Thursday, February 13, 2014

Fever

Yep, that's what I have......Cabin Fever!!!  I am restless, tired of cooking, don't like being cooped up anymore......winter has stopped being fun!!!  Nothing looks right, time for some changes..........so I decided to freshen up the living room.  This vintage linen sheet has been used before during the hot summer months to cover the red sofa, but thought it would refresh things for the winter.  So I got it on and then put the blue pillows with it......

Next I changed up the tea table with a new linen towel and some stuff.....

I am really feeling the need for something green in my life!!!  So, bought an ivy plant....


Okay, so I lived with this for a few days, and it was just too cold for me for this time of year and too stark,,don't really like all the white.  So, added some red pillows........


Does not please me at all..........must be the fever I'm in!!!  Went back to the before the white.....


Had to change the tea table also.........


Love these linen towels from Ballard Designs, and they are on sale now!!!

Now about the linen sheet.........My parents are from Italy, and my mom was trained in sewing and hand work.  Her mother had a linen loom which was set up in the main living area and she wove linen for a living.  People would bring her the linen thread and she would weave the cloth.  It was a narrow loom, so for this top sheet, 3 pieces were sewn together by hand for a large piece of cloth.  My mother would do the hemming and the drawn work.  This sheet was part of her dowry with the matching pillow covers which I have not shown here.  Not pillow cases, but rectangular covers to go over the pillows.


This design runs across the top edge and part way down the sides.

This design is where the edge hem is......

Hope you can see this.......the hand sewn seams joining the 3 pieces of linen.

I so treasure these pieces from my Nonna and my mom.....what wonderful workmanship and a lost art.  Handwork like this is so valued in other countries and honored in families.  My cousins there all produce handwork for sale in boutiques and are very popular.


I love the corner piece, like a spider web...........all the hours it took!!! 

Thanks for stopping by to visit..........stay safe out there and keep warm!!!

15 comments:

Julie Marie said...

Everything looks so pretty Cleo!... love the red so much more than the white... so warm and inviting... I have had cabin fever for a long time now, it just took you longer than me to catch it!... soooo anxious for Spring!... your linens are all so beautiful, and yes, there is alot of work that goes into creating those... so precious and full or memories for you... xoxo Julie Marie

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

How wonderful to have these pieces done by your own mother! Your linen will be wonderful on your sofa in warmer weather. So beautiful! The blues are so fresh and gorgeous. I bought some some ivy too! Can't wait for green!

The Gilded Bloom said...

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and commenting... Your mother's linen is exquisite and how meaningful it must be to have something she created!

Lisa

Anonymous said...

Hi Cleo! Oh, I love your living room and your mother's sheet is just gorgeous! What dainty handwork on it. I know you cherish it. I love your sofa in it's red state.
Thanks for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Anonymous said...

Hi Cleo! I hope your weather has warmed up enough so you can get out and spread your wings. It's hard to be cooped up inside so long. Thanks for popping in again as I always enjoy your visits.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

FABBY'S LIVING said...

I love your linens, simply lovely, my type from heirlooms, you will have and treasure. I love blues any time of year, I don't find them cold at all, in fact I adore them! I like a Little greenery inside as I too have a few indoor plants to make my happy. Have a lovely weekend.
FABBY

Anonymous said...

Hi Cleo! Thanks for popping in and again I hope it's getting warmer at your place! Thanks for popping in to see me.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Parsimonious Décor Darling said...

What a beautiful tradition! You are so fortunate. I once knew how to knit and crochet, but forgot how....regret that I can't pass it on to my daughters. I know it's freezing where you are, but you have created such a warm and inviting space to curl up with a good read. Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Hi Cleo! Hope you're doing well and I'm so glad you're enjoying seeing my little cow creamers!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia;)

Anonymous said...

Hi Cleo! OH, I'd love to see your hair and I'll bet it's so pretty! My goal is to try and get mine long enough to wear up! I guess like an old lady! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia;)

Anonymous said...

Hi Cleo! Thanks for popping in to see me! I've love to see your Pyrex! I have some little pink Gooseberries that have lids and they do stay up well. In my olden age, I crave all the things my mother and grandmother had! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Deborah Montgomery said...

Hi Cleo, just had to stop by after receiving your lovely comment on my blog. I see you were tired of winter more than a month ago! Well, here in Michigan we are still tired of it! Hope it's better where you are. A very long winter!! Your linens are absolutely beautiful, a real treasure. From what I hear, those last a long, long time, and get softer and softer with age. What a treasure!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Oh my, the linens are gorgeous! Perfection in these pieces as well. I am a red lover so I liked both the white with the pop of red and the more red. Isn't it funny how just a few changes can cure cabin fever?
hugs,
Jann

Chris said...

Hi Cleo, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. I have been having trouble with GFC and if I am already following you, and you following me, please forgive me. If not, please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/

Anonymous said...

Morning, Cleo! Hope you're doing well and it's always a treat to hear from you!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)