DEBORAH CROMBIE: I have been making progress on Kincaid/James #20, now that things have settled down a bit from all the book launch hoopla (which has all been great fun--and just in case you missed this tidbit, A KILLING OF INNOCENTS debuted at #8 on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller List!) For the new book, I have the bones of the plot, many character names and backstories, and maybe, just maybe, a title. But we will talk about all of that the next time, because this week I have been not writing but shopping--I mean researching--as it is once again time for the spring antiques market in Round Top, Texas!
My daughter and I were lucky enough to snag a room actually in Round Top, which was quite a feat. Situated about halfway between Houston and Austin in the rolling hills of central Texas, Round Top is a one-stoplight cluster of old buildings, many of them built by German immigrants in the late 1800s. Here's our little one-room cottage, dating from about 1890.
Most of the antiques markets are set up in big tents in the fields of surrounding ranches. This is Marburger Farm, the show we buy tickets for.
There are eight of these football field-sized, double-aisled tents at Marburger, along with some smaller tents and buildings.
This is one aisle of one tent, and the variety of STUFF for sale is just astounding. China, glassware, silver, jewelry, clothing, art of all sorts, furniture (lots of really hideous mid-century modern again this year!) Even vintage typewriters.
It was so windy our first day that Kayti and I nearly blew away. We had to literally hold on to our hats and more than once they got away from us.
Hats, by the way, are a must, and not just for sun protection. There is an unspoken fashion code at Round Top, which consists of denim, bandanas, hats, cowboy boots, and LOTS of jewelry, especially turquoise. You cannot over-accessorize in Round Top. Add a flowered dress or skirt to the above and you are rocking it!
I would go just for the people/fashion-watching, and to enjoy a few days of views like this.
And this.
It was wildflower season but, alas, we somehow didn't manage to get any photos of the bluebonnets.
I might, however, have figured out how to have shopper's luck. I said that I had no agenda this year other than to enjoy the trip with my daughter, and that I was definitely not in the market for a quilt.
So I brought home this. (Any quilt experts out there want to guess at dates for the fabrics? It came from a collection in Ohio, and is in mint condition.)
And then there was this little darling.
Last year I looked and looked for a Staffordshire dog to commemorate A KILLING OF INNOCENTS, but couldn't find one that I liked and/or could afford. This year, bingo! Now this guy is adorning my mantle!
I'm hoping this allows me to call the trip research...
REDs and readers, have you ever stopped looking for something, only to have it then fall into your lap?
Wow, Debs, it looks and sounds as if you and your daughter had a wonderful time at the antiques market. Your quilt is gorgeous and your little dog is just darling.
ReplyDeleteHave I ever stopped looking for something, only to have it fall into my lap? Sadly, no, but perhaps one day . . . .
I think the Staffordshire dog is the most charming I've come across. Some of them are quite weird. They were all hand-painted, so even the dogs in pairs aren't identical.
DeleteOh Debs, I would love to go to something like this, and it must be so much fun doing it with Kayti. I'm a big fan of quilts, but I don't know anything about the age of the materials in one. I would much rather use a quilt than a blanket any day of the week. And, that dog, well what a great find that is. I can't think of anything right now that fell into my lap after I stopped looking for it. I'll think on that some more. Of course, it's always wonderful news to know you're working on the next Kincaid/James book. Congratulations on the Wall Street Journal Best Seller List. Several of my friends have recently read A Killing of Innocents and loved it, of course.
ReplyDeleteKathy, you should plan a trip with your daughter and granddaughter!
DeleteLooks like a great trip. Hope what you learned works well in your story.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark!
DeleteI live in Texas and was telling my daughters we need to take a trip to Round Rock! I’ve never been and can’t wait to go.
ReplyDeleteRound Top, not Round Rock.
DeleteOh, you should!! It's a great mother/daughter(s) experience. We had so much fun!
DeleteWhat a great trip! Glad you found the doggie. Sheila Connolly used to love a huge antiques fair in another part of Massachusetts called Brimfield. Although I hate shopping in stores, big fairs like these are different, and I've always wanted to go - maybe this year.
ReplyDeleteNow you'll have to research antique quilts in England, or maybe this American one works it's way into a plot after it found its way across the ocean.
[NOTE TO SELF: must proofread comment.] "works its way"
DeleteThat's a fun idea, Edith. I have done some research on English quilts before but I'm not sure I used it anywhere. I do have a character who's an antiques dealer, Alex Dunn, and I now have a connection with the very nice dealer who sold me the Staffordshire dog. He's quite an expert on English china and porcelain and I have his contact info.
