Shabby Treasure Nest - "a family story"

Every family has a story~

stories that link our past--

 to our future

~

stories that tell us not only who we are -

but WHY we are~

stories that live on forever

in our hearts~

we pass these stories on to our children,

and they, in turn,

pass them on to their children,

and on, and on
and on~

Precious mementos-- 

fragments of our lives,

often hidden away for years~

tucked inside

tattered boxes,

cluttered drawers,

places long forgotton.

Now,

 brought back to life-

a beautiful new place to be 

honored and cherished

forever~

This is Lisa's story~

   " the pocket watch belonged to my husband's Grandfather.  He lived on a 150 acre farm way up a holler in Greenbank, WV.  After he passed away, his family all gathered there to clean out the house.  This watch was found in an old drawer and the family was going to throw it away.  I just couldn't let that happen~"

"I found the ivory piece in and amongst a drawer of

 my Grandma's stuff. 

 I believe that it belonged to her sister,

 Laura."

 ~ "one of the rhinestone sets belonged to my Grandma Ella.  The other set belonged to my Mother.  The beautiful lace pieces came from a blouse that my Grandma Ella loved.  The other lace piece was from the tattered remains of her wedding dress. That crown pin was also a favorite piece of my Grandma Ella's jewelry."

~ "those dangle laces were made by my Grandma Meallie--

we found them among her sewing things.  She became a tailor in Italy at the age of 14 and later emigrated to the states when she was 19 years old.  She made wedding gowns for all her daughters, and for my Mother, when she married her son.  I still have that gown.  She made that doily and also the tatting."

~ "that vintage heart belonged to my Mother. 

 It was a gift from her sister Lois  (who was 11 years older than my Mom.)  

The heart was originally a gift to Lois from her boyfriend Byron, who was a merchant marine in the war.  During the war, when so many things were rationed, Byron saved so that he could buy gifts for Lois and for my Mom. That heart was gifted to Lois along with a box of chocolates and some silk stockings.  My Mom always treasured that little heart  ~"

These Shabby Treasure nests are a little variation

 of my Shabby Chic nests. 

 Like Lisa's nest--
each of them will be as unique and personal
 as the family stories
 that they tell.   

For more info regarding these little nests --

you can visit the "Nesting Updates" page

located on my sidebar --

 or

click here

I want to say Thank you to Lisa

for allowing me to share her personal family story

with all of you~ 

xoxo

Coming up next~~

I've saved your emails and notes for the last year and have compiled some of your questions into my yearly "20 Questions Answered" post.  Perhaps your question will be one of those that was chosen! (Although I have already answered each of these emails, I've been saving the questions to share with all of you in this special post.) 

Well, it snowed again. Big surprise there. First we got the ice -- then the snow -- thank goodness our power stayed on, I am so very thankful for that. I am telling myself that this is the LAST storm of the winter -- spring will be here shortly. Sometimes I can fake myself out like that~

Love,

Vicki

The "Shabby Nests" evolve~

"After you've done a thing the same way for two years, look it over carefully. After five years, look at it with suspicion.  And after ten years, throw it away and start all over again."

~ Alfred Edward Perlman, New York Times, July 1958

Every winter these little "Shabby Chic" nests 

are brought to life here in my

Sacred Yarn Room

while the concept remains the same --

the nests never are~

perhaps I dig a little deeper into the trunk

containing my Mother's collection

of vintage laces and trims~

perhaps I'll add some vintage

treasures that were purchased at my trips to the flea market

this past summer~

every artist knows that when you create--

you do it from your soul --

in the moment--

not by a set pattern

or directions

 every year,

my nests seem to change just a little~

when I look at them collectively,

(one from each year--)

I can see how over time that they have

evolved~

to me--

they are the most beautiful this year,

than ever before

and yet~

there are still more beautiful laces and trims 

waiting to be brought to life 

~

my Mother's collection of laces and trims 

is an amazing legacy that

I am sharing with you 

through

these little nests.  

I know already that next year's nests

will be both beautiful and unique

in their own special way -- 

and--

they will be different

somehow, someway~

the "Shabby Chic" nests

are not a part of my Designer nests collection.

(those designs are never repeated)

~~

these Shabby nests are made every winter

for those who are on the current

 waiting list.

~

the "Woodland" nests are also made

every winter.

~

~~In fairness to the beautiful 

"Woodland" nest --

that nest will have it's very own 

special post later this

 spring.~~

 You can read more info about the

"Shabby Chic" nest by

clicking on the "Nesting Updates" icon on my

sidebar.

~

(you may also email me for additional information)

