Heirlooms & Memories

"You can create new heirlooms, and the memories that make them special, just by owning them."

Elaine Markoutsas

Papers, Old & New

 

Crafts made from something as simple as paper can be beautiful and fun to make.  Since scrapbooking and altered art is so popular, pretty papers are readily available and a crafter is simply limited by their own imagination.  Both old and new papers can be used.  I found these pretty boxes in an antique mall recently, and appreciated how they had utilized both types of papers for these covered box projects.  The boxes are lightweight, balsa-wood boxes that are readily available in most craft stores.  A coat or two of acrylic paint provided the base. Paper was cut to size and glued on with a lightweight spray adhesive.  I especially love the 'old' photos used for the vintage family boxes. The papers were made by photocopying and enlarging pictures from the past.  What a creative way to use the old in a new way!  

Cherished in Family History

Most women have precious things they hold dear. Often little things, most are cherished because of their origin. It's these things that we hold with high regard and teach our families to do the same. In my childhood home, mother cherished things that were 'wedding gifts' and we all knew to treat them with tender-loving care. Sis and I would wash and dry wedding china with just a little more care than other dishes. And alas, if a piece of 'wedding gift' glassware broke, it was sad indeed. Mother's English teacup and saucer collection consisted of eight or ten sets that were all 'wedding gifts'. They were highly cherished and rarely used. Instead they were displayed in a pretty cabinet and dusted each week with care. Even wedding linens were held in high regard: tablecloths, doilies, or satin cushions. Most weathered our childhood years and even the years when our children were the little ones visiting Grandma's house. And how these cherished mementos cling to us, or we to them, when life takes its sad turns. When Mother passed away, sis and I spent one day a week together for an entire summer, sorting and organizing and dividing things up. Those sad days contained much sweetness as well, as they provided us with the opportunity to speak of our memories and to touch and feel things that had long been forgotten. Some of Mother's things were donated or sold, but many were divided between sis and me as a link to Mom. We took extra, special care to not give away or sell anything that had been a 'wedding gift'. Looking back from this perspective, we realize that some of these things were of small monetary value, but they are cherished just the same for what they were and are. If it was a 'wedding gift' it went in a special place; a place for 'family history' and to be passed along to future generations. Such sentimentality, but no regrets for cherishing those things which remind us of mom. Cherished, just like we cherish the memory of her.

Photo: tablecloths like Mom's at Elm Street Antiques; sis has them and I have no pictures of the originals.

Hankies

We are the Kleenex generation; I suspect that most of us have never carried a hankie in our purse or pocket unless it was as an added frill for an outfit we were wearing. But, my grandma always had a hankie in her pocket. She'd often wear an apron with large pockets, and tucked in there or up her sweater sleeve, was a dainty hankie. Lace, embroidery, printed hearts or flowers, cotton, or linen --- each hankie was unique. Some were even an impractical satin or silk. Since grandmother was an invalid and could not walk, sister and I would spend quiet times at grandma's house, entertaining ourselves with what was on hand. A favorite activity was to go through grandma's hankie box that sat on a table in her bedroom. Each hankie was clean and pressed. And each fold was ironed in a sharp crease. Most of the hankies were folded into fourths, but some were in sections of six. When grandma died, sister and I were allowed to choose a few things to remember grandma by. I chose some of grandma's hankies and treasure them to this day. One of them, a very delicate, cream colored hankie was trimmed with wide ecru lace. I especially loved this hankie because it was so old-fashioned. On my wedding day it was tucked into my wedding bouquet --- the 'something old' in remembrance of grandma.

These days hankies are still valued, not for their function, but for their form and beauty. Just seeing one carries us back to days gone by. They may not be tucked up a sweater sleeve or in a purse pocket to wipe away a tear or sniffle, but they are cheerfully used for curtain valences, quilt blocks, tea napkins, pockets on an apron, or centerpiece doilies. The possibilities are endless. Some things we hold dear and wish not to forget. Those memories are reinforced by viewing the cherished object in a new ways.

Do you have a hankie collection? How do you store it or use it? I'd love to know!

Photo: the beautiful Elm Street kitchen.

