Sunday, November 6, 2011

remember me

Autograph books are small time capsules. You can almost hear the pen scratching across the page as you look at them. Beautiful sentiments to a friend, like the one above.
"Life is short, Oh may it be
full of happiness for thee."

Some of my Etsy customers might recognize these as they are thank you's to put in with pottery. I've just added some watercolor images, and color copy them on cardstock and there is my notecard.
Since Carrie put a butterfly die cut next to her name,
I put wings on her



And some dancing animals for Dwight

Here's a painting of the era by Felix Vallotton. I'm sure many of these people signed thier names in autograph books, besides I wanted to show it to you because its so wonderful.


As shure as comes your wedding day,

A broom to you I'll give,

In sunshine use the brushy part,

In storm the other end....




Victorian ink bottles, what the signers would dip thier pens into before writing

Lydia, Way back here where nobody will look

I'll sign my name in your book~


I even used an old water color palatte to paint on the paper.

Another watercolor box of the era.



This is just as found , all hand done in one of the old autograph books.

Remember me!


(I'll remember you)

xxx





juliewhitmorepottery.etsy.com

48 comments:

Val said...

Ooh, Julie, I *love* these! Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Darling!

Librarian said...

Julie, these took my breath away! They are so unique, so special - I can't really find the right words. Just this one: Wonderful! With WONDER written in caps.

Dreaming Woods said...

one of the painted book pages you created are on my shelf now. those cards are just beautiful, i especially like the dancing animals! that antique paint box looks a treasure. i have wanted to have a antique metal paint box ever since i saw one in Miss Potter.

A bird in the hand said...

Love Many
Trust few
Always paddle
Your own canoe

I have one of those autograph books [owned by one Valla Mae Nestor, 1920] and use whole pages in my collages. Some pages have tiny, tiny black and white photos glued in them which I love.

Gretel said...

Sigh...what a wonderful paintbox - and what exquisite things you create with it - this blog post is the loveliest thing I have seen all day and lifted my spirits no end.

pat said...

Lovely as always Julie.. you always make me smile.

Valerianna said...

How could I possibly forget you! Autograph books are not on my radar, but they are quite wonderful- as are your magical additions. Thanks for reminding me of them, and of you. Golden forest blessings today with shining sun and rusty beech-leaf stained glass-like light.

lilylovekin said...

I love the old traditions. It is too bad so many of them are lost to us. I'll remember you with beautiful pottery pieces I have, what sweet remembrances.

GardenOfDaisies said...

Julie, I loved the illustrated autograph page/note you sent to me. And all of these are just beautiful. I am in awe of your talent and of the old handwriting styles. We sure don't teach that in school these days.

A Brush with Color said...

Beautiful! I have my grandmother's autograph book from the turn of the century, (the last century, that is) and it's JUST LIKE THIS. It's probably my most prized possession. I love what you did with these--so charming and utterly unique. I just think your style is so lovely...What a great idea to make cards out of those!

lynne h said...

oh. my. goodness. what you have done here is *perfect* julie. but then do i say that every time?!

these watercolors make my heart sing, sing!!

xoxo

Erin said...

Lovely...! Your blog made me so happy!
Hand written, hand painted and hand built treasures...
-all so special. I love the old watercolour boxes!!

The Feathered Nest said...

Dear Julie, these are all so beautiful!!! What a wonderful idea to use these old pages for your precious paintings and to make cards from them too!! I love your painting style so much ~ I hope you are doing so good sweet friend, hugs and love, Dawn

Maggie Ann said...

What a charming post Julie, and I love the elegant script of days gone by. Perhaps we are in too big a hurry to take the time and perhaps rhythm? to write in such a beautiful way. They were taught penmanship in school also I'm sure. Warm wishes for a pleasant tomorrow...Maggie

Vicki Boster said...

Oh Julie- how I love this beautiful post! Vintage autographs are delightful-- your pictures here are just amazing.

I have every little painted notecard that you've sent me. They are lovingly displayed and I treasure them all!

The picture of your paintbox is stunning--
xo,
Vicki

Unknown said...

Hola Julie...como estas querida amiga?.... como me gusta visitar tu blog... las pinturas de tus obras me recuerdan a mi infancia.... tiene mucha ternura e inocencia.... son puros.... te felicito !!!! adoro todo lo que haces....te mando un gran beso desde mi Argentina y seguiremos conectadas siempre.... que tengas una feliz semana Zulma.

Unknown said...

Delightful, Julie. A real treasure find. Your watercolor illustrations are just...sigh.

sharon said...

You have captured a moment in time, and I always love how you transport me to another place with your characters and the atmosphere you create with them. Beautiful !

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Julie, as always, your illustrations are so very lovely and charming! Love to visit here.
Thank you!

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

What a treasure - enhanced by your unique watercolours, Julie. Love the wedding gift rhyme. Lesley x

Country Rabbit said...

how delightful julie ;0)x
i love hand written words- so lost today with emails...but i still write letters and add illustrations to the letters i just cant help it...you are like Beatrix Potter - her spirit was re-born in you with all your wonderful illustrations on pottery ;0)xx

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

I love this post. I love everything. The old fashion paint box is a treasure for you I'm sure.

