Stain removal I suspect this is the subject many of you have been waiting for. If you missed any of the previous topics, we covered washing HERE, drying HERE and ironing HERE. Because there are so many different kinds of stains, I'm going to break this topic into at least two posts. Today, let's focus on what I've found to be the most common stains on old linens: oxidation stains – often simply called "storage stains." Their color is typically some shade of yellow or brown, sometimes orange. I must warn you ... This is not going to be the prettiest post I've ever published. In fact, there's a whole lot of "nastiness" in it, but since supposedly a picture is worth a thousand words, it's ... Keep Reading...
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Tablescape Inspiration: Caramel & Cream
Sometimes a single picture speaks volumes. I wrote about where I was on September 11, 2001 HERE if you'd like to read it. * * * * * If you're kind enough to visit here often, you may remember that I have a thing for beautiful inspiration boards ... and some of my favorites are created by Kathryn at the wedding blog Snippet and Ink. I've been waiting for almost a year to share this one with you! Caramel & Cream To see the original post w/ pic credits, click on the board. The Caramel & Cream-inspired tablescape I'm working on isn't quite ready, so I'll hope to share it next week. Today I'm wondering ... Could this beauty have been inspired by Caramel & Cream? ... Keep Reading...
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IRONING: How to Care for Vintage Linens & Lace
Ironing: the third part of our series. There are many different ways of preparing linens for ironing, and I've used many of them through the years. In this series, I'll share with you the routine I've "settled into." If you missed either of the previous topics, we covered washing HERE and drying HERE. I once received an email from a blog reader who asked this question: If I may ask, what iron do you use? My iron doesn't seem to work very well for getting the wrinkles out of linen. Maybe it doesn't get hot enough? When I'm ironing just a few small pieces at a time, I use a Rowenta PowerGlide2 steam iron that I've had for years. When I have a lot of ironing - or large tablecloths - I use a 1940s Ironrite ... Keep Reading...
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Walking in the Shadow of …
Earlier this year, I did a tablescape I called Shadow Dancing with St. Valentine. Its mood was soothing and calm and delicate. It came to mind the other day ... in stark contrast to current reality. You see, for the past several months, Renaissance Man and I have been surrounded by friends and family who only wish they could be shadow dancing. Instead, they're traveling through various valleys ... and they're shadow walking. Each valley is slow-walking ... craggy-creviced ... heart-wrenching. The valley of the shadow ... So many shadows surrounding those we love. The shadows of ... Death in old age Death in utero Death knocking Death self-inflicted The shadows of ... Depression Alcoholism Unplanned ... Keep Reading...
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DRYING: How to Care for Vintage Linens & Lace
When last we talked about caring for vintage linens, we covered basic washing. I suppose you could say I left you with clean, wet linens... If you missed my tried-and-true washing tips, you can read them HERE. Today let's talk about the two basic ways to get those wet linens dry: heat and air When it comes to vintage linens and lace, air is by far the preferred method. If you're blessed to have a clothesline, use it. There's something quaint and relaxing about vintage linens blowing in the breeze... If your linens are small pieces, you can use a drying rack; there are many different styles ... both new and old. Some are portable and can be used outside where dripping water isn't a problem. Others are interior ... Keep Reading...
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The Best Kind of MOOD SWING
Hello all! I hope you had a wonderfully relaxing Labor Day weekend and that this "short week" is going well for you so far. I spent last week in the HEAT of south Texas where Summer was still in full swing. It was really nice to get back home to Tennessee with its cooling temperatures ... and turning leaves. Sigh. My favorite time of year. Fall seems to be arriving a little early this year, but I don't mind. I don't mind at all! Although I haven't yet begun to physically make the change to Fall at my house like some of you, I've definitely begun the emotional mood swing. I guess that's pretty obvious from this tablescape inspiration board, huh? What about you? Did you feel your mood start to change as the ... Keep Reading...
