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Sunday, April 19, 2009

RESCUED WORDS OF WISDOM

Those of you who have read my blog for awhile probably know that I love needlework, especially if it contains, what I refer to as, "words of wisdom". You see, when my children were growing up, I didn't have words of wisdom to spout to them (you have to be wise to have words of wisdom), so I hung them on the walls! At my house, we need all of the words of wisdom we can get!


Today, I am sharing some of my "words of wisdom" with you. I have done a lot of needlework myself, but today I am sharing some that I have collected from flea markets, tag sales, and garage sales. Therefore, I am participating in all of the wonderful events in Blogville that pertain to these!! "Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears".












A very ambitious post for me!

Diane at A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words, sponsors 2nd Time Around Tuesday, and these needlework creations are at least second time around. Victoria at Auction Girl Vintage is sponsoring 30 Days of Junking. Although I don't consider these "junk", somebody certainly did, because I purchased all of them at garage sales, tag sales, and flea markets. Tam at The Gypsy's Corner sponsors Three Or More Tuesdays. I certainly have 3 or more Words of Wisdom needlework pieces to share (actually, I don't think I've pictured all of them in this post!) Barb at Grits and Glamour sponsors What's On Your Wall Wednesday. These are all hanging on my walls, so I'm going to link to that event also!

"The heart hath it's own memory like the mind, and in it are enshrined the precious keepsakes". I am the self-appointed rescuer of these words of wisdom! Having done some needlework myself, I know it is a labor of love, and it just makes me so sad to see, what I consider to be family heirlooms, in garage sales, etc. and selling at such low prices. I don't think I've ever paid more than $20.00 for any of my needlework pictures, and usually not more than $10.00. (NOTE TO MY CHILDREN: If you are reading this after my demise, please do not sell my needlework-keep it in a box in the attic if you don't want to display it-perhaps my grandchildren will want it one day!) If you sell it, I will be back to haunt you!


Of course, I have MY mother's needlework hanging on my wall! My mother created this piece in 1930, and it is probably one of the reasons I ever did any needlework. "Sweet are the thoughts that savor of content. The quiet mind is richer than a crown".

"He Careth for You"


A small garage sale purchase. "This is the day which the Lord hath made".


"A Child's Prayer-Dear God-Thank you for Your care. You've been right with me everywhere. At school at play you're by my side, my special friend, my loving guide. And when the sun has said goodbye, and little lights shine in the sky, you're still with me, not far above, right in my heart, for you are love".
An estate sale purchase. (This still has a price sticker of $12 on the back).


"To love and be loved is the greatest joy on earth"

"Love makes everything easy"

Don't forget to visit these blogs:

