Wife Preservers: Laundry Edition

 

Happy Wednesday!

Okay maybe I don't feel like dancing with gravy but sometimes when I'm under the weather, I read old newspapers.  Lately I've been reading blurbs called "Wife Preservers" which appeared in newspapers between 1926 and 1976.  

My husband says they are called "hacks" now.  Throughout my of my adulthood, a hack was someone who wrote substandard pieces.  Or it meant that you slashed (hacked) something like a tree branch.  Later the word took on the meaning of someone who illegally accessed someone's computer.  It's beyond me how the word got to mean tips or "a strategy to manage one's time more efficiently" (thank you dictionary).

Anyway...my husband loves hacks.  I think in some secret part of his heart, he wishes I would be a 50s housewife and wait on him more.  Unfortunately for him, my Dad wanted his only daughter to ponder intellectually and not worry about housekeeping. 

Anyway...

I do like to read these blurbs.  Sometimes they make me laugh but most of the time they provide an interesting insight into life before everything became disposable and commercial.  Today I thought I would share some with you.  I'm wondering if any of these resonate with you and bring back memories...

Remember when gasoline was a household product?  I don't--but then I do know that my mother got lice at school and the solution was to wash her hair in kerosene...

Here's a tip I wish I had known as a child.  It was my job to hang up the clothes and remove them, even when the temps were freezing.  The clothes usually were frozen solid and did stick to the line.

My grandparents didn't throw anything out, not even discarded irons.  I could almost hear my Pop-pop say, "see, I told you this would be good for something..."

Mostly, these tips remind me of how grateful I am to have the modern conveniences we have now.  Do you agree?

Have a safe and happy day!

Tuesday's This and That: December 5, 2023

 

Happy Tuesday!

Sorry I didn't post yesterday.  A bunch of us in the family are sick with sore throats and colds.  It stinks but at least it isn't covid.

***

I've posted about the 6 Know-it-Alls who have different quilt history zoom lectures at times.  You can also find them at facebook under 6KnowItAllsShowUsYourQuilts.  This month they are featuring quilts from Pennsylvania and also red and green quilts.

Speaking of red and green quilts, thanks for all your insights regarding which antique quilt to pull out for the season.  Unfortunately, we won't be putting either out.  My husband said, "I wouldn't do that if I were you..."  I hate to admit it, but he was right.  

Lucky, the Fabric-Slayer is too intent on playing tug of war/wrestle with quilts and fabric.  We are concerned that one of the quilts will get damaged.  

For now, I've hung a small wall hanging and an embroidered Christmas quilt made years ago.  Lucky can't get to them because they are too high (so I think...let you know more in at the end of the month).

 

As soon as Lucky is through this phase (please God, make it pass quickly), I'm going to start going through my quilts to determine which ones I want to keep and which to sell.  

I've retired from giving lectures on quilt history and I don't need all these quilts at this point.  I am just going to keep the ones I really love.  Beth has retired from lecturing as well so she is going to be going through textiles during the next year as well.

Wishing you a safe and happy Tuesday!   

Flower Friday: December 1, 2023

 

Well it's the first day of December and although the flowers have faded for most of us, it's springtime in the Southern Hemisphere!

Louise kindly shared some photos of flowers in New Zealand and these images just made me happy to see.  It's only 109 days until springtime for us!

Thank you Louise for sharing these wonderful photos!

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Last Day of November

 

Happy Thursday and happy last day of November! 

I don't have much today but am debating which quilts to put out for the winter holiday:

The close-ups show the colors better:

or

or maybe something else that I made myself?

Do you change quilts for the holidays/seasons?

Tomorrow we will have Flower Friday since Louise sent nice photos from New Zealand!  

Have a safe and happy day!

The Niblet Chronicles, November Edition

 

Happy Wednesday!

Today I'm starting The Niblet Chronicles, because many of you are finding Lucky's antics entertaining.  Lucky was nicknamed "Niblet" by my neighbor.  He's very mouthy and nibbles on everyone he meets.  Unfortunately for him, our rule is no teeth on skin, clothes, or leash.  If he could talk, he might tell you his name is "Down!" and "No BITE!"  