DeleteDar Simpson here -- Edith, you must go to Brimfield! Late hubby and I went when we lived in VA and really had a blast! Lots and lots of stuff! ;)
DeleteThanks for sharing your "researching" with us. Love the photos and that quilt is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dru!
DeleteCongratulations on A Killing of Innocents debuting on the Wall Street Journal best seller list. That's just terrific.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a wonderful trip. I love antiques but have never been anywhere where I saw so many as you described in one place. Sadly, we can't acquire anything new in our three bedroom flat. In fact, we had to downsize quite a bit. But my eyes love to look, anyway. A great antigue store/site is like an art gallery. The quilt is just gorgeous. Congratulations, too, on finding the dog. (And yes, I almost find something I'm looking for when I stop looking for it. Go figure.)
All best wishes for your progress on #20.
Thanks, Elizabeth. Yes, I said very firmly that I didn't need more stuff. But it seems there are always exceptions...
DeleteOh, Debs, it looks like you had a blast! I used to go to Brimfield, a huge antiques show near Sturbridge, Massachusetts with my step mother. I bought my bedroom furniture for my first apartment there, sturdy oak pieces from the early 20th C. I still use them in the guest bedroom.
ReplyDeleteGood news that you are working on the next book. Keep us posted as you write!
I've been to Sturbridge, Judy, but not to Brimfield. I think Round Top is the biggest show in the country and the dealers come from everywhere. So interesting.
DeleteThat looks like a fun trip! Though I haven't done it in a long time, I do enjoy poking around antique shops with who-knows-what hiding in the corners. I don't collect anything, so cannot answer your question, Deborah, but I can say that I have more than once given something away (donated it) only to wish a few days later that I still had it on hand because, suddenly, I need it!
ReplyDeleteJust looking is fun and it generates a lot of ideas.
DeleteDeb, My kind of trip! The quilt is beautiful. I only own one genuine hand made quilt, but enjoy it every time I touch it. Need to start a search for another. There's something about the texture that makes them extra special. Love your outfits. Maybe because I'm an easterner, I find wearing hats and cowboy boots so much fun. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteJudy, I found my vintage Wrangler boots at Round Top a few years ago, pre-pandemic, and I love them. They're amazingly comfortable, although I'm not brave enough to wear them for the miles we walk shopping. Fun for evenings, though! Round Top feels to me like a bunch of grown women (attendees are about 95% female) having a blast playing dress-up:-)
DeleteCongrats on publication news and the quilt! I have a patchwork quilt my great-grandmother made for her hope chest. When I was a girl, I used to finger the different fabrics and make up stories about the girls who wore calico dresses and aprons from which the quilt was constructed.
ReplyDeleteThe prints in the fabrics on this quilt are so charming! I'm sure every one has a story.
DeleteSuch fun Debs, I'll volunteer to come next year! I am drooling over that quilt!
ReplyDeleteYou should come, Roberta! We'd have a blast!
DeleteLovely views, Debs. I love to wander antiques just to see what people are selling. And yes, there's been a couple of times I've been looking for something particular. As soon as I stop actively searching, I find it.
ReplyDeleteThe high temperatures were about 70, so even the very windy day was not too bad. It was so lush and green there, and so wonderfully peaceful. We saw the best wildflowers on the way there, between I35 and Round Top, but the problem is finding a place to stop to photograph them.
DeleteAt a big fair like that I would love to know how many people were buying, and not only what they were buying, but what they were not buying. Case in point – good dishes and silver service. I am now the owner of 5 sets of good dishes and have just inherited a silver service. So, I decided that they were no longer to be used for ‘best’ but for anytime. This week I was on snacks at Book Club, so did a charcuterie platter (I had no bread to make egg salad sandwiches which is usually served), and I brought my mother’s Old Country Roses bread & butter plates and silver pickle forks. There was a lot of chatter about moving on up in the world, but the touch of class was generally voted as nice. Notice I did not bring the silver service (we had boiled tea in a pot) or the linen napkins – just too much ironing!
ReplyDeleteSo are people now buying things like dishes and silver, or are they still designated to the charity shop or land fill. What is moving in the antiques world?
By the way, we almost didn’t get to our tea and snacks, as the book club was so animated. The book was ‘The Girl They Left Behind’ by Roxanne Veletzos. It generated much chat, controversy and philosophizing – every thing a book should. General vote was 7-8/10. Biggest negative was she needed a better editor!
Margo, dealers were selling a lot of silver and china, and I assume people were buying it.
DeleteYour book club sounds fun and I'd much rather have charcuterie than sandwiches. Good for you, using the "good" stuff!
