!!
Warm Regards...Marian xo

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Lovely Doll Quilts: Antique and New






















































Charming small antique quilts made just for dolls are treasured collectibles in their own right. Old ones are quite pricey, but some lovely ones are made today. Here is a group of doll quilts from Three Texas Collections. Many were made by friend Martha. The large wax doll is quilting on a precious top from tiny old civil war age squares. At her feet are little rugs made by Martha.










































To see more articles on making antique doll quilts, visit Maida .http://www.maidatoday.com/



A glorious link for more doll size quilts! These are true art. http://collectorwithaneedle.blogspot.com/

Monday, November 7, 2011

November starts the Holidays for us














Hello to the many friends who are readers here. Thank you for the emails and comments you share with me. Jack and I will be part of a large family group at Granddaughter Sarah's house for the Thanksgiving meal, but Pumpkins and wreaths are in place in our own home also. We have already made pumpkin pies and nut bread several times, as well as having laid in a supply of pecans from the new crop. We live fully in today, but I cannot help remembering Thanksgiving in our beloved Red Cape at the farm a few years ago. Look back with me in these pictures.


These are images from my book "Rugs for my Red Cape" which I am working with to create a down loadable e book. Wish me luck on that! Warmly, Edyth

Friday, November 4, 2011

A Day for making Art in Fredericksburg TX






















































































Artists are Brian Grimm ~ Jerry Ricketson ~ Sara Winters in the courtyard at Whistle Pik Gallery. A gorgeous day! E

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