A Peek Inside: Pretty Doilies

I've mentioned before that I belong to a ladies club and that Miss Abigail has been an informal member since she was born. In fact, though we don't do formal membership at all anymore, Abby is as much a part of the club now as anyone. Both she and I have been gifted many lovely things over the years and some of these gifts are in her hope chest, in honor of or in memory of these special ladies.

These lovely hand-crocheted doilies were made by Miss Sheila, a wonderfully talented woman who has always been so interested in Abigail. I should have put something alongside them to help you understand the size better. They are both about 7-9 inches in diameter. Just the right size to place under a vase of flowers. It is so nice to have these beautiful accessories in the hope chest.

Sweet Sixteen Crystal Vase

This was Miss Abigail's purchase for her hope chest to mark her Sweet Sixteen birthday. Perhaps she's dreaming of the beautiful flowers some handsome man will give her someday!

Miss Muffet Wall Plate

Miss Abigail has been redecorating her room. I saw this wall plate in an antique store when Abby was a young child and the face of Miss Muffet reminded me so much of Abigail. It has hung above her bed for many years now, but I guess I can understand why she is retiring it. ;o)

Into the hope chest it goes. She may want to use it in a nursery some day.

A Peek Inside - Painted Wall Hook

A couple of months ago I attended the State 4-H Home Ec School. This event is one of the highlights of my 4-H year and this year was no exception. I was in the track to learn about Interior Design. An instructor taught us a little bit about recycling old things into new things for the home and introduced this wall hook project. I was given an old oak drawer front. I painted it orange, attached the hooks to it and there it was - an old board turned into something nice and useful. Now I don't have to pay a small fortune to buy the same thing at Hobby Lobby. Sometimes recycling can be really great! And, I love having something so nice to put into my hope chest.

Respectfully submitted by Miss Abigail.

A Peek Inside - Watercolor Painting

One of the categories on our hope chest list includes paintings, wreaths, samplers and other wall decorations. This lovely watercolor was painted by a local artist and beautifully reflects the landscape in our rural community. I snatched it up at a craft show some years ago because the scene looks just like the view outside our back window. Abigail has loved to be outside, running around and chasing dogs and chickens. I hope this picture will someday bring happy memories and remind her of childhood and home.

A Peek Inside - "Home" Quilted Wall Hanging

This quilted wall hanging was made by Miss Pat, another of our special lady friends in the Stanley Homemaker's Club. Pat has been a quilter extrordinaire, but has now almost given it up in a new passion of dollmaking. So, I'm extra glad that Miss Abigail has this in her hope chest. It will be so pretty hanging somewhere in her home someday. It is lovely, isn't it?