Love Transcends

When I go thrift-shopping and I am fortunate enough to pick up vintage or antique pieces of lace or crocheted items I'm in absolute heaven! I love the feel of these precious items and as I run my fingers over them gingerly, I'm almost transported through time where I can envision a table dressed, a frock adorned or busy fingers pulling a thread through a needle or crochet hook.

I savor every step that leads up to re-using, re-purposing and saving these lovely heirlooms to create something new that will be cherished for perhaps yet another generation. After I handwash and dry even the tiniest bit of lace, trim or appliqué, I lay them to dry and enjoy the freshness that fills the room.

Hand sewing is so relaxing for me, I keep a tiny basket with a sewing project near my bed so I can simply reach over and pick up a project to run a few stiches before I turn off the lights to go to bed at night.

When I received this beautiful banner-like piece of crocheted edging in my DT package, I immediately knew I would be running my needle and thread through this fabulous piece. Since there were exactly four pennants, what better purpose for it than to share the L-O-V-E !

After I cut a floral pattern from a wide piece of lace I had in my own precious coffers, I backed the fragile piece to give it a bit more stability.I topped it using five different vintage and crocheted trims, including a delicate tatted edging that I cut from an old table runner. I added some beautiful heart-shaped buttons from Zeus and Zoe's at each end of the banner to anchor the many layers.

I chose another vintage lace to sew to the bottom edges of the crocheted banner as a frill, and used the same lace to edge three rosette-like pieces that I cut away from a tiny piece of trim as every little bit is so precious! I then added a mulburry flower to the centers and aligned the three rosettes in between the pennant wedges of the banner.

The finishing touch was hand-dying some appliqué pieces and arranging them to spell the word and spread the word.....LOVE !!!

I hope you will enjoy this piece as much as I have enoyed creating it :)