Lovely Lace

Remember me telling you about my Italian grandmother and her three sisters that came to the U.S. from  Italy in 1920? They were very talented with a needle, thread and crochet hook.  One of the aunts worked for Macy's in NY when monogramming and embroidery was done by hand.  My mom just brought me an old box that she had filled with all kinds of lace goodies that they never used.

Look at the sweet intricate patterns that they created......They are so pretty! These would go on the end of pillow cases, table runners and table cloths.  I marvel at how they did this. I'm going to have to find a way to use these pieces somehow. I can't just put them back in the closet and forget about them.

I never really gave lace much thought before.   Maybe because I'm older and I am learning to appreciate things in a different way.  I find this lace truly spectacular and am so happy to have it.

I'm excited about my new little lace treasures.  I will keep you up to date with what happens to them.

Have a fabulous weekend and remember....be kind.

Paula

Linking With:

Time Washed
Ivy And Elephants

Pink Roses and a Poem

Pink roses are my absolute favorite. I received my first dozen roses ever (they were pink) from my sweet high school boyfriend when I was 16 and not feeling very well. The roses came along with a brand new pair of Nike tennis shoes, a bunch of "Hubba Bubba" bubble gum (there is inside significance there) and a poem that I still carry with me. It was a sweet, kind gesture that I remember fondly.

Pink roses are the longest existing roses known to the world and are depicted in some of the earliest known pieces of art.  All beauty and fragrance associated with roses can be traced back to the pink rose. Roses are not only a symbol of love and gratitude but the pink rose carries with it, its newer connotation of grace, elegance, sweetness and romance.  I love them because I think they are beautiful and sweet and they remind me of that time when I was 16 and all of life was before me.

As I've gotten older, I am learning to appreciate what I have and I am trying to become more kind and thankful in all that I do. I want people to be kind, but that always isn't the case. The trials and tribulations of life are not always easy.  So if you are going through a tough time and you feel like life is handing you lemons or you need a bit of inspiration....I want you to read the poem that my husband gave me so long ago. Maybe it will help you feel better or make you see things in a different light.

Don’t You Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, 

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, 
When the funds are low and the debts are high, 
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, 
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but don't you quit. 


Life is queer with its twists and turns, 

As every one of us sometimes learns, 
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.


Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow. 
Often the goal is nearer than, 
it seems to a faint and faltering man; 
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup; 
And he learned too late when the night came down, 
How close he was to the golden crown.


Success is failure turned inside out -

The silver tint in the clouds of doubt, 
And you never can tell how close you are, 
It might be near when it seems afar; 
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Ralph Acosta

We all need support at one time or another.  Will you lend yours to someone this weekend? 

Happy Friday!

Paula

French Chair Makeover

I have always wanted to makeover a french chair....I just needed to find the right chair.

That is when I found this baby and dragged my friend Barb out into the middle of South Carolina to help me pick it up.  I'm sure she was thinking....."um yeah, ok..."  Then I started to take it apart.

Once all the staples were out (and there were tons of them) I used ASCP in Provence, some French Linen and Old White.

It was a little more grey than I wanted it to be but I knew I could fix this with a dark wax glaze.  If you add a little bit of mineral spirits to the ASCP dark wax, you get a beautiful dark glaze that will age the paint.  It is also much easier to put on than using your wax brush.  Just wipe it on with a cloth.   I ended up using a $4 drop cloth from Lowes for the material.  Yep, a drop cloth.  I washed it several times in hot water and bleach and then ironed it.  It is the perfect material!

I was going to sell this chair, but I like it so much I'm going to keep it!  Do you have an old chair that you can transform?  If you need help, let me know.

Thanks for stopping by.

Paula

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Eph. 4:32

Linking with:
The Style Sisters
From My Front Porch To Yours
The Scoop
Common Ground-do
Jennifer Rizzo
The Lavender Garden Cottage
Not Just A House Wife
Liz Marie
Miss Mustard Seed
Timewashed
Nancherrow
Upcycled Treasures
Coastal Charm
Rain On A Tin Roof
I Should Be Mopping The Floor
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Home Stories A to Z
Savy Southern Style
Ivy And Elephants
Revisionary Life
Domestically Speaking
Redoux Interiors
Green Willow Pond
A Stroll Thru Life

Vintage Linens

I was fortunate to inherit several beautiful vintage linen tablecloths from both of my grandmothers.  At the time, I had just graduated from college.  I didn't own a home much less have a table to put them on.  Fortunately, my mom encouraged me to tuck them away and keep them for a later time in my life when I would appreciate them.  I am so happy I listened to that little piece of advice.

Although I love all of my old linens, one in particular is an absolute favorite. The one below is from my Italian grandmother and her sister, my great Aunt Mary.  My dad's family came to the U.S. from Calabria, Italy to Brooklyn, NY in 1920.  There were four sisters and each of them sewed. In fact, my Aunt Mary was so talented with her hand stitching, that she actually worked for the original NY Macy's in the linen department.  She hand stitched and embroidered beautiful monograms and letters on all kinds of linens.  I remember as a little girl, seeing these huge monograms and crocheted edges on pillows that sat on their beds and remember how gorgeous they were.  I didn't understand what I was looking at back then. You can see the intricate details and pulled spaces on the flowers below.  Look at all of the crocheted edges..... this was also done by hand.  Can you imagine?

  

The intricacy of the tablecloth is a little overwhelming.  It would take me years....just to crochet the napkins. Ok.....let me take that back.  I couldn't even crochet the napkins, much less embroider one flower.  I can tell you for a fact, that I did not inherit these genes. I imagine after dinner each night, they would sit by the light and work on their pieces.  My mom has a few of their table runners....I'm waiting to get my hands on those. (hehehe)

This beautiful white piece is from my mom's mom - the Irish grandmother.  I think it is Irish lace, which would make sense coming from my mom's side of the family.   It too is a beautiful heirloom with intricate patterns and details.  I'm not sure where it originated from but I love it just the same.

In our rush to always buy new and trendy, we sometimes forget about the treasured old pieces that are handed down and tucked away somewhere.  They are truly gifts not to be forgotten. 

Enjoy the weekend. 

Paula