Diane at A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words for Second Time Around Tuesday,
Victoria at Auction Girl Vintage for 30 Days of Junking;
Tam at The Gypsy's Corner for Three Or More Tuesdays,
and you don't have to wait until tomorrow to go see Barb at Grits and Glamour for What's On Your Wall Wednesday. All of these ladies have wonderful blog posts, no matter what day you visit them. Thank you ladies for these wonderful events you sponsor.
~~~~~~~~~~

I am SO ambitious today. I have one more very important thing to share.



Cathy at Mille Fleur, has honored me with the Attitude of Gratitude Award. Thank you so much Cathy for honoring me with this special award. If you don't already visit Cathy's blog, you should hurry over there right now and see her beautiful blog. I love that title of this award. The award requires me to tell you "how I've come to have an attitude of gratitude".



I really don't know how anyone could not have an attitude of gratitude. No matter what our circumstances, God has given all of us so much. When I look around at God's creation, I am so grateful, and when I think of the gift of His Son, dying for my sins, I have so much gratitude. Most of you know that I was adopted, and I am grateful to my biological parents for knowing that they were not going to be able to raise me, and I am grateful to my adoptive parents for raising me in a God-loving environment. I know that I am not supposed to be telling you what I'm grateful for. I'm supposed to tell why I have an attitude of gratitude. These things that I am grateful for are what have given me an attitude of gratitude.

If you would like to do a post about your gratitude, please take this award with you. I'd love to read your gratitude posts.

I am also grateful to each and every visitor to my blog, and grateful for visitors who take the time to leave a comment and let me know that my ramblings are being read. laurie

53 comments:

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh how wonderful! I have done quite a bit of needlework myself - as did my mother. Some of it never got framed - but that's another story. Anyway - I, like you, know the hours that go into such a picture.
I sort of get your same feeling when I see old photographs in thrift stores - especially children! Who decides to give those pictures away - mine are priceless to me (even the one's I'm not quite sure who they are)

Karen at Nittany Inspirations said...

I do counted cross stitch. I absolutely know what you mean about keeping it and not getting rid of it. I feel sad when I see work like that at a thrift store. I have many piecies that I have put over 100 hours in to it.

I gave my MIL a sampler with lace work and beading. She opened it up, said thanks, put it back in the box and put it on the shelf in her closet. My DH knew how much work I put in to that sampler and said to her, "Karen put a lot of work in that, you better hang that up on your wall." Boy, did he make points with me for having said that. lol

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Laurie,
Just lovely!!! I so admire people wih the patience and talent to produce such wonderful work!!! You have such an amazing collection...each one more lovely than the next!!!

I am so thrilled to see you mention the award!!! I was so honored when Libby gave it to me and I am even more thrilled to pass it along to you!!! You deserve it!!!

I hope you are having a wonderful day. I loved your post!!!
XOXO
Cathy

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

You certainly are ambitious to link to so many memes. But it does work for all of them. I love needlework like this. I cross stitched a few items back in the 80's. I need to find them & put them in my hope chest for future generations. I love your note to your kids about not selling the ones you made. Too funny!

Connie said...

Oh Laurie, Your Mother was so talented. I love the work above and I know it takes time and love. She must hae been a wonderful lady!
Of course, I think anything that is handmade comes with tons of love attached. I have tons of scrapbooks here and had them all covered so nicely so they wouldn't get dusty. Then I decided to ask the girls if they wanted a particular one, and if they did they could have it now. Why hang on to them, if they get pleasure looking at them now.
Hope you had a nice weekend, and I have to report we have a few yellow daffodils and everyone seems to be so excited.

ellen b. said...

Hello Laurie!! What a great collection of needlework you have. I love these great old goodies and love the sayings, verses, and prayers on them. So much fun! It's especially sweet to have some made by your mother...

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Just beautiful Laurie...Loved it all..I love that you framed them all..great words to live by...thanks for sharin this post today...hugs and smiles dear friend...Gl♥ria