Ties to the Past

A past issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion (August/September 2007) contains an article that I purchased the magazine for. Called "Ties to the Past" by Darci Smith, it features vintage aprons and tells all about them. Beautifully photographed aprons illustrate Darci's fine points. She says that an apron collector finds that if you listen closely, a vintage apron will tell you stories. In one sentence she encapsulated exactly why I find collecting aprons so interesting! I love to think about the life each apron might have led --- who stitched it, who owned it, when it was worn, and during what time era did it originate. Of course it's impossible to follow the history of each vintage apron found, but through careful examination it is possible to learn quite a bit about its past. According to Ellynanne Giesel, a true apronista extraordinaire, an apron speaks. She says that the spirit of the person who sewed or wore it is imbued in the fabric, within those threads. Each apron has it's story. It's up to the one who becomes the keeper of the apron to discover its history. Examine each stitching technique, date the fabric by using prints and colors to identify time eras, and use trims and buttons to help you date the period in which the apron was made. Like a treasure hunt, you'll be surprised at all the things you can discover about a vintage apron once you start looking for clues. Have fun!

The apron in the picture above is Aunt Cella's and came from Grandmother Iva's apron stash. Full length, it appears to have been 'too special' for Grandmother to wear. Instead it was saved away in a drawer like many of her fine things were. Machine applique adorns the bib and pockets and little tidbits of applique are scattered above the hemline. Features that make this apron unique are the darts used to ease the fabric into the waistline and the pretty style of the pockets that are stitched into the side seams. In soft blue, it has a romantic sense about it with just enough contrast in yellow and pink to make it cheerful.

Basket Baby Quilt

Some of you know of my passion for old quilts. Actually, I enjoy and appreciate all textiles, and the older the better! Little bits of lace or trims, aprons, tea towels, quilts, doilies, and frayed bits of this or that are saved and appreciated over and over again. Each piece seems to call to me, asking me to touch and feel its smooth or nubby texture. Going through a museum or quilt show where the rules say "Don't touch" is really difficult for me! My mother-by-marriage recognized this trait in me years ago, and lovingly passed along old textiles, some of which had been in the family for many years. Pieces of Great-Aunt Pansy's hand-made lace, an old doily from Grandmother Gladys' cedar chest, or a Batik wall-hanging from Great-Aunt Edith are pieces I treasure because they are interesting and because they represent our family heritage. Years ago my mother-by-marriage also gave me the beautiful baby quilt that Grandmother Gladys made for husband Brent when he was born. It's not a quilt with bunnies or cowboys or other stylized figures of the era, but rather a simple pieced 'basket quilt'. Plain muslin makes up the background and a variety of patterns and colors compose each basket block. Made in the mid-50's, the quilt shows much loving wear, but has not frayed or torn. A bright backing dotted with colorful paintbrushes makes up the back piece and a plain yellow binding trims the edges. Although called a 'baby quilt' by the family, this quilt nearly fits a twin-size bed. I guess one could call it a generous baby quilt!

Great-Aunt Clara, Apronista

Besides having a lovely afternoon tea party with Aunt Cella, I also enjoyed an afternoon spent going through her cedar chest. We looked at old linens, laces, and other textile treasures. Aunt Cella has many beautiful European linens, collected during her years of living on that continent. She also has many wonderful vintage pieces from Grandmother and from Grandmother's sisters. I especially enjoyed looking at all the aprons she has. The aprons in this picture once belonged to Great-Aunt Clara. They are quite old and well-crafted. When Grandmother, who is 104, was born Great-Aunt Clara was already a married woman with three little boys. Great-Aunt Clara adhered a small tag inside each apron that she wrote her name on. I'm not sure if this was so her apron wouldn't get lost or if she worried about a visitor wearing it home from a day of activity at her house. But whatever the reason, I'm glad she added the tag, as it personalizes the apron so much.

Speaking of aprons, Deanna and Erin at The Apronista are conducting their inaugural giveaway for 2008. If you leave a comment on their blog, they will enter you into their drawing for a Vintage Apron from their collection and for an autographed copy of the book "The Apron Book". So hurry! The deadline for commenting so you can be entered in this drawing is Friday, January 11. Please tell the that LaTeaDah from Gracious Hospitality sent you!

