Friday, January 29, 2010

Spools, spools, spools

I can't show you all anything that I've been up to! Why you ask?   I have 2 February Birthdays that I'm working on - both birthday gals read my blog so I can't ruin the surprises.  Plus I've been working on my Trashy Swap goodies and I don't want to let my partner know what I'm up to so she has a surprise when her package arrives!  Thought I'd share one of my collections today. 
This is an inherited collection of spools from both of my grandmothers.  I just love to look at these old wooden spools and read the labels and prices!  If thread were that inexpensive today it would be great. 
I have some tucked into this little round basket in a corner cupboard
and a few in this Mason jar in the corner of the downstairs bathroom
Think of all the stitching that was done with these yards and yards of thread! 

My favorite spools are the ones like this one
If you look carefully you will see my maternal grandmother's initials on this one EGL.  My mother was an only daughter, but my grandmother labeled all "her" spools so my mother wouldn't walk off with any!  My Grandmother was quite the unique person!  She taught school - Latin, loved to read Shakespeare and to do crossword puzzles.  She was a farmer's wife and had all the responsibilities that came along with that position in the early 1900's.    Of course she left teaching for a number of years while raising her family of 3 children, my Mom being the youngest. 
My Mom recalls after being married and setting up her own house, that when my Grandmother would visit, she always counted my Mother's silver!  (I can't imagine my Mother being that nosey in my house - she's never counted my silver, all she cares about is whether I take care of it, which I do.)  I can't believe that my Mother didn't hide a few pieces to see what my Grandmother would say.  Mom said it never occurred to her to do that. 

Have a wonderful weekend.  We have basketball tonight and  tomorrow morning at 8 and 10.  Then on Sunday night our oldest DS starts indoor baseball in Ft. Wayne.  We've never played indoor baseball before so this should be fun.  ~Ann


7 comments:

  1. Wonderful collection of spools. I was starting to get some and then the dealers realized everyone wants them, and upped the prices;)

    Debbie

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  2. I love spools too! Once upon a time, I did something that I regret to this day. I had a big mason jar with the zinc lid filled with them and another with old buttons. In a moment of sheer insanity, I sod them! Wahhhh! I wish I hadn't done that now. I hope one day to gather anotehr collection of them. The ones I had were not family pieces, but still.....
    Another thing I love is wooden bobbins. I won't ever part with the ones I have and I have quite a few of them.
    Too funny about your Grandma. It's fun to have memories like that.
    Have a great weekend!

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  3. I just picked up a buch of wood spools at the thrift store. I don't have a lot but I have a few. I seen people make fabric garlands and throw the spools every so often in between.

    Mary

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  4. Hi Ann!!
    I love your old spool collection.
    I love thinking about the history of antiques. Thinking about the people they once belonged to.
    Oh my, if they could talk... I would surely listen!! Hehee!

    You know... I would love to peek at what you have be up to!!! LOL!
    What ever it is Im sure it is Fabulous!!!

    Have a great weekend!!
    ~Tam

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  5. Hi Ann, I just found your blog and boy I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! I signed right up as a follower. I hope you stop by my blog and you enjoy it and become a follower!!

    I love old spools, I have a few myself. My husband has bought a few of them for me because people think just to throw these spools out but you know they are antiques.

    I have an old spinning wheel that I will be posting on my blog .
    I can't wait till your next post!!!!!
    I put you under my favorites, we have alot in common!!!

    Blessings to a new blogging friend,
    Tricia
    Hillcrest Home Prims

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  6. Love your spool collection and how cool is that with your relative's initials - a real treasure!

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  7. Love those wooden spools! I have a few and wish I had more. Enjoyed the little story about the initials, LOL.

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Thank you for visiting my blog. I'm so happy to "meet" you through blog land. ~Ann