Ed's Grandmother's Trivets

I am participating in Kelli's of There's No Place Like Home Friday Show and Tell. {Click on this link to read more about it.}

I took these photos with my trusty point and shoot camera. I think they came out OK? And a lot quicker to upload to my blog as well. :D

A few weeks ago, my FIL's wife gave me these lovely trivets. They were made by my husband's Grandmother. She was much loved by her family. And the lady knew how to use a needle. They thought I would appreciate them.

The top two were, I believe, made as pot holders. And must have hung in the kitchen. They both have a loop on them. The yellow orange (variegated thread) is the only one made like that. They are both smaller.

They had stains on them. I had to soak them in Sun (same as biz only cheaper) for several days. It did lift the color just a tad. The pink was darker.

This one was a tad more vibrant.

This one also had ink on it as well as stains. Lots of Grandmothers Secret Spot Remover and Sun. This one soaked over and over for days to remove all the stains. It did fade a good bit.

Mom (what she was called by her children, DIL and Grandchildren) was an excellent craftswoman. And she used excellent materials. These trivets were stored for decades with the stains. That eats away at the fibers in the textiles. (Textiles must be cleaned in like dove dishwashing liquid, rinsed throughly and packed away. All sugar and stains removed before storage.) I was suprised that the fibers held up so well to the soaking. They look just beautiful!

And doesn't it look beautiful underneath my Laura Ashley Teapot made by Stashfordshire?

Cypress Fern

Otherwise known as Morning Glory Quamoclit pennata from the Convolvulaceae family.

For many many years, this Morning Glory was spread by passing out seeds over a neighbor's fence. In a way, that is sort'of how I got mine. While walking one day, I saw it all over a mail box. I asked the owner of the house about the plant. "May I have a cutting or one of the seedlings?" He explained it does not root and the seedlings will not transplant. But, in the fall, or as I see seed pods, take as much as I want.

I have this growing on my mailbox and now, through out my yard. It prefers full sun and anything it can climb on. Mine has bright red blooms. You can also get it in pink and white. In the bottom photo it is coming up volunteer and intertwined with some vincas and weeds.

Many times a year someone will stop by and ask for cuttings, seedlings, etc. I tell them the same thing the man told me. I also keep a baggy of seeds just to give away.

I really need to use my micro lens on a day when it is not windy! This is a tiny flower. BTW, humming birds like them too! And they will buzz you as you photograph the flower.

Another Fall Give-A-Way

Joanne at My Little Cottage in the Making is having a fabulous fall Give-A-Way. Please stop by her blog and check it out.

Fray Check is Our Friend

As a long time sewer, embroider, smocker, quilter, crocheter, crafter and collector, I have found that from time to time there is one item I cannot do without. I discovered it not long after purchasing a serger 10 years ago. And now keep several bottles of it. I keep it in sewing kits, next to my sewing machines, etc.

You can pick it up any where you can purchase sewing notions. Hobby Lobby, Hancocks, Wally World, ...

This is a beautiful crochet doily that I picked up at an antique shop a few weeks ago for $3. It was in mint condition. However, my final test was a good soak in Sunguard (Biz just a little cheaper. Works for getting out stains and anything else.) I placed several pieces in the washer on delicate and presoak. This lovely piece had a weak spot and frayed. I did not worry about it, it adds character and I have Fray Check!

Here is another item that I purchased at a thrift store next door to the antique store. It also frayed in the wash.

When you apply the Fray Check, make sure you have a piece of plastic or some sort of protective covering underneath the textile.

When the Fray Check is dry, the item is ready for use or storage. You can still see the damage. (And BTW, you can repair the damage if you desire to. I plan to do that with this piece. It is just too nice a piece to not repair.) But the Fray Check will keep the it from raveling more and meanwhile, you can use it.

Fray Check is permanent. It is also very soft and you can hardly feel it when it drys. I use to crochet colored beads or buttons on my daughters socks (to match all her outfits) when she was younger. I have made them to sell and for gifts. I have never had a pair ravel b/c of my end piece coming undone b/c I always finished it off with Fray Check. It is a good product. And it is soft enough that I can easily repair this piece when I am ready to do so with needle and thread. :-)

BTW, if you see any other loose threads when treating a frayed piece with Fray Check, treat that lose threads as well. You will be glad that you did. :-)

Soccer Mom

I am going to lose my Soccer Mom status. DD has had two games and I have missed both!!!

The first game, I subbed a Pilates class for a friend then ended teaching the cardio class before the Pilates class as well at that particular gym. DD seemed to be thrilled that, for once, mom (who was her soccer coach last year, well asst. coach) was not going to be there cheering or screaming at her from the sidelines....

Game 1

They won the game (though we do not keep score in UpWard) and DD scored two goals!

I missed the second game because my CPR certification is expiring this month and I had to take my recert course. Well, she was a little sad that I missed the 2nd game. The 1st game was a little independence from mom kinda thing. The second game was "OK mom, that's enough!!!" LOL!

Game 2

DD said they won, DH said that he could not tell. DD scored several goals. But the ref disqualified one I think. Glad I was not there. I do not mind confronting a ref. In a kind way of course.

Now, interesting thing. Both coaches are going to be out on practice night this week. Guess who the stand in coach is? Yep, Soccer MOM! ME!

Y'all please pray for me. I get a little intense with these little girls and expect them to play like pros. I need to show them what to do kindly and correctly with the love of Christ and make sure I understand it is just a game. Plus the rules have changed and I am not 'up' on them completely. And really, this is just a practice. The real coaches will be back on Sat for the game. I just need to do the best I can to prepare the girls. DH is helping me. And though he is very intense as well, soccer is not something he gets intense about. So he will be a great buffer. :-)

Another Fab Give-A-Way!!!

is celebrating her 100th post by giving away Amy Butler's "In Stitches" I know if you are a sewer like me, this is a great treat! You have until Midnight to enter! Click on the link I posted above to go to her site to register. :-) Or you can click right here. :D

Sunday Video

Our Minister of Performing Arts cut a CD a little less than a year ago. Here ia a youtube link to one of the songs. This is from the 'kickoff' concert.

David DeVane