The Hoosier

Do you share my fascination with the Hoosier? I was first introduced to them and what they are a few years back when I was visiting my friend, Hazel, on her farm. We went to drop something off at her neighbor's, and while there stopped for awhile to chat. In the course of our conversation the neighbor took us into her barn and showed us three beautiful oak Hoosier's that had been in her family for many years. She had remodeled her home and didn't have room for them inside the house, but did cherish and treasure them in their storage place. She planned to 'some day' find a special place for them or pass them along to her children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, a short time later her barn burned down and the beautiful Hoosiers with it.

Eighty to a hundred years ago built-in kitchen cabinets were mostly unheard of. Instead kitchen tables or a special built in shelf were used, although every 'modern' homemaker desired an efficient and beautiful "Hoosier" cabinet in her kitchen. This kitchen center was efficient, convenient, and contained many labor-saving features. It was usually adapted from an existing piece of furniture, the baker's cabinet, and provided storage and working space for the homemaker. Generally a Hoosier cabinet consists of three parts. The base piece usually had one large cupboard with a shelf that slides out and several drawers on the other side. The top section was narrower and had several compartments designed to store specific items. The countertop between was the work area and usually had drawers below it for easy storage of utensils. It was not unusual that compartments designed specifically as flour bins, sugar bins, tin bread drawers, and spice jars are incorporated into the Hoosier design. Hoosier's were named after the Hoosier Manufacturing Company of New Castle, Indiana, where they were first made. They remained popular until the 1940's when built-in kitchen cabinets became the rage.

Now the Hoosier is a desired collectors item and makes a beautiful addition to the kitchen of anyone fortunate enough to have one. Thank you to my friend Paula, for allowing me to take pictures of the beautiful Hoosier's in her shop!

Thank you for the lovely comments from blogging friends. I especially enjoyed what you had to say about the Hoosier. Here are some samples:

Sharon: Good morning, I read this blog on Hoosier cabinets and I was immediately transported back to my Grandmama's kitchen. My grandmama never had much in the way of material things. She lived in a 4 room house. A livingroom, kitchen and 2 bedrooms, and an outhouse. I remember the old coal stove that heated their home..it was only put up in the cold months. I also remember that we were not allowed to play on the coal pile..for obvious reasons. The most wonderful thing about grandmama was her little kitchen. Whenever we came for a visit she would cook a big meal. I can still remember her going to Hoosier cabinet and getting out her supplies for the meal. I can still her the sound of the forks and spoons clanging together when she opened the drawers to retrieve them. I can actually smell the roast as it was cooking. :) My mom now has the Hoosier and it is to come to me when she passes on. Thank you for transporting me back to a very special time in my childhood.

Barbara: As a child we had a similar thing to a Hoosier but it was called a food safe.

Brenda: I want one so bad. My mamaw had one and I'd love to have hers.

Grace: We lived in a rent house about 12 years ago that had a metal Hoosier cabinet built into the kitchen area. Oh how I miss that piece.

Jill:
My husband's grandmother had a large one in her Indiana kitchen, where she rolled out dough and kept all her baking equipment. It was white with drawers on the bottom and pierced-tin coverings on the top doors. When he was little, my husband used to stand on a stool in front of it to cut dough into noodles. It stayed in the same spot for over 60 years, until the house was sold in 2003.

Donna:
I love the old Hoosier cabinets. Coming from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, I've seen quite a few at auctions. I would love to have one in my kitchen!

Lucy:
I never heard about a Hoosier. Thank you for sharing this. I think if I lived in the US I would collect them too :-)

Legacy

"Be thou diligent to know the state of they flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?"

Proverbs 27:23 - 24

Legacy, a word I am pondering today as a result of our recent visit to Grandmother's house. Her legacy is profound and is passed along to her heirs; the values of faith, love, diligence, and care for others by quietly fulfilling the duties of life. She was not a woman with dozens of words, but rather one who had a word carefully chosen for each individual or situation she faced in life. Even in her quietness, she promoted the things that were important to her. Her legacy.

These thoughts make me contemplate what legacy I will pass along to my own heirs. I know what I hope to pass along to them, but sometimes wonder at my success in inculcating what I believe is important and of value. A legacy of the qualities of love, faith, and hope are gifts that are simple yet valuable to those who go after a person in life. Some think of legacy as financial resources or material possessions, but the most important legacy is of things that cannot be bought or sold. My responsibility: to demonstrate faith, the joy of living, the value of responsibility, compassion for others, an appreciation for the aesthetics of life as provided by our Creator, and so much more. These simple things of life become complex, yet uncomplicated when one thinks of them in the lasting terms of legacy.

