Plastic anyone?

After seeing Mrs. Sibley's lace pillow, the first thing I discovered about bobbin lace was that it was not made with just one bobbin.... ooooooh no!  Depending on the lace you are making, you could need hundreds of these little sticks!  

So I began the task of collecting them.  That was when I discovered Plastic bobbins.  They were affordable and came in many different styles and colors!  They are still the first bobbin I suggest to people I teach for those very reasons.

Before you gasp at the idea of making gorgeous handmade lace with "plastic", let me say that I was privileged to watch a lacemaker at work on a very detailed handkerchief edging.  She was only using plastic bobbins, and her work was phenomenal!!  

So, is the tool or the lacemaker what is really important, I ask you...

Once the love bug bites....

...you have been bitten!!

Now that I had the bobbins, I just HAD to find out how to use them! I made an subconscious point to check for bobbins whenever I was anywhere that might have them. In a village called Godmanchester I was at a craft store when EUREKA!! I found lace bobbins for sale! Not just one style, but two different styles of bobbins were offered.

I asked the shop owner if he knew of anyone who taught lace, and he did not. But he did know someone who made lace ... and in a few short weeks, I was sitting in the house of my very first lace teacher, Barbara S.

She invited me first to have a look at what I was considering, since I had no idea what would be involved. She had her pillow set up on a table in her living room, and I was enthralled! She had been given most of her lace supplies by an older woman who had been a lacemaker in days gone by, but could not make lace anymore. It was like stepping back in time! Her pillow was full of old bobbins and her work (when dormant) was covered with an old tea towel.

It was love at almost first sight!

So good!

Today is Good Friday. I can remember as a little girl wondering why it would be called Good if it was the day that Jesus died. Later on, when I asked Him to become my Savior, it was clear that my forgiveness would not have been possible without His death; so yes, Good Friday.

And something else that is a little reminder to us that struggle here today. No matter what the struggles are: loss of those close to us, fear of future losses, worries about even little details we are facing; whatever it is, God cares. He knows what it is to be alone or hurting. He knows how we fear. He knows our every weakness... and He hurts with us over them all.

So while I know there is a much better end to the story, and I anticipate the glorious celebration that is ahead of me on Easter, I will take time today especially to remember how much He loves and cares for me. It IS good....SO good!

Plain James

While wandering in a local antiques shop several months after watching the program on romantic collectibles, I came across two old lace bobbins!! I was so excited, to have found some so quickly! The price was good, so I made my first lace purchase. They were both bone bobbins, one was rather plain with only turning for the decoration, while the other one had the name "James" inscribed into the bobbin.


I laid them on a shelf for decoration after I got home. It wasn't enough though. They seemed to demand handling! Everytime I passed by them, I just had to hold them and wonder how - how in the world could lace be made from something like these?

It would not be long before I would find out!!

Why? How? Where?

It's a question I know you are dying to ask; so I will ask it for you! Why in the world did I ever want to learn how to make lace? How did I get started? Where did I learn? (and so on and so on...)

Our family was stationed in England for six years during the 70's and 80's. While we were there, we tried to experience as much of England as possible; like English food, fresh milk delivered to the door, learning English terminology, English driving, English schools and other such stuff. I was minding my own business one day, watching an English television show (similar to Antiques Roadshow) that was about collectibles. It was near Valentine's Day so this particular episode was about Romantic collectibles. The guest was a very well known lacemaker, and she had a huge collection of lacemaking bobbins, East Midland style, with her for the program. I was glued to the telly while she talked about the stories that went along with these "tools"... and in my heart I knew that one day I would have to find one of these fascinating objects somewhere.

She had bobbins with romantic phrases inscribed on them, and others with uniform buttons attached. The range of different sayings was huge and having never seen anything like it before, I was mesmerized!

But where did one go to find things like that?

I didn't just find one... I also found a new "obsession". But more on that another day!

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog!
I love writing, so this should be easy; finding the time, not so easy!

My husband and I are at the grandparent stage in our lives now and loving every minute of it! We have two precious little ones and we thank God for them both!!

They are the greatest blessings we've known by far!! (Don't tell our kids we said that, although I think they would understand). We have a precocious little boy and a precious baby girl.

Besides loving these two, I also have an interest in anything to do with sewing, smocking, etc. The needlework "obsession" that has my heart is making bobbin lace! My husband is my greatest supporter and fan in this, and keeps me supplied with the tools I have needed over the years...even making the bobbins and straw pillows that are most important. My favorite bobbins are the ones he made, and the pillows he made are among the best around!

I hope all goes well for you this year! We are trusting God to lead us as we desire to be what He wants us to be, and to grow in deeper and closer fellowship with Him and each other.

So, let me say once again how glad I am that you took the time to stop by.

Come again sometime!