We've gone through this phase with puppies but Lucky is 1 year and 7 months and his mouthiness is mostly due to being untrained.  Brad and I notice he is gradually getting better with time.

Thank goodness he has learned to love toys.  We are constantly redirecting him to his toys when he is over excited and becomes mouthy.  Often the excitement extends into tug of war.  Dressing or folding wash can be a challenge.  Making the bed is an even bigger battle. 

Thank goodness he is small.  I sometimes have to pick him up to get things done or redirect him with a game of toy fetch.  Doesn't he look SO INNOCENT!

Lucky is the quintessential boy.  Each morning we check on our elderly neighbors and their dog, Tinkerbell the Chihuahua.  Tinkerbell is used to ruling the roost and intimidated Scout to no end.  Kerry was generally indifferent to her.  But Lucky...well he's the bothersome little brother.  Often he climbs on Nancy's chair where Tinkerbell is resting.  Tinkerbell is not amused by this.

Whatever bothers Tinkerbell, Lucky is sure to do.  Sometimes he just gets up and taps her with his paw which prompts a snarl or bark of "he's touching me!"

However, we think she secretly likes this game.

Another friend that Lucky has made is Otis. He's the Weimaraner that lives next door to my mother.  We were very concerned that Otis might hurt Lucky.  But my brother introduced the two of them gradually and now they are the best of friends.  They spend a lot of time running up and down along the fence and smelling each other.

Lucky has become a bonified lap dog and I have to say, I'm enjoy cuddling him on my lap in the evening when we watch tv.  He's not a perfectly behaved dog but the work we do with him now will reap benefits later.  Most importantly, we are consistent and have him on a schedule.  

We get frequent requests for him to have a visit with Janet, my sister-in-law.  Recovery from her stroke has been a real challenge and it's not unusual for my brother to text me and ask for some Lucky time.  She just pets him and doesn't want him on her lap right now and that's okay.  Anything that he does that makes her smile makes us happy.

Dogs give us unexpected gifts.  Our mornings are busy now and when we finally get done with the chores and all the caregiving visits, Lucky is ready for a nap.  This is the perfect time for me to sew and Lucky curls up in his bed to rest.

One of the most endearing things he did last week was to move his bed.  For whatever reason, he needed his bed to touch my sewing chair.  Maybe he likes the sound of the sewing machine, maybe he just wanted to be close.  It just touched my heart.

I hope that you are having a wonderful week with a special fur baby as well!

Have a safe and happy day!

Tuesday's This and That: November 28, 2023

 

Greetings and Salutations!

Today's feature is on what reader's have written.  Louise T. emailed a photo of the Century of Progress Quilt Patches.   She has the box but not the fabric.

Louise is also in New Zealand right now...where it is springtime and sent some lovely flower photos.  I will share those on Friday!

I asked: what is left-handed thread and got good explanations.  From Libby:  "I think "left hand" thread refers to the direction of the twist. That would determine which end you knot. I have no clue if such a thread was marketed, though."

Gail said:  "What Libby said. Thread and yarn can be left or right hand twist, more commonly called S or Z twist today. Hold a thread or yarn vertically and which ever way the ply goes matches the letter."

After the "High Flying Post", Susan pondered about when helium was used in balloons.  According to various sources, helium was used after an explosion of balloons that were filled with hydrogen.  After that helium was used.  But airborne kinds of balloons actually go back to the 19th century and if you are interested, you can read about the history here. 

Thank you everyone for your comments and insight!  

Have a safe and happy day!

High Flying

 

Good Morning!

On Saturday, I saw some kids flying kites in the park.   They inspired today's feature.

How about a quilt pattern?

Star Kite, 1937, Nancy Cabot:

  

I like embroidery patterns that feature playing with kites like this one:

Above:  Baxter and McDonnell, 1924

The balloons then inspired me to share these motifs:

Above:  1930 Baxter and McDonnell embroidery patterns for crib cover.  Below: motifs also offered by the pair but featured in a 1924 issue of the paper and meant for a child's romper.

As for quilts, how about a sunbonnet?

Household Arts, 1937

But my favorite has to be this quilt pattern because...it's so dang elaborate and I don't know where to look.  All this to convey toy balloons????  😟

1934, Nancy Lee aka Home Art Studio (see here)

Wishing you a high flying day!