Some Old Candlewicking, Etc.

Back in the '80's I did some candlewicking and still have the pillows I made way back when. I don't think it ever became a big craze such as crossstitch, redwork, needlepoint, etc., but there were some books out with patterns, etc. I liked the looks of it and still do, but I don't think I will ever take it up again. I will say that I really learned how to make a colonial knot and can still do it without thinking about it. I like it so much better than a french knot - it seems to be so much neater. The little girl in the second pillow is one I did about the same time as the pillows in pink. She is hand appliqued and hand quilted. The pattern was from an old Quilt magazine, I think. I love the ruffle trim on the bottom two pillows. You just don't find that pretty stuff anymore - without it costing a tremendous amount. This makes me think of some of the multitude of needlepoint pillows I made in the '70's and '80's, some of which I still have. Will have to find those one day and take some pictures. That's a whole other thing! (Click to enlarge)

Fashion Friday

Here is Maggie Pearce holding her new granddaughter, Carol, and looking well pleased with the new little addition to the family. Maggie is wearing a very fashionable hat trimmed with a band and some flowers. Her coat has a matching belt loosely tied around her waist. Carol is dressed in an adorable bonnett and cute little outfit and leggings. Looks like they were ready for a Sunday drive. My mother told me that she was going to name me Margaret after my grandmother, but that grandma told her not to since she didn't like being called Maggie. Instead, mom named me after grandma's maiden name, Carroll - but spelled it differently.

(Click to enlarge)

From Birds of a Feather

Ever since getting the books from Blackbird Designs, I have been wanting to start working on the wallhanging that I like so much from Birds of a Feather. Really, should I be starting something else? I don't suppose so, but what the heck - you only go around once. It is actually going to be a lot smaller than the pattern in the book. I did lots and lots of figuring and scanning and finally got the right combination to be able to make the applique blocks and the pieced sections fit together - I hope! The colors will look just perfect hanging over a little old chest in my dining area.

There is a method I found in another book I just got - William Morris in Applique (Gorgeous!!) - that I am going to try out for some of the small stems in some of these blocks. You fuse the narrow stems on the block and then cover them with an overlocking stitch - I assume in a color to match the fabric. Anxious to give that idea a try. The whole book features quilts that are machine appliqued and done almost entirely in the buttonhole stitch.

It is amazing how much gorgeous fabric is out there, how many wonderful methods there are to try - how things have changed in the last twenty years. (Click to enlarge)

It's Just Beautiful

I just took my "garden tour" a few minutes ago - it doesn't take long nowadays - and I just had to take a picture of my Mandevilla vine. It is just loaded with blooms and is growing so tall and lush. The vines are loaded with buds - what a beauty.

A couple of other pictures - the fancy leaf begonia in the planter on my front stoop. How pretty it is also. The other is a picture of a hanging basket on the outside of my privacy fence with the geraniums, sweet allysum, another white lacey flower and a little pink flamingo. Some of the little begonias are not doing as well this summer as in the past - probably not enough hot weather. This old gal does better in the cooler weather, though! Temperaturewise, I have enjoyed this summer very much. (Click to enlarge)

Some of My Well Loved Dust Catchers

This is the baby cup that belonged to Ray's father. It has a chip, but it is beautiful.

Found these in an antique store. This sort of thing was popular when I was married.

She is so pretty! From 1958 (dated on the bottom) I have several of these. I found them in antique stores a long time ago. I think they are quite pricey now.

Two more of the little vases. The little girl in the hat is dated 1957, while the other little gal has $10.00 on the bottom - evidently that's what I paid for her. I did see one like her a few years ago and she was marked $60.00 so think they have gone up. I have so many things on my walls, my surfaces, and all around each room that it is really a challenge to dust! And, I must confess, I dust less all the time. However, I have this theory that dust is clean dirt - not filth - and once it is wiped it's as if it were never there. The catch is - it comes back, again and again. I am finding I can live with it for much longer periods than I used to be able to tolerate. Too many nice things to do other than spending lots of time cleaning! Getting smarter in my old age!!

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Fashion Friday - Birthday Party Attire

Here is a picture showing what the invited attendees were wearing to birthday parties in August of 1931. Carol, who was three years old, is shown here with her hands by her face looking very cute in her summery dress and short haircut. Hmmm, that's sort of the way I wear my hair now. The other little girls are also wearing summery frocks. I am pretty sure the lady standing behind Carol is holding her new little sister, Joanne Lee, and her Aunt Henrietta, kneeling at left, is holding her little boy, Hap, who is Carol's cousin. Aunt Henrietta is wearing a cute sleeveless dress. She was a fun lady with a really cute giggle. Standing next to the birthday girl is Betty Brown, who is Carol's Uncle Ham's little sister-in-law. Dear Aunt Leah is at the right end of the second row holding an unknown child. On Carol's other side is her grandparents' little neighbor boy, Newell Smith. Newell lived with his grandmother and Aunt Rose. His grandma had a very high pitched voice and our grandma referred to her as "Squeak" but not to her face, of course. It fit her perfectly.

This is the first page in the baby book - there is also a post on

http://piecesofthepast-funoldhag.blogspot.com/

showing the other pages if you would like to check them out. How is this for a chubby, happy, healthy little girl? Probably 9 months to a year.

And this is the hospital bill for mom and baby for 12 days! They practically gave Carol away!

I am now 81 years old and cannot believe it. I am so thankful to have been so blessed for all these years with good health, a wonderful loving family and a very good life.

Sewing Machine Cover - Not Quite Finished

Saw this idea on http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=826 and it is very easy to do. It can be as plain or as fancy as you wish. If you click on the link you will find a tutorial on how to make one of these. I did not follow it exactly but it will give you an idea of how to get started. I actually have done it like a small quilt and have the binding ready to sew on the bottom. I will make ties from the same fabric, attach them to the sides and then bind the sides. My little yoyo flower covers a slit in one of the pieces of fabric that I accidently cut. Happy accident! Kind of like the flower and I might add two more yoy0s. Will have to see how industrious I am.

The shape of my machine makes it hang crooked in the back but it is covered so no problem. (Click to enlarge)