The early bird gets the .....

Bird Habitat #4

* General Byrds House *

I love this birdhouse...it was very hard to let go..lol. 

Perfect for that bird in your yard who is very bossy .....the 

one that even scares cats !

This birdhouse stands 18" tall from the bottom of the wheels to the top of the flag...it is 15" to the top of the ring on the roof.... width of the wood birdhouse base is 5.5" wide. The 

house is attached to the truck.

 The birdhouse has a metal roof with a metal star at the front...near the peak of the roof. 

The vintage metal toy truck is 12" long.  The toy truck is army green and still retains its tires and you can see a bit of the star decal on top of the trucks roof.  Toy trucks in decent 

condition are very hard to find !

The flag is cloth with a wood dowel slid into 

2 eye hooks in the back....easy to replace or add your own flag.

Because I use recycled materials, you can see that items are not perfect....some rust or a scratch here and there, 

small dent etc. is part of the charm.  

~ We haven't gotten any complaints from the birds! ~

 ~ Front View ~

 ~ Side View ~

 

~ Other Side View ~

~ Back view ~

 Small door in back slides open to reveal hole....great for cleaning out bird house when the General leaves his home !

* General Byrds House *

OOAK

$ 110.00

plus shipping

Please let me know if you have any questions....if you prefer one shipping method over another...US Mail versus UPS...

no problem just let me know.

Watch for more bird habitats coming soon...

Yours in a whimsey, 

MADAME Whimsey

Karen A. Meer  

meer2@execpc.com

or 

1-262-569-0997

I Will Fowl You Anywhere.....

Bird Habitat # 3

~ Wings Of Flight ~

I love copper & was tickled to find this coffee pot a few weeks ago. I actually had this designed  in my head even before I

arrived home & just knew what a whimsical 

bird house this would make.

The birdhouse stands 9.75" tall. The pot retains its 

original brass knob on the lid as well as 

the wood handle on the side.

On the front a fairy as in flight rests in front of a vintage clock face. A brass set of wings & a ring of filigree decorate the 

opening which is 1.25" diameter. As a perch I added a vintage  brass keyhole with rod & a vintage 

brass button at the end.

On each side of the coffee pot we attached a loop for hanging on the tree with your wire or chain.

The top of the coffee pot lifts up as usual thus allowing the owner to clean occasionally for the next tenant.

Because I use recycled materials, you can see that items are not perfect....some rust or a scratch here and there, 

small dent etc. is part of the charm.  

~ We haven't gotten any complaints from the birds ! ~

Wings Of Flight

OOAK

SOLD 

 

$ 85.00

plus shipping

Side note: I found an exact duplicate of this copper coffee pot unadorned at an antique mall. I was just about to purchase it the price tag at $100 stopped me.....

 Please let me know if you have any questions....if you prefer one shipping method over another...US Mail versus UPS...

no problem just let me know.

Watch for more bird habitats coming soon...

Yours in a whimsey, 

MADAME Whimsey

Karen A. Meer  

meer2@execpc.com

or 

1-262-569-0997

It's For The Birds......too much fun...

Bird Habitat # 2

Maxwell's House

OK....the name of this birdhouse is just a bit obvious and somewhat unoriginal....lol... but you never know if that homeless intelligent bird may have this exact name! 

Hopefully it doesn't belong to some hungry feline. 

Constructed with a vintage coffee can as the house ....the open air roof with patio is a bent vintage license plate. On the 

of all the higher class birdie neighbors. 

Each side of the house is attached a vintage brass laundry pin in which to hang on a tree with your chain or wire. 

As you understand since the house is metal....it should be 

placed in a shaded area out of direct sun.

The decor of the house consists of 4 antique typewriter keys spelling "BIRD" for the intelligent fowl and we all know cats can not read. A pocket watch frame surrounds the 1.25" opening entrance. A vintage spoon handle below the opening 

as a perch completes this enchanting abode.

The top of the coffee can is attached with screws thus allowing the 

owner to open the can and clean occasionally 

for the next tenant.

Because I use recycled materials, you can see that items are not perfect....some rust or a scratch here and there, small 

dent etc. is part of the charm.  

~ We haven't gotten any complaints from the birds ! ~

This birdhouse is 10" tall with a base at 5" diameter.

  

Maxwell's House

OOAK 

* SOLD *

$ 62.00 

plus shipping

 Please let me know if you have any questions....if you prefer one shipping method over another...US Mail versus 

UPS...no problem just let me know.

I would LOVE to hear your comments !

Watch for more bird habitats coming soon...

