Sunday, November 25, 2012

Fountain Pens & Lace

Not long ago I got the cutest letter from my Aunt Susie.  My mom was one of 12 kids, and dear Aunt Susie is the last living of them.  The letter I got was hand typed on.. a.. ::gasp:: typewriter!  Poor dear can't write anymore, so she typed it!  She made it clear that she hadn't heard from me in a while.. SO.. yesterday I looked in my antique secretary desk for some suitable stationery so I could write a letter.  Then I cleaned my silver fountain pen and filled it with some sepia ink.. and began to write.  
Those of you who are familiar with me know I'm a collector.  :-D  And I have a collection of fountain pens.  I was introduced to them in high school where my shorthand teacher insisted we use them and learn how to care for them.  
This one is made by.. "Yard-o-Led"!  It's made in England and it's wonderful.   
I have to admit, my hand started cramping up a bit using pen and paper!  Horrors!  I love to write and I guess I'm out of practice.  I will be limbering up soon as I hand address my Christmas cards in fountain pen every year.  
Two of my pen sets... the top ones are Parker Duofold "Centennial" Black and Pearl made with marbleized acrylic.  I have the fountain pen, pencil and pen.  Actually, this is my most used fountain pen as it writes wonderfully with a good flow and lovely look to the written word.  The bottom one is my prized solid sterling silver Yard-o-Led set.  My first one was the fountain pen, then much later I found the pen and pencil for a song on eBay.   
The founatain pen has been engraved with my initials.  I actually named my youngest son so he'd have my same initials, so someday these will be his.  :-)
Each pen or pencil is hand embellished and is hallmark stamped and is guaranteed for life.  I know this as my fountain pen had a acrylic end part that held the nib, which was gold.  The plastic deteriorated, so I contacted the company and they told me to send it to them.  Needless to say that was hard for me to do.  But when they sent my pen back, it had a new sterling silver end and a white gold nib.. all new!  
All of the Thanksgiving decor has been stowed in my office and I'm beginning to haul out the Christmas things.  Here is a new ornament, a tiny wire basket holding tiny balls of handspun yarn with tiny knitting needles.
I've decided to use a lace tablecloth this year instead of a red and green one.  It's fun to try different things each year.  This is just a few things I've hauled out.. the old wooden sleigh I painted, a Jim Shore Santa, a vintage box of ornaments that we found in Dayle's parents garage before the house was sold and an antique Ball jar that I crocheted a "jacket" for.  The tablescape will change as more things are brought down.  Note the lace tablecloth, it was done by my friend Weltha Wilson who lived until she was 106!!  
 A lot of my crochet/bloggy friends are making these crocheted jar jackets, I want to do some more lacy ones like some of them have done.  I just designed this simple one myself.
Lastly.. and I blame a blog friend Chris at Red Gate Farm for this... but I have been using red and green Christmas dishes for our Thanksgiving dinner for over 20 years, and then I saw a turkey plate on her blog.. and got rather obsessed to find some.  Below is what I found on eBay and will be winging their way to our farmhouse next week or so.   Now, I know that this is silly to buy dishes to use once or twice a year, but.. well.. when you get to my age and you are retired and all is well.. sometimes you get to do things like this.  I told my hubby, that I don't buy fancy shoes or clothes.  Right?  :-D  Now to wait a year to use them.  LOL!!
Have you started decorating for Christmas?  Hubby thinks I should wait at LEAST until December 1st.  But to me, the day after Thanksgiving is a good time.  Now if I could just get him to bring down the Christmas tree and set it up.  Oh, honey....
((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

36 comments:

  1. I so enjoy seeing how you set your table for the different seasons and celebrations Teresa. Those vintage christmas tree decorations remind me so much of some my darling mum has.

    Hopefully your DH will take the hint and set up the tree...

    Helenxx

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    1. He did get the tree up today while I was away swimming... funny thing is he put it up without the bottom part so it's short.. he has to go back into the storage room tomorrow.. lol!

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  2. What a lovely set of pens to collect. I see pens like that all the time but never seem to buy one for myself...always for others. They are lovely to write with. I think the day after Thanksgiving is a good time to decorate for Christmas the stores have everything out really right before Thanksgiving so why wait until December. Still waiting on my camera....he told me is will be a Cannon Rebel!
    much love, Shari

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    1. Oh, love love your new header....is it already snowing over there? It's beautiful!

