THE Visit, A Story, A Gift and a GIVEAWAY

As you can tell from the title of this post....I'll be talking about THE visit, a story, a gift and a GIVEAWAY.  So, bear with me while I try to cover these subjects.  (By the way, sorry to have been away for so long...can I just say 'time got away from me'?)  If you remember, in my last post, I mentioned that my favorite son was coming for a short visit.  He did.  It was.  But, I did get to spend a little time with him.  It was NICE!  Thought you might like to see just one photo taken...this one on his way out the door to go to the airport in Little Rock and back to San Francisco.  So, here we are:
that's the old navy man (Richard) on the left.  My favorite son, Scott, me, and my favorite grandson, Tyler.   Daughter, Kelly, was the photographer.  Aren't they cute?  And, by the way, thanks for waiting for me to post again.

Now, for the 'story' part of this post.  Before Scott came to visit, I received an email from Holland.
It was from "Barbara W. from Holland."  Something about that name rang a bell and I remembered that she was one of the twenty-seven people I wrote handwritten letters to last year on one of my "handwritten letters to blogging friends" episodes.  Maybe you were one of the twenty-seven?  I was pleased to hear from her and after reading her letter, knew immediately that I should share it in a future post.  Here is what she said:

"Hi, Pat, You probably don't remember me, but last year I received one of your handwritten letters! Life got in the way and I never did get around to writing back to you (so sorry about that) - we moved house a month or two ago after nearly a year long hunt for our dream home, and most of my time has been taken up with that.  Anyway, I was just going through some old quilting books and I discovered the most amazing thing.  Background info first.  In 1994, my husband and I had our first vacation in the US.  We went to Maryland where an old friend of hubby's from the UK lived, and one day we visited an Old Country Store, where I saw my very first quilt - a small Dresden Plate wall quilt.  I bought it and decided on the spot that this is what I wanted to do - make quilts!  I hadn't a clue how to, so the very first book I bought on quilting, in 1994, was called "Teach Yourself to Quilt," written by one Patricia Eaton!  I searched for your beautifully written letter - nowhere to be found - oh no!  Then I remembered the name of your blog, and a quick look at your profile confirmed what I had suspected - You are she!  Is that incredible, or what?  I have been quilting and collecting books ever since, and I love it.  Nowadays I do lots of mixed media work as well and love to try out new products, but my first love will always be quilting.  Best regards, Barbara W.  in Holland"

Well,  yes, I DO think that is pretty incredible!!!  So, some background on that book.  It came out in 1988 and has been for sale by Leisure Arts, Inc., ever since.  That's a pretty long time for a book such as that.  Earlier this year, I was informed by Leisure Arts, that when the remainder of the copies on hand are sold, it will not be reprinted, but goodness, who could complain as being sold for the last twenty-four years is a pretty good deal.  And, the fact that a person from Holland taught herself to quilt from it, THEN years later, unbeknownst to her, began to read the author's blog, then received a letter from her practically by chance is, yes, INCREDIBLE!!  

This is the quilt featured in that book.  It's all hand appliqued, pieced and quilted.  The background fabric came from the old navy man's aunts' estate and was purchased by her in 1944, the year I was born!  I taught a "Teach Yourself to Quilt" class many times using this quilt and that is what prompted the book so long ago.

Here's what the first cover looked like way back in 1988.  The quilt on the cover was made by someone on staff at Leisure Arts.......because they didn't think my quilt would sell the book because the background of my quilt is green, so they put my handmade quilt on the back of the book.  I had to work on getting over that at the time.

Here is the second version of the cover, redone after several years of being in print, I guess for a 'newer look.'

And, here is my actual quilt pictured on the back......remember, at the start of this post, I showed you this very quilt hanging in our guest room!   It is amazing to me that the book sold for so long and a million more times amazing to me that someone in another country used it to actually teach herself to quilt...and I know of this because I wanted to write some handwritten letters to some of my blog readers.  Yes, Life can be very exciting.

