Happy Valentines Day to you! I thought the day needed some pretty, and for me that often means a few linens and a bit of china to look at.
A handful of pretty cards seemed right too.
I love giving away vintage linens as gifts. But I also wanted to show you an old piece of lace that I've had for many years that was made especially for me by my grandmother that I've had put away.
A hundred years ago it seems, I saw this heart pattern in Country Living magazine. My Grandmother used to crochet everyday to relieve the ache and stiffness in her hands, and one day I asked her to make this heart lace edging for me.
My intention was to make a linen tablecloth for this beautiful lace. At the time, I was home raising kids, and doing a lot of sewing and handmade work myself. My sewing machine was always set up in those days.
But not long after this lace was made disaster struck. There was a break-in and my machine was stolen. But that occurred only after we had already lost our house in the downturn of the eighties.
But that was long ago and far away, and tons of water under lots of bridges. Through it all I kept my lace tucked safely away like some pioneer lady trekking in a wagon over the miles and ups and downs of daily wilderness. Time just somehow marched on through our prairie lives. Years passed. My grandmother died. The children all grew up. And I never did return to a sewing machine. But once in a while I brought out the lace, made in a rectangle to my specifications.
I have found a few nice pieces of damask and homespun vintage linen in recent years that would serve nicely for my lace. But all urgency is somehow long gone too. My DIL Emily even gave me a refresher recently on how to thread a sewing machine again. And I wonder if the earth will shake when the time finally comes and lace and material meet after all this time.
It all feels imminent. But I am left to be amazed over how the times just passes. . . .
I hope your week stays sweet!
Jacqueline
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Beautiful photos, and I love that tea cup. You have the prettiest china.
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful lace especially because it was made by your grandmother!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful heirloom keepsake! Your posts are overflowing with romantic photographs! Love the rose tea set! Happy Valentine's Day to you!
ReplyDeleteFotografias lindas e românticas. Rendas maravilhosas e muito mais lindas por terem feitas por sua vó.
ReplyDeleteUma semana doce,linda para você também. Um beijo enorme.
Inspiring writing of memories, some happy some sad, yet remembering what's lasting. Lovely photos as always.
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
Lovely photos. The cards are beautiful goes great with tea set.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and elegant
ReplyDeletesigh
Love it all
xo
Pam
I just love your style and pretty things!! You need to go for it - finish that long ago plan with the cherished lace!!!
ReplyDeleteBetty
Such beautiful photos. I think you missed your calling as a pro photographer. Nice story about Grandmother making the lace for you.
ReplyDeleteSo much pretty here today! Your lace edging is beautiful! I am so glad you still have that treasure.
ReplyDeleteI went a few years without a sewing machine after my daughter dropped mine and broke it. It feels good to be sewing again.
I hope your day is wonderful!
hugs...
Yes it does,too fast for regrets. Our life experiences, good, or not so good,make us who we are today. You are a Beautiful person, I can tell, as I can't stay away from your beautiful blog. Once again I am mesmerised by your beautiful words and images. To open a lavender scented drawer lined with tissue and look at that beautiful lace with its memories, would be lovely. Doesn't matter about a cloth, just enjoy it as is.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a lovely day Jacqueline xx jeanetteann
Thanks for sharing your linens and lace today. No one does it better. Happy Valentine's Day.
ReplyDeleteIt is delightful that through it all you kept the lace. Thanks for your insightful comment today. xoxo,olive
ReplyDeleteOh, what a sweet and touching post.
ReplyDeleteYour Grandma's lace is amazing, what a talented lady she was!
I know you will treasure it, and if it is made into something or not, that's ok...........the love in each stitch (?)will be there always.
Beautiful loveliness.
happy St. Valentine's Day to you!
What a beautiful and touching post! How wonderful it is to have such a beautiful heirloom treasure created by your sweet grandmother, especially for you....whether it ever becomes part of a tablecloth, or not.
ReplyDeleteOh I think you should do it! Make that beautiful table cloth.
