AN EMBROIDERY CATALOG

Last week we told you about one of our latest acquisitions here in the Bullis Room--an embroidery guide. Along with that guide was another book with Nettie Bullis's name written at the top, titled Priscilla Embroidery Book. It was published by Priscilla Needlework Co., Boston, in 1914 and offered kits for making all sorts of articles.

Besides the usual pincushions and fancy bags were kits for corset cases, petticoat flounces, and baby clothes. An embroiderer could also purchase kits for men's gifts such as shaving pads, collar bags, necktie racks, and handkerchief cases. All of these kits came with a perforated pattern transfer or stamped linen.

For those wanting to learn new stitches, there were instructions for the: German Knot; Danish Italian, and Roman cut work; Balkan stitch; and Bulgaria stitch.

We wonder if Nettie Bullis ever placed an order from this catalog. And if so, which kit did she chose? Perhaps she just enjoyed reading the descriptions and imagining what the black-and white representations would look like in brighter colors. That's a good way for us to enjoy this book today. You're invited to stop by the room and take a look.

THE ARTS OF EMBROIDERY AND GROWING POPPIES

This past week we had one of those Christmas-morning surprises when a local resident delivered two paperback books bearing the handwritten name "Nettie A. Bullis" on the covers. Both books were on the subject of embroidery.

The Embroidery Guide by Helen Martin (published by Woman's Home Companion, Madison Square, New York City, 1910, Crowell Publishing Co.) is full of instructions for making stitches and patterns on decorative items for the home. Immediately, we honed in on a pattern titled, "A Round Between-Meals Centerpiece. A Graceful Arrangement of Poppies Done in Kensington Stitch in Natural Colors," designed by M. Hemingway and Sons Silk Co. (page 19).

Our imaginations shifted into full gear at the sight of the poppies, and we wondered if perhaps Nettie might have embroidered this design in honor of her brother Charlie's poppies. And then we went a step further and pictured the finished product on the Bullis dining room table, between meals, being removed when the table was set for Sunday dinner. This is all speculation, of course...but fun.

Still, we can say that artistic talent is required for both embroidering and growing poppies. Charlie Bullis's poppies that bloom every May are proof of his artistic talent. We have no sample of Nettie Bullis's needle work, but we feel safe in saying that her artistic talent manifested itself in that skill, as well, just as it did in other areas of her life.

Next week we'll tell you about the second book. In the meantime, if you'd like a closer look at the centerpiece in the above photo, please call the library and make arrangements to meet a volunteer in the Bullis Room. We'll be most happy to show both books to you.

WOW!

Thanks to all of you who entered our BULLIS BOOK REVIEW CONTEST. We're glad to know that so many of you share our interest in the books in this collection.

If you didn't enter our contest, you can still get some ideas for good summer reading from our Bullis Book Selection List. It includes authors Mark Twain, Robert Burns, Joel Chandler Harris, Zane Grey, Ernest T. Seton, James Baldwin, Elias Hicks, and Robert Louis Stevenson. Many of their books are in the PLS system and/or online for a free download. We suggest you treat yourself by reading (or re-reading) one of these great authors.

We're looking forward to reading the book reviews that are due to be submitted by August 13. And while we're waiting, we volunteers will be reading many of the books from the selection list. So...happy summer and happy reading.

BULLIS BOOK REVIEW CONTEST

REMINDER

Last day to sign up for the BULLIS BOOK REVIEW CONTEST

July 5

Call June Hamel at the Macedon Public Library

to arrange to come in, choose your book, and fill out an entry form.

CONTEST SIGN-UP

We're here in the Bullis Room, waiting for you to stop by and choose your book to read and review for the Bullis Book Review Contest. Wonder what the book choices are. Here are some of the titles you can choose from:

Juvenile: The Adventures of Mr. Mocker; The Cruise of the Snark; Fairy Tales from the Arabian Nights; Hans Brinker; The Jungle Book; The Heroism of Hannah Duston.

Adult: The Deer Slayer; The Exile; The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson; Typee; Four Years in the White North; In Darkest Africa; The New ElDorado; Sailing the Seas-The Log of the Tom Darke.

There are complete lists on the contest display by the front desk that you can look through. Or stop by and see us today, 11 AM through 5 PM and tomorrow from 11 to 3 PM (or make an appointment with June Hamell, 315-986-5932, Ext. 119).

BULLIS BOOK REVIEW CONTEST

A $100 prize is being offered in a contest designed to raise awareness of this collection. The Friends Endowment for the Macedon Public Library has approved funding for this contest.

Contestants are asked to write a 500 to 750 word review of a book contained in the Bullis Collection. Participants will be divided into two categories, those 18-years-of-age and under, and those over 18 years. A $100 prize will be given to the winner in each category.

The Bullis Committee has compiled a list of eligible titles from this collection. Entrants must choose a book from this list; that book will then be removed from the eligible list. The entrant may choose to read the book in the Bullis Room (these books do not circulate), or may read a digital version of the book online; copies of a number of the books are also available through the Pioneer Library System.

Contestants must register in the Bullis Room at the library by July 5; completed reviews must be submitted by August 13; winners will be announced by August 27. The contest is open to residents of Macedon and the surrounding area.

Those interested may visit the Bullis Room to fill out an entry form and select their book on either Friday, June 25, from 11 AM to 5 PM, or on Saturday, June 26, from 11 AM to 3 PM. Appointments for other times are available by calling June Hamell at (315) 986-5932, ext. 119.

A full description of the contest rules may be obtained from the library or by checking the library website at: http://www.macedon.pls-net.org/index.htm

This is your special invitation to participate in this contest. It's an opportunity to enjoy a good book and have a chance at winning a picture of Benjamin Franklin.

OLD FASHIONED ROSES

OLD-FASHIONED ROSES

(Hoosier Dialect)

They ain't no style about 'em,

And they're sort o' pale and faded,

Yit the doorway here, without 'em,

Would be lonesomer, and shaded

With a good 'eal blacker shadder

Than the mornin'-glories makes,

And the sunshine would look sadder

For their good old-fashion' sakes.

I like 'em 'cause they kind o'

Sorto' make a feller like 'em!

And I tell you, when I find a

Bunch out whur the sun kin strike 'em,

It allus sets me thinkin'

O' the ones 'at used to grow,

And peek in thro' the chinkin'

O' the cabin, don't you know.

And then I think o' mother,

And how she used to love 'em

When they wusn't any other,

'Less she found 'em up above 'em!

And her eyes, afore she shut 'em,

Whispered with a smile and said

We must pick a bunch and put 'em

In her hand when she was dead.

But, as I was a-sayin',

They ain't no style about 'em

Very gaudy or displayin',

But I wouldn't be without 'em, --

'Cause I'm happier in these posies,

And the hollyhawks and sich

Than the hummin-bird 'at noses

In the roses of the rich.

This poem is a part of a collection of poems by James Whitcomb Riley called Old Fashioned Roses. The Bullis copy of this book is the twenty-eighth edition, published in 1906 by Bobbs-Merrill, Indianapolis.

Old fashioned roses are blooming along our roadsides now. Let's enjoy them while we can, together with Mr. Riley's equally beautiful poetry.