Ginny said...

I loved them all, especially to love and be loved, and this is the day the Lord has made!!
I was just thinking about a post on gratitude maybe tonight if I have time.
ginny

Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960 said...

Hi Laurie! Oh, I love your samplers! I'll have to share mine one day! I've done three! One is in my bedroom, the other I actually did for my grandmother and when she passed my parent's got it so it's in my mother's kitchenette and then I did one that's very little girlie and I have nowhere to hang it so it's hanging on the wall in my walk-in closet! Thanks for sharing your treasures! God Bless! Lauralu :)

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Laurie these are the sweetest things! I love them all!!

jeanne said...

Hi Laurie, I do love your collection of needlework with 'words.' I too have a collection that I love. I laughed at your message to your kids. I should do the same. BIG smile.

I added my photo to your TV. It was fun to do. I also enjoyed the guests who have also said hello or left a photo or something they care about.

I enjoyed your 'words' today.

Hugs...Jeanne

Ginger said...

I love needlepoint, and yet I don't have any. I never see it in thrift stores. I enjoyed seeing yours and laughed at the note to your children.

KBeau said...

I'm so glad that you rescued all of these things. I hate to think what would have happened to them otherwise.

puddin07 said...

Laurie, I loved all of your samplers, It takes a lot of time and patience! I remember one you showed on RMS, it went "if you drop it, pick it up" , etc It has stayed with me, it was so cute and such good advice. I loved your note to your children, and you certainly deserve the award! Love Ya! Connie

Kathleen said...

Hi Laurie,
Love your words of wisdom samplers! And the ones to your kids are good too.
When I go there will be the Mother of all Garage sales here! :)
I make a box to sell, and keep taking things back!!
And aren't you clever getting all the events into one post..good girl!

Linda said...

We have my husband's grandmother's sampler hanging in our living room.
It is very precious and beautiful. I found it in his mom's cedar chest when she was moving and had it framed for him for his birthday several years ago. His Grandma Gemma was his sweetheart so you know how special this is to him. She made it as a young girl in Italy so it has the Italian alphabet which lacks a couple of letters from the English alphabet.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Laurie,
That is really a neat post! I love the needlework you showed us and I am so curious if you have it all framed and hanging somewhere. I know some of the one's I have don't really fit my decor now but I still want to keep them. I always love coming to your blog and reading your posts, they are always such an inspiration to me. Cindy

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What beautiful needlework. I absolutely love all of them. I did a lot of samples also years ago, and I am with you. I sure don't want them in the GW stores, but on the other hand, I sure love the ones you found and they have given you and me after seeing them much pleasure. Your attitude of gratitude always shows. That is part of your personality that always shines through. Congratulations on the award, it is perfect for you. Hugs, Marty

xinex said...

What a neat collection, Laurie! My favorite is the one with the birds. I hope your kids are not as scared as I am with ghosts, just in case you have to haunt them. LOL!...Christine

Chandy said...

Laurie your treasures are exactly that, treasures! All so beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Laurie thank you for sharing your samplers with us! I love to think about who might have stiched those and what they were thinking as they needled the hours away on these pretties!!

blessings
mary

Barb @ The Everyday Home said...

Laurie - not only were you ambitius but you were creative, too. BTW, I love what you say on the side of your blog. I suffer from the same "guilty-conscience" disease when I can't seem to visit and find time to comment on all my fave blogs. But, I thnk it is understandable. I loved all your needlework pieces. You have some very precious ones...and if thou can't speak words of wisdom, thou can buy them at thrift stores. LOL
Thanks for joining in today. Hugs friend! Barb

Debbie said...

I love all of your needlepoint pieces. They are quite beautiful. What a collection. I use to cross stitch a lot, but haven't found the time in the past year or so. Debbie

Carol said...

I love all your 'words of wisdom' stitch work pictures, my favorite is the child's prayer.

