Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Family Heirlooms

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My mom told me last week she was mailing me a package with some beautiful vintage placemats and a matching table runner that she found in her linen stash. (She has vintage linens stashed everywhere in her home.) When I opened the box I could not believe how gorgeous they are! These pictures do not do them justice at all! They are so dainty and feminine looking. The fabric is so sheer you can practically see right through it and the workmanship is just unbelievable! I can't believe the amount of work women used to put into these handmade pieces! (if you click on the photos to enlarge them you can see more detail)

There are 8 placemats...all in perfect condition! My mom doesn't remember where she bought these but it was either a flea market or a thrift store many, many years ago.

She also sent me this bisque bride and groom wedding bell. It belonged to my grandmother. It wasn't from her wedding but was something she bought a long time ago, probably from a thrift store, or as my grandma called it...the "junk store!" My mom remembers her having it back in the 40s.

I'm thankful that my mom and grandma shopped at the "junk stores" and even though these didn't start out as our family heirlooms they are now!

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Tomorrow is my centerpiece party! I'll put my centerpiece post up at midnight (Pacific Time) tonight. If you plan on joining in you can sign up with Mr. Linky anytime after that but please do not add your name to Mr. Linky until you have your centerpiece post published so you can link directly to that post and not just to your blog.

UPDATE: I almost forgot to thank Lesley~Flatwoods Folk Art for featuring me in one of her Yummy Yummy Blog Discovery Posts. Click here to see!

40 comments:

Lisa~A Cottage To Me said...

What beautiful placemats! And the bride and groom a neat. Different then the norm. You are a lucky lady to have such a nice person send you that lamp. It's gorgeous! Something to be cherished for sure! Have a great day!

Dream Mom said...

Oh, the placemats are so beautiful! I am very envious of you right now:)I LOVE the feminine detail of those placemats!

I love all of the detail the ladies used to put into these vintage linens. I have many hand crocheted doilies and placemats, along with some store bought ones; I purchased the vintage linens at antique stores. When I think about these women putting all of themselves into their homes, from the hand crafted linens, quilts, rugs and then all of the food-the home baked breads and all of the other recipes from scratch, I have to believe that they had some wonderful energy in their homes and that everyone in there had to feel more attached to that home (and each other)in some way.

For your centerpiece party, I used a vintage lace hankerchief that my mother used in her wedding. It was so beautiful and I could never figure out quite where to use it until now. It's great I found a perfect place.

Joy Jones said...

Hi Cindy! They are BEAUTIFUL... true works of art! Would your Mom adopt me...that way we could be sisters.... and you'd have to SHARE everything with ME : ) LOL ~ Joy

Anonymous said...

Cindy, those linens and cake topper are gorgeous!! How wonderful that you have a mom that shares your love for such things. I also wanted to tell you how happy I am for you that you were gifted with that BEAUTIFUL lamp!!! I will be watching to see what your shade turns out like. All the best to you, you deserve it! ~cindy s~

Amanda Herrold said...

that's sweet!!! and pretty placemats!

vintage girl at heart said...

Beautiful and so meaningful!!

Sassafras said...

the bride and groom bell is so cutie!

the linens are very pretty as well.

:]

Country Romantic said...

Wow Cindy, those are beautiful! And it's so special to have things like that from your family handed down. And you are so blessed to have that lamp given to you also. It was just what you had been wanting and then *boom* there it was.

Your blog has been such an inspiration to me. And I want to give back to those who have helped me.
I am a "Giver" and love to bless others, so this week I'm hosting my first "Friday Giveaway." It's my way of saying thank you to all my blogging friends.
If you would like to enter go to

http://countryromantic.blogspot.com/2009/02/hearts-around-home-giveaway.html

(I don't like for anyone to lose, so everyone who enters will receive a free gift.) :)

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

What beautiful placemats, I have some very similar that belonged to my Grandmother.. not sure when or where she acquired them. I just know I cherish them now..hugs ~lynne~

Penny said...

Gotta love the Momma!
Beautiful!
Is the stitching light blue or gray?
Lovely Linens!

Sharla said...

Very pretty!

Do you mind if I ask you a question?
I loved the lace tablecloth you talked about late last year.It was lace but very sheer-from the picture it looked almost like tulle.
What is that fabric called? Is it just lace? I have been trying to find a similar one on Ebay, and I'm probably not typing in the right keyword.

Thanks so much! I look forward to your blog every morning

Jeanne Oliver said...

What an amazing gift. I love vintage linens and how much more special that they were your moms. I am having a huge giveaway..come on over.

Anne Fannie said...

Hi Cindy,
Those linens are beautiful! For their age, they are so white and in such great condition!
~Ann

Unknown said...

Very Lovely indeed! I have a lot of little figurines that belonged to my grandparents. At the time no one wanted them. Now I am occasionally asked by my aunts "hey do you still have...?" I know some of them regret not holding on to them. They do mean alot!

~Liz

Four Paws and Co said...

Cindy, Your mom is such a jewel! The placemats are amazing! Sweet post! ♥ Diane

Nina Diane said...

oh my....those placemats are beautiful

Anonymous said...

