The Ash Grove Doll House

Thanks to all you supporters of my Chicken venture! This city girl turning country is sure to meet some bumps in the road so stay tuned!

Its been a bizarre week and yesterday was no exception. I received notice from My Pet Chicken that the chicks won't be shipped now until the 14th of June (as opposed to the 7th) so that sets my summer plans back a week (but thats ok). I smacked my ankle into a metal easel that was sitting on the classroom floor and got sea-sick from a particular onion and potato soup. All that said, I've been feeling really fatigued and think I may not have caught up with myself from the frenzy of last week.

Like I've mentioned here before, some of the best medicine is simply having a new creative project to sink my teeth into. And though I have more than my share of those right now, one in particular that I'm anxious to share with you all is a real honor that has just been bestowed upon me.

My mother-in law, Ellen Emery's doll house handmade by her grandfather George H. Clarkson

I've been named the family shepherd/ guardian of a priceless family heirloom, my mother-in-law's childhood dollhouse. My mother-in-law is Ellen Emery, and this dollhouse was hand-made by her grand-father George H. Clarkson. George was a wonderful wood-worker. For most of Ellen's life the dollhouse has been in her parents home, the Ash Grove in Ithaca NY. It arrived to my home this weekend straight from the Ash Grove and it is in need of some serious TLC, which is exactly what I plan to give it.

The house survived the four hour car drive and some years of dust-collecting. It is fully wired for electronic lights. I'm so excited to get in there replace some badly aged carpets, clean up all the furniture, revive, and refresh everything. I'll be sure share my breathing some new life into this beautiful handmade structure with you all - and try to maintain its original integrity and authenticity for its true owner.

untouched dollhouse residents and furniture a stove from the original set of furniture in the houseAn Organ in need of some TLC a ramshackled room a magnetic chessboard set the second floor stairwell

-Ciao Amarettogirl

Primitive Folk Art, Fruition and Furnishings @ 18th Century Furniture

I know we think the whole arts and crafts community has been 'Etsified'... but surprisingly some of it hasn't- which means you gotta do it the ol' fashioned way and go there to get it! So I thought I'd do a post where I bring it to you in hopes that one day you can make it there.

Manon VonUchtrup (Left) and Linda Gargano (Right)

Many people may not know I have a soft, mushy, heart spot for primitive, folk and country art. I guess moving out to bear country will do that to a person.

I've written about the wonderful arts and crafts community I found in Sugar Loaf, New York before (very close to Warwick NY great day trip from NYC).

Now I want to share a wonderful business collaboration that has just taken place between two of my all time FAVE Sugar Loaf business owners! Linda Gargano of Fruition and Manon Von Uchtrup from 18th Century Furniture and Builder- just think wood and fabric!

Aprons by Linda from Fruition available ONLY at 18th Century Furnishings and Builders in Sugar Loaf NY photo by m.diaz Prim Signs handmade by Manon VonUchtrup and she does CUSTOM! Housewares in an Antique Kitchen photo by m.diazHousewares from 18th Century Furnishings photo by m.diaz 18th Century Furniture and Builders owned by Peter and Manon VonUchtrup

All the wood furnishings you see in these pictures, in addition to the building itself was built by Woodworker Peter VonUchtrup! He is a phenomenal woodworker and like the Taj Majal, he built for love. He has equipped this space with all Manon's needs to make a bountiful, BEAUTIFUL space to sell her signs and fabric pieces as well that of others.

First Story of 18th Century Builders owned by Peter and Manon VonUchtrup of Sugar Loaf Handmade fabric crafts by Manon - most likely taught by Linda!

Recently Linda of fruition Dolls and gifts (a local SugarLoaf fabric design shop) was about to fold and close its doors.

Manon, I and others love Linda's fabric shop so much and we shuddered at the thought of losing Linda, her shop and her amazing sewing classes. So what happened?

Manon being the amazing and savvy business owner she is, decided wood is only a compliment to fabric. She altered her 18th Century shop to house all of Linda's ware's within it. In addition, she altered the second story to make a stunning spot within which Linda can continue to teach her sewing classes, which I am a die hard fan of.

Linda Gargano in front of the Quilt Chest at Manon's 18th Century Furnishings shop photo by m.diaz Handmade Primitive Folk Art Wares at 18th Century FurnishingsEntrance with Wood Furnishings and Linda's Bags photo by m.diaz Antique shoes at !8th Century Furnishings and Builders photo by m.diaz

Ok So now the next time your Antique loving heart says I want to take a drive out to the country and see some shops - Because of me- you know where to go! Sugar Loaf is an easy day trip from New York City. Both of these business owners do commission and custom if you are interested in doing a MAIL ORDER please click the links at the beginning of this post for their contact info and contact them via email or phone to place an order. But I have even one better for you- These lovely ladies will be at a craft fair in Vernon NJ in two weeks and I have all the info:

Saturday, April 17th from 10am - 4pm
at the Minerals Resort, 2 Chamonix Drive, Vernon NJ 07462

No worries -I haven't forgotten tomorrow is the GIVEAWAY - so get those comments posted, leave your emails/blog/website address and start thinking about that special number that you're going to comment about tomorrow BEFORE 9pm!!

-Ciao Amarettogirl