ReplyDeleteI want to make one too... I made a long (yards) piece of lace similar to your (only not hearts) that I always intended to embellish a quilt top I also made from my MATERNITY CLOTHES. Both have been trucked from house to house... and I so want them married and gracing my bed.
We should take up sewing again!
Just because.
thanks for stopping by my blog today--
Pat
What a lovely keepsake from your grandmother. Don't you wish you could slow the passing of time?!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty photos Jacqueline. I think it's wonderful that you have that beautiful lace edging made by your grandmother and I do hope you'll find the fabric that will be perfect for it and make something beautiful. Enjoy the rest of the week. Pamela
ReplyDeleteThat is great that you hung on to the lace. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteHi Jacqueline,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. Your grandmother's lace is divine. I can tell it's even more special because it has stayed with you all these years - through ups and downs. I know someday you will make it into something even more special. It's never too late.
Danielle xo
PS love the tea cup and cards too. Your photos are always so pretty : )
You could do it! Beautiful images, Jacqueline. Happy Heart Day ~ Sarah
ReplyDeleteHi J, what a wonderfully sweet story of your grandmother and the lace. The tangible memory suffices for now. when the time is right you'll know. Beautiful photos, china, and papergoods. Hope you're having a sweet Valentine's evening! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThat lace is beautiful ! All the more beautiful because of where it came .
ReplyDeleteEverything is so perfectly sweet and what a cherished treasure you have in your grandmother's heart lace. Hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day.
ReplyDeleteJermaine
What a beautiful keepsake from your grandmother, and touching story. Everything looks so beautiful, thank you for sharing it with us, Laura
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing thing to have...from your own grandmother's hands. Oh Jacqueline, the urge will strike one day and then the beautiful lace will unite with its linen and it will be an heirloom to pass on.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day,
Judy
Che meravigliose immagini!!! Buona festa dell'amore anche a te!!! Anna
ReplyDeleteI love this post-so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
This lace must be priceless to you - made lovingly by your grandma. I marvel at the patience it takes to work in such tiny loops. Beautiful.
ReplyDeletexo
Claudia
So beautiful
ReplyDeleteI love old white cotton lace nothing prettier. I know you love it also
So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI have a few pieces of old lace that were my Moms...she used them as tree skirts for her little Christmas trees all over the house! I think I'll pull them out today!
Beautiful images who doesn't love lace a lovely pink & white china? Thanks for stopping by and leaving kind words on my blog I'm a new follower.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and such a lovely post. I hope you have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos!!! Anna
ReplyDeleteYour grandmother's lace is something to be treasured Jacqueline. It's beautiful whether it is on a table cloth or just on show as is. That's a really sweet post... time does march on all too quickly as we get older.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous post and perfect for the occasion. Your handmade lace is stunning. Happy belated Valentine's Day to you!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful:-)
ReplyDeleteHave a great day, hugs Biljana
What a lovely post. Your photography is so delightful. Love the heart lace edging. Your grandmother did beautiful needle work. Thanks for sharing these feminine images. God bless.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful linens and the cup too. I too have some things from both my grandmothers and cherish them. I hope you will stop by and join my NEW blog to read about farm life, decorating, cooking, projects, and much more.
ReplyDeleteOh so very pretty. !!!
ReplyDeletebtw...my sister is named Jacqueline.
And...she knows how to TAT, kind of a lost art. It is an amazing talent, and she has done me some very precious doilies. LOVE THEM.
gosh , I haven't touched a sewing machine in years and years. I used to sew for my kids when they were little, and I even used to sew all my own cloths...but that seems like a whole other life time ago.
that lace made by your grandmother is priceless and how wonderful to have this from her.
Hand-wrought gifts are such a treasure. Thank you for sharing your grandmother's handiwork. It's so beautifully made and is the perfect finishing touch to your pretty table.
ReplyDeleteWell you are a busy bee lately!
ReplyDeleteI hope you make the tablecloth, what a treasure!
A crocheted row of hearts... that is as sweet as can be:-)
Hugs...