The English Country Bonnet

Dear Friends,

We are excited to report that we were able to go back to the antique mall (mentioned in the previous post), and purchase the beautiful bonnet that captured our hearts!

This is the description on the tag: "c. 1880 or before- Tiny cotton print daytime English Country Bonnet. This perfect bonnet was probably bought from a milliner, because it is machine made, and the English middle class would probably not have a machine. No holes or stains. From my textile collection and price a lot less than I paid (great buy!). Bought at an 'invitation only' textile show at the American Museum in Bath, England."

We had hoped to use the bonnet as a pattern for future headgear, but we honestly cannot figure out how they put it together so perfectly! The cording is perfect, the ruffles are perfect, and we are in awe that we have such a sweet little piece of history to pass down in our own family.

We also found this well-worn quilt (which we think may be from the 1800s) at the thrift store,

 

 and this sweet little crocheted "Sunbonnet Sue" chatelaine was from our other favorite antique mall. :)

Now we think we'll stay out of the stores for a while, so we can catch up on our mending (using our new chatelaine, of course)!

Love and blessings,

Marqueta

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Enchanted Quilts

By Josephine Gardner Moench

How I love to go vis'ting at Grandmother's house

When she's taking a quilt from the frame;

And stay while she binds it and folds it with care

And gives it a quaint charming name.

If she isn't too tired, she shows me the ones

She has made and is storing away

In the big cedar chest in the spare room upstairs

For her gran'daughters' wedding day.

The Hollyhock Wreath is for Mary Louise;

While spreading it out to display

She tells of the time in the long, long ago,

She made hollyhock dolls so gay.

Grandmother's Fan is for Jeanne Marie;

How thrilled we all are with a story

Of the days when her thoughts were of beautiful gowns,

And dancing the height of her glory.

My Log Cabin quilt is the best of them all,

Made of pieces of Grandmother's dresses;

In fancy I picture her wearing each one

With all the loved charm she possesses.

Sweet September

One of many Charlottes to be seen this September~

Dear Friends,

A merry day to you! We hope that we didn't scare anyone with our last post; we'll be blogging away as long as we are able. :) Our computer seems to be helping us to be more old-fashioned by running reeeeeally slooooowly, so we may be posting less frequently, but this blog has become a lovely place to log our family's many adventures in domestic felicity, as well as a vehicle for finding kindred friends, all around the world. Quite miraculous, when you stop to think about it!

Audrey and Tasha have been visiting family in Utah and Idaho for the past two weeks, and we have truly felt the absence of their presence in many ways. Each person in our lives has such an impact, and we feel so blessed to have the children and friends that enrich them.

We have been busy cleaning out our basement and packing things away to show the Lord that are ready to move just a soon as He points us in the right direction. We have also made a tied baby quilt for a friend at church with a little one on the way.
Everyone was willing to lend a helping hand!

AnnaMarie learns that teaching Frankie how to use a needle can be hazardous to the fingers!

 

What is it about making a quilt that gets little children so excited? I remember the thrill of hiding underneath the frame with my cousins when my mother and aunts had a quilt on, and I see that same excitement in my children's eyes when we start pinning the layers and put them on.

We have been enjoying the golden sunshine of late (although today we actually have a heater going, it's so cool!), and the long shadows of evening~



Evangeline has been practicing being a mommy some day~

And Rebecca is showing great signs of being a wonderful homemaker, too!

We've been finding new and unusual treasures at the thrift store~

And practicing painting in watercolors. Here is the first person I ever painted in watercolor, and I had to cheat and finish her in pencil, to get everything blended well enough (she still needs a bit of work). She started off as a Regency girl, but ended up Amish somehow. :)

We have been enjoying a little book about quilts that our friend Evelyn sent us a while back called "Cloth and Comfort," by Roderick Kiracofe, and a storybook about quilts called "The Patchwork Quilt," by Valerie Flournoy, which came with the book on tape.  They both us feel grateful that we grew up with a heritage of making beautiful items by hand, which are also useful and a blessing to others. Whenever we find an old piece of handiwork, even though we did not know its maker, we feel that same connection of love, and treasure it in our home. May we all be blessed to feel the love of one another as we give our love to those around us, each day of our lives.

Love,

Marqueta