The quilt looks like pre-1920s to me, but I am not an expert. I have some quilt squares from the 1930s that I bought at an antique mall in northwestern Ohio years ago, and one of these days I'll make a quilt from it.
ReplyDeleteAntiquing is such fun; I would be delirious at Round Top! Most of our furniture is inherited or passed down, or from antique stores I haunted early in our marriage. And a lot of reclaimed stuff, like the gorgeous Art Deco era dining table my brother-in-law had used for 20 years as a desk, and the eight chairs that went with it, moldy and mouse-eaten. I had them returned to their black lacquer finish and the chairs reupholstered in a more modern fabric that still has an AD vibe.
But coffee tables are not easy to find, and I'd pretty much given up until a few weeks ago when I found a square, Chinese style ebonized wood table on Everything But the House (ebth.com). It's an auction site, and happens to be based here in Cincinnati. I won the bid for a very reasonable price, and am in the process of restoring it. At some point the glass insert was replaced with a black acrylic one, but that's easy to fix, and it will work perfectly in our living room. I also found a wonderful Persian carpet that fits perfectly in our entry foyer, also on EBTH last year.
I’m thinking later—anytime between 1930 and 1960. Great years for quilts! My great aunts made lots like this one. And boy, do I aspire to do Round Top!
DeleteKaren, your coffee table sounds gorgeous. I hope you're documenting the resoration so you can share with us!
DeleteMy best guess on the quilt is 40s, maybe 50s.
Not sure about 40s. That era was more cheerful and cute, with prints that coordinated well with the red, turquoise and yellow kitchen decor.
DeleteI haven't been, but thanks for the gentle suggestion. I really should take photos.
The quilt is beautiful! Congratulations on the listing in the WSJ. I SO enjoyed the book!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gillian!
DeleteWoohoo on the WSJ#8 (should've been #1, just sayin')! Green with envy over your trip to Round Top. I'm thinking a sisters' vacation next year is definitely in order. What a serendipitous find of your charming dog! And the quilt is very pretty! I can't see the fabric patterns clearly enough (I'd need a closer close-up) to guess on age. Although, occasionally retro fabrics come out that could easily be mistaken for much earlier ones. But congrats on starting the next Duncan and Gemma book! (Flora)
ReplyDeleteFlora, you'd adore Round Top. Check out the links I posted, and book something WAY in advance. You can also stay in Brenham, which is a considerably bigger town and about a twenty minute drive from Round Top. I think you'd fly into Austin and rent a car.
DeleteWhat a beautiful quilt! The Staffordshire dog was a great find too. Looks like a great place to visit.
ReplyDeleteThanks, aprilbluetx! Are you in Texas?
DeleteNot exactly. I usually find something after I have thrown out the mate to it. But I learned. I once had a pair of sandals and the dog chewed one. The other was perfectly fine. I was able to find another pair, exactly the same. Don't you know the dog chewed that one too! He must have had a thing for left foot shoes. Even though i can't wear them I am hanging on to 2 right foot sandals. If I ever break my left ankle again and have to wear one of those boots, I'll be all set.
ReplyDeleteLoved the pictures, Deb! That quilt! So beautiful! Could you tell from the stitches if they were made by hand or machine? I wonder if it will need any special care. I don't know that I'd want to toss it in the washing machine, but maybe on a gentle cycle it would be fine.
Judi, it is hand stitched. And because it has no tears or worn-through bits, it should be able to go in the gentle cycle in the washing machine. At least I hope. The reason I gave into temptation on this is that the quilt we use on our bed really should no longer be washed.
DeleteWonderful finds.... The dog! The quilt!
ReplyDeleteWhat you have looks like a Charm Quilt... every piece is a different fabric, all the same shape. Usually they are assembled from your own scraps plus donations from friends and relatives and other quilters. And of course the collected fabrics can turn out to be from different eras, too. Yours might have a range of fabrics from various decades of the 20th century.
Enjoy curling up under it on the couch on chilly days . With tea and a book.
I just found this, if you're interested.... https://www.antiquequilthistory.com/a-history-of-charm-quilts.html
DeleteThanks, Susan, I'll read it! I don't think this is a charm quilt, though, as some of the fabrics are used more than once.
DeleteYour quilt is lovely. I have a couple made by my great-mother and cherish them. I think that little pup was just waiting to leap into your life at just the right moment. Though I haven't started A Killing of Innocents yet, I'm very happy to hear you have started the next one. I now have one more book to look forward to reading.
