Monday, March 31, 2014

The Good Ole Days

I think Spring has finally sprung in these parts.  Hoping that the three hours of snow yesterday were a last gasp of winter.  I spent the day finishing up this little quilty mat.  It will rest on the table next to sofa and hold the remote and my glasses.  I love these two Victorian ladies, probably spreading gossip as they meet on the street, dressed so elegantly.   They are a nice take on silhouettes.. just enough color to be interesting. Only four shades of DMC.  One of my better binding efforts, but still with my characteristic wonkiness!



The design actually put me in mind of one of my great aunts.  Here name was Annie also, but I was not named after her.  She was born in 1882 in Russia and came to the U.S. in 1898 at the age of 16.  Her outfit could definitely compete with the cross-stitched ladies' finery.


When I was a kid and my older brother discarded some toy or trinket he no longer wanted, I always scooped it up and added it to my collection of treasures.  One such item was still in my jewlery box.  It was a tie tack from AZA, the young boys club that was part of B'nai B'rith.  I decided it was high time I returned it to its rightful owner.  It was so tiny that I was afraid if I put it in an envelope, my brother might drop it, the tie tack would roll under some furniture, and he would never find it. So I invented a keepsake pouch for it.  Kind of looks like a needlebook.  The 6-pointed star I crocheted was not exactly a Star of David, but close enough.  Click here for the pattern.


I added the little tab so that the tie-tack would be removable rather that just sewn into the lining.  I doubt that he will remove it, but just in case!


My brother has received it now (after a bit of scare with weird post office tracking statuses!).  The tie tack is so tiny that although he could see that it is a menorah, he couldn't see the lettering, Aleph-Zadik-Aleph which is AZA in Hebrew.  He didn't recognize it at all as being something he once owned so I had to tell him what it was.  I took this enlarged photo and lightened it up so the letters are a touch more visible.  He certainly appreciated the effort though!

21 comments:

Dani - tkdchick said...

Good ole days looks great!

Lee said...

Love your very elegant ladies.

Vickie said...

I love what you did and the effort you put into that for your brother.
The ladies are fantastic! Too bad she doesn't have a poodle on that leash! ;)

Danielle said...

Love the silhouettes!!!

Margaret said...

That is just so sweet, what you did for your brother! So cool. I hope he appreciates it and treasures it too. Love the silhouettes and the pic of your great aunt. Soooo coooool!

Karen said...

Annie, I love the special case you made for your brother's tie tack, it's the perfect place to keep such a treasured item. I love the ladies mat, too, and enjoyed seeing a picture of your great aunt!

Jane said...

What a great little holder for it, and I'm glad he appreciated the work that went into it

Jane said...

Oh, and I forgot to say, I love the victorian ladies :)

Michelle said...

What a lovely, elegant finish!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

That is so very special what you did for your brother Annie :) I'm like you always saving things and then thinking I need to give them back to their original owner only be looked at like: WHAT IS THIS?! Ha ha ha! :)
I love your old fashioned ladies!

Mii Stitch said...

Your Ladies look fantastic! I love your choice of fabric for the finish :)

Carol said...

I really enjoyed this post, Annie--you always find the neatest things to stitch and the Victorian ladies are so sweet. I especially love the old photo of your great aunt Annie! Just look at how elegantly they dressed back then with the ruffles and fur trimmed coat. Coming from Russia she would have been very much at home in your latest winter in DC!!

Glad to see the tie tack was returned to its original owner--you and your brother sound like you have a really special relationship :)

Happy April to you--may the snow fairy be banished for a long, long time!

ricketyjo said...

Your little quilted mat is so wonderful!!

Melanie said...

Oh my goodness, what a great photo of your aunt!! Look at her in her leather gloves and fur trim. That's great. Those two Victorian ladies ain't got nothing on her!

That's great you kept that keepsake for so long. The case for it is lovely. :)

♥ Nia said...

Ohhh very unusual design! Looks awesome :D

Mylene said...

Such a great keepsake case you made for your brother i am sure he appreciated the effort.
The quilted mat is beautifully finished!

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

I love your ladies, who is the designer please?
They should definitely make your Grandmother into a cross stitch design too!

As the others have said, the little holder for your brother's pin is amazing, so much work and so thoughtful.

Annette said...

Never seen something like that!!
beautifull for your brother!!
and teh ladies.. so funny!1
Beautifull pic of your Aunti

Sandra said...

Oh Annie, that is such a thoughtful present!!! Love it.

Your great aunt looks beautiful, as the ladies in the stitchery ;)

Brigitte said...

I love what you made for your brother's little old treasure.. Looks so delicate. And a lovely memory of your and your brother's childhood.

And I love the two elegant ladies and what you turned them into. Great finishing.

ArchangelDecker said...

Love these Victorian ladies! :)


Who is the designer? I would love stitching this for myself and a friend. :)