Thursday, July 31, 2014

Queen Anne's Lace



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(Today is Friday, August the 1st)

Queen Anne's Lace is a fluffy flower that grows in poor soil, on roadsides, empty lots, fields and hillsides.

As I am trying to figure out a different blogging program, I have had some trouble getting a post up lately. The pictures I want to show are appearing at the end of the post, so you will have to scroll down to see the Queen Anne's Lace embroidery and crochet pictures.

  Queen Anne's Lace is also pictured on teacups and fine china.


We picked massive bouquets of this lovely lace when we were children, thinking it was the most luxurious blossom.






There is a little purple blossom in the middle of the flower.




I have been getting an outdoor area set up for a Queen Anne's Lace Anniversary Tea, but was waylaid by thunder and lightening, so I will post more pictures later. That reminds me of an old joke. When one of my cousins was getting married, he remarked that marriage was made in Heaven, to which his friend replied, "So is thunder and lightening."  I have come indoors quickly to view the lightening from the window.  It really is spectacular but I would rather be on this inside looking at it than out in it. 


My own Queen Anne's Lace bouquet on the table outside.




As I am getting used to yet another blogging program and have not mastered it completely, the pictures are added at the end of the post rather than exactly where I want to put them. You will have to scroll down to see the sky-scene, and the Queen Anne's Lace with the purple flower in the middle. Also I added the Folkwear Garden Party Dress, which I made 22 years ago and wore for an anniversary.  I am hoping to make an anniversary dress today, using a much easier pattern, with flocked muslin, that looks like Queen Anne's Lace. (Picture of fabric will appear at the end.)



This is a common scene around here. Queen Anne's lace thrives in the minerals provided by roadside gravel and sand.


Here it is in a bridal bouquet.  It is also available now in artificial bouquets, made of latex and silk.  I have seen it in stems and wreaths at craft stores.


I can hardly understand how I missed getting the Embossing Arts rubber stamp, above, and the Personal Stamp Exchange stamp, below, when they were in all the catalogs back in the 1990's.  At the time, they were quite an expense, but now are appearing in some of the thrift stores.


Below: the sky before the storm.


I hope to see you later when I finish the Queen Anne's Lace Tea.  This is our 42nd anniversary, and I know there are many of you ladies reading this who are also in your 42nd year of marriage. I am sure you all think they broke the mold after you got your husband!   









A sample of Queen Anne's Lace embroidery.


Pretty bridal bouquet of Queen Anne's Lace.  This is exciting because it is not expensive when you can pick your own from an obliging field.





12 comments:

Lydia said...

I was surprised to see this posted as a Thursday Post, whe. In fact, I posted it on Friday morning, today.


Housewife59 said...

I love the embroidery. It is quite simple - just Long Stitches and French Knots, but so effective. So nice against the background.

Lydia said...

If you are having trouble commenting, you can now post

Mrs. B said...

Happy Anniversary! Congratulations on being together for 42 years. May the Lord bless you with many more joyful years together. Thank you for posting such lovely simple photos.

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary!

-Mrs. M

Andrea R said...

Happy Anniversary! What a wonderful union to celebrate! I know God smiles and blesses the couple who truly gives to one another of all of themselves, all those years long...

I love Queen Anne's Lace! I would love to have a table runner embroidered with the lace..

Those vintage stamps are really wonderful! I would be stamping everything, ha!

Hope you have a lovely day!

Mama Said No said...

I never thought I would be beholden to McDonald's, but since I had the internet shut off at home till we get moved--they are the only place I can be online. And I have needed your blog, dear Lady Lydia--it helps me to remember to work on the genteel side of my personality. Love the Queen Anne's lace post.

anonymous said...

Thank you Lydia for posting about the Queen Anne's Lace flower.
When I first moved to Oregon and found these lovely flowers growing in my yard I picked a bouquet of them only to find after the petals drop off there is a very obnoxious burr that clings to everything. If it isn't picked off of whatever item of clothing it clings to and gets thrown into the wash, it resurfaces in a most inappropriate place at a most inconvenient time! :/
Mrs. J.

anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary to you and your husband Lydia.
I think your fabric choice is lovely and I really liked that Edwardian Garden Party Dress pattern when it came out. Some patterns are timeless. This one is most feminine.

Mrs. J.

Miss Betsy said...

Happy Anniversary, Lady Lydia!
Thank you for the post about Queen Anne's Lace. Many, many years ago when I was around seven my mother, father, sister and I moved from New York City to Staten Island (it was more rural and beautiful back then). Anyway, there was a vacant meadow, across the street from where we lived and my mother took us for walks there and introduced us to Queen Anne's Lace. My sister and I marvelled how much the pretty flowers looked like real lace! I have not seen any in years (I live in California now) and when I mention this flower to people they tell me they have never heard of it. So, I was delighted to read your lovely post and know that other people are also familiar with this underrated lovely flower. It brought back memories.

Michelle said...

Happy Anniversary (a little late). I love the Queen Anne's Lace Embroidery and the crochet. Just beautiful. I have been noticing the Queen Anne's Lace here in Maryland on our farm, so it's funny you mentioned it. Thanks for sharing this with us and reminding us that the simple things hold so much beauty and can be enjoyed with little or no expense.

Blessed Homemaking said...

These are such beautiful pictures, Lydia. I am thankful to God every day for you and other ladies like you who still teach homemaking as God's way. Sadly, I see so many falling away from this still.