Life Lesson #31: When you reach a point of no return, accept it. Sometimes in life, there really is a Point of No Return. It's true for vintage linens, too, but it takes a really long time to get there! I'll show you what I mean... The Life Cycle of a Damask Tablecloth I began life as a large, dinner-size tablecloth; pristine white. My owners love to host dinner parties, so for many years I was fortunate to sit quietly at the table, listening to all sorts of interesting and lively conversations. Eventually, I became a bit worn from forearms rubbing me against the table edge, and the lady of the house asked that I serve at luncheons instead. Of course, I was happy to do so...even though it did require a ... Keep Reading...
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Why Today is better than Someday
Life Lesson #30: Don't trade Today for Someday Apparently it's human nature. Vintage linen collectors know it's a fact. We've seen it many times. Far too many times. Unfinished projects... ...or finished ones–unused. New pretties... untouched and unloved. Never removed from their package. Original tags still on them... Waiting for–what, exactly? Someone to want them? To use them, perhaps? Someone to rescue them from their original boxes–storage stains and all? I can't begin to tell you how many times I've looked through the estate of someone now gone from this world who left behind box after unopened box of beautiful treasures. Sometimes the boxes even have a date on them, and ... Keep Reading...
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Cure Discovered for Restless Hearts
Life Lesson #29: There's a cure for a restless heart It's an uncomfortable feeling when a heart is restless. When fear or uncertainty...grief or anger...disappointment or disobedience overwhelm the heart, the body loses. So does the mind. The daily routine becomes cluttered and unclear. Ugliness and distress crowd the path. If only there were a cure for the brokenness... Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord; and our heart is restless until it rests in Thee. ~St. Augustine My heart gets restless when I'm too busy for God. When prayer is an afterthought and quiet times of listening to God through his Word are neglected. When my focus is "me" and not Him. St. Augustine ... Keep Reading...
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How to recognize the trap of accumulation
Life Lesson #28: Accumulation is a choice Vintage linen collecting often starts quite innocently; at least it did for me. I picked up two little doilies at at estate sale 20+ years ago. Total cost: $3 They weren't stored away with my few family linens but rather tucked into little vignettes in the living room bookcase–and enjoyed every day, their delicate, lacy faces adding a touch of beauty to the mundane. It was the early days of marriage with little money to spend on "unnecessaries", and I was very content with my new pretties. Fast forward many years... While visiting Daughter the Older in England, I found myself in a charity shop digging through a huge collection of gorgeous vintage linens. They were ... Keep Reading...
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Little Lacy Treasures: What are you?
Life Lesson #27: Nothing is insignificant The subject was a random one–the ginseng harvest in Tennessee–but it led to a discussion of the universe's many yet-hidden creations still to be discovered. When I think of the vast expanse of space, the variety of plants and animals, the intricacy of the human body, I am in awe. This "detail person" cannot begin to grasp even the complexity of things we *do* know...let alone the surely many, many truths still to be discovered. And so I am thankful for the seemingly "insignificant things" because–whether I understand them or not...or even know them or not–they still work together to form this wonderful gift of life as I know it. Several years ... Keep Reading...
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Time’s A-Ticking… Good or Bad?
Life Lesson #26: Use time wisely Time... Best friend–or worse enemy. Depends on how I use it. If I'm not careful, Time has a way of flying right by me. How did we get to late October already? Isn't it nice on the rare occasion when you can just while away the day–without a care in the world? Every day... 24 hours... Use them wisely! Have a great weekend! Make it count... I'm attending the Board meeting of Hope Unlimited for Children. Sure would appreciate your prayers... What about you? Any special plans? The calendar towels are available at Loondance: Every Cupboard Tells a Story on Etsy. Cindy would be happy for ... Keep Reading...
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Unexpected change in life direction?
Life Lesson #25: Be versatile At one time or another, it's happened to all of us: We've faced an unexpected change in our life direction. At those times, it always helps to be versatile. Sometimes it's easier than others... Vintage linens have taught me a lot about being versatile. I once owned this lightweight Summer coverlet, but it never got used–until I decided it was the perfection tablecloth for a ladies luncheon. And this vintage coverlet became a shower curtain at the hands of its owner. Thinking outside the box... In our master bedroom, there's a single tall window. This linen tablecloth in my collection was exactly the look I wanted. Seeing it every day is a ... Keep Reading...
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Do you read etiquette books for fun?
Life Lesson #24: Good manners are always in style! Like some of you, I've been known to spend hours reading an etiquette book. I'm especially intrigued to see how some "good manners" have stayed the same for a very long time while others have evolved–although I'm not sure always for the better. Simple table napkins always bring to mind good manners. By the way... Did you know that one of the earliest references to a table napkin was in the late 1300s? Lest you think I'm one who considers it rude to stray a bit from the etiquette book–Heavens no! But I am someone who very much appreciates good manners and knowing when–and when not–to follow the suggested rules of appropriate ... Keep Reading...
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Figural linens told me: People matter!
Life Lesson #23: People are important; everyone matters! Figural linens and laces are ones that have images of people, animals, birds, mythological creatures, urns of flowers, etc. incorporated into the design. I love them! Some of my favorites include people–like this Southern Belle from my personal collection... ...or these two collages of fun ones from Kerry. As I expected, you wonderful readers here at My Place have left some nice comments saying how glad you are to be introduced to Kerry. I hope you're checking out her blog and Etsy shop, too! Thanks again, Kerry, for letting me supplement my pics with some of yours! Some of you may ... Keep Reading...
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How to get in the last word…
Life Lesson #22: If you say it, own it! I own very few vintage linens with sayings on them, but I've certainly seen a lot through the years! Sometimes the sayings are gentle: "Sweet dreams". Other times they're very matter-of-fact: "Good night". And sometimes... sometimes I wonder why someone put *that* on something permanent–especially when it took so long to actually embroider or cross stitch it! But no matter whether I liked the phrase or not, it served as a reminder that if I say something, I need to "own it." The nice thing about saying something through handwork is that there's plenty of time to re-consider whether or not you really want to say it–unlike saying something with the mouth and then ... Keep Reading...
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Have you learned anything new lately?
Life Lesson #21: Never stop learning Daughter the Older lived in England for seven years, and twice, while visiting her, I managed to squeeze in time for a field trip to the textiles room at the Victoria & Albert Museum. Be still my heart... Virtually every textile technique of the past 5,000 years–from Predynastic Egypt to the present–are represented. There are cases and cases...drawers and drawers...files and files full of every sort of textile you can imagine–and then some. There are always students and conservationists studying the pieces. How I would have loved to sit with them all.day.long to learn more! The few pictures I took are nothing exceptional, but their subjects are! See ... Keep Reading...
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What Color is Life?
Life Lesson #20: Life is not all black and white I used to think Life was black and white. Actions were simply right or wrong. Period. (Some are.) People either "got it"–or they were doing something to stifle their intelligence because my the answer was sooooo obvious. I thought the young mother in the grocery store screaming at her children needed to be more patient–and teach those kids some manners. And the preacher who bribed his little girl with a new bike so she'd go to church–and everyone would think his was the "perfect Christian family"? Well, he needed to be a better father–and he really needed to get over himself. I thought the overweight, cigarette-smoking ... Keep Reading...
