Saturday, April 21, 2018

Shoe Lasts #AtoZChallenge



 Shoe Lasts
 The word “last” comes from the Old English “laest,” meaning footprint.
I have two sets of these beauties. They were made in Detroit.





 




They come in handy as a photo prop. The wood's patina is gorgeous.



You can learn how to make your own wooden last.
Growing up we had a cobblers bench in our home. No we did not make shoes.




Did a little watercolor sketch of the lasts that was turned into an Artist Trading Card.

Any old family items you have on display in your home?


15 comments:

  1. Hi Linda - Just popped over to say thanks for visiting my blog - and we'd love you to join us on Wednesdays for Midlife Share the Love - the only proviso is it needs to be a post about you - a lifestyle type post. Then you comment on and share as many as you like - it's a great little group and we're keeping the numbers low so it doesn't get crowded with people who don't fit what we're aiming for. Loved your sketch of the shoe lasts - you're very talented :)

    Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au
    S for Stop Procrastinating

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    1. Sounds interesting. I'll take a peak. Thanks for the very nice words! Gotta get through this challenge first.

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  2. Your photos and artwork are equally beautiful. We have some antiques displayed in our home as well that belonged to my parents. They inherited some of the items from their parents - so they have a long history. It's reassuring and comforting to have these items from the past in our contemporary lives.

    Ann
    https://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com/2018/04/hobbies-that-begin-with-s-blogging-from.html

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    1. I agree. I'd rather have family "stuff" displayed rather than items made in China. Can always find a way to make them fit in.

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  3. Hi, Linda - The shoe lasts are beautiful. I love the way that you use them as inspiration! We have several old family items currently displayed in our home (most notably an old coffee grinder and a very old music box). As we lived in Beijing for 14 years we have old items from there also on display. BTW - I grew up in Windsor, Ontario so we likely lived just across the border from each other!

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    1. Oh yeah, I was in the Detroit suburbs so very close! Your guest posts are great. Just popped over to the Dr Sock...loved it, and your blog in general.

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  4. Your story about the wooden last is so nice - i enjoy reading such stories. So much history and emotion attached to it. And the watercolor is lovely.

    I have some very old books, that are my father's, which are precious to me.

    Do stop by my #AtoZChallenge post for S and share your thoughts:
    https://lonelycanopyblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/20/salam-singh-ki-haveli-a-house-of-luxury-and-decadance/

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    1. Glad you enjoy the stories & history. having done lots of book binding over the past 18 years I appreciate old books handed down.

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  5. Those lasts are gorgeous, as is your watercolor. I, too have a pair of shoe lasts, mis-matched though. I display them in honor of an ancestor who was indeed a cobbler.

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  6. I had no idea that those shoe forms are called shoe lasts. Your watercolor sketch is lovely.

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    1. I learned that long ago & I'm not sure where I first heard it. Old school trades really interest me. Thanks for the nice words about the watercolor. Once in a while I can pull off a good sketch.

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  7. They do have a lovely patina. Your watercolor sketch of the shoe lasts is beautiful. Weekends In Maine

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  8. Well, polished by leather every time you put them in a shoe, I guess the patina would be gorgeous! This is really cool. Your posts always open my eyes to something new!

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    1. Nice thought, polished by leather...glad I can be of service/interest!

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