Yours in a whimsey, 

MADAME Whimsey

Karen A. Meer  

meer2@execpc.com

or 

1-262-569-0997

A NEW Venture With The Hubbie !

A NEW venture with the hubbie...

hmmm.....did I see those brown eyes roll to the back of his head..lol ?

Yes, spring is here ! Time for new and fun projects...our garage and out buildings are brimming to the roof with treasures and a few surprises....just waiting for me to repurpose and recycle. 

We have a good size backyard filled with squirrels, rabbits, a hedgehog and birds. Last year a mama bird built a nest in a basket right next to our back door. For weeks we used the front door to get in a out of the house for fear of scaring the skittish 

mother. One day the babies decided to fly ....I actually saw them all take off from the nest....they never came back.

This spring, I decided our birds needed housing...birdie castles, birdie condos, birdie penthouses, apartments and birdie

cottages. After scrounging in our out buildings and a few thrift shops I found some fun containers & embellishments 

for the birds habitats. 

Here is the first of many to come that we are also offering for sale....as the wise owl would say 

"what a hoot"....

~ The Castle ~

Fit for the expecting Queen and her future brood and 

standing all of 19.5" tall ...this deluxe accommodation is made of a large lidded potato chip tin with an upside down 

funnel at the top. A lamp burner rests on the funnel spout giving the 

illusion of a tower with a turret.

The base of the castle is 7.5" diameter.

The front of the tin showcases a large brass crossed axe and sword, a over the entrance hole (1.25" opening) that has metal beading and a vintage skeleton key inserted in 

a metal key hole for a perch.

Each side of the large tin feature an oval filigree with a large brass lion head as if roaring and a large brass laundry pin which functions as a hanger to hang from a tree with your chain or wire. Of course, one must hang a metal birdhouse out of the sun.

The top of the castle is attached with screws thus allowing the owner to open the can and clean occasionally for the next set of Royalty.

Because I use recycled materials, you can see that items are not perfect....some rust or a scratch here and there, small dent etc. is part of the charm.  

~ We haven't gotten any complaints from the birds ! ~

~ The Castle ~

OOAK

$ 95.00 

plus shipping

 Please let me know if you have any questions....if you prefer one shipping method over another...US Mail versus UPS...no problem just let me know.

Watch for more bird habitats coming soon...

Yours in a whimsey, 

MADAME Whimsey

Karen A. Meer  

meer2@execpc.com

or 

1-262-569-0997

             

Tip Of The Day - # 2 How To Keep Your Husband From Touching Your Goodies

Tip Of The Day - # 2  

How To Keep Your Husband From Touching Your Goodies

OK...my husband and I have always had this unspoken pact...he or she who has their own private goodies DOES NOT TOUCH the other ones goodies unless permission is given. I personally have had no problem with this for 30+ years of marriage. HOWEVER  my darling husband (dh) does have a major problem hmmm...shall we say with keeping his hands off my candy,

 special treats even Weight Watchers snacks.

The man is a virtual vacuum cleaner when it comes to having eye contact then mouth contact with anything that appears edible....well almost everything as I will explain below. I can save a treat for 

weeks and even months...my husband cant stand knowing that something yummy is in the house. He reasons that it must be for him if it is still there after 24 hours. I don't mind sharing if he asks....but blatant snatching my goodies just isn't right.

I read on Pinterest a few weeks back about how to hide these segregated treats from the temptation of others.....very very simple ...geesh, why didn't I think of this wonderful albeit brilliant idea... take an empty Kotex or tampon box .....insert goodies inside & hide in closet....NO MAN that I know

 of would even think of opening that box ..lol.  Now don't get over zealous and hide the box in the kitchen cupboard...even the simplest of men might figure this one out...lol.

Now my contribution to this idea is how to hide frozen treats...hee hee hee...I feel so n

I will eat frozen baby brussel sprouts. Well....you know where I am going with this one...empty the bag of brussel sprouts, wash out the bag and insert frozen treats with a clip holding it shut...this is one of the 

only foods my man will not eat....ha ha ha.

OK I do have to admit I did kind of steal or I would say indulged in one of his treats...geesh, ladies will understand this ...I found a Hershey candy bar in a drawer and yes I knew it wasn't mine. I started out with one square, then 2 and all at once the entire bar was gone...yes, this was the BIG candy bar....I think his Godchild gave it to him one Easter. I have a very good excuse though...it was a bad day...appliance problems, mother problems, sister problems, hair problems etc ....I needed a quick fix & scrounged the kitchen for anything...so I devoured the candy bar.. To this day he has

never mentioned the missing candy bar....

so I am safe for now.

