The Story of Mr. Bingles

 Once or twice a year, I go to California on a linen shopping trip. My sister-friend Colleen, above, and I always shop at a wonderful antique store (can't remember the name of it since we just walk in without looking at the sign LOL).

 These gorgeous curtain panels ($198.00/each) are made of white, off white or taupe linen. They're stunning!

 The same dealer uses linen and canvas to upholster old benches, make pillows, etc.

 This amazing white linen tablecloth is beyond words beautiful in person. Unfortunately, it's way out of my budget ($200.00). However, inspiration is priceless, and this definitely inspired me to create my own linen items.

 Anyway, back to Mr. Bingles.  While looking and digging for treasures, I found an adorable vintage cement cat tucked away under a dresser. He's a Siamese cat and even has blue eyes. He was marked at $88.00 in the antique store, but I was able to talk them down to $50.00.  Sounds like a pretty good deal...

 However, I was visiting CA, but live in TX. He weighs 16 pounds and I had to ship him home.

 Here's Colleen calming him down before putting him in the $23.00 box and peanuts for shipping. Plus I had to pay postage at $22.00. It cost me $45.00 to ship him!! LOL
But I HAD to have him to watch my pond.

Isn't he too cute! Mr. Bingles, you're worth all $95.00 to me.

Cottage Chic Guest Room

We moved into our new home just a little over three years ago. It's much bigger than our old home and it's taking a long time to decorate each room. We had to purchase some twin beds almost right away for guests, but never really got around to actually decorating.

The bed spreads are actually queen size coverlets that I draped, folded and pinned on the twin size beds. They're pink roses, white chenille and quilted pink velvet blocks on one side and teeny pink roses on a solid white background on the other. I used vintage chenille pillow shams and pretty rose pillows I bought on eBay.

I found matching twin white "Iron" headboards for only $20.00 for both at a local goodwill store. Actually, a friend found them and told me they were there. I didn't waste any time to go down there and snatch them up. I couldn't believe my good luck! 

My hubby took down the builder's dim, boring light fixture and hung up my gorgeous white chandelier. There's actually two chandeliers in this room. I have another, much smaller one hanging on a bird cage stand. (forgot to take a photo)

I moved the window mirror to the other wall and hung an amazing vintage cut-work curtain on the wall. It's hand embroidered and hand cut with sweet angels and doves.

These photos don't do this wonderful linen justice. I might do a post entry just on this piece later. It's simply stunning!

This is my work room and I listen to lots of books on Cd's in here, hence the glaring piece of electronics. I forgot to move it out for the photos.  I love the little, chippy yellow stand it's on. The front apron is hand carved with little leaves. It doesn't really match the room, but I don't care. I love it too much to change it.

There's still a lot to do in this room. I have to hang curtains and add bed skirts. And, I might even get rid of the bits of pink and go in a more "French" direction.  But for now, I'm enjoying it. Hope you did, too.

Patricia :o)

On my to-do-list

"Bag of Repairs"

I always seem to take the path of least resistance. But I buy linens even if they have issues. What happens, though, is that they end up in this bag to worry about later. I've been adding to this bag for years and have forgotten what's in it.
There's more here than it appears. I think I pulled out at least 10 pairs of pillowcases! This is about all that is left for me to sell on eBay. Although I've been selling linens for many years now, I'm debating whether I should continue or not. That's what prompted me to get out this bag.

It's very exciting to see new linens even if they need work. I'm not sure I can help this pink lady on this runner. She has a few flaws in the crochet. I don't know how to crochet, so I think she will be sold as is.

I was going to finish the embroidery on this adorable pillow panel by Vogart. Riiiiight... That's about as likely as me going to the moon.

This little lady was a pillowcase full of little holes. I cut her out and made a little pillow out of her. There were three tiny holes in her dress, so I added 3 little ribbon roses. Then I used the crocheted trim off the pillowcase to finish off the sides.

This doesn't look like much, but this beautiful pillowcase just needs a couple of loosed threads tacked back down, a little soak in OxyClean, and it will be gorgeous!

This one was an easy fix. All I had to do was re-sew the top edge. It's already listed for sale on eBay. I love that it says "master" which is what we kept calling my hubby when he got his Master's degree. He didn't like it much...at first. ha ha ha

I don't think I can repair this one, either. It has a big, dark paint splater near the top. But I do love the birds!

These were all super easy fixes...just sewed the tops closed! They're already listed, too

Since I can't crochet, I can't finish this adorable pillowcase with he amazingly sweet birds. The top is still open, easy to fix, but I can't finish the bottom edge. I thought about adding lace, but I don't think it would look right.

More pillowcases that need crocheted work.

Isn't she pretty?!!

These were an easy fix, too. Never been used. I think they're so funny! One says, "Come on Ma" and the other says "Shucks No Pa!" ha ha ha ha

Patricia

Linens for Sale! Linens for Sale!

I just pulled out some beautiful pillowcases that I thought I'd share with you. The beauty in the needlework always amazes me no matter how many years I've been selling and collecting these wonderful pieces. The work done by human hands so many years ago is nothing less than art and a tiny snap shot into the lives of women.


Click on the photos to enlarge them and see the beuatiful details and wonderful hand work.

1st pair: Pink roses on strong, snow white cotton tubing. Hand embroidered with crocheted trim. There is the tiniest, faintest speck on one. Otherwise no flaws, holes, or stains. Excellent vintage condition. 20 1/2" x 28" SOLD

2nd pair: Mommy dear and three babies. Strong snow white cotton tubing. Hand embroidered with crocheted trim. No flaws, stains or holes. Pristine vintage condition. 20 1/2" x 28"

SOLD

3nd pair: Pink trumpet flowers and greenery. Strong snow white cotton tubing. Hand embroidered with crocheted trim. No flaws, stains or holes. Pristine vintage condition 20 1/2" x 27" PENDING

4nd pair: Hens and daisies. Strong, snow white cotton tubing. Hand embroidered with crocheted trim. No flaws, stains or holes. Pristine vintage condition. 21" x 28"

SOLD

Domestic (USA) orders: Postage is $4.75 per order shipping to same address. Payments can be made via Paypal, Money Order, or Personal Check (must clear before shipping).

International orders: Postage varies according to country. PAYPAL only payment form accepted. Buyer responsible for any taxes, customs, etc.

Please let me know if you need and more photos, or if you have any questions. First come, first served.

Thank you!

Patricia :o)

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)