Pearls and Lace Thursday #121 Tray of Pearls!

Blessings just keep pouring in from all parts of the world....
that is from YOU my followers and readers of my blog!  You ladies are the most wonderful!!!
Thank you so much for taking time to contact me and leave comments.  You just make my whole day better!

I told y'all last week that I had been remiss at sharing PEARLS with you for Pearls and Lace Thursday for much too long.  I will be making up for that today!!

What do you think??

This is the tray from that old raggedy trunk that I thought I'd try to beautify.  The trunk has been relegated to the garage, but the tray is a permanent fixture for my craft space.

Some of my newest pearl pieces are now part of the collection, including that sweet heart shaped pendant below.  My friend Paula whom I've told you about before and her co-worker worked their fingers to the bone for me finding some lovelies to purchase...long distance!!  Paula owns a delightful antique shop, Somewhere in Time Antiques, on the Mississippi River in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  You can read about our delightful trip to Missouri and Paula's shop HERE.   Each year I have been delighted to call her up and ask her to get me a bunch of items together that she thinks I will like.  I have NEVER been disappointed!! 

Thank you again Paula for a delightful box of goodies!

And I have added a few pictures of the craft room which is STILL in progress.  It seems it will be in a state of non-perfectness for a while...possibly until July!! 

So ladies, did I do a good job catching up on the Pearls??  It's time for Pearls and Lace Thursday!!

Add your url code for your post to the link below and be sure and visit the others attending the party.  Last week was a blast!  Such beautiful and artistic items were shared!  I was so excited to have you all join me!!

Blessings to you!

Doni

I will also be attending some parties.  Please check them out!

Mosiac Monday at

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Make it Pretty Monday

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/

Today's Thrifty Treasures at

http://southernhospitalityblog.com/

Show Off Your Cottage Monday at

http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/

Cowgirl Up Party Monday

http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/

Just Something I Whipped Up

http://www.thegirlcreative.com/

Knick of Time Tuesday

http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/

Open House Party

http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Cottage Garden Party

http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com/

Hope in Every Season
http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/

Blissful White Wednesday

http://www.timewashed.com/

Adorned From Above

http://www.adornedfromabove.com/

What's It Wednesday

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Whatever You Want Wednesday

http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/

Grace at Home

http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Time Travel Thursday
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

Vintage Thingie Thursday

http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/

Minute for Me Thursday

http://marciascraftysewing.blogspot.com/

Home Sweet Home

http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Feathered Nest Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday

http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday

http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

A Crafty Soiree

http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Inspiration Friday

http://www.atthepicketfence.com/

Thrifty Things Friday

http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Simple and Sweet Fridays

http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Shabbylicious Friday

http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Potpourrie Friday

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

Pink Saturday

http://www.howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Sew Darn Crafty

http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/

Pearls and Lace Thursday #115 Notions and Laces

It seems to me that those of us living in the United States are missing something.

As I've wandered the internet and visited so many other countries, I have found that the sewing items there are much more elaborate and beautiful than what we can find here.

The items I find here in Texas are useful and necessary, not so much lovingly handcrafted for beauty.

I guess that's why laces are so eyecatching to me.

They're beautiful!

A few years ago I purchased a very OLD, rusted, and neglected trunk that I wanted to restore.  Well, let's just say it's too far gone to be restored.  So I took the inside tray out and decided to try to use it for something.  It is very old and decrepit (is that the right way to spell that??).  Falling apart, dusty, and wobbly...it just needs some TLC.  But I wanted to use it for a post and fill it with lace.  And thread.  And buttons...

Now don't get me wrong here.  I love old sewing notions period.  Whether from near or far!  Whether metal, celluloid, wood;  buttons, lace, or thread...they all fascinate me.  I just can't pass a spool of thread or jar of buttons...and lace....well watch out!!

I'd love to have a shop that I could fill with things that were gently used so that others could enjoy them.

But I'm afraid that with my love for those kinds of things, I just wouldn't open the doors to the public, but would just play with them and take pictures....move things around and do it again!!!

With the collection of laces that I've lovingly hoarded collected over the years, I've slowly learned more and more about the way they were made, the regions certain ones were made, and the history behind them. Women all over the world love lace, and men too!  The industry of making lace in factories is also interesting, although those laces are not as exciting to me...

When I find an exceptional piece, I touch it with clean hands and great care.  I feel like I'm supposed to be a caretaker of lace.  I think that's why I have such a difficult time crafting with my laces!
But I did recently, and next week I'll show you my efforts.

One of my favorite things to do is to Pin on Pinterest.  You can see my Pin Boards here .  The fun of pinning is not just finding a picture of an object I want to pin, but burrowing further and finding the source of the picture.  Most of my finds have led me to a blog or a website of pictures that make my mouth water.  New blogs I've found have consumed my time as I click through years of back posts and I feel like I've found a new magazine that I can drool over!!

Now, I need to learn French, German, and a dozen other languages so that I can REALLY get the whole thing, but pictures say a thousand words, right??

And a wonderful surprise for me when I went to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound!!
Dear Beverly had recognized my last Pearls and Lace Thursday post as being the most viewed last week for her Blog Party!!! I was blown away!!  Thank you Beverly, and thank you to all who clicked over here and visited!!

It's time for Pearls and Lace Thursday, and please forgive me for being so wordy today.  It must be the (diet peach) pie from Thanksgiving!!
Add the url code for your post to the link below and show us your lovelies.
I'd like to welcome my newest followers too!  Thank you all for coming to visit and for joining me each week for the party!
Blessings,
Doni



I'll be joining some parties this week too!

