On My Mind Monday…Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Signs!
I think I might do an “On My Mind Monday” every now and then. Because I have lots of stuff in there and the need to share it, haha!
First of all, I had a nice relaxed weekend with my dad. The weather was awesome and we enjoyed our backyard.
And… here is one of the things that have been on my mind lately. And it’s once again one of those things that I used to hate but now am kind of digging. Just like the cuckoo clocks and the gnomes.
When I first came to the US of A I was kind of annoyed (please don’t tell me I’m mean again that’s not what I’m trying to say) with older people coming up to me and talking in Pennsylvania Dutch and expecting me to understand them. “Hey I’m German and I remember my grandma talking to me in German….” Then they’d ramble something which sounded really strange to me and I had no clue what they just said. It’s not German and sounds like a mixture between English, Dutch and German.
And then I’d check out the roadside Pennsylvania Dutch stands and their designs and roll my eyes. I wasn’t really ever a fan of Americana, folk art and similar styles.
But you know what? Times have changed. And I’m starting to dig the Pennsylvania Dutch Hex signs.
Do you know what I’m talking about, if not, then check it out:
{image via Wikipedia} |
Of course I would want my own spin on them. A little something different like the painted cuckoo clocks.
Hex is supposedly coming from the German word Hexe (meaning witch). Which gets me sidetracked again because a random fact about me is that when people asked me as a child what I wanted to be when I grew up, they got the answer a witch. LOL, not kidding and I know my husband would say well that explains a lot. I’m married to a German witch! …. If you are German then you maybe remember “Bibi Blocksberg”:
Hex sign rug and skirt by “Made with love by Hannah” I can so picture this rug in a fun kids room or even a kitchen! |
Love this pillow as well |
You can find them at “Yesware” on Etsy |
{image via DesignSponge} |
i feel like i totally missed out with my american childhood…. but i do love those hex wood slices!
LOL, I’m sure you didn’t miss out!
I’ve seen some of those patterns before, but had no idea what they were or where they came from. Thanks for sharing!
Welcome, I see them around here all the time 😉
I have no doubt you could do something cool with them! 🙂
Thanks Pam! I’m thinking about making something…let’s see.
I get it, totally get it. I want to see you pull of that skirt.
LOL, well I’m not the skirt kind of woman but it is a fun skirt.
I think an On My Mind Monday feature would be awesome – love that idea! And I really like those pins…I have a thing for old pins (I have a bunch of them framed).
My son collects pins too. We also buy him different pins from every city and place that we have been to. He used to wear them on a vest or jacket but he lost some that way. Maybe I should frame them for him too.
love that pillow and I totally get it!
I love that pillow too. Would be a great design for the silhouette cameo 😉
Those wood slices make me think of my faux taxidermy and wood slices! They wood look pretty cool together.
Oh all are so cute. I think we have you Americanized now Julia!
After all that is what it is to be American…. it is a blend of cultures.
All in favor of FREEDOM.
YEs, you are right Sheryll…I’m Americanized now!
🙂 ha!ha! I get it! the rug and pillow are both pretty; loving this style! btw, my sister-in-law is German, I will ask her about “Bibi” glad you had a great weekend and had a great time with your dad! 🙂
Yes, ask her 😉
Hahah, you’re not cuckoo 🙂 I’ve always though these motifs were rather Bohemian. Wow, America surprised me again. These wood slice hex signs would make perfect coasters and match my new kitchen :))
I love those wood slices too!
Nah, I have hex above my front door. 🙂 I grew up in upperstate NY and that’s kind of common.
You do? It’s common here too 😉
I’m loving them, Julia! Isn’t it funny how our taste changes? Blue used to be the last color on my decorating list and now it is in the #1 spot. I love the wood slices…they would be so pretty framed together or framed separately. Very striking! Looking forward to seeing how you incorporate it into your gorgeous home! Jesse @ Scout & Nimble
Yes, it is funny how our taste changes but also awesome. It’s kind of frustrating going to peoples homes that are stuck in time. This is what keeps us young 😉
Loved Bibi growing up and the best part is they still make the tapes (well CD’s now). For all non German;s its essentially like books on tape and I think every German girl loved it growing up.
Awesome that you liked her too. I thought I wouldn’t find any like minded witch girls 😉
Ooooh! Hex hex! Kartoffelbrei!
I never has these tapes, but nearly all of my friends had, so I grew up with them nevertheless 🙂
I love the patterns!
Especially the pillow looks great…
The pattern remember me of the Swedish “Dala Kurbits”, the same way the Dala Horses get painted as well. But you can find them as well a lot on old cupboards and even on clogs 🙂
(http://emmakisstina.blogspot.de/2010/06/new-work-kurbits.html)
Love, Midsommarflicka
Genau…Hex hex…Love it! Finally someone who understands 😉
I have to check out the swedish patterns.
I agree with the commenter about how our tastes change. When I was younger, I would have hated folk-related design. And now I love it!
I love these designs! I have seen them before, but I didn’t know where they were from.