I used to do tons of cross stitch back in the '80s. I still have a huge box of patterns & floss. Some day I need to do more stitching. Your post today has inspired me!

Blessings,
Carol

Connie said...

Hi Laurie, I had it in my bookmarks. Not sure where I got it, though.

http://fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html

My hyperlink box is grayed out, so you can do copy/paste and that should bring you to the page. As usual, I don't read directions, but I think it started out with someone collecting papers, and now they accept donations to keep it going. Why Fulton, I don't know. It's a small town south of the lake between Oswego and Syracuse. Central NYS! Possibly you could drop them a line and ask how you might find something in your area. Usually the people that run these sites are very nice.
Good luck ! Con

Dawn Marie said...

I love your words of wisdom. I love that your mom made one and you still have it.

I also think its awesome you have such a great attitude about being adopted, its so neat to see that.

Domestic Designer said...

What a lovely post! I also love to do needlework of every kind! I appreciate all the hard work these nameless women put into each piece. It always makes me sort of sad to see them for sale in yard sales or thrift shops. You rescued them and that is a great thing. I have also told my children that they better not sale any of my work in a yard sale!:-) Haunting them sounds like a good threat! Have a great day and thanks for sharing!

xashee's corner said...

oh my goodness i LOVE your needlework! Thank you so much for sharing such WONDERFUL inspiration! Have a BEAUTIFUL day!! :)

Carrie said...

I really enjoyed this post. I love framed embroideries and your collection with inspirational phrases is excellent.

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Laurie, I have done needlework my entire life. Samplers are one of my favorites. I love yours! Just beautiful, my friend!
Hugs, Terrie

Ginny said...

Laurie, I did post on gratitude. The only thing is, I added a little twist.

laurel said...

My wanderings through blogland brought me here, and I'm happy to have found your blog!

Needlework has always been a mystery to me, I don't have the patience or skill to attempt it. But I grew up with samplers my mother had hanging in the house. And I inherited a couple. I recently moved to another country and was only able to bring one with me, and SO glad I did.

It says "A House and a Tree spell Contentment to me". I've been seeing it all my life. It reminds to be grateful for the simple things.
Lovely post, lovely needlework!
Laurel

alison giese Interiors said...

Laurie:
These are all wonderful words to live by - I wish I could accomplish at least a few!
Thank you so much for the sweet comment you left me at MLHP - it completely made my day!

Alison
My Little Happy Place

Lorie said...

Those are beautiful! Thank you for sharing them!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Oooooh, Laurie, I feel guilty....I have so much needlework that I have done and am not displaying due to change in decor style. I have been wondering what to do with all my "art" work. I have several samplers - the famous Chase Sampler, and other needlepoint, cross-sstich, and embroidery. Thanks for your thoughtful post - I am going to hold on to my originals! Linda

Rhondi said...

Hi Laurie
I love all your needlework. It's beautiful! You have some real treasures there.
Hugs, Rhondi

~CC Catherine said...

Hey Sweet Laurie! I love your needlepoint shares today ! I, like you, LOVE needlework, and especially the ones that have verses. I've got quite a few myself that I'll have to share some day too so you can see them. I loved your "Attitude of Gratitude" sentiment! Congrats on the award...YOU DESERVE IT! If there is anyone in blogland that posts with an attitude of gratitude, it's YOU my friend! ;) Thanks for BEING YOU! ;) Be Blessed today! ~CC Catherine

Simply Debbie said...

DEAR LAURIE,
I LOVED THIS POST SO MUCH. YOU ARE SO VERY FUNNY, SENTIMENTAL, AND VERY TALENTED. YOU ARE VERY GOOD WITH PEOPLE. I DID NOT KNOW YOU WERE ADOPTED. MY BIL IS ADOPTED AND AFTER HIS MOM AND DAD DIED HE BEGAN TO SEARCH FOR HIS BIOLOGICAL
MOTHER.....AFTER 3 YEARS HE FOUND HER. THE NEWSPAPER IN THE SMALL OKLAHOMA TOWN THAT SHE HAD LIVED IN SINCE SHE GAVE BIRTH TO HIM AT 15 YEARS OLD,DID AN ARTICLE ON THEIR REUNION. AFTER HE FOUND HER SHE DIED 2 YEARS LATER OF CANCER. IT WAS VERY SAD BUT HE HAD CLOSURE AND HE KNOWS HE WAS LOVED BY 2 MOTHERS....HE HAS 4 HALF BROTHERS WHO WERE SHOCKED BUT HAVE VERY WARMLY ACCEPTED HIM.
I ALSO LOVE SAMPLERS WITH THE WORDS OF WISDOM...I HAVE TOLD MY KIDS THE SAME THING..IF YOU SELL THESE I WILL COME BACK AND HAUNT YOU.
