Friday 4 June 2010

A Very Lovely Afternoon in the Sun


Well goodness me, did it rain the other day?!  This was the back yard...

And this was the front, which is much worst than the photo I showed the other day isn't it?  We were lucky, others had floods in their houses and the South Island didn't fare too well at all with some farms completely under water.

But after the rain we have had the most beautiful days.  It's really quite warm again which is absolutely heavenly.  The washing will dry on the line too which I love.  So on Wednesday, after kindy drop off, I took myself for a nice walk around the village and went into shops that aren't too suitable for taking children into.  And it was so lovely.

Here are some photos the Anglican church, which is quite a landmark in the village.  It's a very pretty church, this being the small old one and not the new one.  The archway is beautiful as well,

and the picket fence, and the gardens,

even the headstones too.

And while I was wandering around I stepped into the Antique Shop.  There I spent a good part of half an hour sifting through baskets of doilies and other linen.  What fun that was.

Here are a few little treasured cloths I found.  After a good soak and an iron they have come up a treat.  I'm so pleased with them I'll have to go back for more.

The idea was to cut them up and make a garland for little Sophie's bedroom.  But now they look so much nicer I just can't cut them, well most of them anyway. 

This is a hanky but perfect for a garland I think.

And this one Lululiz won't let me go near with a pair of shears!!  I couldn't anyway.  It came with a huge brown stain on one corner but that's mostly gone now.   This mat was the most expensive at $4.  What a bargain!  The others were only $1 each.  Think I can afford a few more. 

But why are they so worthless?  So much work goes into them and they sell for pittance.  I'd have more fun with these than a metre of $12 fabric.  

12 comments:

Dawn said...

What treasures! Maybe I should go looking for some at our local antique shops!

Floss said...

There's a big 'thing' going on over at Henhouse blog about both the value and the possible cutting up of these embroideries and doilies! You've raised all the main points very succinctly, Sarah...

Hard to think how much work went into them yet how cheap they are now. Yet what are we going to do with them, now that their original uses (anticammassars are a good example) are no longer relevant?

Anyway, you've got the right idea for now- gloat over them! They're lovely. Have a great weekend.

VintageVicki said...

I need to move down-under ;)

We could go shopping together & I could find such lovely things.

A Life Less Complicated said...

I don't think I could ever cut into a doily. I am using them on a quilt though but they will be left as is. I've seen other quilts where people have cut the doilies and it made me cringe - all that work just to be cut up! Nice finds :D

Willeke said...

Please don't cut these doilies up!
Last year I saw a beautiful quilt made of old linen and doilies like this.
The Anglican church is beautiful and I hope your garden plants are not all washed away!

Unknown said...

Thats an awful lot of rain!
The church is stunning, Truly beautiful, I would love to get to walk around it and have a good look!
Those doilies are really pretty, and so cheep too. Over here anything like that (if you can find any in the first place) would be dearer. Mind you our charity/antique shops in this part of the country never seem to have anything good! Love them! Have a lovely weekend! Suzie xxx

Unknown said...

That church is beautiful and the doilies absolutely gorgeous. What wonderful finds....
Viv
xxx

Serenata said...

The church is lovely and so NZ! It's so nice to see pictures of the older churches. Such lovely doilies and embroideries. Amazing prices...they always seem so expensive here now.

Well where I look anyway!

It's also nice to have a reminder of how much rain can and does fall in NZ every now and again as well. Sun shining here! :-)

Nadine said...

Sounds like a blissful time! Its such a treat to have time like that to yourself to browse. I went out for tea with a friend to a lovely new bookshop in town....ah, good for the soul! Love your doilies:)

Lululiz said...

I love the doilies you found! And I am so glad you have decided not to cut THAT one, lol. I have been hoarding these little treasures for many many years, and I do use them how they were meant to be used, as tablecloths, tray cloths, antimacassars, under plant pots etc. I can't bring myself to cut them when there is nothing wrong with them, but if they are damaged, then fair enough, cut away.

Running Thread said...

A doily quilt .... what a lovely idea. I've also seen needle cases made from doilies which look very sweet too.

Donna said...

Hi Sarah, is this All Saints at Howick? I lived in Howick from 1979-1984 as a teenager and loved it. Went back for my first visit after 24 years in 2008. Walked all through Howick's main street, went back to Howick Intermediate and Pakuranga College to remember the good times we had! Thanks for some great kiwi memories! Donna - now a farmers wife in Australia!