You have certainly had a fabulous couple of wks.I know how very proud your mom must be of you.To ck on her daughter,all she has to do is log on.It must be so nice...Ann

KarenB said...

Not only are they beautiful treasures, but they go perfectly with your style. Love the little wedding bell also. It's precious!

Terri Steffes said...

Those are lovely. You are so lucky!

Penny Sue said...

Dear Miss Cindy,

I just spent the past 1/2 hour catching up on your blog. I can't believe I'd been so long missing out on your posts. So, today, my treat before having to get ready for work (yeah, gotta work at 4 pm today) was the catch up on your blog. I bookmarked the Vintage Journal as well. Congrats to you for the honor it brings you to be a contributor.

The bride/groom bell is just so precious.

I only have a very few family heirlooms from either side of my family. My maternal grandmother and grandfather were married in 1918 when she was just 18 years old. I have an ornament (a pear) that was on their very first Christmas tree after they were married.

I also have an Irish linen ladies handkie. This was from my paternal grandmother and grandfather.

And the very last thing that I can think of that is that old is an outfit I used to wear as an infant... red velvet pants with a white satin with an embroidered white sheer overlay with red roses. I was an almost Christmas Birthday. I was born on 12/17/1962but back in those days they didn't send you right home. So I came home on Christmas Eve.

Thank you for the reminders of what is precious... those things which link us to our distant past, perhaps to people we never met, and create a bond that transcends time.

Hugs,
Penny Sue

Alison Gibbs said...

Wow great taste and style sure runs in your family. Fabulous placemats.
Look forward to the Centrepiece Party
Alison

Anonymous said...

How pretty! What about that gorgeous silverware in the first photo? Was it a gift from your mom too? Thanks for sharing!

Karin

Cindy said...

Karin, The silver is from one of my blog readers (Lorrie)!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh my goodness, those placemats are just simply stunning. I wonder how many hours they each took. Such a labor of love. The Bride and Groom bell is just gorgeous. How sweet of your mom to send you such wonderful treasures. I think they really are family heirlooms. Hugs, Marty

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

What a wonderful post Lesley did on you! And every word of it was true! Looking forward to your centerpiece party!

Brenda Pruitt said...

One of these days a (bigger) house will be a necessity due to all your pretties!
Brenda

Paula Bee said...

I love vintage linens! I have always had a soft spot for beautiful textiles. Lucky lady to have such a sweet Mom send you such a nice gift!

Paula

xinex said...

Those linens are gorgeous, Cindy! Beautiful embroideries! And the bell, so unique....lucky you! They are really precious!...Christine

Tanza said...

Ooohh Cindy.. These are just BEAUTIFUL !! WOW !! And to think they're from your own family even better.. Treasure them.. I also collect 'ole vintage wedding toppers.. They are really getting harder to find.. I LOVE to make vinegettes with them under domes.. Very sweet.. Thanks for sharing.. ~teagirl~

Lynda said...

Those placemats are magnificent! And to think they've been put away for all these years!! Enjoy!

A Southern Rose said...

Those placemats are so you! They are very beautiful! They look as if they were made especially for you!

Unknown said...

oh my gosh......those placemats are just so beautiful! Just so feminine and gorgeous!

Cottage Rose said...

Hello Cindy; Your Mother and Grandmother have such wonderful taste. Now I know where you get it from. I can't even imagine setting a plate of food on that lovely place mat. How sweet is the bride and groom bell... too cute.

Hugs;
Alaura

Elizabeth said...

Don't you just love getting heirlooms? I love vintage linens...I can't get enough of them.
Your placemats are so beautiful!!
Elizabeth

Nancy Wyatt said...

Beautiful placemats! I know you keep busy but if you have time stop by my blog for some awards :) hugs!

BittersweetPunkin said...

Lovely items Cindy...such a joy for you to be able to receive them.

Hugs,
Robin

FRENCH LAUNDRY said...

Thanks for stopping by, Cindy! I'm fortunate to have a small set of organdy placemats and a long runner similar to yours. I bought it years ago to sell, but have never been able to pry my little fingers off of it! LOL! Have a great day!

Judy

Anonymous said...

I like this bride and groom...I have never seen them before like that...and of course...your linens, beautiful.....My mom was the one that gave her lace weddinggown to a poor country because she thought poor brides to be could wear it...she forgot all about me...(maybe becaus I was allready married but I would have wanted it anyway...instead of some poor bride who knows where...

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

How beautiful. Love these placemats. You won't believe it but I just found some sheer pink vintage placemats AND matching napkins that I just got laundered & ironed & hope to put on my Pink Saturday post! Yours are exquisite! And that little bride & groom are soooo adorable ~ I have a collection of those, too, & have never seen one just like yours!!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Just beautiful, Cindy! Those mats are worth a pretty penny these days. Isn't the handwork amazing?? Please use them. alot. I am sad when I see piles and piles of antique linens at an estate that no one ever used.

ps. the real scene stealer is your Cherub Lace on the shelf...a handmade Italian piece that is to die for.
xo Lidy