A New Treasure

 

Last weekend, I was shopping in Berlin, Ohio

 -- beautiful Amish country.

 

There amongst the charming gift shops was

a small yard sale.

 

I spotted this adorable bassinet

with fold-up wheeled legs.

 

The seller saw my interest and said,

"You can have that for $1.00"

 

I paid him $2.00.

 

The church ladies I was with thought my

bringing a baby bassinet home

was humorous.

 

Graciously, they conceded the purchase was just an "Amy" thing.

 

I knew it was just right for my vintage linens and quilts.

 

Here it rests in front of my dining room window

with several pretty vintage tablecloths.

 

 

 

Never underestimate the opportunity of finding a seller

 who doesn't want to cart an unsold large item back home.

 

Have you stumbled upon a treasure recently?

 

Please share . . . .

 

Amy

 

 

Pretty things . . .

 

I thought I'd share some pretties from my Etsy Shop,

 Wings of the Morning

 

 

 White collection

At times, I like to combine similar items.

 

 

 Tea Cup Pincushion
This is one of a few pincushions I've made
with my handcrafted wool flowers.
I'm hoping to add a few more to the

 shop soon.

Do you like the beaded pins?

 

 

 

Ruffled Star Doily

This pretty doily has a raised ruffle.

 

 

 

 

 Precious Memories Quilt Block with Stand

 I hand quilted this star block.  Wouldn't it be delightful

for Christmas or Valentine's Day?

 

 

 

  Busy Bee Luncheon Cloth

I wish these happy bees could iron all of my

wrinkled  clothes.

 

 

 Do you have an Etsy Shop?

Be sure to leave your shop name in a comment

so that I can visit.

 

 

 

Donna's Giveaway!

I've entered Donna's giveaway for this darling fabric.

 

 

Won't you join in the fun?

Donna's Lavender Nest

Head on over to Donna's blog for a chance

 to enter her fabric and pattern giveaway!

 

 

Enjoy your weekend.

 

 

With all the fun of homeschooling,

I haven't been able to blog as often as I'd like. 

Please know I'm still reading

and enjoying your posts and comments.

Amy

 

 

Two For One Quilts

 

 

 

 

I love Pam and Nicky Lintott's Two From One Jelly Roll Quilts book.

 

The Lintott's patterns only require half of a

 jelly roll fabric pack.

Essentially, a quilter could make two quilts

from the book's patterns with only one jelly roll.

Although the quilter would need to buy

 some additional "background" fabric,

the main pattern design comes from the chosen jelly roll.

 

 

A "Jelly Roll" in a quilter's world tops any bakery delight.

Each jelly roll fabric pack consists of about 40 strips

precut to 2.5" by 44".

 

I've recently finished some quilt tops using the Lintott's patterns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the backing fabric I chose for this quilt.

 

 

 

 

 

This is my favorite of the two.

 

 

I had bought a yellow coordinating border material for this top,

but didn't realize until both quilts were made

 that all of the yellow strips were in the other quilt.

 

I enjoyed making both tops,

but would encourage others using the Lintott's patterns

to buy a few coordinating fat quarters to help "fill out"

what colors may be limited

in the chosen jelly roll.

 

 

Since both tops were summer/spring themed,

I've put them away for the fall/winter.

When the tulips start pushing up through the earth,

I'll pull these tops back out to quilt.

 

 

 

Here's a fall project that I've partially completed.

 

 

 

I've used a variegated orange thread for the blanket stitch.

I like the way it pops!

 

 

The oversized ric-rac makes this wall-hanging so cute!

 

 

 

 

Be sure to watch my Etsy shop for the resale of the pattern.

I'll be including the needed ric-rac.

 

 

I basted this project today and am ready now to quilt!

 

 

What are you sewing?

 

Please share . . . . .

 

 

Amy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Come Walk with Me

 

Come.  Walk with me . . .

 

on paths not often seen.

   

Breathe the air of something ancient,

that will linger beyond your time.

  

 

Connect with gentle,

quiet lives that only wish a touch.

  

Hear a story of some bygone time.

 

Imagine and enjoy.

  

Discover beauty hiding. 

Watch it before it flees.

 

 

Then, let the river's current bring you home.

 

 

  Be lulled by the paddle's lapping song.

  

 Come.  Walk with me . . .

 

 

 

 

Wishing many blessings your way,

Amy

 

 

 

 

 

This walk took place at Blennerhassett Island State Park

 Parkersburg, West Virginia.

 

The first home pictured was built in 1802 and moved to the state park in the 1980's because of its connection to the Blennerhassett family. 

 

The larger home is a modern interpretation of the historic Blennerhassett mansion reproduced from research of historical records and of the original foundation.  The mansion's story takes visitors back to the time of Thomas Jefferson and his suspicions concerning Aaron Burr.  Aaron Burr visited the island to see his partner, Harman Blennerhassett.  Once Burr and Blennerhassett were charged with treason, the island property was abandoned.  Although both men were later acquitted from the charges, Harman was never able to return to his beloved island.  Visitors can tour both intriguing sites.

 

The horses on the island are used to pull the carriage rides offered by the State Park to its visitors.

The deer on the island are in part due to a WV research project, and in part, because the island provides a beautiful, safe place to live.  Who knew that deer could swim?

 

The young boy and family pictured above are the precious ones I am very privileged to journey with every day.

 

Merribee Company

 

Merribee Company

Fort Worth, Texas

 

 

I recently purchased two vintage stamped linens that were still in their original packaging.  Both were of the same design series.  One package held the armchair back piece.  The other package held two armchair rests.  



 

I've learned quite a bit from these lovely items about how some stamped linens were completed.  You'll notice on the photograph above that some areas of the rose are marked with an "X."  These were the areas that would be carefully cut out after all stitching was complete.  I'm used to seeing the finished cutwork design.  It was interesting to discover how the stitcher would know which portion to remove.

"No 2937 Armrests"

I can't make out all of the remaining lines, but can see the words

"Work Embroidery"

"Material"

"Marked X"

 

 



 

Lightly stamped armrests in linen.

 

The double line was for the stitcher to "pad" a buttonhole stitch. The stitcher would use the small buttonhole stitches to cover another thread.  The padding thread wouldn't be seen once the stitching was complete. 

 

See below for an example of another linen piece that has the padded buttonhole stitch.  Beautiful tiny stitches. 

 

 

The Armchair Back

 

 

 

Look at all the different pieces the stitcher could purchase in this rose design to display in her home.  I believe the two luncheon sets could also be considered "Bridge Sets" for card tables.  I was tickled by the size of the "Television Cover."  A huge 18" by 18"!  I don't think that would work for today's televisions.

 

The wording on the armchair back is much clearer than the first piece.

 

 

 

I haven't been able to find any information about the Merribee Co.  There is a Merribbe Needlearts store in Houstan, Texas, but my attemps at discovering any connection between the two companies have finished with dead ends.  I did find several tidbits of information about a Merribee Art Embroidery Company, but that company was based in New York.

 

 

I'm guessing by the feel and look of the fabric in these two packages that my set is from the 50's or 60's.

 

 

Have a good week!

 

Amy