Followers

"Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come." Song of Songs

Monday, January 16, 2012

Forgotten Treasure...

Today I was cleaning out some linen drawers and pulled out a bag from the very back of one. Inside I found this...



It's a table cloth that belonged to my grandmother. When she passed away many years ago, my mom gave it to me and I put it away. I forgot I had it. I've never used it.



I decided to iron it since it had been sqeezed into a bag for several years. It took me a long time because I was afraid I would harm the hand stitched flowers if I got the iron too hot.



The entire thing is hand stitched. My grandmother got it at one of the women's craft fairs at her church. There are napkins that go with it, but they have stains on them and I'm not sure how to remove them without harming the embroidery. Any ideas?





I'm flooded with memories as I see the cloth on my table; remembering my grandmother using it at some of our family dinners at her house. Now that it's out of the bag I'm going to use it...and remember her when I do. I'm going to remember how she loved pretty things and surrounded herself with them. And how she didn't just use them for herself, but used them for others. Her table was always full, yet there was always room for one more; she loved feeding people. She also helped many through a hard time; she was a giver.

"Time is not measured
by the years that you live
But by the deeds that you do
and the joy that you give-
And each day as it comes
brings a chance to each one
To love to the fullest,
leaving nothing undone
That would brighten the life
or lighten the load
Of some weary traveler
lost on Life's Road-
So what does it matter
how long we may live
If as long as we live
we unselfishly give."
~Helen Steiner Rice



I looked through my teacups and thought the colors in this trio go with the tablecloth very well.


I hope you have someone special to sit around your table today, or someone you can make feel special by asking them to share a cup of tea. Someone who just might be one invitation, or one conversation away from being a very good friend... 

Give, and it shall be given unto you;
good measure, pressed down, and shaken together,
and running over... Luke 6:38


21 comments:

  1. Wow, what a beautiful table cover. The detail looks amazing. Some of my most favorite possessions once belonged to my grandmother. Thank you for sharing, Michelle

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  2. I love embroidery and have some of my mother and grandmother's things. I'm sure you treasure this beautiful tablecloth. Your tea cups are a perfect match! Lucky you! Happy Tea Day!

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  3. Oh Charlotte!

    What a sweet sweet post - and what an extraordinary tablecloth. It is absolutely stunning.

    I love you shared your memories of your Grandma. I never knew either of my grandmothers - they passed before I was born...........so those sweet moments you recall of your grandma are such a gift.

    LOVE this post. Thank you.

    SO GLAD you found that again - now to invite friends for tea to share that beauty!

    I find antique linens with tea/coffee stains on them, and have had luck with Oxyclean..........but it does fade the color, too - thing is I would rather fade color and use then pack away and never use - but that's just me with purchased oldies, not heirlooms. Perhaps a paste of it and a gentle soft toothbrush on the spots themselves?

    Bet if you Googled it you could get some good advice. All these old linens tend to have stains, so sad.

    Lovely post!

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  4. What a beautiful tablecloth! I have a similar one from my grandmother but have no idea where she got it. I love the teacups...of course! An elegant setting for tea! Thanks for your lovely comments and for linking with Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Smiles,
    Ruth

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  5. Hello dear Charlotte,
    Your grandmother's tablecloth is just lovely and what a keepsake! I imagine you will find a solution to tea stains if you googled it.
    Love your stacked teacups too! A very nice post, thank you. I always enjoy Helen Steiner Rice poetry. Wishing you a delightful week.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  6. Oh my! Finding your Grandmothers tablecloth must have been so dear to you! Wow! It is gorgeous, all that colorful needlework, it looks amazing on your table. The tea cups too complement it so well with their beautiful flowers.
    I am thrilled for you that you came across this treasure!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  7. Hello Charlotte,
    the tablecloth is really a treasure. Can you imagine, how many stiches one has to do to get such a tablecloth. Amazing. It matches perfect with your china. I hope, you will have a lot of fun and sweet memories by using it.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  8. Your grandmother's tablecloth is gorgeous and I'm glad you are going to use it.
    As suggested above, I too have used powdered Oxyclean to soak fine linens in. Run very hot water into a basin, add the powder and swish around then soak and keep checking the stains. I think I've only used it for whites and couldn't say how it would affect colours but it works.
    Judith

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  9. Your table cloth is a golden treasure! I absolutely love it!

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  10. Hi Charlotte.... Such a fabulous find ... Your grandmother's tablecloth is gorgeous.... How very special to put it on the table and mingle your teacups up to match.... Such a lovely post ..Thanks for sharing..Hugs

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  11. Very very pretty....wow what a hidden treasure....

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  12. What a beautiful, beautiful table linen! Whoever did the stitching did exquisite work...it's truly a treasure!! :)

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  13. Hello Charlotte, This is an exquisite treasure - my first thought was Oxyclean and I see others have made that suggestion - I think it is a good-gentle cleanser! Follow the instructions! Thank you for sharing with A Return to Loveliness,
    God Bless,
    Kathy

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  14. Hi Charlotte! What an amazing table cloth. It is just beautiful. How lucky are you. Love the tea cups as well, but your table cloth steals the show today. Blessings, Martha

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  15. Precious memories! Your tablecloth is beautiful and I love how special it is to you. I'm happy you are going to use it!

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  16. What a treasure you have! It's such a lovely tablecloth and so special to have it from your grandmother. Do enjoy it and use it often.
    Linda

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  17. So glad you found that beautiful tablecloth of your Gramma's. So very special with lots of wonderful memories for you.
    Nancy @ Two Cottages And Tea

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  18. what an awesome thing to have from your grandmother and the memories that it holds. It's so pretty and dainty. Have a great week Charlotte.

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  19. Beautiful post and great shots! Fantastic idea!
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

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  20. What a beautiful cloth and heritage. You are truly blessed by having such a grandmother.

    I agree about the Oxyclean. If that does not get all of it try Biz also in a separate soak after washing the oxy out. I have great success with both. The Biz was recommended by a teacher who taught restoration of antique dolls.

    Imagine the hours of stitching!

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