Sunday, June 21, 2009

Vintage Lace and Other Things

Every time I go into an antiques Store I search through the bins of old lace trim and linens. I found this piece awhile back and haven't decided what to do with it, but I don't think it's going to adorn the edge of any pillows... sorry Ladies, but as I've said before, "a girl can have too many pillows" ;-). In fact I sent a half dozen of mine to live somewhere else - my office that way I get to see them everyday. Pillow love has a strong allure, but we were talking about lace weren't we? Don't you just love the delicate needle work and the beautiful shade of ecru that has deepened with time? It looks almost as if its been dyed in tea.

I've always wanted to learn how to quilt, but the measurements have always thrown me off. Have you ever heard the saying, "measure twice, cut once"? Well, that's never worked for me. I can measure the same piece five times and end up with five different measurements...it's so frustrating! So I prefer Crazy Quilting and this lovely piece of lace may just end up on a crazy quilt, which will then be turned into a pillow. A small pillow in the shape of a heart. Like I said, "Pillow love has a strong allure."

Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry? This is mine. It's a mourning brooch from the 1860's-1870's and belonged to my great Aunt Myrtle Hammond. My mother said she was a terrifying woman with a stern look and a loud voice who she met on a few occasions as a little girl. One of those occasions was a family funeral and I've always wondered if she wore this brooch on her lapel that day. I would love to know its history.

Mourning jewelry was popularized by Queen Victoria (who never came out of mourning) after her husband Prince Albert died and I believe it remained popular until her death.
Such a pretty thing isn't it? It's about three inches long, in perfect condition, and stitched to the lapel of one of my coats. I'm not taking any chances of it slipping off ;-0. Not only is it pretty, but it's very heavy.

Okay, so we've gone from vintage lace to vintage jewelry and now on to that room re-do.

I'm a girl who believes every cottage should be embellished with architectural elements and it's just those elements that are holding up progress...

Trim here, molding there, mitered corners everywhere. Hubby is stuck in a mitered nightmare.

One corner takes about two hours to fit perfectly so when you consider all the corners in the room and the windows being installed crookedly it's just taking forever!!!! I'm hoping to move the furniture in on Saturday, but we have a wedding to attend in the early afternoon so we'll see how it goes. Maybe I'll have pictures next week...I'm hoping to have pictures next week...cross my fingers that I'll have pictures next week.

My puppies are banging their dishes about which means it's breakfast time so I must run.
I hope you all have a lovely day!!

9 comments:

ellen b. said...

The lace is so lovely. I'm always drawn to it, too. But unlike you I don't generally sew anything so I might even use it for a ribbon on a gift package :0) I'm really good at tying things up. Looks like we both will be at a wedding this Saturday. Mine is in Clovis so it will be our first and only stop on our drive to Seattle. We'll spend the night in Clovis and then bonzai to Seattle on Sunday. I'll be gone for 6 weeks which includes August 8th :0(
Hope that room is furniture worthy soon...

One Shabby Old House said...

Hi Cori,
I always learn a thing or two from reading your blog. I never knew about mourning broaches. I have one that was my GG Grandmother's and now I know something about it. Yours is beautiful.
I too am so drawn to lace. I collect it. I love old curtains and bits and pieces. I will do a post on something soon that may give you some ideas. And as for the gal behind the lamp. It was from the Cat's Meow post I did and the gal is the beautiful maniquin that she has in her shop. Another thing to do with lace.
Well I am off to paint. Hope to see your room soon
Hugs
Becky

Allidink said...

So pretty! I love vintage lace too. That's a neat brooch I just love old jewelry too.

All the best,
Allison

Deborah said...

Pretty pretty! Funny about your puppies. When I had horses, if I was the slightest bit late feeding them, they would bang their hoves on the steel bars! Brats!

~~Deby said...

oh it is beautiful lace...and I know what you mean about quilting..I want to.....badly...but somehow..I am not a great measurer..maybe it is because I have a stigmatism..or something...I love crazy quilting..
think the lace would look lovely on a piece..you can ration it..
deby

http://afancifultwist.typepad.com said...

Helooooooooooo!!!!!! Oooo, beautiful lace!!! Hello my sweet friend heeelooo!! xoxo

Beverly said...

We definitely love so many of the same things. I have so many pieces of vintage linens, and I love just opening the drawers to look at them.

Queen Victoria left much in her legacy. I've always found her fascinating.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

That lace is so pretty and I never knew that information about "mourning pins" -- it seems like a touching way to let everyone know you lost someone special in life. There was so much illness and early deaths in Victorian times.

Miss Gracie's House said...

Love it! The lace and brooch are just gorgeous! Can't wait to see the architecture and finished room...
Rene'
No worries about return-comments...I struggle with it, too. It all takes so long but slowly, and surely I make the rounds.