What is your legacy?

Photo copyrighted by Rylan
2008

Grandmother Iva ~ 104

Grandmother Iva was born on a December day in 1903. The youngest of eleven siblings, she grew up with six brothers and four sisters. Her father was a farmer in northern Pennsylvania where Iva grew up and lived her entire life. That is, until retirement in Arizona some thirty-five years ago! I love this picture of her: exotic eyes, beautiful crimped hair, and sculpted features. It was about the time of this photo that she met and fell in love with Gramps. . .an adventurous young man who had dreams of ranching and of far off places like California. One family story tells of courtship in a horse-drawn sled that somehow overturned on a snowy night. Quiet and gentle, small and sweet --- grandma was also adventurous and could be tough as nails if need be!


During her child-rearing years Grandmother was a pretty traditional farm wife. A terrific cook, she always had tasty meals prepared for the family and farm hands. But Grandmother didn't leave all the farming to the men! She was known to drive cattle truck to cities far away, making deliveries of stock and such. When a sawmill was added to the farm, she frequently delivered lumber to the city, driving the old trucks with confidence and ease. Above she is, shown with Grandpa Ed and her daughers Audrey and Cella.


The family enjoyed a special time with Grandmother recently as we helped her to celebrate her 104th birthday. Although she has been affected by age, her sweet personality and generous smiles shines through. We enjoyed the opportunity to share this milestone moment with her.


Of course I cannot resist posting a picture of the lovely table-setting that Aunt Cella set. A delicious farm meal of Grandmother's favorite foods was set for this celebration moment.

Postscript

This is a postscript to my last post. I wanted to share this sweet, sweet picture with you. This is Grandmother Iva with her son-in-law, Harvey. He is saying 'grace' and is thanking God for Grandmother's many years of life. I think it's a very precious picture and wanted to share.

Vintage and Firsts

Today I dropped by Paula's shop after an appointment. She's had this beautiful vintage quilt for awhile and I have fallen in love! Isn't it pretty? It's in perfect condition as well. I love the colors and the beautiful hand-quilting. I especially like how each piece in the star design actually consists of patched sections of fabric. It makes for a crazy-quilt effect in a very well-mannered way! I don't know how old this quilt might be, but I am hoping some quilting readers might give me a clue.

I also received a nice message from Elizabeth Joy from Wildflower Morning today. She asked:

What quilts have you made? Do you have your first quilt? Maybe it is time for you to choose some fabric that sings to you, and piece it together into some lovely winter warmth. Can you hand quilt?

First of all, thank you, Elizabeth Joy for the questions! I appreciate 'something' to talk about on this January day. I'm sure you are partially inquiring because of my post this morning where I was lamenting the lack of exciting topics for January. But, I also know you really are interested, and I appreciate that. I think these questions from Elizabeth Joy could have me rambling on this subject for the entire month (don't worry; I will try to be concise!). I'll start today by tackling the first question and will respond to the others as time progresses.

I am not sure I can remember all the quilts I have made. I do not consider myself a quilter, although I love to dabble in quilting! I admire those who artistically piece quilts and create beautiful pieces of this fine art out of textiles in many shades and patterns and colors. And, I do enjoy making quilts for personal satisfaction and enjoyment. I have had a good example set by the women in my extended family. I can remember my great-grandmother who quilted daily up into her mid-eighties. She could hardly walk, but she would scoot to her treadle sewing machine where she would spend the day making pieced quilts in a crazy patch design. She literally did this day after day. My grandmother and great-grandfather would help her tie the quilts and then they were given to charity by the dozen, literally! My grandmother and mother also made quilts, although neither of them would probably consider themselves 'quilters' either. Our quilting heritage comes from a definitely practical perspective and is rich in family history and symbolism. Grandma's and Mother's quilts are the ones we use daily on all the family beds. I can still describe to you the outfits that mom, sis, or I made from the fabric that provided the left-over scraps for the quilts we donated to our Grandmother! These quilts are cherished family heirlooms.