Simply Shelley said...

Beautiful...I remember :)
Blessings

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

truly delightful!

Anonymous said...

Oh how I love the dancing animals - sigh - that little hedgehog! :)
Wishing you a very happy week, Julie!
Hugs,
Zuzu

sandra said...

I treasure the one you sent me!!! It sits on my Fall tray on my dining table, so precious...thank you for sharing :))

Jody Battaglia said...

Hello Julie...
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Sugar is sweet
and so is this charming blog...
Have silly sentiments fun, Jody

millefeuilles said...

Julie, your work is so poetic and unique. I love that whimsical characterist your animals have. They have the power to transport us back to happy childhood memories.

I adore your little mouse painting.... Oh I must order some pottery if your customer gets one of those delightful paintings.

You are so, so gifted.

Warmest wishes from France.

Barbara said...

yes that is a lovely painting.

Carolyn Parker said...

These autograph pages with your magical little watercolor paintings are SOOOO enchanting and exquisite! Thank you for such a visual treat.
The gorgeous penmanship is a such a lost art. You have recaptured it!
hugs, batty mae

Parisbreakfasts said...

Utterly exquisite. Every single picture Julie.
I love your works the best bien sur.
I have one of those old watercolor sets from Germany - the colors are unusable but very pretty with it's sliding lid..
The Windsor & Newton set is one I've always coveted. Who hasn't?
What is more adorable?
Your watercolors or the pottery tree ornaments?
Impossible to say :)

A Mermaid's Tale said...

Such a beautiful thing to do! You are a poet with your paintbrush!

Tammie Lee said...

how wonderful to see your charming pages, each one.
and those old watercolor sets are droolable! as well as the ink bottles, so beautiful.
thank you for sharing your beauty.

Unknown said...

Hola Julie !! gracias por tus comentarios, espero que vos tambien tengas lindos sueños ... besos !!! Zulma.

Maria said...

Julie these are divine!

Lori ann said...

julie you must make a book. your art is breathtakingly exquisite. i want to stare at each of these delicate watercolors all day long. i love your work more than anything i think. it is so SO wonderful.
i love also how you lovingly salvaged an antique book, and put it to not just new use, but to gallery level.
i am so sorry for being so lazy, i have a small package sitting here, with a note attached to you, i'll drop it to the postoffice on my way to work this morning.
have a wonderful day, and thank you for sharing all that you do.
i LOVE this post.
x lori

Melody said...

Wow, how awesome is all that??? :))) Just incredible! :))))

dulcy said...

I'm so glad I stopped by here Julie! I have a lovely handmade book given to me by a friend. I haven't put anything on the blank pages because I was saving it for something special. I think I'll start putting a few little paintings of my own on those empty pages. I always leave here so inspired. Love all that you do!!

xo
dulcy

Claire said...

Give the girl a brush and some paint and look at what she creates......... it's wonderful Julie.

Great idea to add to your parcels when posting them out, an extra surprise which makes it all the sweeter to receive.........

My mum had some autograph books many years ago. All I can remember is ' By hook or by crook I'll be last in this book'.
Then some clever person would find a spot a little further on to write 'by ham or by bacon I think you're mistaken', hehe.......

Claire X

Jorgelina said...

what a wonderful paintbox !!
Lovely your blog ♥
Blessings

gallerydarrow said...

Wow Julie,
What a treat! Thank you for sharing your art and wonderful collections.

Wish on a Whisker said...

I think this is such a lovely idea. I am so happy to have one from you, too! I have it tied to an old bird cage. Julie, your ~Remember Me bunny~ is gorgeous beyond words. ♥~ Mandy

jone hallmark said...

Julie, this entire post is breathtaking! Your collection is magnificent and your additions to each - wow - I do not know quite how to react in words. Little winged people floating over the treasured pages........

And your delightful ornaments.....time to ask about those.....any more of those in the kiln, my friend?
Let me know....

I am dreaming about a visit out your way so we can play. Becky (Skott) and I were talking about you the other day - were your ears burning?
We have a little "wish plan" that includes you.....

off to bed...your work is that of my dreams...
thank you for your magic.
xo

Pat said...

Oh, My Gosh, Julie! These are precious. Antique pages, and that antique watercolor set....to die for. I love what you are doing here.
What a wonderful thing to have/save/treasure/love. You are just the best! pat

Helen Philipps said...

This is such a delightful post, like going back in time, with the sweetest little book pages, delicate illustrations and beautiful paintboxes. And I loved that little pottery house too. Magical.
Helen x

Parisbreakfasts said...

Bergdorfs should commission YOU to do their windows!!

Anonymous said...

Magical. see this site for jars http://www.ebottles.com/showbottles.asp?familyid=1152&kw=HEXAGONAL+GLASS+JARS+

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Christie Jones Ray said...

I am drooling, as I write this, over your antique Windsor newton paint box!! I have even looked for these on ebay. One day...one ...day;))) your paintings are just as darling on autograph pages as on your pottery...
I must have some pieces soon, dear friend!

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