Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all of my wonderful blogging friends.  I hope the day brings you happiness and joy.

Enjoy your day.

Meredith

Morning and some yarn fun

I was so excited this morning because I did not have to wake up early to get my son off to school, or to get myself off to work, I have four whole days off!  Well I worked on Sunday to actually get four days off but that doesn't matter now does it?  Yes it is Spring Break here in Florida.  I slowly woke up on my own, put on a robe and ventured outside with Max and this is what I saw.

FROST!  I know most of you living in the Northern Hemisphere are experiencing snow, we are experiencing frost.  I was not happy.  Mother Nature do you realize it is March 28? 

 I also saw this beautiful moon, this is for you Tammy.

I crept back into my crafty space with some tea to read blogs, which I think is just a lovely way to start the day.  It is was nice and quiet, I was able to take my time, ah...Heaven I think.

March is National Crochet month and I was still a bit peeved at my crochet ripple blanket so I thought I would celebrate the month by not crocheting at all.  I know I am a bit weird that way, but my crochet self esteem took a beating with that, for lack of a better word, ugly blanket.  Again, it was my own fault I should have never picked that ugly dark beige yarn, but it is over now so I have to get over it. As I was putting all crochet ideas out of my head Teresa posted a pattern for crochet Easter Eggs.  I had no intention of making the eggs, but before I knew it I had grabbed some cotton yarn and a hook and I was on my way.  I made these little eggs and baskets, along with a needle felted chick pin for Kate and Denise, for our meet up last week.

I made 6 more for a friend that was visiting, you can't see them but they are here.  Thanks Teresa for a great pattern and for helping me take my crochet skills out of time out.

I was working on a bunny egg but ran out of yarn, so I made a bunny hat for Lamb Chop, what do you think?  I think everyone needs a bunny hat.

Annette at My Rose Valley has been making different version of the Maybelle Crochet Flower.  I have loved seeing them made up in all different colors. I tried mine out using two colors.

 She found the pattern here at 6ichthusfish.  I decided to make a little bunting of them, they were fun and fast to make.

Staying with the whole flower theme I decided to make a wreath.  I have had the wreath form for some time now, I covered it with yarn, wrapping it very carefully, row by row.  I then sat on the floor in my craft area looking at crochet flowers in books and drinking tea, what a fun afternoon.  I decided that 100 Flowers to Knit and Crochet was the book for me.  I made Helenium, Narcissus, Geraniums and Lazy Daisies. They were very fun to create.

The wreath is also in my craft space.  I am thinking that if I put enough of my stuff, crochet, knitting, flowers and vintage nightgowns in this space no boys/men will enter.  Maybe I should have a sign on my door that says, "If you are male and don't have fur you are not allowed!"

Hope you are having a terrific day and thanks so much for all your interest in my Grandmother's gown.  Caroline the dress form send her thanks to all of you for the nice comments.

Can a mystery be solved by bust size?

The mystery of the gown I found with my wedding quilt has consumed me.  I have talked, and talked to my wonderful sister Claudia about it.  We have gone over, and over it.  You see it was such an amazing surprise, to think it had been with me so long and I never realized it.  During one of our discussions I told Claudia I would like to display it on a dress form.  I have been hunting Craig's List and eBay for some time now looking for a vintage dress form.  The thing about Florida is, it is a very transient place.  Lots of people move here to retire but they sell everything before they come down.  When they get here they surround themselves in tropical themed homes,  dress forms are all left up north I am afraid.  

So Joann's was having a 25% off everything sale this past weekend, that is 25% off even sale items.  I had my eye on two dress forms there, one with the dials that change to your measurements, and a more generic dress form.  The dress form with the dials came in red or blue, pretty deep and startling shades I might add.  The generic one a lovely beige that would be a great background for blogging needs.  Claudia looked them up online as we were chatting and read me the measurements of the beige one.  33 1/2 in. bust......hmmmmm that is a lot like me, 25 in. waist and 35 in. hips.  Now before you all go crazy on me those a certainly not my waist and hip sizes, but with some 

(or a lot of ) adapting using wool batting, I could use this dress form for my future sewing projects.

 Meet Caroline my new dress form.  She must have a name and the only one that fits is Caroline.  You see my sister Claudia Caroline, is named after my Grandmother Caroline Elizabeth. Doesn't Caroline just fit?