Barbara, my friend in Holland, mentioned to me in subsequent emails, that she had found my book but misplaced my letter.  I'm sure because of the move, so I asked her if she'd like another letter.  She said yes, so I wrote one for her and sent it away to Holland.  Meantime, she wrote again and mentioned she had read my blog post on the vintage baby clothes a new friend had given me. (You can read about them in my August 20th post.)  She asked if I would like to have a vintage baby bonnet she had found in her late aunt's home and of course, I was thrilled to have it.  So, imagine, my letter was crossing the Atlantic to go to Holland and her aunt's baby bonnet was making it's way over here at practically the same moment!  Another simply incredible fact.  She received the letter and copies of two of my other books and I received her fantastic gift.....

When her package arrived, I opened it to find several items....first was this absolutely lovely fabric postcard she made just for me.  I was so excited I had to show the old navy man....even he got excited!!!  Isn't this postcard fantastic?  Beautifully hand embroidered!!

 Here is the back of the postcard!  Well, I will always treasure it...wouldn't you?  It's just dear!!!

Barbara also sent me some crochet and tatting.  She said the three medallions she purchased at a flea market and the long piece of tatting is actually a collar that was given to her long ago.  They are all so delicate and gorgeous!  I can crochet....but never have I been able to learn tatting.  I tried to take classes and my teacher said I should stick to quilting and embroidery.  I think she was right, but I do LOVE tatting and will certainly treasure these pieces!!

I couldn't get a really sharp photo of these pieces, but hopefully, you get  the idea.  They are so small and delicate and quite beautiful!

 This is a portion of the collar.  So delicate!!

And, now, the precious bonnet!!!!!  Barbara said she found this in her aunt's home after she died and she thought I should have it.  What an honor!!!  Although Barbara lives in Holland, she's from England and so was her aunt.  This beautiful piece of handwork, YES, it's all hand made, well, except the ties of the bonnet were hemmed on a sewing machine.  All the rest is hand stitched and you know how I feel about that.....I always immediately identify with the maker and appreciate all the time involved.  It's so very special to me.

 The bonnet is gathered and has beautiful lace on the front edges.  It's just amazing how much work people put into this type of baby clothing.  And, this bonnet is rather large, so Barbara and I think it was made for an older child....perhaps three or four.  I just simply LOVE it!!!

 More views of the bonnet.........

Hope you can click to enlarge and tell more about this wonderful work.........

So, I hope you have enjoyed this beautiful gift I received from a blog reader with connections to me since 1994, but we never knew until now.  Isn't this blogging thing fantastic?  THANK YOU, BARBARA!!!!!!

Now, for the GIVEAWAY...yeah, it did take me a long time to get to it, but you know how I am when I'm telling you a story!!!  IF you would like to receive a copy of my book "TEACH YOURSELF TO QUILT," kindly make a comment on this blog post by Thursday, September 27th, and I will choose THREE people, each to receive ONE copy of this book.   Yeah, it's been in print for twenty-four years, so it has no current information in it on how to make a quilt "of today", but, it's the way I would still make a quilt, so maybe you'd get something out of it....well, you'd get a free book anyway.  So, let me hear from you.  And, please remember to be sure I will have a way to get in touch with you too.

So, there we are....a vist from my favorite son, a story, a precious gift from Holland, and a Giveaway.
Look for another post on Thursday...probably late that night.  I'll announce the winners then and there is no telling what else I will be showing you.  Til then, take care out there.  pat

Vintage Baby Clothes, a Gift

I was recently gifted with these absolutely gorgeous baby clothes....they are so delicately beautiful.
So, you must hear the story!  I have a great friend, Susan, who grew up in the upper midwest.
She now lives in Little Rock.  Susan's best friend....her lifelong best friend, is Karen.  They went to school together....and have maintained a very special friendship all these years.  I say 'all these years' because all three of us are close in age.  Chronologically, we are on 'the older side' but in our minds we are still quite young.  On good days.  Well, Karen has moved to Little Rock too!  And, has joined our little monthly sewing/beading group.  She fits in very nicely!!

