Old Quilt/Embroidery Finds at the Thrift Store--Parasol Ladies

It's been a long time since my last post but I thought I would share some things I found at a local thrift store! I've been trying to find more information about what year this possibly could be. There are 2 pillows that are finished of applique quilt pieces and look to be made from feed sack cloth. I'm sure the colors are faded from what they were back in the years it was made.

Mostly what I've found is consistent with the 20s/30s decades and the quilt pattern is Parasol Ladies. This pattern is similar to the Sunbonnet Sue. I really liked the detail!

Is this hand embroidered edges or machine?

I would love to know.

The second pillow I found with it that has green colors but not stuffed.

The underneath looks handsewn embroidered.

Quite a bit of wear in some places.

The filling part of the interior is heavy and almost a solid flannel feel. Definitely not poly.

The information I found mostly was about quilts/quilt blocks. If anyone has ever seen these and has good knowledge about what year these were made, please send me a comment below!

Miss Abbie says "Hello" to all our followers and friends. She is still my lump of sugar and my best friend.

I hope to be blogging more often again. So check back soon!

Take care,

Jennifer

My Wednesday Wow!

Quilts

Old Quilts

Really Old Quilts

I spent the afternoon cleaning out closets and have much more to go at the homestead. I actually have an empty big closet that I can use my imagination with a little. This quilt in the pic is the oldest one I have and I can't tell you how many years it's been loved, for it was bought antique back in the 80's.

I have, since then, bought more old quilts but this one is special because it was the first one I bought antique and has been with me through years.

It's been put to good use and still has more years to go.

Right now the quilt is just one of several on display and at which occasional time, I will change the quilts around on the beds at home.

When I was pregnant with my first son, I literally bundled myself up in it during the last trimester as my need for sleep was about 24-7 for some reason.

Then again, back in the 80's when I bought this old quilt, I even used this for a tablecloth for awhile. I would remove it when it was time to eat, but it really added alot to a country style kitchen I had.

This quilt also has been through raising two kids which both would curl up on the couch or in their room with it or drag it around while they were toddlers.

Ren (my last chi that passed) and Abbie both have tunneled themselves in this big heavy quilt too!

It's been through it's time. 

There are a couple of frayed parts where the cotton batting is seen and I need to fix them because even though it's that worn out, probably about 50 years old now, I can't bear to give it away.

I have never quilted but always admired those who have. I like to read quilter's blogs and stories when I have the time to. I always wanted to knit and finally learned to. I've had this little pull to quilt but I haven't tried any of it........yet.

I think one day, later rather than sooner as life is busy as a bee right now, I will learn some basic quilting.

However, I think it takes a special person, most-talented to make all those cuts and shapes so perfect to make one final product to withstand years and years. 

I'm not sure I'm that person. Geometry was not my favorite subject. (honestly)

Maybe one day when I'm old, I will learn to quilt.

And probably when I do, I will still have this first, old quilt I bought--- before my kids were even born-- at an antique store, and still admire it's aged beauty.

Retired now to a special place on display, the old quilt can be brought down again to wrap it's heavy, comforting thickness around me and it's coziness, warmth and promise will remind me that something so very old, can still bring a lot of happiness on a cool, Fall day.

And I'm SO ready for a Fall day!

Wow!