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    2. Hi Shari, no snow here yet, that was a header I made last year. I still love it! It's like a Christmas card on the top of my blog. I hope your camera comes tomorrow! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. We have our tree up, I did have to work on hubby, but he loves Christmas too :) I love the engraved fountain pen, beautiful, I love good pens and get quite attached to one that writes really well (I too sadly get cramp as I barely write anymore). x

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    1. I guess you and I need to write more to keep our fingers limber, huh? ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  4. Beautiful pens and bet the aunt will love that you have hand written.
    Goodness knows my writing is hideous these days!!
    Crochet jar jackets do look good and must at some point get around
    to making a few as burn candles here a lot.

    wendy in oz ☺☺

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  5. What fun! I loved learning about your pens...I have a fountain pen that I chose because of it's pretty blue barrel. I like to keep it near by, but rarely use it. It startled me to realize how your descriptions of letter writing [or not] apply to me. I rarely write anyone and am more apt to email others. How precious to have an Aunt Susie in your life who types to you! I loved seeing the pages you so beautifully wrote to her...lovely. [ My mom was a wonderful letter writer.] Your turkey plates are very handsome and will be fun to use when they fly in to your home. Thanks for posting, Teresa! I am off to the airport with my daughter to pick up the Honeymooners :) xx from Gracie

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    1. Gracie, I also do calligraphy, but haven't done that in a while.. I need to limber up my fingers and write more. You'll have to tell us how their honeymoon went! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  6. How beautiful those pens are, like it to read what you know about them. And I do love your new China! I have some snowmen from Jim Shore, they are standing on my mantelpiece year round. In Holland we celebrate "Sinterklaas" at the 5th of december,(and he arrived this year in Holland at the 18th of november, which always is a big show) That's traditionally the day we give each other gifts and all kinds of surprises, though it's most a children feast. It's only till about the last 10-15 years that we give presents with Christmas. And some people still don't. Or they just celebrate Christmas. We don't have the Christmas tradition as you have. But at my parents house we always had a tree, and I still do, with real candles. I will begin decorating in the 1th week of december, I think, but the tree will be set up much later. Groetjes, Gerda

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    1. Gerda, thank you so much for telling us about how you celebrate your holiday time in Holland! How neat!
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      *H*A*P*P*Y* * *H*O*L*I*D*A*Y*S*!*!*!*
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      ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  7. I did decorate some outside things today. But, the tree still needs some work! lol LOVE the pens! Letter writing really is a lost art.

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    1. I look forward to seeing your wonderful rustic decorations!

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  8. Hi Teresa - remember your gorgeous header from last year - it is stunning. Love your pens. I have several but sadly they are not old. All special to me though. I am as guilty as everyone else in hardly ever writing letters now- sad though I think. I am trying to get ready for the decorations. I really like to have cleaned and polished before I start putting things out- as in parts of house that don't gt done every day ( the plate rack and all the plates taken down and washed) not sure I am going to manage it this year as I sill feel so unwell.I hope to put ( well DH to do it) lights up outside in time for 1st Dec along with my Advent Star that hangs in the window, also Advent Santa that I made years ago when my boys were little. I shall then add bits each day. I don't put the tree up until much nearer the big day, especially as I have a real tree.
    Looking forward to seeing your decorations come out.
    Love the turkey tableware I think it's fine to have something like that - you are at least using it :-) Love Anne x

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    1. Anne, my pens aren't that old.. which is why they work so well! I recommend a good quality new one. If you get a Yard-o-Led, if it needs fixed they'll do it for free. I hope you show photos of your holiday decorations!
      ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  9. Hi Teresa ... That pen of yours is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL !! What a treasure and such a lovely idea for passing it on to your son further down the track. Did you really name him for that reason? :) Looking forward to seeing your Christmas decorations as they progress - I always enjoy the way you set up your table. Oh and talking of table, what a great dinner set. You do find interesting things to collect. xoxox

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    1. I didn't name my son just so I could give him my pens.. lol.. but I did name him so that his initials would be the same as mine. He's my "baby".

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  10. Fabulous pens. I've always loved a good fountain one. I never collected but think I must now. Silver is a fav of mine. Hope your holidays were wonderful. We are in full on recovery mode here today at the beach. Most of the big group left last night or this morning. So nice to have a quiet moment to figure out today's journeys. I'm sure there is a coastal bike ride somewhere. But, you know I'll be ready for DWTS tonight even on vaca. Great post

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    1. Kate, collecting fountain pens is fun and mine have gone way up in value! Have fun with your DWTS - and have a safe trip home!

