I brought home a box of old doilies and crochet pieces
from the auction trash a few weeks ago.
This weekend I finally brought it in from the garage,
looked through the bunch, and put them through the laundry.
It's amazing to me when I look at the handiwork and each tiny
stitch and loop. They really are works of art, don't you think?
♥
Oh I love them all! It's know wonder why you purchased them.
ReplyDeleteOh, no...someone else purchased them and left them for the trash!
DeleteThat's even more amazing, don't you think? ha.
Glad you rescued these! They are beautiful and real delicate works of art!! Yay! Take care
ReplyDeletex
Aren't they? I love all the detailing...
DeleteA lot of work goes into them indeed
ReplyDeleteNoway would I have the patience at my feed
It doesn't seem your style
Deleteeven if it didn't take a while. ha.
Hey..saw a little article on facebook today
about the Savannah cat. And all I could say
was that I knew one already
and that he rhymes nice and steady.
haha.
haha Savannahs aren't well known
DeleteEspecially one with a rhyming tone
Only 5000 in the world they say
and yeah not my style at my bay haha
Here's what it said...
DeleteThe Savannah is a domestic hybrid cat breed. It is a cross between a serval and a domestic cat. In 2001, the International Cat Association accepted it as a newly registered breed.
The fact that it's huge and ridiculously sweet-looking is just the tip of the awesome iceberg for the savannah cat. It's a lot more loyal than your average tabby, to the point that it's comparable to a dog. What's more, the savannah cat doesn't have the aversion to water that most cats do, and some people actually take showers with them.
I know Orlin has turned on the shower before...now you know why! haha.
Betsy I love crochet and these look beautiful!
ReplyDeletearen't they pretty? I love the lattice one. :)
DeleteThere is such detail in each one. I can't imagine the time it took to make them. Glad you saved them!
ReplyDeleteSounds tedious, doesn't it? But then, they didn't have laptops and tv's to entertain!
Deletebeautiful aren't they, and by the looks of it hand made, I know there are quite a few factory made ones but these look hand done, years ago I crocheted doilies, I used my grandmothers hook, it was very time consuming but beautiful, I starched them with sugar and water just like she did, sadly we don't use them much, I have a couple I use but the rest sit in the cedar chest.I think people refurbish them into other projects now, that was a great find!
ReplyDeleteI thought they looked handmade, too. Some are damaged and stained but many are quite lovely and in good shape!
Deletethey are...delicate and love the art in the weaving, different textures....my mom has some old pieces...things you dont see many use anymore....
ReplyDeletedefinitely an art...the details are great!
DeleteThey're really pretty. You're so lucky to have them.
ReplyDeletesome might end up in my shop! :)
DeleteThose are so pretty! I love them wrapped around ball jars and I saw where someone put a bunch on a canvas - they made a really lovely art piece.
ReplyDeletethose are good ideas! I started a pinterest board just for them. Several good ideas out there!
DeleteYes, I do. Works of art that are absolutely beautiful. Love the basket weave one.
ReplyDeleteTrash to treasure. ;)
JaG
I think that's my favorite, too!
DeleteThey really are beautiful. Did they clean up nice? Or do you have to dye them dark blue?
ReplyDeleteMy grandma knew how to make doilies. When my cousin Ondra came to visit, she brought me a brand new one she had made herself. Very nice!
the second picture are some that I washed with a little bleach in the water. Most came out fine but a few had stains that remain.
DeleteHow fun to have a new one made just for you!
You know what? The bleached ones that came out white have stains reappearing today. Hmmmm......
DeleteThere is a lot of talent in those doilies!
ReplyDeletethere sure is!
DeleteIt's so hard to believe someone would leave them in the trash. I so love linens and dishes, and these I would consider a treasure. Wouldn't you love to hear the stories of the women who made these.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to know the history! Many of them were made for a young girl's hope chest back then, weren't they? And being left for the trash.... It's usually a man bidding on a box and he wants something particular out of it, which he takes...and leaves the rest. He probably wanted a spool of fishing line or a tool. ha.
DeleteMy granddaughter, Monique (25) is getting married next June and she had no idea what a "hope chest" was, so I got a basket and filled it with some of my homemade jams and jellies, my knitted dish cloths, some kitchen items. Typed some of my favorite recipes on pretty paper and rolled up with a ribbon. I made a cute label that said "New Bride's Starter Kit". It was kinda silly, but she absolutely loved it. We need to bring some of those old things back to this generation, don't you think?
DeleteWhat a cute gift! I think it's a great thing to bring back. I do know a family that had 6 daughters. For their first birthday, they would get a hope chest. Then for each birthday and christmas thereafter, each would get something to put in their hope chest and they would have a cash gift put into a savings account. When they got married, they had a nice amount of money and a chest full of lovely things for their first home. I didn't have any girls to do this with, but maybe grand daughters! I thought it was such a lovely idea.
DeleteOh that is a great idea. I didn't actually have a "chest" but started collecting linens I had embroidered, pillow cases, dish towels. You are so much younger than me, but do you remember you mom or grandma embroidery dish towels with the days of the week? Oh my, I'm on a nostalgia trip....Have a great day...on our way to take Molly to the groomer.
DeleteI didn't have a chest either, but did put things away in my bedroom closet. I had a nice collection of things, mainly from garage sales, when I got married.
DeleteI have seen those dish towels with the days of the week.... never had any, but they sure are cute!
When Kristi and I went to college as roommates, we bought an ironing board, pole lamp, bedding for twin beds for the Dorm. We agreed that whoever got married first would get the ironing board. I was the first, so I got the ironing board and still use it. It's had quite a few new covers over the years.
