Vintage Laundry Bags

When I first found this sweet laundry bag, I thought it was a clothes pin holder. It's on the smaller side for a laundry bag, but it's too big for a clothes pin holder, so I'm guessing this bag was used to hold unmentionables until laundry day.
It's hand embroidered with the cutest little puppy dog sitting in front of a big basket of laundry. How cute is that!

This is another laundry bag that is all hand done. Not only is it hand embroidered, but ALL the sewing is done by hand. That is just so impressive to me!

I just LOVE the expression on her face. She's looking up with a look of "What! There's more to do?" She must obviously have kids!!

This vintage lingerie bag is made of quilted vinyl. It's shaped in the form of a girdle or corset and even has real stocking clips at the bottom of the ruffled edge.

The top has a fancy molded hanger with a moving hook.

This one is done in a dusty pink with black roses printed on it. It's also made out of quilted vinyl and has the same stocking clip details and ruffles on the bottom.

One of the things that fascinates me about vintage items is that they tell so much about the people who used them. I don't know about you, but when my clothes needs to be washed, I just throw them into my dirty clothes hamper. These vintage laundry and lingerie bags tell that ladies used to have a little more modesty than we do today and kept their private clothing separate from the rest of the laundry. Or perhaps I'm wrong and it was more of a necessity to keep hand washable separated. Either way, we're lucky enough to collect, use and display these pretty bags.

Patricia :o)

Lovely Gifts from Pam's Scottie Boy

One of God's greatest gifts to us are the friends we make on life's journey. Among His blessings, is a wonderful lady I met through the Internet. I never thought I could have such a warm and close friendship with some one whom I've never met in person.

Last week I opened up a brown paper parcel from Pam at Pam's Scottie Boy. I was so thrilled to find a beautiful card that she painted. She is so talented though she refuses to admit it. I love this little work of art. I'm not going to use it as a card, though. I'm framing it!

She also enclosed a hand made, hand embroidered pillow heart that she found on one of her treasure hunting travels. I have it hanging on the door knob of my guest room.

The pictures didn't come out as great as I though they would, but I hope you can see the work that is in this heart. It's done in counted cross stitch and also has pink ribbon running through it. ALL of it is cross stitched, even the white background. A beautiful soft wide lace goes all the way around it and it's finished with little bows at the top. So Sweet. Thank you, Pam!!

Blessings,

Patricia :o)

Embroidered Southern Belles

Southern Belles are one of my favorite embroidered item to collect. Especially when they are done on pillowcases and runners. I've also heard them called crinoline ladies because of their beautiful full dresses.

These pillowcases are beautifully embroidered with gorgeous Southern Belles holding delicate parasols. My favorite feature is the hand crocheted skirts have have been inserted in a cut out section of the pillowcase opening. SO BEAUTIFUL!

This is a close up of the crocheted work. I've tried crocheting before...it was not a pretty picture. It's SO much easier to just find them already done for me. m And when I find them in my favorite colors, Oh yeah! Gotta love that!

This is such a sweet pattern which is done on a pillowcase. Two lovely Southern Belles seem to be dancing around a basket of flowers. They're so cute! I love how the dresses are decorated with pretty flowers at the hem with their tiny slippered feet showing.

The Southern Belle below is definitely one of my best in my collection. She's done on a runner and the work is expertly done with tiny little stitches. Just look at the details on the butterfly, her hat, blond curly locks, and even her eyelashes seen from profile.

I can sum it all up in one word; GORGEOUS!

I also love anything made from old linens. This cute little make-up bag was made from an old embroidered runner. I'm sure the runner was too damaged for display, so a crafty lady on eBay turned it into this sweet little bag. She even added a tiny pink, baby button on the top of the parasol.

Gosh! Just look at the embroidery on this sweet Belle! The artists (whoever can embroider like this is always referred to as an artist by me) used thin floss and tiny stitches to create an image that seems to pop off the fabric.

This cute accent pillow was made from a vintage runner. The great thing about runners is that you have two images so you can usually make two of something. What a great way to recycle old linens! The pillow was very simply made by sewing along two edges (on the outside) tucking in a little stuffing or small pillow and stitching along the third side. Easy-Peezy!

FYI, I didn't make this pillow. As simple as it is, it's simpler to buy it already done. I found this at a little flea market and had to have it.

TIP for storing linens: As you may have noticed, the linens in the photos look a little wrinkled. The reason is that linens, old or new, should not be ironed and/or starched before storing. Ironing in creases or folding linens when they're still hot can cause breakage of the fibers which will cause weak areas and eventually holes. Also, starch is often looked upon as food by tiny little critters (ie, it may attract bugs). Tuck in sachets of lavender, cedar balls or even an opened pack of cigarettes to keep bugs away. I prefer lavender because it's the yummiest scent. :o)

Blessings,

Patricia :o)

Haiti - Earthquake 7.0

I'm not very good with words and find it very difficult to properly express my sorrow for what is happening to the people of Haiti. We were there just this past September and were astonished at the poverty we saw. We met so many beautiful people. I can't stand to think what they must be going through. To be truthful, I'm sure that even the graphic photos on the web don't show what these people are really suffering through.

Prayer is the number one thing we can all do. But if you're led to do more, please visit the CNN web site for a list many different organization that can use your help. http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/

Patricia

M'Lady and her nightgowns

M’Lady is finished and is showing off some of her my favorite night gowns. I didn’t even know I had a nightgown collection until Deanna of Timeless Things asked me if I still collected vintage nightgowns. She pointed out that I have several at home and that I was always looking for them when we went shopping. Huh! I didn’t realize that!

Now that M’Lady is presentable, I can show some of them off.

I'm not sure if this is a robe or part of a wedding dress. All I know is that it's gorgeous! I found this at a Goodwill store for only $9.99!!

It's supper long and goes all the way down to my feet. I'm almost 5'8" so that's amazing to me (now if it would only go around my middle).

All the little beads and sequence are hand sewn.

This nightgown is pretty old. I think it is home made. It's also very long, which I LOVE. The seams are all done with a tiny French seam. The original pale taupe-yellow ribbon still runs through the eyelet lace at the collar.

This is another of my favorites. It's made of soft cotton. The detail on this one is beautiful!

It also had a taupe-yellow ribbon, but was in bad shape so I pulled it out. I'm looking for a vintage ribbon replacement.

Just check out the details. This nightgown looks small but is actually large enough to fit me. It's very comfortable, but I'm afraid to wear it.

I found this little nightie at the Salvation Army for $1.00! It's probably from the late 50's early 60's and is made of the softest pink nylon.

I'm pretty sure I won't be wearing this one for a very long time. It's a tiny 32 bust. It's very femine and delicate. I wish they still made them like this...

Patricia :o)

PS: Here's M'Lady all nice and clean.