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  11. Lovely pens and I love that you are a collector, because we get to see the amazing things that catch your eye. Your new dishes are wonderful.
    Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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    1. I've decided that we're using the turkey dishes for Christmas Eve dinner, even if we're having ham! :-) We're going to the boy's home for Christmas day. I love the holidays! Hugs back.. Teresa

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  12. Fab fountain pens Teresa. I too write in ink for work, as does my hubby. There is nothing easier to use than a fountain pen. I must show your pens to him, he would love them. Great to see the Christmas decs appearing. I start decorating on 1st December but as you well know I have been busy with Christmas bits way in advance as it is my favourite time of the year. The turkey dinner service is just awesome, over here we would serve our Christmas dinner on it.
    Jane x

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    1. What pen do you use at work? Did you show hubby the pens? Yes, I've decided to serve our Christmas eve dinner on them. Needless to say, I'll share photos. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  13. Good morning Teresa. Your pen collection is beautiful! I adore the lost art of the hand written letter too!!!
    Love the little basket with yarn and needles!!! We got home from the cabin yesterday and got busy packing up the Fall decor, and Greg and his helpers put up the Christmas lights on the house. We will have to wait until after my boutique on Saturday to get the Xmas down and begin to decorate. I have to keep my head straight, and focus on the boutique, and then move into Christmas!
    Hugs to you.
    Kris
    PS Those dishes thrill me to my toes..you lucky gal!!!

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    1. I hope you show photos of your outside lights. Hubby hasn't gotten the outside ones up, the photo at the top is from last year with the snow. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  14. Hello Teresa You have such beautiful handwriting! And I love your collection of fountain pens...I bought a Parker duofold pen for my hb about 20 years ago :) How wonderfully Christmassy your new banner is....just gorgeous!
    Have a great week!
    Helen x

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    1. Helen, does your husband still have and use his Parker? Is it fountain or ballpoint? I'd love to see a photo of it. I hope you have a great week too. :-)

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  15. LOVE your new header--I am SO hoping for snow this year! Your fountain pens are beautiful and I see, by your comment reply, that you do calligraphy too:)
    When I was small I would try and copy different styles of handwriting till I perfected them; I thought it a lot of fun.
    Who makes the turkey dishes? They kind of remind me same sort of style edge and colors as are on my Friendly Village Christmas set (by Johnson Brothers I think). I am looking forward to using them for Advent/Christmas--that is if my DH doesn't tear up more of our house before then:)
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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    1. I also hope we get some pretty snow.. some years we don't have much. I'm glad I got that photo last year during a snow that wasn't very deep or long lasting. But I love it. The dishes are by Johnson Bros. like your Friendly Village. I also have a very old set of their dishes.. with flowers on it. Hugs, T

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  16. Oh me oh my...I am loving your turkey dinner set!
    I love handwriting notes to love ones and friends....such beautiful pens!
    Happy new week. xox

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  17. I remember watching my Momwrite with fountain pens. She had the most beautiful handwriting as did my Dad. They both used to tell me about the penmanship classes they took in school. It was common to wake in the morning and find her practicing her penmanship at the kitchen table. I try to send cards to people but I must confess, I email & text more than anything.

    I'm hoping to decorate a little this week but the little 6 month old I'm caring for this week isn't cooperating very well.

    Have a wonderful day Teresa!
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  18. I have some Shiny Brites! They were my grandmother's. I haven't put them on the tree because my kitties love to swat at them.

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  19. Love, love, love your little basket with yarn ornament!!!
    What a fun and yummy feast you had for Thanksgiving!!! it took me a little while to read it but finally did... everything looks delicious... I've never had yams. I bet you missed your daughter and the girls!
    The photo with you and your hubby is really nice!
    love,
    Shanti

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  20. How great that your aunt typed you a letter and that you in turn handwrote her one using your lovely pens. I gave my boss a fountain pen last year along with some fancy cotton paper from my husband's company and he was so happy. He actually wrote a letter to his 3rd grade teacher using it and signs documents with the pen. Your crocheted jar cozy came out nice. It's fun to take something simple and glam it up with a bit of crochet. Best wishes for the holidays. Tammy

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