the lost is found

At knitting group last week someone cautiously asked...does anybody here...'lose' their knitting? We looked at each other and laughed Yes!! I recently lost two projects; my written instructions for a summer top 75% completed...and one of my qiviuk gloves also 75% completed but I had started the other glove cuff and was working on that for another inch at the knitting circle.

I looked in my loft, my bedroom, the living room and the zippered compartments of two suitcases. While in my loft, I get distracted and start cleaning, sorting, organizing but still no instructions and no glove. Very expensive glove may I add.

Today, I looked under my bed and cleaned up the magazines stacked beside my bed. I was putting the piles of magazines on the stairs to go back up to the loft (I know, I know...they should go out of the house!) and looked up the staircase - on the landing is my Auntie Beulah's knitting craft holder bag that she just gave me.

Now I looked in that 'pile' last week...(it was much messier and I moved the stuff on top) but this time I saw the plastic Ziploc bag with the ever so pale logo Qiviuk. That was it! Whew!

Thinking that my luck might continue I worked away up in the loft sorting dpns into two wonderful boxes...and moving stacks of paper and magazines, but still no instructions. Not too worried as I am making up the pattern as I go, so I can just get back into it and keeping knitting!

Inspired by yarn I found and since I was into the dpn stash, I brought down more yarn, Auntie's mitten's instructions and decided to start some wonderful mitts!

Good things do result from occasional cleaning!

The Big Drop

Sequence of events...the maple tree dropping its leaves. Each year the leaves are a different color. this year they were a bright sunny yellow without much variation.

October 20th

October 25th the Second Drop

Putting the Roses to Bed

 and ladybugs

I love finding the smallest perfectly formed maple leaves!

Final bagging

November 3rd First Snow

Yes, it happens every year but it is so different each year!

'Super Sunmates'

e gads swim wear from the 1970s! Spending this perfect summer evening out on the veranda flipping through 3 decades of McCall's Needlework magazines.

And more uses for 'granny squares' the possibilities are endless.

1947 describes this knitted one piece "..for the modern mermaid"

an earlier issue possibly later 1930s...the copyright date is not in this magazine anywhere!
"...sea urchin.."

and "...a career as a beachcomber.."!!

now back to regular scheduled knitting....

June 28, 1949

An important date in history! The day my parents were married.

I have been involved with just a few things bridal this past spring...Rutherford House in Edmonton, presented A Vintage Bridal tea on May 23^rd.

 

It was a `packed` house with a crowd of mothers, daughters, brides-to-be and a few `closet collectors`.  Bridal styles from the 1890s to the 1950s were represented donated by private collectors. A detailed history of bridal wear was given by designer Kelsey McIntyre of Serendipity Designs. Guests sampled decadent cakes from Style Cakes, the Art of Cake and Cakes by Candace and sipped on Rutherford’s teas.

But first ...the preparation....

The before...a very dirty net hoop

The after....using dish soap, I suds the bottom edge and other visible dirty spots, then rinsed until there was no more dirty water running off with a garden hose. The sunshine dried and brighten.

No. 2 son doesn't ask questions, he just helps pack the van!

 

Silk stockings and 2 crocheted purses with silk lining getting their sudsy soak!

 

Something borrowed something blue...a garter an blue nylon hankie from 1954 

 

 Veils...

 

Gorgeous long net veils from before 1940s...they are so hard to date.  Setting up an efficient way to steam iron them took some time.

 

A 1954 layered net dress getting steamed...note the time, we wanted to be there by 4:00pm

 

Above - a 1913 linen dress reveals her intricacies of construction and quality sewing techniques. It ironed wonderfully, the reason I like to iron...

 

Off to the show!

 

The perfect setting...the historic Rutherford House 

 

 

 Five Decades of Bridal Style!

 

  1913 linen dress from Ireland

An early teens white cotton 'lawn' dress, long crocheted gloves and silk stockings.

 

 

A 1928 beaded and lace silk dress with a silk and lace bed jacket.

 

 1942 satin dress with satin strap shoes that are stamped June 9, 1942 on the bottom!

 

 

 And a 1954 layered net wedding dress with a long sleeve bolero

 1950s accessories including a 3 piece set of quilted lingerie bags

 

 

Above, a variety of publications and paper products representing different decades.

 

And....

My favorite cake...I want to order a smaller version for my 30th wedding anniversary!

 





Air-ing Anna!

This is Anna, circa 1948. When I told her it is my first satin dress with peplums...she corrected my pronunciation!

Satin Acetate!! What to do...it smells. Even though she had it packed in tissue in its original box -  from Thompson & Dimes 106 Street and Jasper Avenue in the 'old' Holt Renfrew building - once I took it out at home a mothball type smell was overwhelming. I had to leave it in our porch!

So it gets the hanging in the breeze treatment for a few days...it really does help.

And the wonderful ten foot long veil is heavenly...but smelly as well. The smell came out in one day.

Happy in the breeze, released after 65 years.

It is always a privilege to be the next keeper of such a loved piece.
Yes Anna is a retired teacher...she has a school hand bell collection and is a prolific knitter for charity.

Collecting is fun but meeting the people is better!!

Converting to Bloglovin...hope this works after July 1st. In order for you to follow me you have to sign up with Bloglovin..
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The Best Made (Shopping) Plans

For months we searched and researched for unique shops on the roads less travelled west of HWY QE2. We printed the directions, phone numbers and maps; all in preparation for our yearly trek to Vintage with Flair http://vintagewithflair.blogspot.ca/ sale in Priddis, Alberta June 21st and 22^nd. Packing rain gear, closed toe shoes, mosquito spray and slacks with pockets…we were ready! Hotel booked in Cochrane.

A winter with lots of snow, a rainy spring extended into June; and the few days leading up to Friday with more storms, heavy rainfall warnings and the inevitable had to happen. Severe weather with rivers and creeks overflowing their banks in Bow Valley, Calgary and south. Priddis is west and south of Calgary. We were travelling from the north.

It was a ‘come hell or high water’ we can do it attitude. The high water came and we decided against risking going to hell to get there!

Plan B: shop local! Going south to Bentley and back again we found plenty to satisfy our vintage cravings. Past Connections Emporium in Bentley, Backstreet Gifts & Antiques in Westerose and Sisters Roadside Treasures.

Being the troopers that we are, we even went out again on Saturday, this time east and south of Edmonton. Visited Kountry Knits & Sewing Centre, Treasures Past & Present and 2nd Hand Treasure Hunt in Fort Saskatchewan.

A few spoils of the day(s):

 

 

 

Camrose yielded a few good things as well! At Imagine Vintage Wear. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Imagine-Vintage-Wear/212027708942619

 

 

 

 

Thanks to my travelling friends!