Sunday, September 18, 2016

Names and Monograms, A Collection


Well, I'm back!  Yes, I've been out of the blog posting business the last month or so.  No good reason, just a lack of enthusiasm on my part.  The summer doldrums, perhaps?  Anyway...here I am and I'd like to share with you a few things I have gathered together.  This post began with a package I received in the mail a couple of weeks ago....a gift from my friend, Meredith, who lives in Canada.
She is a very thoughtful follower of my blog and one of those people it is a pleasure in life to know.
One of the rewards of blogging is making friends with people from 'everywhere' and she is a treasure!


In the lovely note Meredith sent, she explained to me about the huge department stores in Canada named EATON'S.  I had actually heard that before, but I enjoyed her telling me about EATON'S  again.  As a gift, she enclosed two spools of seam binding (Oh, I LOVE that stuff!!!)  What a treasure and fun to see "my" name of the packaging!  Wasn't that a nice thing to do?  Like I said, she is very thoughtful!  She also send a lovely card and a bookmark.  THANK YOU, Meredith, and I wish you all the best!


While I have been admiring my EATON'S seam binding....I got to thinking about other things I had with either my last name, first name, or monogram included on them.  So, here is a little 'collection' of
some of what I found here in what I call the 'cottage.'   Here is a button (about three inches wide)...made from a vintage hanky and some old lace.  Can you see the appliqued 'E'?  Love it!  I bought it long ago at Quilt Festival in Houston.


Several years ago, my friend, Sherry, gave me this old stationery box.  I have loved this box....just because of the name...of course...and the fact that it came from my good friend, Sherry, in Little Rock.  There are still a few cards and envelopes in it.  Love the font.  Thank you again, my friend!!!


 Pretty, isn't it?


Can you see the name 'Pat' embroidered on this basket?  My friend, Pat S., from here, gave me her entire little sewing basket several years ago, including her vintage beads, and threads, and a lovely tatted cross you will see in another photo.  I treasure this little basket....and of course, we share the name!!!  Thank you again, Pat!!!


In my search to find names and monograms for this post, I remembered I had covered this button at some point in time, then beaded the edges.  Yes, sewn beads, not glued.  You'll see it again too.


I don't remember when, but at some point in the last five or so years, I found this box of straight pins on eBay.  I remember the old navy man saying "So, I guess you just have to have it, right? Well, why not.  How many times might you find a vintage box of pins with your first name on it?"   He nearly always 'got it.' You understand, don't you?


Here is the lovely tatted crossed from Pat's sewing basket.  I still keep it in the basket and I've never used the beads from the basket....but I do think of Pat everytime I look inside!    You can see the bird nest on the card from Meredith here too.


This little lavender filled pillow came from Dawn at The Feathered Nest.  Can you see the name at the bottom?  (Not only the name Eaton fits, but the old navy man's middle name was Edward!)  Smells great and it is sweet to look at.  I've really enjoyed it over time.  Sweet!


How about this cute monkey?  No, has nothing to do with a name or a monogram....we found the monkey in a tree by our deck when we bought our old house.  Actually, the old navy man found it.  I saved it because it was just so cute and how many people find a little stuffed monkey in a tree by their deck? Later in time, I found this tiny little pillow embroidered with an R.  The old navy man....Richard.  So, for some reason, I always wanted to keep the little pillow with the monkey.  Yeah.  Don't try to figure it out!


So cute!


Another thing that doesn't fit my subject matter today....an old bed spring with a paper heart in it.
This one is large, there is a smaller one in the first photo.  I have intended to make hearts with a monogram for these bed springs, so I'm sort of showing an idea I haven't completed yet.  Just like me.


Here's Meredith's card, along with the small bed spring/heart thing.  You'll see them when I get them done...whenever that is.


The bird nest bookmark from Meredith with some fancy threads....which I have inadvertently clipped from the photo somehow.  I am already using it in the current book, "A Great Reckoning" by Louise Penny, also from Canada!


That covered button again.  Fun to make those! 


 From the back.


And the "E."  Beautiful!


Tatted!!  It's about four inches long.


So pretty!!!! Note the little jewel in the upper left corner!

 

So, there you are!  Names and monograms....lots of fun, plus so much thoughtfulness from so many friends!


 A quick shot of my little work table....nothing artsy about the arrangement for posting.... so glad to have gathered these objects in one place for today.

from
Bird Nest Cottage 
until next time


8 comments:

Sherry said...

I love this post and all the great pictures! And I love the way you see and appreciate the meaningful in the mundane of the little artifacts of everyday life. Bringing them together into a collection makes them even more special! Glad that little box found such a good home!

Sherry in Little Rock

Rengin Yazitas said...

What a nice combination, enjoy them and thanks so much for sharing all those wonderful pieces with a nice harmony.
Rengin, in Istanbul

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

This is so cool! I don't think I would ever find any items with my last name on them...and expecially my MAIDEN name....Andrzejewski, lol. If I ever did you can bet I'd buy whatever it was. Your monkey makes me want to know whose it was. I could see a little boy placing that monkey in the tree. I think of little boys and monkeys because Corey's favorite toy and books when he was small was Curious George.

I'm starting to think about Halloween around here. Do you decorate for it? It's MY favorite.
xx, Carol

Jenny said...

Hi Pat,
I am a relatively new follower on your blog and I just wanted to take a minute and say " thank-you" for taking the time to write such beautiful posts! I have so enjoyed reading them. In fact I was so inspired by your Bear Paw quilt that I am actually making one of my own...2 blocks down...23 to go...lol. This is such a sentimental quilt block pattern to me and the perfect project for me to work on while going through chemotherapy! So thanks again for the inspiration!

I hope you are having a good day filled with things that bring you joy!

Hugs...Jenny

Unknown said...

There is a couple that I meet on my morning walks that leave stuffed animals in trees. I've never been sure why, but I do see stuffed bears and tigers in trees near me.
I love your collection. Like Carol above I don't think I have ever seen items with any of my names on them, unless I made them or ordered them. I occasionally buy something with my initial.
I enjoy your blog very much. I was in the doldrums through out August also, so I understand your absence.
Gail.

Christy said...

Hi, Pat. Glad to see you here again. I've had a long and tiring week - car died, got another used one ... computer went berserk, just am getting it back ... a lot of weird stuff - but it made me happy to see your post. Take care, Hon.
botm2@yahoo.com

Julie Fukuda said...

How sweet of your friend. I know lots of "Pat"s but I never met another Julia until I was a junior in college. I think the name came back in use with Julie Andrews and Julia Child rising in popularity. And, though Fukuda is a fairly common name in Japan, I have never seen it printed on a product so I got a chuckle over your post.

Robin Clevenger said...

Hello Pat, Love your blog! I really need a closer look at those button sample card over your work space. Please!!!

A Bit of Heaven

A Bit of Heaven
An original designed wall quilt with my vision of heaven on earth.