ReplyDeleteDeanna, the Staffordshire dogs will make more sense when you've read the book. And be sure to notice the map--Laura Maestro used them to frame the title!
DeleteOkay, I'm definitely jealous. I love antiquing and thrifting. Round Top looks like it would be great fun. I'm glad you and your daughter got to spend time together in such a fun place. And ohhhh that quilt and ohhhh that Staffordshire dog. BTW, I just finished A Killing of Innocents -- fabulous, I hated to see it come to an end! Congratulations on the WSJ ranking! Well deserved after all your hard work.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lorraine! We had a great time!
DeleteYour book a Killing Of Innocents was excellent. Your books sell thousands of copies, why don’t your publisher’s support a book tour for it? I know Hank tours but that is self-organized and funded. Perhaps it has been found tours don’t sell that many books?
DeleteI used to go antiquing quite often but rarely bought anything. I enjoy just looking. When I saw that Staffordshire dog I asked myself “now where did you recently read something about them?”! How appropriate that it was in your most recent book!
ReplyDeleteDebRo
Laura Maestro used the Staffordshire dogs to frame the title on the map!
DeleteJust what I was going to say, Susan D! It's clearly a scrap quilt, though maybe not a charm quilt, where no fabric is supposed to be repeated. In quilts like that, you pull from your scrap bag, and your mother's and maybe your grandmothers' . . . I would guess this one was made in the 1940s, but some of those fabrics are probably much older. And how could you resist the Staffordshire dog?
ReplyDeleteAs for finding something when you stop looking, well . . . A couple of years after I graduated from college I decided I would never find true love, so I would have to opt for meaningless weekend flings. The first time I tried that, the relationship lasted 22 years. And, yes, it was true love.
Aw, the perfect example, Gigi.
DeleteGreat finds, Deb, the quilt and the pup!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kait!
DeleteGreat finds, Deb!
ReplyDeleteYes, I was blessed to have something fall in my lap after I stopped looking. Sometimes it is my lucky day. Trying to remember what it was, though.
Diana
Thanks, Diana!
DeleteI remember visiting Round Top--just lovely! I'm not a quilt expert, but I'm wondering if it could be Amish since Ohio has a number of markets featuring Amish foods and crafts. And yes, the trip is research. As far as making it a tax deduction. . .?
ReplyDeleteThe dealer said she bought the whole lot from an old lady's house in Ohio. All of them were in pretty good condition but this one was the star for me. Some of the others were appliqued, which I don't like as much.
DeleteOh, this is fantastic! I am swooning. I love the quilt! And yes, sign me up, I'd adore to go! Whoa, that would be great. Fall into my lap? Yes. I looked and looked, years ago, for hunter green leather boots. LIke riding boots, only green. They did not exist. I gave up. and then, poof. There they were, in a store in NYC. I snapped those up like a hungry lizard. I still have them, I think.
ReplyDeleteA hungry lizard, Hank! LOVE it! And I'm trying really hard to picture you in a Round Top "outfit." There are lots and lots of vintage cowboy boots to choose from!
DeleteAll my cowboy boots have come from antique stores. My favorite pair is 1970s Wranglers in navy and turquoise. I wear a size 6, so feel very lucky to have found three pairs in that size.
DeleteWhat a fun trip with your favorite daughter! Wish I’d come along. The quilt is gorgeous and I love the dog.
ReplyDeleteWe have lots and lots of antique barns here, many Amish and Mennonite quilt makers too. However I’ve reached the age to severely limit acquisitions. The basement and third floor are already full!
But I still like to look. Xo
Round Top is a cool itty bitty town. I've been there a couple of times but not during festival times. I always meant to hit the fall antique festival with my sister but something always came up. But that's okay. The last thing I need is more stuff.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun just to look, and to enjoy the food, music, and atmosphere.
DeleteI. Am. So. Jealous. That’s it. That is all. Except CONGRATS on the WaPo!!!! Woo hoo!!!
ReplyDeleteRound Top - it's going on my bucket list. I love antique and flea markets and for the last two years, as you all know, they've been thin on the ground. LOVE that Staffordshire spaniel. I like to buy one thing to commemorate each book, too. Yard sales are beginning here in New England...
ReplyDeleteAlas, my daughter lives in Dubai.
ReplyDeleteI love the quilt. It’s lovely.
ReplyDeleteMarianne in Maine
Great finds!! I'd love a 1934-ish typewriter.
ReplyDeleteThat happens all the time when I'm crafting.
ReplyDeleteSomething is in my hands, I put it down
for a minute and it completely disappears.
Takes a long time to find it again and it's
someplace unexplainable. Gremlins
at work.