My Ecru Thread Collection

 

Today I thought I'd show you some of my ecru thread collection.  Some, but certainly not all, as it seems I collect this stuff wherever I go.  Sometimes it is given to me, sometimes the flea market just has it waiting for me.  You know how I am.  There are drawers of crochet thread here...much in ecru (my favorite color of crochet threads) and sometimes in every color.  I'm hopelessly drawn to it.  Here is the whole kit and kaboodle.  The little chest you can see on the upper left of the photo is a gift from my friend, Sandra, in Alabama.  I just love that precious little thing!  And, the old-fashioned wool pincushion I made sometime back and use often.

 

 

These are all the threads I have which are still in their original boxes....so today they really spoke my name.   Along with the threads, I wanted you to see some of the other vintage sewing things that live here in my bird nest on the ground.

 Here are some of the threads nestled in their boxes....I could crochet, knit (yes, I have knitted with them before to make doll things) couch, embroider, or whatever strikes my fancy with this thread from days gone by.  Some of these are in remarkably good condition and some, not so much, but I love using them and some days, like today, I just love looking at them!

 These are pristine....and I was so lucky to find them....yes, I really do display them and find the boxes very interesting too.

 See!

 These too!

 My friend, Pat S., brought this sewing box to the downtown studio one day.  It belonged to her and she'd had it for a very long time.  She's just a little bit older than I and isn't sewing like she used to, so she thought I'd like to have it, complete with contents.  Of course, I was beside myself and treasure it.  She's another kind and generous friend I've met over the years.  Note the tatted cross.  I have never gotten the 'hang' of how to tat, so I treasure every snippet of it that comes my way! 

 

There are beads and such in here too.  Oh, what FUN!

 

 One day I ran across this box of thread at the flea market...and couldn't believe it.  Ok, if you owned this and it is found in a flea market, you must have passed, so that means I will enjoy and treasure it FOR YOU.  And, hopefully, USE it!

 Pretty, pretty stuff!

 Many years ago, friend Jim, walked into our quilt guild's Ferndale retreat, found me at the Registration desk and gave me a little box with this vintage bodkin in it.  I knew right away what it was and I have not only used it, but ENJOYED using it many times since.  A very special thing indeed!  The crochet hook is tiny and I'm not sure what it is made of...but so very cute.  It showed up in a box of sewing 'junk' I bought one time.  Sweet!

 Several years ago, I decided I was going to make buttons.  I tried various kinds, including these crocheted ones.  These are about the size of a nickel.  FUN!  I've never used these, still looking for just the right place for them...and, should you want to make you own...the instructions for these and many other kinds can be found in the book I used...."50 Heirloom Buttons to Make" by Nancy Nehring, published by Taunton Press.  I don't know if it's still in print, but you would enjoy trying some of the techniques in it.

This little wooden bowl....vintage, I am sure, called my name several times at the flea market.  I avoided getting it four or five times, then one day I gave in to it and love seeing all these vintage sewing goodies in it.  The old scissors, clothes pins, needle holder, and a vintage piece of crochet...in a rose pattern....no telling how long I've had that....seems it cost me a nickel way back when.

 

  

 Well, that's it for the threads and sewing goodies.  I hope you enjoyed seeing them and if you should have some of the same things, I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine.  I count them among my most favorite treasures!  Take care, pat

A Gift of Baskets

One day, not long ago, I emailed my dear friend, Jim with a request.  Sometimes I ask him questions he'd rather not deal with, such as - "Would you draw some basket patterns for me?"  You know....like he has nothing else to do.  And, sometimes he will say 'not on your life.'  Other times, he will just say..."we'll see."  A few days after I asked him to draw the basket patterns for me, an envelope arrived in my mailbox.  Actually, I wasn't expecting it to be patterns, as I knew he was really busy.  I thought it might be a paper snowflake...he's always drawing those.  Or, maybe something to make me laugh.

