It's an Old New England Custom ...

Yesterday, among a dozen or so items I was photographing for Joe's vintage shop on Etsy, I discovered this pretty little book and made the mistake of opening it. Thus ended the photo shoot.

It's an Old New England Custom by Edwin Valentine Mitchell was published in 1946 and, since Joe is listing it in his shop as I type, I'll post the link here rather than fill up this post with bibliographical details.

Instead, I'll celebrate some of the traditions of my adopted region, illustrated with drawings from Mitchell's book and finds from fellow Etsy sellers.

Since Halloween is just around the corner, I'll point out that it's an old New England custom to have haunted houses.

Now if there's anything in abundance in New England, it's trees. And a tree house can certainly be haunted, as twolefthands proves with her fetching Tree House Number 16.

And speaking of haunted ... It's an old New England custom to behold phantom ships.

No doubt those ships looked very much like this phantom, artistically photographed by ClydeKeller.

Keeping in the ... er, spirit of hauntings and phantoms and such, it's an old New England custom to thirst after strange gods.

Looking at this amazing vintage photo from the collection of maclancy, I can't help thinking whatever that lady has in mind the future doesn't look any too promising for the chicken.

To finish off our little pre-Halloween exploration of traditions, it's an old New England custom to excel in epitaphs.

And with the charming Love Grave by KCimagery, I'll ... er, lay these matters to rest.

# # #

Old New England customs also include having pie for breakfast and serving turkey and cranberry sauce. I'll save those for another celebration.

Thank You, Etsy Treasury Curators ...

... for including me in your beautiful collections!
 
I'm always thrilled and honored to learn that one of my fellow Etsians has featured one of my items in a treasury.

While I do my best always to comment on each treasury, take a close look at the other 15 items, and tweet about the treasury, sometimes I long to do more to show my deep and heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful folks who have chosen an item of mine to feature.

Here are three treasuries that include one of my items, each followed by a linked image of something from the curator's shop.

Blue Me Away

The gorgeous treasury above, curated by pixiepaper, is anything but blue in mood. In fact, just gazing at it makes me smile!

In Pixie's lovely Etsy shop, you'll find handmade cards, die cuts, picture frames and much more, like this bright and pretty coaster set ~

Blue and Yellow, Flowers and Stripes

Wayne Willcox named his wonderful treasury Falling For You, and, as the title indicates, he showcases "Beautiful handcrafted fall colors."

Falling For You

Wayne is a gifted woodworking artisan who crafts unique and beautiful accessories and items for the home. Here is his elegant hardwood wine bottle stopper, turned on a delta lathe. He also creates items using cork and exotic woods.

Hardwood wine bottle stopper

This lovely and evocative treasury on the theme of life's journey is curated by Rebecca of KneeDeepOriginals, "where nature-inspired, soul-created original jewelry and oil paintings come to life."

Where I Have Been, Where I Am Going

In addition to being a gifted painter and jewelry designer, Rebecca is also a talented song writer, singer and musician whose amazing CD, Homespun Girl, is available in her Etsy shop.

Homespun Girl

~ ~ ~

Thank you, Pixie, Wayne and Rebecca, for the happiness you spread with your treasuries and by being such wonderful Etsians!

On a day much like today ...

Remember ...

It was a lovely morning in September.
Like today.

The sun was shining.
Like today.

And then ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj-GkDJpr2Y

I started weeping then. 

Like today.

Treasury Time! Falling in love with Fall ...

Maple Leaf Trio ~ Autumn Decor for your Home

Call it Fall. Call it Autumn. 

Whatever you call it, it's my favorite season! And it's definitely in the air up here Down East.

The sweet-tangy aroma of woodsmoke on the breeze, the turning maple leaves, the urge to bring out our cardigans and decorate with pumpkins ... all these happy hints of Autumn have put me in a treasury-making mood.

Some Folks say it's Autumn ...

I say those folks are right.

Folks like these, from Team Etsy Project Embrace

and Etsy Maine Team ~

moondogfarm, GrannyKnits, woodponddesigns, 5gardenias,

mythunderstood, MGMart, Asianexpressions, GlitzGlitter,

KCimagery, birribe, longwinterfarm, EdibleComplex,

sherrytruitt, Lori411, BeggarsTombPottery, Easy123