vboster1@windstream.net

~~~~~~

In my next post -- I'll share with you a little variation of the Shabby Chic nest --

the beautiful "Shabby Treasure " nest~~ 

Just keepin' it real~

I can't stand this winter anymore.  If it snows one more time I think I may just go crazy here in this house!  If I could be here at home all day and watch the beautiful snow falling without having to worry about getting back and forth to work -- that would be wonderful.  I could totally get into a snow covered winter -- but the reality of things is that I have to leave for work at 5:30 am -- and the roads can be miserable at that hour.

 I need Spring. 

NOW!! 

xoxo

Vicki

Itty Bitty Clothes

Tiny fingers, tiny toes,

     little itty bitty clothes~

little whimpers, little cries,

darling little sparkling eyes~

precious little fingers that reach out

for tomorrow~

always staying near to your

 heart.

a whole new meaning of love

to explore~

one of the most beautiful

miracles of

life~

a little "vintage inspired" coat~

(a baby gift for one of my friends at work)

a winter white blanket

 for the babe~

a little chenille bunny

for when those tiny fingers

begin to explore~
~
you can find the pattern for Bunny Blanket Buddy here

and a little beaded hat

to match the coat!

~a little wintery ensemble

that I began knitting in the early

summer!

Pattern details

~

a whispery soft pale pink wrap blanket --

Rowan kidsilk haze mohair

I used a size 11 needle

(cast on 60 stitches and knitted in stockinette)

~

the "vintage inspired" coat--

Churchmouse Wee Ones

Blossom Baby Sweater

(I added a little standup collar and a few rows
 of 2x2 ribstitch around the sleeves)

~

Yarn details for the coat~

Fiesta Yarns - La Boheme
(I did some midnight shopping in my yarn stash
and this was my selection)
~
I wanted something that had a lot of texture for this style of coat.
This yarn is double stranded, with one strand being a soft kid mohair,
making this coat so soft and lovely.
I also loved the beautiful vibrant pink color of the yarn.
And -- it was in my stash --so once again---
I am stash busting! 
Woo Hoo!

The little pocket was made from a vintage handkerchief
that I purchased at the flea market. 
The hanky was beautifully embroidered - so I cut the pocket from part of the embroidered section.
A bit of vintage lace was added along the top 
along with a little pink tulle flower and beaded leaf. 
~
Pattern details for the beaded hat
Tilli Tomas flurries baby beanie
~
Yarn - Tilli Tomas Flurries beaded yarn
(also from my stash!) 
(stash busting again!!)

   
the blanket --
one of my favorite patterns by Jared Flood
Wool Leaves

yarn details for the blanket
 "I LOVE THIS YARN"
(one of my Hobby Lobby favorites!)
~
(its friendly on your pocketbook, supersoft, and knits up beautifully)

Just Keepin' it Real~

I have finished my winter nesting -- I actually finished early!  All of the Woodland nests and the Shabby Chic nests have been delivered to their new homes.  This winter the little nests traveled to Europe, Australia, and Indonesia, in addition to parts of the US and Canada. Those nests are more traveled than me!

Next in line~~

Your Vintage Spring nests -- the next in my Designer series -- are already started and moving right along --for those of you on that reserved waiting list --- you won't be disappointed!

I've been watching some great television while I'm working on all of those nests~ I've loved watching these period drama series productions- Bomb Girls, Heat of the Sun, and

Titanic: Blood and Steel.    

My sweet husband bought me a Kindle Fire HDX ( love, love, love!!) (the Kindle and the guy!!)-- so I've enjoyed downloading and watching Downton Abby on there.  I've also loved the free books that are available with the Amazon Prime membership.  Most recently I enjoyed reading--

 She Wore Only White.

Right now  I'm reading -- The Island.

~~~

 Not too many dull moments here in the Sacred Yarn Room!  The nests are constantly changing as they evolve in the making each year.  Up next -- I'll share with you the beautiful new look for this year's Shabby Chic nests.

Can I just say this~~ I am so sick of this winter!  ENOUGH already!!!! 

xoxo,

Vicki

Prayerful Stitches

Every stitch a prayer~

a dear and precious friend 

fighting for his life~

a wife who carries the weight

of worry and the unknown

on her shoulders~

~anxious hearts filled with prayers

for this dear husband, father, grandfather,

friend

comfort for my dear girlfriend

as she braves herself for her husband's

battle against this mighty

foe~

a bit of warmth against

the bitter winds of winter--

and worry~

no names spoken--

but 

God knows~

yarn details~

 Berroco Kodiak

~~

(I loved this yarn -- maybe as much or more than any yarn I have ever knitted with --but the downside to the yarn is that it is rather costly.

The yarn is discounted, however, when you order from

this website.)

~~

this yarn is light as a feather -- I used 8 skeins and when the wrap was finished

it was light as air -- but SO incredibly warm

~

if you have travel plans and need to pack lightly --

THIS is the yarn to travel with - 

it weighs NOTHING!

pattern details~

"Navarra"

you can find the free pattern here

Knitting prayers of 

hope and comfort and faith

into every stitch~

hours and hours of quiet, contemplative knitting--

every second, every stitch

filled with prayers

 for our dear friend

and his family

"because he bends 

down to listen,

I will pray as long as I have

breath~"

Psalms 116:2

(new living translation)

   

my Mother's Bible

 is tattered and worn--

but the words inside are ever  

constant, strong and true~

your prayers for our dear, dear friend

are requested and so very 

appreciated~

xoxo

Vicki

my heartfelt gratitude to you all

who sent emails to me filled with appreciation for my 

recent Grow Your Blog party.

I received literally hundreds of emails, and

I just could not possibly answer them all.

Please do not feel slighted if I did not answer your email --

in most cases (when I am not so overwhelmed) I DO answer every single email

that I receive. 

~

Now that things have slowed down a bit --

if you wish me to email you regarding a concern or question --

please send me an email me again.

I promise to answer you.

~~

To those of  you who left comments and emails

asking to be added in after the party had started --

I am so sorry, but I just could not do that.

I spent hours and hours adding in blogs to meet the deadline --

over 600 blogs,

and at some point, I just had to be finished. 

I hope you understand.

~

Please watch my blog sometime in the late fall,

most likely October,

when I will start to talk about next year's party details.

~

If you are looking for the 

Grow Your Blog party post --

you can find it here.