Claudia named her dress form after me, my middle name is Letitia and it has been in our family for several generations.  Caroline is now on it's third generation as my niece Elizabeth, named her daughter Caroline, after both her Aunt Claudia and her Great Great Grandmother.

 I can not even begin to tell you the Joy I feel looking at this beautiful gown on this dress form while sitting at my computer.  I think she completes my special space don't you?

 Now about bust size, I am very tiny on top but am very tall, my Grandmother also had a tiny bust.  She was a short woman but as I have said before a powerhouse.  My Mother has a bust, and she did when she married my Father at the young age of 18, she was 5' 7" and bigger boned than my Grandmother.  So as this gown just fits on the 33 1/2 in. bust of this dress form, it has to be my Grandmother's.  There is no way my Mom would have ever fit into it.  Now some of the mystery has been solved, but there are still so many questions.  Did my Grandmother make it or my Great Grandmother.  The fact that it was with my wedding quilt really makes me believe it was for her wedding night.  Maybe I will never really know the answers to this mystery.  I wish the fabric and tatting could talk to me for just a few minutes to tell me the story.  If nothing else I think my Grandmother is smiling down on me, thanking me for finally rescuing this beautiful nightgown.  I will cherish this gown and take great care of it.  Thank you Grandma for this beautiful gift. 

Blogging Buddies

Several months ago Neicee of INSOMNIAC with a hook
and I were chatting away as bloggers do and we realized we lived fairly close together.  When a yarn store/coffee shop opened up in Downtown Tarpon Springs we decided it was a perfect reason to meet.  So we set a day aside to meet in person.  That got me thinking because one of my favorite bloggers was down this way enjoying the beach, all the way from Chicago.  Can you guess who that might be?  Well Kate from The Garden Bell of course!  I happened to send her a message on her blog hoping she might read it by chance, and tell her where we were going to meet and suggest that she come along.  The lovely Kate thought it was a great idea, so we kept the news from Neicee, so she would be surprised! 

 Look who I found just after I arrived.  Kate had made the long drive up from where she is staying, it was soooooo great to see her and meet her in person.  And believe me blogging friends Kate looks fantastic, amazing, very fit, she is in tremendous shape!

Neicee arrived just after Kate and I did.  I, of course, grabbed her and hugged her then backed up to show her Kate!  Boy was she surprised.  It was worth it keeping the surprise form Neicee just to see the happiness on her face, and the smile that reached all the way to her gorgeous blue eyes.

Look at these two gorgeous women.  We had the best time.  We laughed and talked, and laughed and talked.  We visited for almost 3 hours and I swear I could have kept going but Kate had to start her long drive back, and Neicee and I had to get back to reality.

 

The whole time we were visiting the ladies were sending text messages to Pammy Sue of Scotty's Place, their readers kept going on and off so they could read the texts, I just had to get a picture of them with them on.

It was so lovely to meet these fascinating women.  You know we all write what we want on our blogs sharing some of who we are, but meeting in person can be a bit strange.  You wonder will they like who I really am?  It is a bit nervousy to meet, and I think we all felt that way at first, but once you hug, and smile, and laugh it feels like you have been friends forever.

Not only are bloggers lovely to talk to they bring you gifts!  This lovely Vera Bradley gift was from Kate.  It is fun and colorful just like her. Thanks so much Kate.

And look what Neicee bought me for my new crafting space.  It is the most adorable button basket and inside is this darling little mouse sewing on a machine.  It looks like a Featherweight to me.  Thanks so much Neicee for making my space even better.

I have to say the yarn store is new and needs more yarn, but it was the perfect place to meet up with blogging friends.  I am hoping that next year Kate will meet us again, wouldn't it be great to make it a tradition?  And as for Neicee it is so wonderful to have her so close, we lead very busy lives but I am hoping we can get together more often now that we have done it once.

So my advice is if you get the chance to meet a blogging buddy, jump on it.  It will be even better than you thought, because if you are friends on your blog you already have something in common, the rest takes care of itself.

Have a great weekend.

Quilts and a Very Big Surprise

You are all so sweet letting me blather on and on about family heirlooms.  Thanks so much for your lovely comments and for sharing your stories with me.  I thought you might like to see my quilts.  Before you decide to leave me with a quick click of your mouse, promise to stay awhile because I had a big surprise I'd like to share with you.