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WASHING: How to Care for Vintage Linens & Lace
Welcome to the first in a series of posts dedicated to helping you care for vintage linens and lace. I'm writing this for those of you are afraid to clean your treasures for fear you will ruin them. My goal is to help you gain enough confidence to try. You'll be so proud of yourself when a family heirloom is returned to its once-pristine condition and ready to be enjoyed for generations to come. After all, the best thing you can do for your vintage linens is use them! But what if you stumbled upon this post and "old linens" aren't your thing? It's still my hope that you'll learn a thing or two about fabric care that will help you every time you do laundry. Let's get started ... Separate your laundry by color and ... Keep Reading...
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A GLORIOUS Tablescape Event
It's obvious from reader comments the past two weeks -- and from the top searches here at My Place to Yours -- that tablescape events are a hit! (If you missed this year's Festival of Tables pics, check out the links on my sidebar.) Earlier this week a blog reader sent me a picture of the table she did recently for an event hosted by her local woman's club. I love her mix of colors and textures ... and I'm always a pushover for blue and white transferware. Some of you are, too. (And any event with pink tortilla chips and raffle tickets is a good one in my book!) Summertime Not only did Renette give me permission to share her tablescape with you, but she agreed to send pics of all the tables. You don't ... Keep Reading...
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How to Care for Vintage Linens & Lace
A sack of old linens ... improperly stored for who knows how long ... ... with stains that leave you baffled. What's your response? (a) Bring it on! (b) I wouldn't know where to start ... (c) Why bother? If you responded (b), my new series is for you. Over the next few weeks, we'll talk about all of these subjects ... If you responded "Why bother?" ... Well, I'll show you. Look closely. All of the vintage linen pieces in these pictures were discovered at garage sales, thrift stores, or estate auctions. All had problems. All are beautiful today thanks to a little tlc. Ok ... sometimes a lot of tlc No matter what your style, I suspect you'll see something that you think would be worth your time to ... Keep Reading...
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Festival of Tables 2012: Part 2
Last week I shared with you Part 1 of our church's 2012 Festival of Tables. Without further delay, let's move on to Part 2. Just click on any collage once -- or twice -- to enlarge ... Do you remember the English nursery rhyme "Sing a Song of Sixpence?" That was the inspiration for this tablescape. Look closely, and you'll see bees ... the blackbird that was baked in a pie ... and the queen's crown. Guests at this table all received honey (from the table hostess's hive) and freshly-baked scones. The woman who did this table was our church's Media Center director for many years. She definitely knows her books, so encouraging her guests to "check" out her table was an obvious choice for a table theme ... and a good ... Keep Reading...
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Are You AFRAID of Vintage Linens?
It's always a pleasure to get emails from blog friends, but occasionally they contain a story I'd really rather not read. Like this one ... written in response to my recent Restoration Linen Cleaner giveaway question: What item do you want to restore if you're the lucky winner? I'm sharing the answer, of course, with the author's permission. The email began ... Oh Susan, I have TRUNKS in my attic just waiting to be brightened up. She went on to tell me her "funny/sad story" about finding the "most gorgeous lacy antique sheets" she had ever seen. Because their "Shades of Old" (I love that description!) were significant, the shop owner allowed the woman to take them home and wash them before purchase. Depending on their final condition, ... Keep Reading...
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Candy Purse Tutorial
This is one of my favorite pics this week, so I pinned it on Pinterest. It was part of the Festival of Tables I shared with you in THIS post. Be sure to check out all of the creative table ideas! I promised to show you how to make the little purse favor that the table hostess gave to her guests, so let's do that now ... Select papers Bottom view Decide what size purse you want and cut paper into strips. Back view Put double-sided tape (or any kind of two-sided foam/wax, etc.) on your favorite candy ... Oooooh, so THAT'S what's inside! ... and tuck candy inside the paper. Side view Add a ribbon handle and embellish as ... Keep Reading...
