Whether you call them Windjammers, Clipper Ships, or Schooners, these classic 19th century sailing vessels are what I find myself more and more drawn to lately. This is a shot I took last May of the 4-masted schooner known as the Margaret Todd that sails out of Bar Harbor, Maine.
Since then I have managed to find a few items that have turned my interest into a minor passion for them. For the record, I've only been sailing one time and I don't prefer it, but I just love the romance the image of these ships conjure up for me. Here's a scrimshaw brooch that I found at a local thrift store.
My fabric with a repeat of this iconic image in blue was perhaps what started my interest to begin with. It's not that I intentionally went out looking for these things, but rather they unexpectedly starting appearing before me. And I started taking them home with me.
I was pretty smitten when I came across this sealing wax stamp.
Can you imagine the romance of letting a candle drip over the envelope of a handwritten letter to your love?
Here, I just used glue gun sealing wax to make them. They are such fun to use, I may even include them on my bills.
Then, a couple of Sundays ago we were out with friends and stopped by an Antique Mall in Searsport, where we found an authentic ship's wheel. Here it is on my mantel.
Although I didn't need much convincing, when our friend Danny pointed out the places on the outer spokes that were worn from where the becket lines were tied during a storm to keep the helm secure, I knew this bad boy was coming home with me.
It was also his opinion judging by the patina of the wood that this wheel must have spent some time at the bottom of the ocean, much like my barnacled bottles that I have displayed alongside my new treasure.
It's interesting how our collections are often influenced by the world that can be seen right outside our window. I feel so lucky to be able to live by the ocean. It was always a dream of mine and now a reality that I truly savor.
39 comments:
Sailing vessels are always so beautiful. Gorgeous treasures :)
Lili--this is just a beautiful post. So evocative of life by the sea. I'm very impressed with your sailing lingo. Perhaps in another life you were the wife of a sea captain who travelled to China and back several times, and you went with him? (Or maybe you were the sea captain himself!) Thanks for this post. Happy mud season! ;o)
Lili, that first shot is gorgeous! And I love your new "old" ship's wheel. How cool that is has so much history behind it. Mr. Tide and I used to sail a lot, it is how we met.
Kat :)
I love your sailing vessel finds. Some day I want to ride on the Margaret Todd on one of those sunset cruises they have. I think that would be lovely.
Your collection is magnificent!
I love when a colection refelcts what is just outside our door. Kind of funny a seaside motif in the midwest. I'm sure the electric company would get a kick out of the wax seal on the bill. It would make their day and sure to bring a smile.
Your beautiful post brought back memories of the two Windjammer cruises I went on year ago, Lili. I loved sailing! The peaceful rise and fall of the boat on the silky water was such an awesome feeling. Every time they raised the sails, they would play a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace" over the PA system. Everyone got so emotional. :) We had such a wonderful time visiting different islands in the Caribbean.
I love the fact that there is so much interesting history with your ship's wheel! Just fascinating!
xoxo laurie
Oh, what a great collection of nauticals! Love the ship's wheel! Fabulous!
Fabulous find! I love the way the bottles and the wheel go so well together. Everything in your collection is simply wonderful, what serendipity to find all that things that go so well together.
Lili, this is such a beautiful post. The sea does have a special kind of romance, and you showed us why. Love the wax seal.
Like you, I'd rather be
looking out to SEA, rather
than looking towards the
shore from a sail boat!
But their beauty cannot
be denied. Love your new
wax stamp!!!
Happy Friday,
xx Suzanne
Lili-
What a romantic post. You have me wishing for life by the sea and I like you stamp.
Daisy
Wow Lili--those are quite the treasures you found-rummaging around our wonderful "collectables" barns and junk shops!
~~Rain
Never been on a sailboat, but feel just the same about these old ships! And you made that stamp -love it!! And congrats on that awesome ship wheel! The few I have seen, just didn't feel right..., so I'm still waiting for the one, haha.
Lili...you have hit the jackpot with your finds. They just fit your nest. I am so glad you get to live out your dream. :-) I imagine that people receiving your mail are intrigued with the wax schooner seal...how neat!!