Yours in a whimsey,

MADAME Whimsey

AKA

Karen A. Meer

Victorian Fancies For My Lady ~ # 2

 I present to you my second set of slippers.....

   * Victorian Fancies for My Lady  #2 *

~ Slippers C & D ~

Slipper C - "Queen Of Hearts"

Slipper insole is a red & white strip cotton featuring an antique German scrap of 3 pups and a Victorian calling card  tucked into the toecap.  The toe cap is a dark red crushed 

velvet with satin band, antique china doll head with crown, vintage heart 

shaped brooch with stones and faux pearls....a tiny Queen

 of Hearts playing card nestles behind the doll head. 

Tissue paper pink with red hearts ruffle, antique scallop French lace and 

a gold Dresden diecut complete the adornment

 on the toecap. 

Outsole (part that touches the ground) & heel are black velvet. The edging 

is antique tinsel roping with French metallic trim.

A bit of cotton is tucked inside toecap for shaping.

77.5 inches w/o hanger

$ 52.00

~

Slipper D - "Amelia's Lark"

Slipper insole is purplish blue velvet with a antique German scrap of a lovely lass.  The toe cap is antique French lace with rhinestone bauble, velvet millinery flowers, silk cream 

ruffle, dark red crepe paper ruffle and an antique German flower scrap. 

Outsole of slipper & heel are cream with a gold French design. 

The edging is French metallic trim.

A bit of cotton is tucked inside toecap for shaping.

7.75 inches w/o hanger

$ 38.00

~ Outsoles AKA bottoms of slippers ~

I take Paypal, money order or even personal check.....a small amount for shipping is added as well. 

Any questions or if you wish a custom designed slipper ..

Email - meer2@execpc.com

Yours in a whimsey, MADAME Whimsey

AKA

Karen A. Meer

Lesson For The Week # 1 Anatomy of A Shoe or Slipper

 ~ Lesson For The Week ~

I always loved learning...when I was younger and very bored at home I would pull 

out a book..not just any book but an encyclopedia ....I spent hours 

laying in front of the heater reading about the world and beyond. 

I never told my husband I did this as he cant get over the fact

 I always beat him at Trivial Pursuit...lol

I love Discovery, HG TV, Travel, A&E, NatGeo, History Channel and the

 internet...all great resources  that taught me about the rest of the world 

& beyond that I somehow missed in the encyclopedias....

Anyway I have learned some interesting things during my past  

as an art teacher, a wife, an aunt, a house slave, an artist, antique dealer, 

tv watcher and sex ed teacher...but that is a whole other story.

I decided to share these lessons with you....

~

Lesson # 1

 ~ Anatomy of A Shoe or Slipper ~

I only recently came across this lesson while designing my own altered art slippers...

called Victorian Fancies For My Lady. I wasn't sure what to call the

bottom and top part of the slipper..I knew one was the 

sole but which was which ?

I found out that there are different parts to the sole which is a generic term 

for both of those areas ....
yes, I know you are now quite captivated !

 This lesson is perfect for the shoe collector & shoe maker even 

those with a shoe fetish....such as my mother...

Victorian Fancies for My Lady ~ # 1

A few years back I was lucky to go to Paris for a summer and shared a Paris apt with my good friend Jane. She went to study at the Sorbonne and I got to play...at the flea markets. We both knew that I got the better end of the deal. I found treasures galore.....french lace, ribbon, trims, velvet, charms, scraps, millinery flowers, silk fabrics, dolls & clothing. I have been hoarding these items waiting for the right creation.... thus my Victorian Fancies for My Lady started to tickle my brain cells.

I love Victorian....the houses ( live in one..lol), the toys, the ephemera, the furniture and decor, the mannerisms, the clothing, the fripperies to name a few and of course the footwear. I created some Victorian slippers ...I had a ball making these ..in fact I contemplated keeping them..all of them..lol. My home showcases several feather trees with themes ...most of them are up all year long. They bring me joy during those days I need a bit of whimsey in my life. A white feather tree covered with Victorian slippers would be a lot of fun especially for my bedroom.

I decided to make 13 slippers ..and I could keep ONE for myself. I created them with both front and back covered with either paper or cloth…..a heel is added for a dimensional view. The edges are covered in assorted trims or tinsel roping. The front features an antique scrap from my extension collection. From there I added the covering for the toes with antique lace, silk or velvet. I tuck in a bit of cotton into the toe…then the fun begins…ornamentation with ribbons, jewels, vintage crepe paper, velvet flowers, Dresden pieces and a few slippers with antique bisque dolls. The length of the slipper is around 7.5 inches long without the hanger. Hangers can be removed with a scissors...I just like to give options.