He does that too.  I took the envelope into my backyard studio, opened it and was surprised to find that he really had drawn some basket patterns for me.  Now, that is a good friend!!!  There are eight of them!  And, to top it off, he said I could post them on my blog and share them with YOU.  Yes, he said to be sure and tell you that you are welcome to use them in some of your work.  He didn't ask, but I will....if you do use them, kindly give him credit for the patterns...as you already know, it is the right thing to do.  So, here they are....all eight.  The largest was copied on an 8" x 10" sheet of paper to give you an idea of the size.  I have taken the liberty of reducing them down four times....the smallest is about 1 1/2" by 2" or so.  You could make them any size you wish.

#1....if you see a gap in the drawings anywhere, as in the handle on this pattern...he left spaces for leaves, roses, or whatever you wish to add here and there....this one is my favorite as I can SEE those ribbon roses spilling out of this basket already and haven't made a stitch!

 #2...Love this one too.  Can you see Baby Ric-Rac for the handle?  You can use these in a zillion different ways.

#3...Fill this one to the brim with pretty flowers......and remember, you can interpret  the basket stitching in many different ways too.

#4...This one looks like a crystal basket to me.....might want to stitch it in a shimmering thread on a dark background.

#5....How do you see this one?  Any ideas?  If you use it (or any of them)...please let us see your work.... it would be fun.  I see it couched in a heavy thread.

#6...How many things can we do with this basket?  You could also complete the handle and use silk ribbon to make a three dimensional bow....

#7....I'm not sure I could repeat this one easily....but did think I could use a bit of Battenburg Lace for the basket...or make it look like that kind of lace....Hmmm....

 

#8....What could we do with this one?  I think a metallic thread would be interesting.  Oh, the possibilities!!!

 

Here are all the patterns in the tiniest size....very cute, don't you think?

Then, of course, the basket on the front of the envelope.  I have ideas of what to do with it NOW!  I love getting mail from Jim....the contents are wonderful and the envelopes are always FUN!  So....okay....have some fun with this gift from Jim to me and YOU.  And, if you want to see what else he is up to, visit his blog HERE.  He really is a good friend....and a talented guy.  THANKS, JIM!!! 

Oh, and before this day is over.....I hope you have had a beautiful Mother's Day!  Take care out there, pat

One of My Favorite Places

Hope you have all had a beautiful Sunday!  It was really nice here...hopefully, Spring is finally upon us. I spent part of the day outdoors...just doing some weed-pulling and such...much more to do, but did enjoy the afternoon out.  Speaking of beautiful days, I've been meaning to show you this photo taken by my favorite son. He lives in San Francisco.  I often say I've 'left my heart' there...as the song goes.  Not only do I love the place...one of the most beautiful places I've ever been...but the favorite son has lived there for years (while working in Silicon Valley) making it even more special to me.  Scott often goes sailing with friends, one of his favorite activities, so on a recent weekend drive....he took this photo of the Bay, this day with lots of sailboats.  No doubt everyone out there enjoying the sun and the water, the Golden Gate and THAT gorgeous view of the city!!!  He once got me to go on one of those boat tours around the Bay.  It went under the bridge and around Alcatraz...see that little island on the left....I was happy to see the city that way, but absolutely mortified the whole time as I am deathly afraid of being on the water.  Of course, it was my 'favorite' son practically begging me to go out...so I HAD to go.  I got through it ok...and now, I remember it being one of my little 'adventures' in this life.  He has also been sky-diving, but he can forget begging me to do that!  I can see why he enjoys life there so much...the sights, sounds, smells, the VIEW and friends.....and he shares it with me via his photos.  Lucky me!

