Finished - With A Surprise...

The wedding hankie project is complete. I picked up the last one from Adele last night and to say they're breathtaking would be an understatement. Adele tells me that she and her mother used to sit for hours working on hankies together, and although it's been many years since she's done one, she rose to the occasion to create true heirlooms.

The bride and the recipients of the other hankies will be speechless when they receive them. Adele did most of the magic, but the monograms were my work, and I think the result of our combined effort is truly elegant.
When Adele gave me the last hankie, she said she had a little surprise for me, too. I looked into our project box and saw four pattern booklets. She told me that they were her mother's - and they were duplicates - that she was gifting to me...TO ME!!!

I had told her that once the holidays settled and my projects were caught up, I'd really like to learn how to do the hankie edgings. Her response was to give me four of her prized booklets, along with a promise that she'll be there to help me when I'm ready to try to do what she seems to do so effortlessly. (The booklet on the top of the pile in the second photo is the one she used to make the edgings for these hankies.) These pattern collections are from so long ago that they were priced at 10¢ and 25¢ per booklet! The copyrights are from the 1940s and 50s!!

I was nearly in tears when I realized the wonderful gifts she'd given me...not only the patterns, but also the promise of the gift of her time to show me how to do what she does with such finesse. I'm really looking forward to the special time we will spend together.

Thank you, Adele, my dear, talented friend. I know that your efforts will make one bride-to-be very grateful. I also know that I am excited to be looking forward to learning at the knee of one talented needlewoman. Happy New Year to all of us!

Thank you to each of you who left anniversary wishes from my anniversary post (both here and on my FB page). Handsome and I really enjoyed reading your kind comments. They meant the world to us. xoxo

Busy, Busy & A Heads-Up...

While I had to be away from home yesterday, I still managed to get a couple of things accomplished before I left. So, here's today's update...
I finished my embroideries for the wedding hankies, and they're now in Adele's capable hands for the creation of the crocheted lace. The monogram is the groom's initial on the left, bride's initial on the right and their new shared last initial in the center. As they're marrying in January, the bride asked for a snowflake or two, so that's where the snowflakes come in. Do you like it?
Here's the heads-up...
I'm working on these for my Followers Only Birthday Giveaway tomorrow. Any guesses? HA! I'm not telling! You'll have to wait until the giveaway to find out...but I'll tell you one teeny, tiny secret. There will be FIVE winners for this giveaway, so if you're not already publicly following my blog, you might want to sign up now. You'll need to leave a comment tomorrow - and be a follower to be eligible for the drawing. If I can't see you're following me, you won't count. This will be a one day giveaway. My birthday ends at midnight December 3rd, and so does this giveaway. I'll choose the winners with a Random Number Generator (Handsome can't stand the pressure anymore!) and I'll announce the winners on Friday, December 4th.

Gotta get back to work now, so I'll see you tomorrow!

Happy Birthday today, dear Larry. I know you're really proud of your kids and grandkids and you're watching over them. They're all honorable and loving people...and it's obvious they're from you and Eli. I love and miss you. Dee

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!