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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Amazing Lace


Yesterday was one of those days that I threw down the brushes like Mole in the middle of ladders and dusters in Wind In The Willows when he says "Oh blow!", and heads out the door leaving his spring cleaning behind. Listening to the call of the wild, Mole doesn't come back until the next winter. I came back at the end of the afternoon. But not before answering my own wild call to turn over a few bins at the local flea market.



That can be a very good instinct at times. And yesterday was lace day!




Someone was kind enough to leave a whole pile, all ancient and fresh and pressed and ready for my basket!




We'll get to the luscious details, but I first have to show the vintage sewing machine drawers I found! Three in a row. Freshly painted in cream. Seven bucks each. Kill. me. now. I have already gone straight to heaven.







I have to show the knives too, because I'm using them for scale in the photos. I love mix and match silver, and these have a wonderful heft and design in a set of eight.




Here they are next to a silky damask cloth with a deep lace hem. The lace is all intact, and there are some yellowed stains on the fabric. Maybe that's why the tablecloth was only eight bucks.








And old hymnal from 1941 with beautiful brown pages turned up too.








A beautiful pristine linen topper with lace corners was in the pile, and makes my heart go pitter pat. Don't you love the creamy colors?











Finally there's this lace trimmed sheet. It could be turned into a dozen gorgeous things, and I have a few basket liners I want to make.






















This last little snippet of antique machined lace is part of a ragged runner that will live on as something else after it is finished adorning a page from a hymn.







"The Mole had been working very hard all the morning, spring-cleaning his little home. First with brooms, then with dusters; then on ladders and steps and chairs, with a brush and a pail of whitewash; till he had dust in his throat and eyes, and splashes of whitewash all over his black fur, and an aching back and weary arms. Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing. It was small wonder, then, that he suddenly flung down his brush on the floor, said "Bother!" and "O blow!" and also "Hang spring-cleaning!" and bolted out of the house without even waiting to put on his coat."

Happy hunting!

Jacqueline


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38 comments:

  1. What a great day you had! You certainly lucked into some beautiful treasures to add to your already amazing collection!

    Carolyn

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  2. What a fun post! Such gorgeous items and great prices, I love the hymn "Blessed Assurance"....

    Have a wonderful day!
    Aledia

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  3. Wow ! It is true amazing lace and a wonderful photos !

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  4. WOW! Your local flea market sure looks different from mine! I'm so glad you followed your instincts and left the chores for another day. You most definitely hit the jackpot... I grew up singing Blessed Assurance, and I love it! When one can sing the words and mean them, it's a blessed day indeed!

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  5. Lace heaven indeed. Wonderful you went shopping when you did. I have sung Blessed Assurance so much as a child I imagine I could sing it now even though we go to a thoroughly rock and roll music church now.

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  6. You collect the prettiest things, I also loved the truck show...I love these kinds of little treasures. :D

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  7. Pretty lace and you were so lucky to find those drawers.
    ~Clara

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  8. Simply gorgeous.I want it all.

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  9. Adore the lace, the white, and especially the sewing machine drawers with such intricate detail.

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  10. Wow what beautiful linens! I also love the look of silver with the lace.. take care!

    Wanda

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  11. I'm going to be on the hunt for some old crocheted lace to edge pillowcases. I hope I'm as lucky as you! A lace edged sheet would make me very happy, too.

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  12. Wow! You had a great day treasure hunting!

    It reminds me of Magnolia Pearl, I was just on her blog and went to her facebook to see pictures of her fashion show in Texas last weekend! Oh my, lace, lace, lace everywhere. The clothes were breath taking!

    I love everything that you found!

    tot

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  13. Beautiful finds at the thrift store! Love the sewing drawers. Pamela

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  14. Ohhhhhhhh, myyyyy, gosh! I can't believe those vintage sewing boxes and the lace and the knives! And the photos are insane they are so gorgeous! You are such a master of seducing us with beautiful treasures and photos...

    Cindy

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  15. Love that story,you tell it so well. What great finds,to die for. I want to live over there so I can get pretty linen too. It's so hard to find here. Those sewing boxes look like the drawers from an old Singer treadle sewing machine. Enjoy the rest of your lovely day.
    xx jeanetteann

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  16. Well pitter patter! That is one gorgeous tablecloth, dripping in DEEP lacy, deliciousness! and the sewing drawers, Mmmmm!! and you don't even have to break out the paint! Luck is shining on you, you better go shopping again tommorrow, the dusting will wait, haha :-D
    Hugs
    Bella

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  17. Such gorgeous finds! I love all the linens and lace.Just beautiful!
    Patti

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  18. I want those drawers. And they're the perfect color. Oh my, heaven is right!! What a wonderful day you had!

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  19. You found some wonderful goodies! Love all the lace and silver :o)
    ~Des

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  20. I have had that book Wind in the Willows for YEARS.
    Love that saying "O Blow"
    (could come in handy for lots of things...tee hee)
    I have kind of held firm to the idea that do not let serendipity pass you by for the sake of cleaning a house.
    The cleaning is always there.
    The "moment" is Not.

    Love all your beautiful laces.
    I found one cool old sewing machine drawer at an antique store too. Never thought to paint it.Hmmmmm...maybe??

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  21. Thanks for your visit. I can't wait until 3/30. I have a "to do" list about a mile long! Can't wait to get started!

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  22. OH Jacqueline...you DID have a good day! But you have the eye for finding the good stuff!

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  23. Merhaba arkadasim el islerin harika olmus ellerine saglik devamini dilerim sevgiler:)www.yaseminlerim.blogspot.com

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  24. Such gorgeous images, Jacqueline. The lace is exquisite.

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  25. Hi, I just wanted to introduce myself as your newest follower =) I'm Sally from Enlightenment fro the Sleepy. I love your wonderful blog. I just stumbled upon you, and it's such a delightful blog- so inspiring!. I'm supposed to be painting right now but I think it'll be another half hour before I get started. A cup of Tea is in order while I curl up and read through your past posts. Have a great day, Sally xxx

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  26. Aren't days like that just the best? Random orphaned drawers can be so handy around the house (and even better when they're pretty like yours!) and your mind must be whirring with possibilities for all that beautiful lace. Enjoy all your beautiful finds!

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  27. Gorgeous treasures, Jacqueline! Just beautiful.

    Barb

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  28. Well, you certainly had a fabulous day away from your spring cleaning! What treasures you found. Love the lace and silverware! The drawers are so pretty too. You did very well, my friend!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  29. Beautiful finds, Jacqueline. How cool to find the drawers already done up. Love the lace too.

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  30. You do this so well it makes me fall in love with vintage all over again.

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  31. Jaqueline,
    Ah~h~h for the love of vintage lace! To think of the labor of one's one flesh as these lovelies were hand made! Thank you for sharing such beautiful vintage linens. Oh, yes, I'd have purchased the sewing machine drawers, as well!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  32. I love all your lace finds and those sewing machine drawers had your name written all over them. So glad you found them. I am your newest follower. I see that you have found my blog as well. Welcome!

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  33. Beautiful finds!
    ... amazing lace indeed :)

    Greetings from Australia♥

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  34. Your laces are all beautiful treasures! Thank you for sharing them at Potpourri Friday!

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  35. What fantastic finds! I would love to go flea shopping with you! Such pretty pictures too Jacqueline! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  36. Det här blogg-en är underbart! Från idag blir en av mina favoriter!

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