And, here is a photo of the favorite son....taken by one of his friends (Thank You, friend!).   Too close to the water for me....but he loves it.  I'm thinking YOU might enjoy doing such a thing....so if you ever visit....well, LOVE your time in that special place as I did!  And, if you have a son or daughter there, I bet you know exactly how I feel about 'leaving my heart' in San Francisco!  Take care, pat

A Beautiful Find

 

Hi, out there!  So sorry to have been absent for so long....but, I'm back now and anxious to show you

my newest 'find.'  I went 'out and about' yesterday and much to my amazement, this quilt called my name, so I had to have it!  It's vintage and in lovely condition.  I put it on this bed right over the quilt already on the bed...just to take some quick photos to show you.  I'm quite proud of it and do so appreciate all the work of another quilter's hands.  I always wonder what the woman making this quilt had to go through just to find the time to make it.  And, so, assuming she is now gone, I will love it for her.

I know there are various and assorted names for this quilt.....so I had to look it up...but just look at this photo...do we really need to know their names....or can we just love them anyway?  I think we can.

 

Figured I needed to show you the corner of the quilt....don't you just love the little 'kite' shapes that become the edge....the great quilt person who made this quilt took the time to bind this the 'hard' way with all those little points...and it sure makes it special to me....you know, I can applique pretty much anything, but piecing is another story...I so admire the nice piecing on these vintage quilts!

 

I just happen to own some quilt books.....more than anyone should, I suppose, and among them are these books.......you might want to look into owning them yourself if you find you often need to know the names of any quilts you find while searching the flea markets.  

 

This 'encyclopedia' is the one I chose to find this pattern.  I've often looked up patterns in it and I believe it to be a wonderful resource. 

 

Here on pages 74-75, are the names attributed to this block....#445.9..."Periwinkle", "Hummingbird" or "Bluet."  I suppose the name "Bluet" came from the tiny wildflowers we have here and I bet you do too.  If you'd like to see some wonderful photos of these flowers (considered weeds here, but not to ME), just Google the name and you can find all kinds of examples.  So pretty.

The old navy man will prefer the name "Hummingbird" as he loves those little birds and is currently watching the feeders.

 

And, here is the drawing of the block.  Lovely to find it, I think.  Then, a photo of the back of the quilt.  I find it interesting that the four 'kite pieces' on this quilt were pieced together on the machine, and those pieces were hand pieced to all the white pieces to make the quilt top.  Interesting.  Being a 'dyed in the wool' hand-piecer and 'appliquer', of course I am impressed with this fact.  The quilt is hand-quilted.  A person after my own heart, for sure.

 

Here is another photo of the quilt....it was 'love at first sight'!

 

And, here is another photo.....one of the great things about this quilt...is just every once in a while...there is a pink piece of fabric....so lovely!!!  Sure hope you have enjoyed seeing this vintage beauty!  Hope you are all well and I'll try to post again SOON.  Take care out there....pat

Such a Charming Bird

After two days of trying...I have actually gotten these photos on the blog!  Either I am even less tech savvy than I thought....or something has been wrong with blogger....either way...I am relieved to finally be able to show you these great and glorious birds!  A few months ago I ran across an artist from England and absolutely LOVED the work she was posting on her blog.  Along with beautiful mixed media paintings, she had posted several of these appliqued and embellished birds, presented on beautiful pieces of vintage quilts.  Well, isn't that right up my alley?  So, I was OVER the MOON about them right away.  And, now, I can say I own one of her pieces myself and I'm thrilled!

Here are several photos of "my" bird....isn't it just wonderful!!!  And, boy, I would love to have seen the quilt this little square came from.  I have never been an advocate of cutting up quilts....and would still never do it unless the quilt was already in shreds or pieces when I found it, so when I saw these birds on their glorious backgrounds....I began to hatch a plan to immediately go in search of some old delapidated quilts.  I have found a couple and bought them....have found a couple others whose colors just wouldn't work for my taste and didn't buy them.  I will have them as top priority when I go to the flea market as I have been inspired to try to do a few things of my own design on pieces of these found, and for all intents and purposes, discarded quilts. 

