Treasures Found

Even though I said in my last post that I didn't come home with as many treasures from the Rose Bowl as I usually do, I did manage to find some fun things there, and in some antique stores and at some garage sales. Here are my favorite finds!

The big bottle of buttons are all mother of pearl and some abalone. I think I paid a little too much for these at $15.00 but that was balanced out by the little bottle of all bone buttons at only $5.00.

The rolls of thread are a great neutral color and some are beginning to show age with some awesome yellowing areas. They look nice and old, AND I only paid about 50 cents a roll (I got twelve total).  The "silver" pitcher is only plated, but I got it for 10 bucks! It's going to look gorgeous with all white roses in it (someday).

These are too cool! The little spoon has a tightly twisted stem and the little mirror has a scene that reminds me of Argentina (where I was born).  Then there's the "thing" that I don't know what it is, but at $3.00 I couldn't pass it up. I'm going to clip it on white linen for an accent piece.  The little clippy thing is about 2 1/4" wide by 3" long. It has a little "lip" at the top that has a little hinged tab attached with a hole through it.  The top is
slightly curved.
                               
I almost forgot to mention one of my favorite finds!  The set of eight 20" x 20" super soft linen napkins with the ecru cut out embroidery (above).  They are GORGEOUS and in perfect condition. They just need a little wash and press and they're ready to go. These are for me!

I also found a set of white linen napkins for my Sister-Friend. (She'll get them for her B-day and are supposed to be a surprise…I hope she's not reading this!)  Speaking of my Sister-Friend, Colleen, we were in the same little antique boutique when we found a set of white napkin rings.  We split them so that she has six and I have six. They can be used as place holders by writing a person name or message on them. Love them!

I couldn't pass up vintage sweater guards.  One is made with cellulose flowers at the clips with a pearl chain.

The other one is teeny tiny petite needle point roses. Couldn't leave that one, could I?

This fan from the late 1940's, early 50's is made of curly feathers. They're pink on one side...

…and blue on the other. It has a little mirror on the blue side, but is too damaged to look into. Still, too cute!

This isn't old.  Just made to look old.  I bought it so I could use it as a card or picture holder, but when I got it home, I found out that most of the loops are welded together.  I think I'll run a ribbon through it, put it in a pot and grow ivy on it.  What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by!
Patricia :o)

Easter Linens - Part 2

As promised, here are more Easter linen eye-candy. Of course, all these linens can be used any time of year, but I think they're extra special during Easter.

The tablecloth above has a floral Easter basket on each corner.

The iris on the runner above is a design I haven't seen before. It just shouts Easter, to me.

Maybe orchids aren't necessarily Easter, but this color purple sure is!

The praying hands on the pillowcase below are definitely a symbol of Christ. Perfect for any time of year!

I just love this pillowcase with it's simple tulip design and fancy crocheted medallions. Love it!

The Holy Bible pillowcases are perfect for Easter, but they're also perfect for any one who needs a little "Up Lifting."  

All of the linens listed are already sold, except for the Holy Bible pair of pillowcases.
(Click here if you'd like to know more about them).

Of course there have been and endless array of embroidered linens that have passed through my hands that could be used for Easter. But it would get a little boring to list them all here.

Better yet, check out your own vintage linen collection and take out anything that has baskets, pastel florals, sweet animals, or anything that says "I'm special enough for this occasion"  and use them.  Don't let them sit in your closet. They were meant to be enjoyed!!

Patricia :o)

Easter Linens

Here's some eye candy for Easter inspired embroidery. They are the sweetest little animals that are perfect for spring and Easter. I'll post flowers and religious embroidery later. There's just too much for one post!!

The photo of the bunny and daffodil (above) are from a vintage table runner. The "Gentle as a lamb" is from an old dish towel.

 The adorable lamb and flowers are from a pillowcase. There are actually two lambs and lots of little daisies on the garland.

The pink lamb below is just too sweet. It, too, is on a pillowcase.

 The bunnies above and below are all on table runners.  So cute for Easter!

The bunny rabbit below is embroidered on a baby coverlet. This is cute enough to leave out all year.

 The mommy and baby ducks above are machine embroidered/appliqued. It's not that old, but adorable just the same on the baby flat sheet they're on.

 The chic above is part of a whole family of chickens on a tablecloth. Great for all year, especially if you like chickens ( I do!!)

There's no doubt that the little chicks and eggs above are for Easter. This is part of an elaborate hand embroidered tablecloth. This is one of those that the photos just do show how amazing it is.

(Sorry, all the items in this post are sold)

Hope you enjoyed the amazing and creative hand embroidered linens.
Patricia :o)

Dreaming of a Laundry Room

When I lived in California, I had my washer and dryer in the garage. In a way it was great, because I didn't have to keep it neat. But, I didn't like having to go to the garage when it was too hot, or too cold. Anyway, it was the garage where there are creepy crawlies that could get into my clothes!

Here in Texas, I have an actual laundry room!! Woooo Hoooo for me! But, it's not ideal and some day I'm going to paint it yellow, add white cabinets, and a utility sink.  Hopefully it will be this year, but you know how life gets in the way of plans sometimes.

Anyway, on my last shopping trip I found these adorable dish towels. They're birds (love that), they're yellow (the future color of the room), and they're doing what I do almost every day (washing and ironing). They're perfect!!