Okay, I said my quilts, meaning of course they are mine, but not made by me.  As I stated previously my Grandmother was an avid quilter and she passed these skills onto my sister Claudia. 

 Yes, I am the proud owner of one of Claudia's beautiful quilts.  This gorgeous piece of artwork is on a wall, high up in my family room.

 I would love to know how many quilts my Grandmother made in all.  I don't remember her making
them when I was younger, at least she did not make them when I was at her house.  I remember her crocheting in lovely 70's acrylic yarn, and watching The Young and the Restless, and Guiding Light during the afternoons.

This quilt was on my twin sized bed when I was growing up.  My room was upstairs and in the winter it was freezing, I used to feel the frost on the wall right next to my head.  It sounds like I grew up in the Arctic Circle, nope Dearborn, Michigan where apparently we did not have enough heat upstairs.

 I inherited this beauty also, but I don't remember where it was in my house, Claudia do you know?  It is a full size quilt so it certainly wasn't on my bed.

 And this is my wedding quilt.  My Grandmother made it for me when I was 1 years old.  I remember it in the back of my closet up on a high shelf, I was not to touch it.  I used to peek at it just slightly, but never, ever did I take it out of the bag it was stored in.  When I took it out for the photo shoot I realized I had never unfolded it and really looked at it.  It has always been stored in the same bag.  It is a full size quilt so does not meet the needs of my king sized bed.  I also have boys, so I will protect my treasures at all costs, because......... well they are boys. 

When unpacking the wedding quilt there was something in the bottom of the bag.  I kind of ignored it while taking photos then when I was ready to put the quilt back I reached in the bag and pulled this out. Oh my, what is this?  A gorgeous slip or night gown?  I was in total shock.  I had never, ever seen this piece before.

 This is old, very old.  I quickly called Claudia and sent her some pictures. 

We think this must have been my Grandmother's, possibly for her wedding night.  It looks more like a special nightgown that someone carefully made.  Did she make it, or her Mother?

The top has beautiful hand crocheted lace with a light green or blue ribbon woven through it.  The ribbon is faded and worn here or there but it is still in great condition. 

The fabric is satin and is hand stitched where the crochet is attached and by machine for the seams and hem, a Featherweight perhaps?  It is on the small side, and my Grandmother was tiny.  It looks like it might be too small for my Mother, but I have to remember my Mother was much thinner when she got married at the young age of 18.  Maybe my Grandmother made it for my Mom with lace that came from her family or that she crocheted.

I think I just received the most beautiful gift from the past.  I wish I knew the answers to all the questions I have.  Was it for my Grandmother's wedding night?  Who made it?  Did she wear it just once, and where did she store it that we never came across it before?  Did she make it for my Mom even though she was not happy at all my Mother was marrying my Father?  I am thinking of taking it to my Mom to see if it sparks a memory that she can voice, even if it is a few words.  My Dad might remember if it was for his wedding night, he was head over heels in love with my Mom and he still is, they are going on 67 years of marriage.

After a lot of discussion with Claudia,we decided that my Grandmother got married later in life.  She was a nurse and did not get married until she was in her early 30's.  That was very late in those days.  My sister thinks she was born in 1892,  she had my Mother when she was 34 or 35.  Maybe she was so thrilled to be getting married she made this for her trousseau.  Perhaps her Mother made it for her as a special gift?  I might not ever really know the answers, but I have this very special part of my Grandmother, if she wore it, made it for herself or for my Mother, a little gift from Heaven don't you think?

More Treasures

I hope you are not bored with the Treasures I have shown you because I have a few more to share.  I love old things, and I love them even more if they are from my family.  I think I feel more comfortable with lovely, older things surrounding me.  Yes I love the comforts of home, I mean I don't want to be doing my laundry on a washboard or anything, but older things just seem to speak to me.  Hang with me a bit there are quite a few pictures here.

This is Dinah, she is my prized possession.  She was my Grandmother's sister's doll.  Rhoda was her youngest sister, she died of the flu at the age of 16.

 Sorry for my camera reflection in this photo.  I have written about Rhoda and this doll a few years ago so I won't go into too much detail here.  Dinah's clothes were lovingly made by my Grandmother, she even has pantaloons.

