Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Hoarding with Purpose


This old white box buried under there somewhere, has carefully
stored dozens upon dozens of doilies and linens for far too many years.
Most are from family, the rest collected during a brief
period when I was doily crazed?


An abundance, hoarded, waiting for purpose.
I have occasionally dipped in and snatched a few, but
I was always a more primitive gal than a frilly one, so many
remained safely tucked away atop a cupboard in my studio.


This edge piece is actually a collar and it is divine.


I sorted through these on the porch during a thunder storm
this morning. Does it get any better than this?


Yep, it does. This piece is 76" long and will
become the edging to my new linen or flax pillow slips.
It is chunky and perfect and oh my!

So why now? Why did I decide to sort through and
inventory the old white box?
THIS is why. A post by My Hearts Ease

Notice the photo of Linda of Willow Nest Farm, and you'll see
a doily garland. It appears this is display for the doilies to sell,
but I must make a garland for my home so that finally
all these treasures can be appreciated.

Please join all the other White Wednesday gals
over at Faded Charm hosted by
the delightful Kathleen.

SUZAN

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi z,

I love your collection. I have a small one given to me by family and I look forward to seeing what you create!

Thanks for your comment over @ my blog. I had already made up my mind, to balance blogging like everything else - 'all things in moderation', but I really love hearing what others think, and opening up a conversation is a great deal more enlightening than listening to myself. :)

Enjoy your rain storms. We have had snow twice already - but today it's bright & sunny. Oh - and I'm already living w/ ~33 items of clothing. Love it!

Have a wonderful afternoon,
~ Z

Charlene said...

Oh be still my heart!!!!!!!! That box of treasure is as precious as GOLD! I LOVE it all!!!! And to sit on a porch & sort through this in a gentle rain... HEAVEN! Thank you for sharing that thought & vision. Oh how I wish we could have done this together & chat, tell stories, & get to know each other better over LACE!

Linda had made a garland & was not selling the doily's or the garland. It was pure EYE CANDY for her space. ENJOY! And I can't wait to see your finished project. Thanks so much for the mention. HUGS!
Charlene

Tina said...

Ohhhh - those are gorgeous and so wonderful. I LOVE old doilies. What an amazing colletions.
~ Tina

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Ooh, I wish I owned your beautiful collections of laces and doilies!

So pretty. I'm going over to check out her wreath.

hugs
Sissie

Julie said...

Love it all. YOu are gonna have fun, I can tell already. Thanks for sharing the lovely doilies and lace today over at Kathleens...enjoyed.

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

Your collection is beautiful. What a great pretty thing to do in a rain storm:) I checked out the other blog and I love the pink dresser!!!It looks like it is just covered with doilies, did you notice it. I'm sure you did.
~Debra
Capers of the vintage vixens

Vicki said...

Hello there! I'm a long time blog stalker now follower. lol I love your collection. Headed over to see the garland you mentioned she created. Nice to meet you!

Olive said...

Well hardly anyone is making such beauty any more. Hoarding with a purpose indeed.

marcia said...

What a beautiful collection...if nothing better than to make YOU smile and make your heart skip a beat. A garland sounds terrific though!

My great grandmother made the most beautiful doilies..she tatted. I wish I had the patience to have sat and be taught by her.

happy day!

Gigi Thibodeau said...

I love your collection. I have one, too, and as I read your post I realized that I really should do something with some of these pieces! They're too beautiful to keep stashed away. A couple of them I've marked to add to pillow cases, but I need to get a little creative and have some fun. Thanks for the inspiration! xo Gigi

Anonymous said...

I was hoping you'd say you're selling them!!! They are divine!

Brenda Pruitt said...

I've been seeing your comments in Blogland all day today, so thought I should pop over to visit. Pleased to meet you. I'm more a primitive gal than a lacy frilly one myself. No, it doesn't get any better than sorting through pretties while listening to a nice thunderstorm.
Brenda

Brenda Pruitt said...

Me again. I had to come back and tell you bless you for not making me type in word verification! I love blogs like this. Liked yours so much I took you back to mine with me.
Brenda

kluless said...

You can never have too many doilies, that's what I always say... except when it's time to wash and iron them! I can't wait to see how your garland turns out. I checked out that post and it's lovely. Are you just going to drap them over a cord, clothesline-style or acutally cut them and use halves? I'm anxious to see!

Carole said...

I love that doilies have come back around and gotten popular again. I think it's that whole Magnolia pearl thing but whoever it is I'm thankful.
I might try this at home...G will love it..lol
xx
Carole
Happy rain drops to you sweets!

Char said...

what beautiful pieces - i think a garland will be gorgeous

Sue said...

Such beautiful things. I'm glad you have decided to use them.

Beca said...

Is there anything prettier than vintage lace? I love your collection.

Jane said...

I can't seem to pass up doilies when I see them at the thrift store and have collected quite a few...with no real purpose in mind. You have me intrigued so I'm going to go check out the garland you talked about. You probably just added another project to my list!
Jane

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

~*~Beautiful collection~ Cant wait to see what you do with them too!! Hugs,Rachel ;)~*~

Julie@beingRUBY said...

HI Suzan
Beautiful collection you have. I have a few bits and pieces of lace.. but nothing like your stash... Lovely photos too...Have a fab day,. xxx Julie

Faded Charm said...

Simply beautiful.....there's just something about lace that is so simple yet romantic.

I know, can you believe "70". My daughter pointed out that I have over 1000 followers and I'm not sure how I've had enough white for so many posts. My only regret is i wish I had more time to devote to it and being able to leave more comments to everyone. I do however, rejoice in the fact that i've met so many great people through it.....like you:)

Take care and enjoy your week.

Kathleen

Rebecca said...

I've got that hoarding thing and I usually finally come up with a use for most of my stuff-great idea for the doilies!

Dee@FrenchBleuVintage said...

HI Suzan~ Great collection. Sounds like a lovely time on your porch as well. And what a good idea for edgings and trims. I have a bunch from my Nana in a box somewhere. I really should try and find it before the mice settle in for the winter. Enjoy some quiet time today:)

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Ohhhhhh, how beautiful!!!

I came by, because I so loved your comment in Zuzu's 'A Cottage In The Woods" blog. Her post on finding balance in our blogging.

I resonate with your comment. So I wanted to say thank you for it. I'm one of those who struggles with this issue constantly. So I am so grateful for wise advice.

Gentle hugs...

Pooch Purple Reign said...

i have a couple of exceptional pieces i got in assisi italy. thats it. your collection sure is awesome
~laura x

June said...

I have got to go see it Z. I am going as soon as I leave my address so you can send your stash over to me for safe keeping!
Why did I know you would have such a mass of gorgeous 'stuff' like this???
I loved your RED letter day. The pictures are beautiful!!!
hugs to you from here...

Jillayne said...

Well, what a good idea - I can see how you were motivated. The wheels are turning in my head and as I am smack dab in the middle of a living/dining room re-do, this came at a great time. Love it!

Kendra@Creative Ambitions said...

Very pretty and feminine!! I only have one but my mom has bunches... hmmm... it's got me thinkin'!