Just look at this face!!!!  Such a charming bird!  About now, I am figuring you want to know who made it and I'd love to share that with you.  Her name is Mandy, she lives in England, and you can go directly to her blog, called THREAD AND THRIFT  right HERE.  You will enjoy seeing what she is all about and you'll love her work too!  I visit her blog just about every day and enjoy seeing all the lovely work she is doing.  You will probably also want to visit her etsy shop....where birds and other beauties are available.  Click HERE to see what she has for sale today.  I also especially love the leaves and vine pieces she does! 

Look at this tiny flower.  So simple to do and to my mind....the most charming embroidery of all.  I always call this embroidery 'school girl stitching' because what Mandy does, and what I do. uses mostly all the stitches taught to small girls in days past.   Mandy's birds, however,  are quite a magnificent example of how those simple stitches add such a lovely touch to appliqued birds.  I LOVE them SO!!

Notice all the tiny pieces of the quilt square......I've no idea what the pattern of the quilt was....but love the way the quiltmaker used the least little pieces of fabric.  Waste not, want not, as they say!

 Love this bird!

And, once again, the whole picture!  This quilt square is mounted on mat board and signed.  I shall enjoy it for all my days!  THANK YOU so much, Mandy, for sharing your beautiful work with me.  Y'all visit Mandy, you will really enjoy seeing her beautiful creations!  take care out there, pat

PS.  Finally feeling better....hopefully you will hear from me again soon!!!

 Hi there!  Hope you are having a lovely Sunday.....we've 'almost' got a Spring Day here...still kind of cool, but the wind has stopped blowing so hard and to me that is a good thing!  Hopefully, Spring IS on the way.  I received an email this a.m. asking how I was....I'm sure because of the fact that I haven't posted in a fairly good while.  (Thank you, Pat!) I'm ok...have just been 'under the weather' and just didn't have the energy to spend any time in this cold studio...I don't heat it unless I intend to spend several hours out in it....and I felt the need to hybernate in the house while 'resting up.'  I bet you can understand that.  I have actually felt guilty in not posting....but talked myself out of feeling that way.  Being OCD, though, you know I had to have several 'talks' with myself.  Anyway...things are getting better, so today I thought I should post something...anything...just to say hi and yes, I'm still here.

I guess I didn't get my fill of Hearts in February, because all I could think of to show you today was more hearts!  Here is one next to the hutch in my kitchen.  I bought this mirror a couple of years ago.  The old navy man was with me as I made my rounds at the local flea markets.  This is something that rarely happens as he isn't all that crazy about wandering around these places.  I kept going back to see this mirror  and finally he asked if I really NEEDED it....of course, I said, "Oh, yes....I really need it...it's so perfect."  So, we bought it.   I tried to talk myself out of it...but when I read what was at the top...I knew it would go home with me.  It says:  "From your son in the Service."  Loved it!!

It is not in great shape...for fortunately for the mirror and for me.....I like things that have lived a long and 'pre-loved life.'  I often wonder about the son AND the mother to whom this meant so much.

If you look at that hutch....you can also see another of my favorite things...no hearts this time, but kitty cats.  This card was given to me probably ten years ago by a friend....and they've sat in that hutch having tea ever since.  Aren't they cute?   Everytime I think they should be 'retired' - I find I just can't put them away....

So....there now,  I managed to post something....I hope you have enjoyed this little blogging 'hello.'

And, just have to tell you.....my sister is coming today!  If you read my blog often...then you will know her husband passed away last summer just a very few days after they visited here.  This will be her first visit since then and she is driving herself from Texas to my house, something she has never done alone.  I will be happy to see her.....and Wednesday is her birthday!  She is ten years younger than I, but to me she is still a little kid!  We intend to talk our heads off....and knit!  She is staying a week, so I won't be posting until she goes home....but, come visit again after the 10th and I'll try to post something

interesting then....meantime, know that even though I'm not posting often right now...I DO think of YOU.  Take care, pat