A few ideas - pinkeeps, eye glass case, wall décor, hostess or Mothers Day gift, candy container, jewelry or perfume bottle holder, potpourri, party favor, display under glass dome or Valentine for a friend, sister, mother, favorite aunt or teacher !

Thus I present to you my first two slippers.....

   * Victorian Fancies for My Lady *

~ Slippers A & B ~

Slipper A - "Sophie's Choice"

Slipper insole is a dark rose antique velvet from an old scarf.  The toe cap is

 French lace with a silk liner adorned with  

velvet flowers, antique scrap,  German metallic edging, silk bud with petals - 

taken from an antique Flapper hat. 

Outsole (part that touches the ground) & heel are paper

7.5 inches w/o hanger

$ 38.00

~

Slipper B - "Sasha's Delight"

Slipper insole is paper with black lace design. The toe cap is antique black floral lace 

adorned with an antique German 

girl scrap, velvet ribbon edging & frontal bow with a

 rhinestone star, vintage pink crepe paper 

fan with polka dot insert.

Outsole of slipper & heel are vintage black velvet.

7.5 inches w/o hanger

$ 38.00

~ Outsoles AKA bottoms of slippers ~

I take Paypal, money order or even personal check.....a small amount for shipping is added as well. 

Any questions or if you wish a custom designed slipper ..

Email - meer2@execpc.com

Yours in a whimsey, MADAME Whimsey

AKA

Karen A. Meer

Tip Of The Day - Tip #1 Put Your Phone Number On Your Bra

OK.....I decided to start my official Tip Of The Day...I may not be able to post EVERY DAY but will try to do so a few times each week.

TIP # 1 - Put Your Phone Number On Your Bra

I decided to dye my hair today, yes, I know you thought these lovely red-purple spikes were my natural color but underneath lies some pretty persistent grey hairs. All was OK when I turned on the electric heater in the worlds tiniest bathroom (Vict. home here, bathroom is the size of a matchbox). I removed my top and bra & laid them carefully on the edge of the bathtub which unfortunately is right next to the toilet.

I proceeded to apply the dye and was satisfied with the application. I decided during the 40 minutes of wait time for the dye to do its job that I would make a pot of bean soup. All the ingredients were added to the large pot and I felt very smug with myself for multitasking ...so I opted for a cup of coffee thus placing the cup in the microwave. The refrigerator then started up at the exact same time the microwave kicked on ..... the microwave, the refrigerator and ALL the lights went out including the bathroom & kitchen as well. I was motionless for 20 seconds and then stumbled around for a flashlight. I decided NOT to go down in our dark dungeon 108 year old basement to flip the breaker back on as unfortunately those lights were out as well ....plus there are way too many spiders, perhaps a mouse or two and I truly feel a space alien might be lurking in one of the back corners (childhood fear).

My darling husband of course was at work so the flashlight would be my guide in the darkness of the kitchen/bathroom. I went into the well lit dining room and noticed on the clock that my 40 minute deadline for dye removal was approaching. I went back into the worlds tiniest very dark bathroom and using the flashlight managed to push my top & bra farther down the tub edge. I turned on the bathtub faucet and rinsed my hair thoroughly ..again I felt quite smug with myself.

As with most ladies after a cup of lukewarm coffee it was time to pee...I managed to do so in the dark and of course flushed the toilet, washed my hands & grabbed my top and bra off the side of the tub. I went back into the well lit dining room to redress or so I thought. All I had in my hand was my top. I stumbled back into the bathroom scrambling for the flashlight ....NO BRA WAS FOUND.

OK... naughty swear words here.....%$#$%)@#%$% !  

I can only imagine when the local sewer company comes across my bra floating in the cesspool...good grief I hope my floating bra isn't downloaded on You Tube or listed on the "look what this crazy woman did" website as a few of my friends are there now....heck, I even contemplated a ''LOST" poster but the neighbors think I am nutty enough as it is.

Darn, it was my lucky bra ....I guess now I have to call it my unlucky bra.

So my tip of the day is print your phone number on your bra or even your email address....you could get lucky and get it back !

Yours in a whimsey, MADAME Whimsey

PS The soup was yummy....I even put a small bowl by the basement stairs ...it was gone an hour later....the bowl as well.....hmmm, I TOLD YOU THERE WERE SPACE ALIENS IN THE BASEMENT !