chain of custody

Do you know Jodi and her lovely blog Pleasant Home?  I do.  Well, maybe I should qualify that by saying I know who she is.  I've been a fan of her blog for a few years, but I'd never actually met or spoken to her.

Then one day, some weeks back, there she was ... in my Inbox.  Just like that. 

Seems that when she saw these pillowcases I made with reclaimed vintage handmade lace (which I'd bought on eBay several years ago),

Jodi decided I'd be a good home for "some lace" she'd inherited.

I was - and still am - stunned.  It's gorgeous.  Beautiful.  Many times finer than anything I'd ever handled before. 

This lace was (probably) made by her great-grandomther, Stella Sinclair.   She was born in Dot, Klickitat County, Washington - 4 August 1889.  (on the right)

Was married in 1906. (on the left)

And she passed in Gresham, Oregon - 6 August 1982.

This handmade lace is exactly the sort of thing I'd always wished had made its way through the generations of my own family.  But my ancestors come from very modest means and such things as this simply didn't exist.

I'm deeply honoured, thrilled and excited to be the newest custodian of Jodi's great-grandmother's hand-crocheted family heirloom lace ... but also a little nervous.  It's a huge responsibility and I do not take it lightly. 

So now I need to come up with something really special.  And I have to get it right ... the first time ... no running back to the store if I mess up!

Thank you again, Jodi. :)  xo

Comments

[Mary C.]

Wow~! What a beautiful and generous gift. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

[Paula]

Wow! What a wonderful gesture! Heading over to her blog now.

[Diane Kelsey]

Such wonderful lace, and a very special gift.

[jodi]

Oh wow! Thanks so much for your wonderful post Kristyne! I'm just so glad that it's been passed down to someone who will do something with it. It definitely doesn't belong stuffed back in the deep recesses of my closet. Thank You!

[A Little Blue Dragonfly]

So sweet!!! I LOVE Jodi's blog! I made a couple of aprons from her pattern and always get inspired looking at her quilts. Truly an amazing gift. I can't wait to see what you decide to make with it!

[BillieBee]

How exciting and that is definitely an honor. I'll be waiting to see how you use it.

[Jodie]

What an amazingly generous gift! So precious. Can't wait to see what you decide to do with it!

[Hildy]

Wow that's a great gift! And Jodi choose the absolut right person. I'm sure you'll make something beautiful with it:-)

[greg]

That is the best gift ever! I love that it comes with a full history. I've been reading Jodi's blog for awhile.

[Archiethewonderdog]

What a thoughtful thing to do (by both of you!) xx

[Kristy]

Oh my how incredibly kind of Jodi.....that lace is beyond gorgeous. Well, to add more pressure....I have a few bits and snippets of lace handed down to me from my maternal grandma....so I am going to patiently wait to see what you do and see if I happen to have enough to create a new treasure.

[Denise in PA]

It's gorgeous. I just know you will do this beautiful lace justice! Your work is always stunning. Good luck!

[julie]

Wow - it is so nice to know that this lace will be used too, not just kept wrapped in a drawer ' I have some of mu grandmothers old linen
s, that I am trying to find the right project for too.

[Krystena]

Beautiful Kris,
you will come up with the exact right thing to do with this precious gift.....I wouldn't have the courage to use it, it would sit in a drawer or in a frame....exactly what the maker wouldn't want!
I can't wait to see the finished product!
<3 Krystena x

[Heather (mtl)]

Well, that is just sweetness and beyond! I can hardly wait to see what you're going to make, but in the meantime, I imagine you're going to swoon and coddle this gem for a spell :)
What a delight!

[Amy DeCesare]

What a beautiful legacy from two beautiful women. Very well placed, in your loving hands!

[Pattie]

Such a sweet, sweet story! I was touched to see the photos of Jodi's grandma, along with her beautiful handiwork.

Like your other fans, I can't wait to see what you create with this precious gift. I KNOW it will be beautiful!

[Carla]

You'll do her proud I just know it : )

[Nita]

Oh, my. A piece of that should be put in a shadow frame collage along with the photos of her great-great grandmother. :)

[vintage grey]

What beautiful lace and such a sweet photo of her great grandmother! A true treasure you have! xo Heather

[NancyL]

How wonderful that she has the picture as well as the lace. It has found a wonderful home with you!

[marilyn holley-stupka]

I have some longer pieces of lace, too. I've been thinking of trimming sheets for the guest room. Mine was made by my great-grandmother who was just a bit older than Jodi's great-grandmother. I'm anxious to see what you do with yours.

[Carolyn]

I am newly familiar with both of you!...And you are the perfect custodian! Enjoy!

[Sherri]

What a wonderful gift from Jodi...you are certainly the best person I know to be the keeper of the lace! Can't wait to see what you make!

[Sue B]

I've just received something similar from a friend's mother. http://jersey-scrapper.blogspot.com/2013/08/habby-treasure.html

[Jennifer B]

Very pretty, very special...and very confident you'll come up with a wonderful project!

[Amanda]

We have some lace like that in my family. It is the border of a linen tablecloth. My mother used to keep it in a cedar chest all the time but then she decided we should enjoy it, so now she gets it out for Thanksgiving and sometimes other holidays. The nice thing about being a border is you get to see it but it's unlikely to get spilled on; in fact at some point the lace shrunk a bit and my grandmother removed the border, cut down the tablecloth, and resewed the border on.

[Amy, a redeemed sheep]

What a beautiful honor you have been blessed with!

[Dana]

oh that lace is just too beautiful! I can't wait to see what you make with it <3

[Meredithe]

Such a special gift - I know you'll come up with something spectacular for it!

[Karen @ Pieces of Contentment]

It's exquisite! Almost too precious to use at all.

[Joanne Patton]

K! What a wonderful way to honour Stella and her lace. I look forward to seeing what you create.

[SuzK]

what a lovely gesture; the best part is that it is quite obvious you'll treat this lace as it should be treated and do something wonderful with it. She couldn't have made a better decision.