AMY IS BETTER TONIGHT...LEILA HOWEVER STARTED HER CHEMOTHERAPY AND THREW UP ALL NIGHT...THIS IS JUST HER FIRST DAY OF 3 DAYS...CHEMO IS A TOUGH THING.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR VISITING MY BLOG. I LOVE IT WHEN YOU VISIT. YOU NEED TO WRITE A BOOK BECAUSE THERE IS JUST A HUMOR THAT COMES FROM YOU THAT IS HEALING. YOU ARE A SPECIAL LADY WITH A SWEET SPIRIT.
HUGS
love
debbie

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Hi Laurie...love the needlework. I have several pieces I have done, in fact, we have a couple very similar. I don't have them hanging anymore...but I will never part with them!

BittersweetPunkin said...

Wow thats quite a collection! They are very lovely, thank you so much for sharing them with us. Many times I could use Words of Wisdom.

Postcardy said...

I enjoyed your collection of cross-stitch samplers. I made a few samplers, but I quit after it took my hands too long to recover. Now I have trouble seeing small stitches too.

I like to collect words of wisdom on old postcards.

Heidi Pocketbook said...

Those pieces of needlework are so lucky to have a good home☺ I don't have the patience to do needlework, which probably makes me appreciate it even more!

One of my favorite wedding presents was a cross stitch personalized with our names, wedding date, and a Bible verse. Right now I have it packed away but I plan to get it out again soon. The woman who made it for us felt bad that she couldn't afford to get us a "real" wedding present, however I assured her that she put more thought and love into it than in any other gift we received.

I can't imagine ever giving away/donating something that someone worked so hard on....

Have a good Thursday☺

Helen said...

Dear Laurie, everything you shared in this post is perfect ... from the words, to the design, to the colors, to the frames ~ Thank you so much.

I have a feeling your children cherish you .........

Unknown said...

I agree, it is very sad when I see, anything handmade being sold for pennies, esp. old photo albums of weddings, births, etc... Crazy, what are people thinking??? Glad you are there to rescue and love them! Sue

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Laurie,
I'm with you on the auction thing. Actually I was a bit irritated that they stopped early. I would love to be at an auction with you, we both love the bargains. Have a wonderful week-end and I hope you have lovely weather too. Hugs, Cindy

the pleasures of homemaking said...

What a wonderful collection! It really combines two of my favorite things words and neddlework! Loved them all!

Manuela

Anonymous said...

Hi Laurie! Oh, I love those needlework words of wisdom! I especially love the little prayer with the kids at the bottom. So precious!
Thank you, Dear One for coming to see me!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Judi said...

Laurie
This was such a lovely post and your needlework is beautiful. What a great way to display those special words. You do a wonderful job and I know what you mean about the low prices on items such as this. They are a labour of love and its a shame to see them priced so low.

You are so lucky to have parents who care for you and who have brought you up as they have...making you so happy and fulfilled...*Hugs*.

Recognizing all that we are grateful for is a way to bring a smile even on a rainy day...don't you think?

have a lovely day..
Judi

Designs on 47th Street said...

Laurie, did you go to bed too early last night and therefore no TT for you today??? ;) ;) I truly laughed out loud that you are taking pictures past midnight after setting a table. You are too much!

What a wonderful thing to collect...vintage needlework. I don't know that I have seen that in thrift stores, but I will now be looking. There very first one you posted is one I stitched almost 100 yrs. ago. I truly love your collection. Great post~ I just to do a lot of needlework as well. I love the one that your mother did. sweet...

Mari @ Once Upon a Plate said...

Laurie, what a delightful, and "feel good" post! :)

Your words of wisdom needlework collection is amazing; I really like the one your mother stitched, but they are all precious.

Thank you for sharing all that you do with us, it's always a treat to come visit. xo~m.

Debra from Bungalow said...

You have a wonderful collection of old needlework! It takes many hours to complete a sampler...it's such a shame they aren't appreciated more. Whenever I see one I think of the hands that worked to complete it.

Nicole ~ said...

Laurie, you have such a nice collection. It is amazing how many hours went into each piece, and I love the fact that you have your mother’s from 1930. Each one of them has such a wonderful message.

Donna said...

Laurie, I love the samplers you shared! I love old quotations and sayings and yours are wonderful! I laughed out loud at the message to your children!! I would have to agree 100%... I'd be back to haunt mine, too! LOL... Donna @ An Enchanted Cottage