DeleteSo pretty, Betsy... and delicate. Lace-making, or tatting, is extremely popular in Belgium and I had the good fortune to be there several years ago. I purchased several bedding pieces but they sit in my linen closet because they are SO white and I am nervous about using them. I guess I should take the plunge!
ReplyDeleteI say it's better to have them out to look at and enjoy than have them rot away in a box or closet. At least have one draped over a chair or folded at the end of your bed so you can see it! See...another reason for a blog...you could show us! :)
DeleteYes, you're right - I used to say that to my Mom all the time about the "good" china which we almost never ate on! I like the idea of draping it... I will try that. I also like the idea of framing the doilies and I was thinking that if one had a lot of them, you could loosely sew them to each other into a sort of throw and drape it over a bright-coloured spread or blanket... don't know if it would look too "old-fashioned" or not. Here is another idea that is very pretty... http://blog.2modern.com/2012/11/quickeasy-modern-holiday-diy-snowflake-doilies.html
DeleteThat same line of thinking reminds me of scented or pretty candles. I know lots of people that don't burn them because they are 'too pretty' ...but they fade and gather dust. haha.
DeleteI loved that link and the idea of hanging them in embroidery hoops! a lovely snowflake looking decoration!
Ha! How did you know I did that with my candles? Okay... I am going to start burning one tonight! :-)
Deletehaha...oh, that's funny! :) Yes, burn and enjoy the beautiful candle. When it's gone, buy a new one! lol....
DeleteHi Betsy - I'm sure they looked so much better once washed ... yes the work involved always amazes me ... but in ways they had time to sew and talk together, or create for their home ... the craftmanship is incredible ..
ReplyDeleteCheers Hilary
yes, I think you're right...you had to make it to have it and it was what they did for a hobby, while chatting, etc. I think they are beautiful.
DeleteBetsy, I have several of these framed that my grandmother did by hand! Amazing they had time to actually sit and do these kinds of things, during a time when life was supposed to be so "backward," with household chores all day long, kids being raised, and vegetable gardens being tended---while the husband was in the "fields" all day long. I have an amazing admiration for people of those years. Cherish these. You'll always enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteframed...I like that idea! Thanks!
DeleteYes, I definitely agree...works of art. I love the new header, clouds in your morning coffee. And a bird!
ReplyDeleteThey really are, aren't they? I wonder how long something like that takes to make. I bet they were quite proficient at it, though, and could do it quite easily. I like Don's idea of framing some. I'll have to take another look with that in mind!
DeleteI'm loving that cloudy coffee cup, too! So glad I found it!
It's a bit sad that most of us don't lead the sort of elegant lives that require a few hand-made doilies. As you say, they are little works of art. I think I have some family heirloom ones stashed away in a drawer somewhere. Maybe your creative mind could suggest some 'modern' ways of using them?
ReplyDeleteThey used to be under every bowl and candlestick, didn't they? :)
DeleteThese are very pretty! I can remember my grandmother and her sisters making doilies and my mother had several when I was young ... on her dresser and under the lamps on the end tables, etc. Unfortunately, she no longer has them; I think she probably sold them at a yard sale at some point. I didn't appreciate all the handmade items when I was younger, and neither did my mother, but I really wish I had some of those items from my ancestors now.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I sent you a facebook friend request this a.m.
It kinda makes you wonder what normal everyday items we have now that will be considered collectible by our great grandchildren, doesn't it?
DeleteI just got your request...took a while to get through cyber space!
SO beautiful...I just LOVE those...and have not decided WHAT to do with my stack of hankies yet...I HAVE looked at them a couple of times just admiring them!
ReplyDeleteIf I see any ideas for your hankies, I'll pass them along!
DeleteI have seen the hankies under glass in a tray that sits on a table. They looked charming and so colorful.
DeleteTrish from the old Nana's Living the Dream
These are all so beautiful! And they look like new once you washed them. I am so glad that you rescued them from the trash. That would have been such a waste of lovely art. Now they will be appreciated and used. That is what they were so lovingly made for.
ReplyDeletetrue...that's what they were made for! Some of the stains reappeared after a day..isn't that weird? Sigh. I'm still looking for some good uses for them.
DeleteWow... Trippy new header! I like it!
ReplyDeletetrippy...that's exactly what I thought, too! :)
DeleteWe still got it.
DeleteI can definitely see why you love these and find them to be pieces of beauty Betsy, just gorgeous and divine, this kind of design is timeless.
ReplyDeletewell, aren't you extra eloquent today! ;)
DeleteOh, yes, ma'am, I do. I am drawn to "save" these kind of old beauties when I come across them, too. blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteyes, I rescued them! ha. Now, what to do with them!?
DeleteThey are beautiful, sure. But there is also great artistry in the way you photographed them.
ReplyDeletewell, thanks, Cathy! :)
DeleteMy cousin gave me some crocheted pieces from our Grandma and her Mom, who had passed away. I hand sewed them toegther along with some fluffy tulle flower trim to make her a scarf. Lace is so in now in clothing. I didn't tell her I was making it, just wore it to lunch and she spotted it immediately, I thought maybe it would take her a while to notice, but it was soon around her neck instead of mine !
ReplyDeleteOh, what a great idea and cute story! :)
DeleteWorks of art for sure...intricate art! WOW! So sad to know folks don't appreciate this kind of thing any more, but oh so great you got to recover them. No doubt, you'll do some very lovely 'decorating' with them.
ReplyDelete