Are you seeing where I am going with this story?  I bet you are.  Karen told me she had baby clothes from her grandparents and asked me if I would be interested in having them.   (She had been told by Susan that I was 'into' that kind of thing.)  Of course, I said YES!  She explained to me that she had no children and was not 'into' the baby clothes thing, so she would love for me to have them.  OMG....was I all over that!  She also said they needed to be cleaned, but she had no idea how to do it.  Of course, she was thinking they were just so delicate, they must require great care in cleaning.    When I first saw them, I knew I could handle the cleaning and couldn't wait to do so.
Here's what I did:  I soaked them in water and liquid OxyClean for four days.  Not wringing at any time...just soaking, then rinsing well.  This little christening dress and slip were dingy, but not awfully dirty...and came out just sparkling white...and SO SWEET!!!  It is quite long, has beautiful lace, tiny tucks, and sweet little embroidered flowers here and there and also a full length slip too.  So very precious!

Here's a little peek at the little floral embroidery motifs 'here and there.'  So soft, so sweet....and so beautiful!

 The ruffled hem is quite wonderful......and this garment was stitched entirely by hand!  Oh, my!!!

Gorgeous little medallions of lace stitched on in Satin Stitch, then the back fabric removed...my oh my....with little flowers and leaves scattered here and there.  Simply divine!

Here's the back of the dress.  Look at all those tiny tucks across the top!!  

When my children were babies...I made much of their clothing.  Do you remember little batiste 'diaper shirts' and little 'morning dresses?'  So, I actually have sewn on tiny buttons such as these.
So dear.

Here is another little dress from Karen's collection.  This one was sewn on the machine and is much simpler than the previous dress, so I expect it was a dress worn often......but look at all the tucks...so very sweet!

 Love the yoke of this little dress.

And, all those little tucks around the skirt.  And, I remember when deep hems were just 'the thing.'   I had a couple of organdy pinafores myself, but have no clue whatever happened to them.

Well, of course, I've left off a photo!!!!  This garment is a little coat in a silky fabric (but I don't think it IS silk).   There is a FULL photo of it at the end of this post.  It is really, really special!!!!  When I first saw it, the color was kind of a peachy light brown.  But, I knew it was something really special.
After washing and ironing, it turned out to be a very soft peachy color, on the light side.  And so very soft!!  Just look at the floral applique and embroidery here on the lower front.  And, the lace insert.....
just takes your breath!!!  And, every stitch on this coat is by HAND!!!

I know YOU know to click on the photos so you can see them larger...please do so you can see all the gorgeousness!

The sleeves are so pretty....with tucks and all that lace....you can see the hand-stitching......no telling how long it took to make these garments!!

 The made-by-hand tucks......I could go on and on......just imagine the time it took...

The collar is just beautiful too.....of course!  More appliqued and embroidered motifs and that gorgeous lace.

Then, here is another view of the sleeves with the lace edges folded back over the ruffle....a whole lot of work on the sleeve's edge, for sure!  And, of all the most wonderful work on this little coat...look at the button and the stitched button loops!!!  All thread.  There are three of the buttons and the loops which 'hide' behind the front placket of the little coat.  OMG!!!

Then there is the little handmade bonnet.  Well, no coat would be complete with it's own special bonnet!!!

Gathered around a delicate circle motif in the crown of the bonnet.....with even more hand stitching and tucking!

 A closeup.........I wish the photos really showed the actual color better....it looks beige-y here, but it isn't...just that delicious, soft, pale peachy color!

And, here is the little coat with the bonnet laying on it...........look it over carefully....it is so very special!  And, how about my new friend, Karen?  She is such a special person to give away these beautiful garments...and, to me, a person she barely knows.  I am very lucky to have received the garments and to have a very kind and generous new friend!!!  I hope you have enjoyed seeing these lovely treasures as much as I've enjoyed telling you about them.  Y'all take care out there....hugs, pat