I'm going to hang two of them from the cabinet doors under the sink.  So cute!!

There are three of them, but I'm only keeping two (I think).   I know I've said it over and over, but I sure do love these hand embroidered linens. So much love went into making them. It's only fair that they get to be enjoyed for years and years.

Blessings,
Patricia :o)

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

 St. Valentine's Day is a world wide celebration of love and romance. Red roses and chocolate hearts are a traditional gift for a loved one.  But roses fade, and chocolate gets eaten (Yummy)!

Another way to celebrate is to take out all your vintage embroidered hearts.  I didn't realize the variety in which our fore-mothers designed their hearts.  These are just some of the hearts that I've recently sold in my eBay store.

 This beautiful blue heart on pink roses is on a stunning pillowcase.

 These sweet daisy garland hearts are embroidered on each end of a table runner.

 Some hearts are appliqued like these pretty pink hearts, above, on a dresser scarf.

 Red roses and little daisies create this lovely heart. The words "his" and "hers" are embroidered into the bow at the top. So romantic!

 The hemstitching around these lovely posy hearts makes this runner unique. It is way more beautiful in person than in the photos.

The silk ribbon embroidered heart is a bit more modern than the others. There are tiny pearl seed beads tucked into the little rosettes. 

Even dish towels were touched with a bit of romance. These two puppy dogs are too cute!

I never cease to be amazed at the talent, creativity and patience the ladies put into their every day linens.  What a great way to add a touch of love to your decor that turns a house into a home.

Happy St. Valentine's Day!!

Patricia :o)

Ps:  The items in this post are no longer available, but if you're interested in seeing what other things I have listed, please visit me at my eBay store by clicking here.

What to do with a damaged runner

The plastic bags in my pantry were getting out of control! We try to use the reusable tote bags, but no matter what, we always seem to come home with a bunch of plastic bags, too. I had been stuffing them into a brown paper bag in the corner, but I'd put so many bags in there it ripped down the middle. But of course that didn't stop me from stuffing more bags in it. 

For a long time I've been wanting to make a bag for my bags (a bag-bag) but was just too lazy busy to do it. I came a cross an old runner full of holes. It was hand embroidered with the cutest little birds on it! So I cut off a "good" section and went to my fabric stash to see if I could find fabric that would match it and at least sort-of go with my kitchen.  I found some brown and red toile, brown and white gingham and some vintage clooney-type lace.

Because the runner is white, I backed it with part of an old pillowcase so that the pattern of the toile wouldn't show through.

I laid it all out, pinned it all together, and then began sewing. This is a very simple project but I kept making silly mistakes and so had to to a lot of seam ripping and re-sewing. But finally it was done!

Now I have to make one for the laundry room, the garden shed and maybe the garage. Sounds like a lot, but I have a lot of runners I could use!!  LOL

Blessings,

Patricia :o)

Fun Finds

After 2 1/2 years of living in San Antonio, we're still finding our way around. We'd heard of a flea market north east of us called Bussey's Flea Market, but weren't too excited about visiting it because, so far, all the flea markets in our area sell cheap new things. But we read some reviews and decided to make a day of it. It's not the kind of flea market I'm used to from So. CA (Like the Rose Bowl in Pasadena), but it was SO MUCH better than I expected!

I fell in love with this vintage wedding dress! It's a size 7/8 so I'm not sure if it will fit M'lady (my dress form). AND it has to be cleaned some how. But I couldn't pass it up. It has metal snaps, hooks and zipper.

It's all layers upon layers of lace. I only found one or two tiny tears on the sleeves, and it is in otherwise wonderful shape. However, I do need to wash it...

I got it for so cheap, that I think I'm going to risk soaking it in a tub of Oxyclean and rinse with cool water, gently squeeze the water out by rolling it up in towels, and then line dry. It smells old and musty and I can't stand the thought of bringing into the house, so it's hanging in the garage by my car.

There's not a lot of adornment. Just lots of lace and a few sprinkles of sparkles.

At first I couldn't find any decent linens, affordable or otherwise. Then I hit the jack pot!! There was a wonderful older lady who had most of these linens priced a little high. They were marked, but I asked the price anyway. She knocked $3 to $5 dollars off of each. Suddenly, they were VERY affordable and in GREAT shape. I even have some of them up for sale already in my eBay store.

I also picked up this little cherub compote plant holder thingy for only $2.00! I thought it was vintage until I got him home and looked at the bottom. It had a store price tag for $5.95. I guess it doesn't matter. He's cute, he's affordable, and he'll be vintage someday, right?

I got this old plant stand for only $5.00!! I think the guy made a mistake. There was a smaller one that I heard his wife quote $10.00. It pays to ask, even if you think you know what the price is. I hope the husband didn't get in trouble...

Can you believe I got this fishing basket for $10.00??? It's pretty old from what I can tell. It has leather and canvas straps. I've seen these at antique stores for $95.00 and up. I was so happy to get this for my hubby. And look what was inside...

...these adorable hand crocheted and embroidered baby shoes! The guy selling the basket gave them to me for free. They didn't look like this when I got them, but it wasn't hard to soak them and air them dry. Too cute!

If you're interested in visiting Bussey's, their address is 18738 I.H. 35 N., Shertz, TX 78154 (210)651-6830. I wouldn't make a special trip out there, but definitely stop by if your in the area on a Saturday or Sunday.

Patricia :o)