May we all strive to be like the old quilt~~~

to be strong

to cover and protect

to warm the heart

to last a good lifetime

during good and bad times

and cherish for hope

~~~~~~~through generations

Till later,

Jennifer

Freebie Sampler: Comforts of Home Series no 1

I absolutely love, love, love a quilt in my home. It just resonates with comfort even on a Summer day! I saw a quote somewhere once and thought this would be a great sampler verse. I have not stitched it up yet but will. I hope you enjoy it! I hope to design some of my favorite comforts of home. Just for starters..............quilts.

If you do stitch it up email me a picture to put on the blog at jenniferann_fox@yahoo.com

Thank you to all who commented such sweet, sweet words! I so appreciate it. If I can make just one person happier in the day or lifted, my purpose is served.

 

 

 

 

Comforts of Home Series

No. 1

The Quilt

 

designer Feathers in the Nest

copyright 2014

 

I designed the border for half stitches to mimic the appearance of  some quilt edgings.

I love the primitive colors used here in dark gold and black but you can sub any colors you like to match your room décor.

 

There are areas for French knots that add texture to the sampler.

 

This sampler would look really awesome near your quilt collection, or sewing room.

 

I hope you enjoy! Please remember that this is for free for a limited time on the blog and not to be sold or kitted. I thank you so much. If you stitch it up and put on your blog, please reference Feathers in the Nest!

 

I hope this prints out ok for you. If not, please comment and let me know.

 

Well, today is certainly a typical March day with wind gusts and sunny cool skies. A great day to fly a kite............not as a joke........but seriously if you have kids, they would love this wind.

The trees are still bare and I just found out Easter is really late this year, like towards the end of April!

So more cool weather I'm sure until Easter. That's what my mama always said and it has always been true.

 

I hope you enjoy your Tuesday and remember that home is where the heart is. Make your home a place of comfort. Of course, for everyone that is different and suitable to your individual needs.

I have found that a good balance in my life of work, homesteading, faith, and physical care is the perfect equation for me at my age and stage of life. A little of all blends perfectly for the balance I need to ensure I'm healthy, a good wife, a good medical provider, and a good child of God.

 

Expressing our creative spirit is a great way to nurture the soul AND the soul of others. I am so thankful for all the creative spirits out there sharing patterns and ideas, and networking.

 

 It's definitely the balm for my spirit.

 

Again, I hope you have a great day!

Till later,

Jennifer

Treats at the Homestead

There's a really, wicked, cool vintage/thrift store called Velvet's Vintage. Velvet is a sweet lady and the nicest person you'll meet. She has a neat place and also had a small auction this weekend of which was some me time for my introverted self. You know when I saw old cotton batting quilts of years gone by, flapping on the porch rail, I had to stop!  If you Facebook, like Velvet's Vintage and you will be able to see her latest updates on her house of the shop and any auctions.

 

I really was looking for a chest of drawers but found other things instead. Many things went for only 5 bucks, I'm talking, exciting good. I absolutely didn't need 4 quilts but as I love old, old homey, vintagey linens and such, they were calling my name in the wind and sun so I got them for a little of nothing to change out at the homestead here in the mountains.

 

I haven't measured them but my favorite is a smaller one, probably for a twin bed but I'm using it now for a quilt change on the sofa by the fire. There are very few fray spots on a couple here and there but  all handmade with the back of the quilt made of 15 lb bags of white flour sack cloth from Athens, Ga on one of them.

Interesting indeed.

 

Besides quilts, I got 2 old, steady chairs painted in a cream color for 7 bucks.

 

 

It was perfect because it replaced my others I had before and the best thing is I like these alot more.

 

 

Sometimes when the weather is nice, I like to eat outside with Mr. Darcy.

 

 

 

 

This quilt is the largest one and probably would fit a double bed. It's bright and cheery and I could only think of Christmas and Valentine's decor when I saw this one.

 

 

 

 

 

The backing is all old calico red cotton.

 

 

This is the second quilt and it's light and airy for the Spring months.

 

 

 

It's old and the backing you can tell was all handstitched.

 

 

 

This is the next one, it's the smallest, probably for a twin bed. It now graces the sofa by the fire.

This one is my favorite!

 

 

 

 

 

It's the one that has the old 15 lb flour sack cotton printing on the back.

 

 

The last one here is also an old, pretty design.

 

 

Fits a double bed which is what I prefer to sleep in anyway.

 Life is way too short not to sleep cozy.

 

 

 

 

 

It's amazing how we can repurpose old quilts. When I first saw them I thought that when I unfolded them, there would be holes and damage but very few worn frayed areas, not even noticable.

There is lots more life to these quilts.

 

And they will grace the homestead in some way or form. I'm sure they were loved by some other folks somewhere as well and whoever made these quilts with their loving hands probably had no idea they would end up in this home. The designs on the quilts I'm sure all you quilters would know, I don't, but I do love them all and yesterday was a wonderful day out.

Sadly, we wanted to leave church this morning and go for a ride for some Fall pics but the wind has been quite breezy and cold here and the leaves and acorns are falling fast with  a rainy cloudy day. 
The sun came out for about 30 minutes and it's already getting near dark. But in spite of the weather, the fellowship and worship service was good and the message was very good this morning.

So after church I put a pork roast in the crockpot for tomorrow's supper along with some fresh veggies and while that was on the way and started, cooked a 2 layer yellow cake with chocolate icing which definitely hit the spot!

I vacuumed lots of Abbie hair and cleaned the kitchen and family room while the warmth of the fire place is radiating nothing but COZY. I sorted out some stash and fibers and put them back where they belong and found the ottoman again. :)  I couldn't believe how many threads, needles, hoops, frames, and patterns to stitch was piled up on the ottoman!!

I sat down a few too many minutes now and could definitely take a nap but instead going to finish the last episode of Downton Abbey, Season 2--the Christmas episode with Mr. Darcy. I'm all giddy about this episode and can't wait until January for Season 3 here in the US. We just decided we are going to restart and watch both seasons again in the next few weeks.

This Abbie is all cozy now on her pillow and soaking up the warmth from the fire.

 

 

 

She has her "Baby, it's cold outside" hoodie on. She's a hoot!

She is in a pensive mood as she doesn't particularly like this hoodie. Some she likes and some she pouts for hours at me for putting on her. She even refused a treat, a bacon one. But she finally forgave me for the hoodie and is now considering keeping me.

 

 

Have a great Sunday evening!

I'm fixing to have another piece of chocolate cake with a cold glass of milk.

Downton Abbey is about to start here.

 

Jennifer

Dinner and quilts at Unicoi Lodge

Tonight, Body Guard and I went to Unicoi State Park Lodge to eat dinner supper. The buffet was so fresh and abundant. They always have fresh trout and vegetables and a dessert table that is quite huge.

It was raining very heavy until after dinner and then the sun came out with the mountains steaming as we strolled along the grounds and the woods.

We met some nice folks while I took pictures outside and looked at the beautiful flowers.

Unicoi's dining room has always had many quilts exhibited and, well, as you can see in the pictures, the prices are quite pricey for a souvenier for travelers. We are locals and have seen them before but I got my camera and started snapping pics after we ate our good-eats.

He waits patiently always while I'm on an adventure.

See the smile.

After the price though.......

And so the camera starting snapping.

What a name for a pattern!

In the meantime, he's analyzing people.

This is one of my favorites....nope, can't get any of these quilts...evah. The prices are quite high. LOL

This Oak Leaf pattern one is my second most favorite.

Then, the next level at the bottom past the other side of the BIG fireplace has several other quilts.

Although I had enough dessert to hang from the rafters, I didn't for these pics :)

Hold on, let me just bend way over and grab on to the lights and get this close-up!

Walking down to the second floor and then out where the rain finally stopped and within a few minutes the sun struggled to beam through the clouds.

The Lantana is abundant here.

Not a drop of rain wasted......

AHHH,  sun!

We stroll through the grounds.

I did not once hear the word S_N_A_K_E, thank goodness, on this walk.

This is the swing where we sit and talk about things like "remember when......"

I can only say it was a steamy Sunday evening.