Acorns From Down Under...

December already! I took a break yesterday when our mail arrived. I was expecting my shipment of Vintage Textile Soak (which arrived!), but there was a surprise, too! My Kiwi friend, Marrianne, sent a holiday package to me!

I stopped everything and immediately opened it (Of course, I did! Wouldn't you?) Inside were acorns! I'm sure she was right when she said that New Zealand Customs probably wouldn't have allowed real ones out of the country - or U.S. Customs wouldn't have allowed them in. Either way, I'm sure they wouldn't have arrived here. So, my sweet friend sent me hand knit ones! Pretty tan acorns wearing tweedy caps - created by her. They're absolutely beautiful!

She also made ornaments for me. Stunning, one-of-a-kind sparkling snowflakes that will decorate our home this year. And, oh, lordy! She also popped in a bag of the much-coveted Pineapple Lumps...a Kiwi treat for sure. Marrianne is making Pineapple Lumps an overseas sensation. She's sent them to other gals in our Ravelry - Grandma's Hand group and so, if you're catching up on your reading here, grandmas - nanner, nanner, boo boo! I've got another whole bag of Lumps!!! (That wasn't very nice, Donna. I know. I'm sorry. giggling) Thank you, Marrianne. A proper note is on its way to you!

Back to my studio. (Can't talk. Mouth, full of Lumps. giggling again) I finished the embroideries on the wedding hankies yesterday and will take them to Adele this evening so she can do her magic. I'm also working on something special for my Birthday Giveaway this week. Stay tuned! I think (hope) you'll like it!

My Poor Shrinking Violets...

In cleaning out one of the drawers in my studio this past week, I came across my very first piece of crewel embroidery. (I think I stitched it in 1973 or 74) Oh, my! Those poor shrinking violets! I've learned so much since then.

First of all, never, never use a piece of cardboard to mount your finished work! I promptly removed these sad-looking violets from the cardboard (which had been stitched onto it in the most shoddy fashion). Then I moved into the laundry room where I filled a basin with Vintage Textile Soak (which I told you about here) and cool water. I let the piece soak overnight and when I took it out in the morning, all the age had been cleaned off it. Now, you know that when I say age, I mean the years of dust and soil that had collected on it.

The frame in the photo is the original, plastic, yukky frame that came with the kit. I now know that, if I'm going to take the time to stitch it, it deserves a better frame. (This one does simply because of its history.) So I've carefully pressed the needlework (Always iron the back of your piece. It actually makes your stitches stand out on the front.), mounted it with stainless steel t-pins onto a piece of acid-free fome core and it is now installed into a more appropriate frame.

Even though it's still my "primitive" beginner piece, I think it looks much happier now. Don't you?

Thank you to everyone who has responded so lovingly to my 200th Post Giveaway. You gals are awesome! If you haven't yet responded to the original post, you still can (see how many chances you can earn by reading my original message here), and you can earn additional chances by leaving a comment on each post between now and Thanksgiving!

Pretty, Vintage Hankies All In A Row...

I had been reading a post over at Marydon's blog, Feedsack Fantasy and Blushing Rose Boutique, when she told her readers about a product called Vintage Textile Soak. Well, I'm a sucker for a great endorsement, and Marydon sold me on the stuff, so I went right to the source and ordered some. (You can link to Marydon's blog here to read her recommendation for Vintage Textile Soak.)

It arrived and of course, I had to try it right away! (Even the packaging was beautiful!) I used the Soak to launder my vintage hankies (and a few other things) - Marydon was right, girlfriends! You should see how it works on your fine unmentionables! (Are you seeing that I'm excited about this stuff from the exclamation points?)

So now that they're all cleaned and pressed, I'd like to share my vintage hankies with you. These hankies belonged to my Handsome's mom, grandmother and aunt. These women all did the needlework that appears on them. I'm proud to have been related to a long line of needleworkers. I used a few to embellish Shaker sewing boxes for my daughters-in-law. I carry these hankies to weddings and special occasions, because (of course) you'd never use them for anything but wiping away a happy tear or drying a child's eyes.

You can see that these beauties were embellished in shadow stitching, crewelwork, whitework and the teeniest, tiniest, most perfect stitches. I know I'll add to this collection some day, but these will always be my favorites.

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