And I have to say I love this line..."It's not that I intentionally went out looking for these things, but rather they unexpectedly starting appearing before me. And I started taking them home with me." That got me smiling, because I know exactly what you meant. :-) Love your treasures and enjoyed your post. The boat photo is very lovely! Hugs! xo
Oh yes-- I remember that beautiful ship!! Love your whispery photo and all your other collection pieces. You ARE so very lucky to be living by the sea! I'm so jealous!!
Love
Vicki
You really live in paradise kiddo . . . definitely romantic. Love the look of the ship wheel over the mantle and all the neat finds around it. Don't forget to use the wax stamp next time you send a love letter to Henri:O) Have a beautiful Sunday, Love Sandy xo
I absolutely love this post, Lili, with all the pictures. I must agree with you that a four masted schooner is a beauty, together with all the quiet images that it brings up in my heart. Maine is such a lovely place! Your photographs deserve to go in a coffeetable book, Maine will be grateful to you if you ever come up with one, Lili.
The wheel really belongs to you. Glad you decided to bring it home with you.
THe previous post, with the sunset scene picture, and the pictures you took of the beautiful roses... just takes my breath away.
A boudoir... ha!
Have a great week ahead of you!
Love
Lidia
I so enjoyed this post, photos and words. Although I live miles from the sea I too love the grace and beauty of these masted ships. A couple of years back I went to Liverpool to watch the start of the 'tall ships' race and you could look round the vessels beforehand. Fantastic.
I wish we lived by the ocean, maybe I'd be happier here... We thought it would be a good idea to lie by the in-laws instead...
Love that sealing wax stamp. I think I might need one of those for myself.
I am from Yarmouth, Maine and our basketball team in School were called The Yarmouth Clippers. They made it to the State Championship. This year for the first time since 1973 (my graduation) they went back to the state championship. You evoked so many memories...that was just one...lovely post.
What wonderful treasures and what a wonderful thing to realize yours dreams.
I was in Bar Harbour last early fall for the first time and fell in love with it - would love love love to live there.
Beautiful post.
What a wonderfully atmospheric set of images - from large to small, close-up to seascape, each one of pleasure to look at
That ship's wheel is awesome ... what a lucky find! Perfect for the mantel. And loving that wax seal.
Hi Lili! Thanks for the visit, Kate told Reena and me about you and your house in Maine this weekend ... I love these photos and I am especially loving that ship's wheel
It's wonderful how we can get to thinking about things and then start to SEE what's around us. Your blog is so peaceful. This is my first visit here, won't be my last. You've gathered the sea around you, I'm gathering "the Wild West/Texas or maybe John Wayne" around me. Love your pictures. You do make it all seem so romantic.
what a beautiful post, with the sound of the tide...
and what a treasure in that ship's wheel!
i have so many memories of summers in bar harbor, it was nice to revisit it through you!
Beautiful post!
I lived ten/twenty minutes away from the sea for the first ten years of my life, and I love spending time by the sea. I love the aqua bottles. I'm always searching for ways to evoke a little sea ambiance without doing the traditional beach side decorating.
Just dropping by to greet you a Blessed Resurrection Sunday, dear Lili.
Love the sounds of the waves and the seagulls!
Love
Lidia
Thinking of you . . . hope all is well Lili :O) Blessings, Sandy xo
This was really a fascinating subject, I am very lucky to have the ability to come to your weblog and I will bookmark this page in order that I might come back one other time.
Your photo is wonderful in capturing the feeling of the sea and the ship. I love these old sailing ships too, and the Patrick O'Brian series about them, fiction set on these ships ca. 1800. Love your sealing wax seal too.
MISS YOU! MISS YOU! MISS YOU!
Love,
S
Thank you for posting this. It’s exactly what I was looking for!
How true about collections. I collected a lot of purple grape theme things because I used to work at a winery and lived near the vineyards. Now I live by the sea and all those things just dont seem to fit this house. I still love purple but the grapes seem out of place even tho there are vineyards here too. Now Im right by the ocean and I feel the need for that sort of thing in my house. Love your collection .
Fantastic photographs, beautiful sea climates. I am greeting
Just wondering how you're doing. I miss you and your pretty pictures!
Miss you too Lili and your posts...... Hope all is well with you and Henry! I look around local "hot spots" now wherever I go-I won't not recognize you next time!! Be well. :)
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