 My Grandmother grew up in a farmhouse in Orillia, Canada.  They were not well off at all so purchasing this doll must have been quite an expense for the family.  Did you notice that Dinah's feet are on backwards?  My guess is they bought her for less money because she was not perfect.  The fact that my Grandmother made her clothes also makes me think she didn't come with any.  She is a beauty and I cherish her.

This was my Great Grandmother's chocolate service.  It is a gorgeous, delicate green and this is a picture of my Great Grandmother.

Here are two of the five cups and in the background is a picture of Rhoda.  She was so beautiful.  It is so sad her life was cut short.  As I stated in my last post my Grandmother came home from nursing school to take care of her sick family.  She lost her oldest and youngest sisters within ten days.

 

These books are a combination of my Grandmother's, which is the blue one in the background, and my Father's. It is fun to imagine them learning to read with these books.

This compass was my Grandfather's, my Father's Father.

These red leather shoes are on loan to me.  They were my brother's.  I have very little of my brother's things.  He died 21 years ago of non-Hodgkins lymphoma.  He was 17 years older than me.  I still miss him.  These will go to my niece (his only daughter), when she is ready for them.  She likes that I am keeping them safe for her, and I love having them.  The paper weight belonged to Arthur Hill, my Grandfather.

This is my Father's violin, he played as a child.  My Grandfather Arthur's tools and my Grandmother's dice.  These are all from my Father's side of the family.

 This little rocking chair was in the farmhouse where my Grandmother grew up.  I remember it in her house, and we had it in our joint bedroom growing up.  My Mother's Shirley Temple doll used to sit on it.  Probably not the best idea for Shirley to be left out in the open all those years.  My sister Claudia has Shirley now and I do not think she is in the best condition.  And this sewing cupboard was my Grandmother's.  It still has spools of thread, buttons and needles in it that were hers.

These are my Father's Father (Arthur again), wooden golf clubs.  He made them, and he taught my Father how to play golf with them.  My Father was quite the golfer when he was young.  

Hope you don't mind me feeling all nostalgic and all.  Mr. 19 year old returned to school today from his Spring Break, he was home a whole week.  Maybe I am feeling sad because he left, or maybe I feel like I need to reconnect with my family of old.  Whatever the reason, I hope you do not mind me sharing.

Treasures

I have lots of family treasures in my home.  Lots from my  family and quite a bit from my husbands.  Many are on display but some are hidden here and there in little drawers or closets.  I came across  a plastic bag filled with some of my Grandmother's things the other day.  I carefully took them out for a photo shoot then put them all back.  Some are stained, I did not want to take the chance of them getting more damaged, so it was a quick trip outside.  Want a quick peek?

 This must have gone over a little dress, it is open in back.  I imagine it was for someone in my Grandmother's family, possibly her youngest sister Rhoda, probably made by my Grandmother's hands.

 This is my Grandmother at the age of 14, the other girl in the photo must be her younger sister Ruth.  Her much younger sister and her older sister died of the flu, 10 days apart.  My Grandmother came home from nursing school to tend to her family.  She must have been devastated at the loss.  I am not sure she ever got over the loss of her sisters.

If you could just see the detail in these pieces up close, of my!  My Grandmother was unbelievably talented with a crochet hook or thread and a needle. 

 I didn't even want to iron these, so they looked beautiful and flat.  A quick peek in the sun was all that was allowed.

 

I remember her  slips and pillow cases all had beautiful crochet edgings on them.

My Grandmother also was a quilter, I think my sister Claudia was the only one to inherit that skill from her.  She made us all quilts and  crochet afghans. They were plentiful in my house growing up, but where are they all now I wonder?  I have one quilt that she made me when I was just one year old, it was my wedding quilt.  I'll show you pictures of that another day.

My Grandmother was a force to be reckoned with.  She was fiercely proud and independent, in a time when women were not meant to be so.  She learned to drive later in life, and her 5 foot tall body could walk faster than me with my long legs.  She always let us have chocolate milk with our dinner, and she never made us eat our vegetables.  She always had a jar of sour lemon candy in her house, they was so rough they scratched the roof of your mouth when you sucked on them.  And she taught me how to crochet when I was just a little girl.  Of course I promptly forgot and had to be taught again by my sister, actually several more times.  Finding these little works of art made me remember what a great woman she was.  Yes, there was some difficulty with her too, but I like to remember all the good stuff.