Saturday, March 10, 2012

Katie Dean

A couple of weeks ago I got an e-mail from an old friend (and one time sister in law) telling me that she had sold her house and was in the process of packing. During the process of packing she had come across a bag of material and vintage linen that her mother used in sewing projects and wanted to know if I might want it. So last night I went over and picked up the bag (and a few other things) and had a nice visit catching up with my friend. As I said earlier, she used to be my sister in law and her mother (Katie Dean) my one time mother in law.
I know a lot of people don't care for their in laws, but I was very close with Katie Dean. We shared a love of antiques and she was a wonderful friend to me. She was also a sewer and crafter. She had accumulated quite a bit of linens that she used to make dolls and other crafty things. We lost Katie Dean in the early nineties to breast cancer, so naturally it meant a lot to me to receive this gift. So here's a little peak at some of the linens that were in the bag:

I think I squealed out loud when I pulled this beautiful red work piece out of the bag!







There were Hankies, Grain Sacks, & Kitchen Linens








Tablecloths, Baby Things, Pillow Cases, Lace & Doilies













Quilts




And this lovely piece






These were just a few of my favorite pieces, but there are tons more to dig through so who  knows what else I might find. I plan to use the damaged pieces in sewing projects and I am thinking about getting the red work piece framed to hang on the wall. It is just so lovely and I would like to keep it as it is. There are more pics on our Facebook page here if you want to take a peek.

I am so thrilled and appreciative that I received these wonderful gifts that once belonged to Katie Dean. She was a beautiful and talented soul that I miss still.

20 comments:

  1. OMG Verna, these are absolutely gorgeous and I really enjoyed your pics. Meg xx

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  2. Such alot of gorgeous embroidery - love!!

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  3. What stunning finds: a whole bag of vintage lovlieness: the red work is sublime.

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  4. Oh my goodness! What a lovely bag of stuff!!! Squeal!

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  5. That redwork piece is stunning; what a treasure! The embroidered pieces are just so lovely. How wonderful for your former sister-in-law to know that her mother's things are with someone who cherishes their value as did her mother.

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  6. Oh my goodness! So many lovely pieces. All that will loved by you!

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  7. Wow - some amazing things in there! Love the first piece - absolutely beautiful!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  8. Wow, Verna!! I'd have squealed out loud too. What wonderful treasures you inherited. I think that there is no better way to remember someone than using and/or displaying their works of art. Love them, display them and use them ALL!!

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  9. Oh, wow!!! This was so sweet of your friend! The pieces you have chosen to show are lovely! enjoy them. :)

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  10. Wow they are all gorgeous pieces. I'm sure Katie would be happy those pieces went to someone who appreciates them. Enjoy :)

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  11. I really love the detail of the womans chatelaine in the redwork embroidery. So many beautiful pieces there - the quilts are just lovely!

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  12. Oh my goodness. That sort of sums up the best of my dreams. What a luckster you are.
    Lovely blog btw. X

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  13. Hi I’m Heather! Please email me when you get a chance! I have a question about your blog. HeatherVonsj(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. That was a lovely collection you inherited -- and how kind of your former inlaws to remember the love you shared with Katie of those antique linens! That red work piece is DEFINITELY frame-worthy! How beautiful!!

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  15. what an awesome gift! Katie Dean looks to have had quite a great eye for fancy and quality and wonderful. I would TOTALLY frame that red piece...it is SO cool.

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  16. The red work piece is amazing, I'd be squealing too! I'm a new follower, hope you will stop by, would love to have you as a follower. I posted about another type of handcrafted items too, pot holder. Laura

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  17. Oh, my! I think I squealed when I saw all the goodies your sweet, former SIL gave you. Linens are a weakness of mine. Your new collection is lovely.

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  18. Squeal indeed! I love redwork!! They are all just fabulous. What a sweet reminder they will be of her. I'm sure she's smiling up in heaven.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  19. How wonderful! Especially since it comes from a loved one and the pieces you keep will have attached memories of her.

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