One of the first quilts I ever made was when I was about 20 years old. My family spent the Christmas holiday at Grandma's house and we girls spent the entire time quilting. As a young woman, I had other ideas for my quilt than the crazy-quilt patched quilts the rest of the ladies were making. I selected two beautiful patterned sheets. One was a multi-colored green with a fern design and the backing was a plain olive green. With batting in the middle, we created a quilt by stitching the top and bottom together in a pretty design. Butterflies and scallops made up the pattern that I invented and penciled onto the quilt top. Great-grandmother, Grandmother, Mother, and I all hand-quilted. I remember, in my youthful wisdom, that I was somewhat annoyed that all our stitches were not evenly matched. Great-grandmother's were very large and far apart (she had a hard time seeing). Grandmother's were smaller, my mother's smaller yet, and mine the smallest. Today this quality is one that makes this quilt especially meaningful to me. Each stitch not only speaks of love, but of the unique qualities of each person who stitched it. It's been more than thirty years since that quilt was stitched. It's been much loved and well-used, but I still have it and cherish it. Other quilts have been crafted that have been more elaborate and pieced, but this quilt is the one that represents four generations of women who have stitched a piece of themselves into their work. Today Great-grandmother and Mother are gone. . .but their memory remains in many ways, including in each stitch they prepared in this loving way.

Aunt Cella's Prune Cake

Aunt Cella has perfected the art of baking a dense and delicious cake. She is known for her Jewish Apple Cakes, Oatmeal Cakes, and Prune Cakes. Here is the recipe for the Prune Cake that she baked for our afternoon tea ~

Aunt Cella's Prune Cake

3 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
1 cup chopped cooked prunes
2 cups sifted flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. soda
1 cup chopped nuts

Blend together eggs, sugar, and oil. Add cooked prunes. Set aside. In another bowl, mix dry ingredients. Add buttermilk to liquid ingredients and alternatively mix liquid and dry ingredients together. Fold in nuts.

Bake at 375 degrees F. for 30 minutes. Frost and garnish as desired.

Add 1 tsp. nutmeg to dry ingredients if desired (optional)

I'm a Little Teapot

A quaint little gas station called Teapot Dome sits along the freeway in eastern Washington. The tiny teapot station has always fascinated me! I can remember driving past it on trips with my family as a child and always wondered about it's history. Sometimes my dad would stop so we could look around, but in those days the gas station was in full operation, making exploring difficult. Abandoned in recent years, this tiny teapot still sits beside the roadway, adding interest and unusual scenery amongst pastures and fields of hops.

The teapot dome was built in 1922 by a man named Jack Ainsworth. He was making a political statement documenting the Teapot Dome scandals that rocked President Harding's administration in 1921 - 1923. At that time the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall, had leased government oil reserves in Teapot Dome, Wyoming, and Elk Hills, California to private producers. His illegal choice was dealt with, resulting in a term in prison. It took awhile to rectify his dealings and bring the situation under control again.

The building has a circular frame with a conical roof, a sheet-metal 'handle' and a concrete 'spout'. Some consider this an example of roadside architectural follies built during the expansion of the national highway system in the 1920's and 1930's, although it's value as a historical point of interest was recognized in 1985 when it was placed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Washington state has placed the building on their 'most endangered historic properties' list and efforts are being made to raise money to purchase the property and move it to a site nearby. A group called 'Friends of the Teapot' are actively involved in this endeavor.

Always interesting, I sometimes wonder if this, as one of my earliest memories, has anything to do with my love of 'afternoon tea'.

A Little Flower

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly.
"One must have freedom, sunshine and a little flower."

Hans Christian Anderson

I believe that a cuppa tea should be added to this list as well, don't you?

The book in this photo is a blank journal like is so popular today. On the first page, in beautiful, old-fashioned handwriting it says: "To Adriana Owen from your brother and loving sister. Orie and Fannie Harrington Xmas 1910"

Marked in Stone

Saturday's afternoon drive ended up in a town I have affectionately call 'Bluebird'. Bluebird houses, an old truck, houses past their prime, wheat fields, and a pristine little church were fun to observe and enjoy. Our trip also took us to a very old cemetery on a hill. A chilly breeze made us walk through at a hurried pace. Family names on gravestones, the same as names of country roads we passed by earlier, gave us moment to connect with community. Each gravestone speaks for itself.