Mosiac Monday at

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Make it Pretty Monday

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/

Today's Thrifty Treasures at

http://southernhospitalityblog.com/

Show Off Your Cottage Monday at

http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/

Cowgirl Up Party Monday

http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/

Just Something I Whipped Up

http://www.thegirlcreative.com/

Knick of Time Tuesday

http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/

Open House Party

http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Cottage Garden Party

http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com/
Hope in Every Season
http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/

Blissful White Wednesday

http://www.timewashed.com/

Adorned From Above

http://www.adornedfromabove.com/

What's It Wednesday

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/
Whatever You Want Wednesday

http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/

Grace at Home

http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Time Travel Thursday

http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

Vintage Thingie Thursday

http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/

Minute for Me Thursday

http://marciascraftysewing.blogspot.com/

Home Sweet Home

http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Feathered Nest Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday

http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday

http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

A Crafty Soiree

http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Inspiration Friday

http://www.atthepicketfence.com/

Thrifty Things Friday

http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Simple and Sweet Fridays

http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Shabbylicious Friday

http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Potpourrie Friday

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

Pink Saturday

http://www.howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Sew Darn Crafty

http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/

Pearls and Lace Thursday #110 Lace, Lovely Lace!

Lace, Lovely Lace!

I will never tire of its beauty, its lovliness, its age-old shades of whites and creams.

The textures and patterns are a joy to behold.

Touching it and playing with it makes me feel like a child with a favorite toy!

And a room full of 'toys' is what I'm sharing again today.

I wonder how many hours of work these drawers of lace would account for?  I wonder how many people worked on them, who they were, what kind of lives they lived.  Were these pieces of lace used for clothing or bedding?  Were they kept for a special occasion or daily wear?  What countries around the world do they represent?  Did they see weddings or funerals?

You see, they are treasures to me.  They stand for the hard work and talented hands that created them.

And yet, they speak about a time in our history that was slower in pace.  A time when Family was important, but God was first.

God's handiwork is even more intricate, more vast, and reaches from eternity to eternity.

He knew before He created the universe, the end from the beginning, and He alone controls the enormity of the universe from the largest thing to the smallest.  There are no random molecules!

Aren't we blessed to be able to enjoy such gifts from our Creator??

The women who made these laces took care to follow directions, and they took time to create things of beauty that would last for many years.  God created things of beauty so that we would see them and know of a CREATOR who pays attention to the details.  

The details of our lives are not hidden from Him, and we can know that He is loving and caring in His works in our lives.  Whether we can see His Hand or not, we can know He is there.  It is His Hand who is in control of the most intricate weaving of the most minute details.

When life is difficult, remember the details are no mystery to God. 

His Word is full of the works of His Hands.

I hope you see the beauty of God's Creation this week!

Taking these photos has been SO much fun!  I am going to start pulling out the prettiest pieces and showing off their lovely stitches in my next few posts.  Making a pretty display to photograph is always fun to do.

I certainly hope y'all aren't getting bored with these!!

I'm in love with the colors as they go from light to dark in addition to the intricate threadwork. 

I know...I'm a goof.  Can't help it.  I just love beauty!

It's time for Pearls and Lace Thursday!

Add your post's url code to the link below to join us for the party!

Y'all shared some wonderful items last week!!!  Be sure and visit the parties I will be joining as well to see some lovely items that have been shared this week.

And here's a HUGE HUG for each of my newest followers!  I'm so blessed to have you visit me!

May you each have a blessed day,

Doni

Mosiac Monday at

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/
Make it Pretty Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/

Today's Thrifty Treasures at

http://southernhospitalityblog.com/

Show Off Your Cottage Monday at

http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/

Metamorphosis Monday

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Cowgirl Up Party Monday

http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/

Just Something I Whipped Up

http://www.thegirlcreative.com/

Knick of Time Tuesday

http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/

Cottage Garden Party

http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com/

Blissful White Wednesday

http://www.timewashed.com/ 

What's It Wednesday

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Whatever You Want Wednesday

http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/
Time Travel Thursday
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

Vintage Thingie Thursday

http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/

Minute for Me Thursday

http://marciascraftysewing.blogspot.com/

Open House Party

http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Home Sweet Home

http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Feathered Nest Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday

http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday

http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

A Crafty Soiree

http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Inspiration Friday

http://www.atthepicketfence.com/

Thrifty Things Friday

http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Simple and Sweet Fridays

http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Shabbylicious Friday

http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Potpourrie Friday

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

Pink Saturday

http://www.howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Sew Darn Crafty

http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/

Pearls and Lace Thursday #49

The Ugly Duckling Trunk...

It's old, it's ugly, and it might be more work than it's worth.

What do you think?

I didn't pay a lot for it, but it was just so sweet.....

Painted a creamy white...with some vintage music here and there...

some of the rosettes from my last post and some lovely lace???

She'll be a beauty one day!!

Cool leather pattern and the fittings are gorgeous!

I love the drawer inside.  Lots of potential there!!

The bottom is awful....I don't know what to do with that...maybe cut it out totally??

and this tag is still on the inside lid...a man leading his horse with a deer across it..

Just thought I'd share it with you!

I'm having the Pearls and Lace Thursday Party!!

This is # 49!!  Next week might have to have a giveaway!!

Join your post's url to the linky below and show us your lovelies!!

Please please, no etsy ebay or sales items!!

Thanks to you all!

Blessings,

Doni