Sunday, December 23, 2012

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

The creation of an Antique Reproduction Christening Gown


This is to show the progress of creation of an antique reproduction dress & I will be adding photos of the skirt and ruffle as they are added. This dress is made for 3-6 months
20 1/2 "chest
An Antique reproduction dress is hand crochet and the thought of it never being touched by a machine through it’s creation is a miracle in it’s self.  This Antique reproduction dress consists of a front yoke, and two back yokes, which are joined together at the shoulders.  Yoke edging is then crochet around the outer edge of the mesh and ends of rows with love knots (the love knot is the sign of eternal love).  Next Sleeve caps are crochet on and have the same motif as the yokes, skirt, and ruffle.



In the finishing stages the skirt and ruffle are sewn on to the yoke matching the seams gathering every  7 ruffle row to every 5 shells at the end of rows of the skirt.  Ribbons are then woven through the mesh at the yoke, neck, and the mesh above the shells around the bottom of the skirt.  An antique reproduction dress will be made of all new threads and arrive in time for the special event of christening your baby.  After hours of skilled labor and prayers over the threads, I wish you much joy through the christening of your child and the love that each of you will bring in each others lives.  ~Becky Van Loozen McCartyhttps://www.etsy.com/listing/104141247/reserve-your-custom-order-hand-crochet

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Vintage soon to be an Antiquity Fine Threads of Columbia,SC

I grew up in Columbia, SC and have lived here for 56 years.  That is all of my life.  When I was little there weren't any Malls and every one went to town which for us was all located on Main Street in Columbia.  It is so different now. The original Tapp's building is a now a part of history and still serves for artist and their events. 


 History in the making...I live in SC. In our capitol city of Columbia we used to have a very popular store called Tapp's. It was there before all of the malls came into being. It's basement was a restaurant and the upper floors were filled with anything that you could think of. They have been out of business for several years because the owner died and the building has now been re-purposed into an arts center. I purchased the pattern for this one from 
DebbiesBusyBee here on Etsy. The thread that this fashion collar is made from was from that store. The label on the packaging for the thread says that it was manufactured at Lily Mills Company in Shelby, NC.but it was purchased at Tapp's (The meeting place), which makes this item Unique and one of a kind piece of history. This vintage # 30 fine thread has worked into the daintiest creation to accessorize your blouse, dress, or outfit for a special occasion. The outside edges of this Fashion collar measures 91/2 inches in circumference and the inside edge is approximately 5 1/2inches. I used a chain stitch, single crochet, double crochet, and many spaces to create a light and delicate touch to any outfit. Then I took care in starching and ironing this Fashion Collar that would look great with a small and light antique brooch.
This item will include the tag from the Daisy thread which states .29 Tapp's manufactured in Shelby, NC at Lily Mills Company
Care Instruction: hand wash in cool water with woolite to preserve the quality. Air dry, starch and iron.

In 1940 the Tapp’s Department Store moved into the new building and opened a restaurant in the basement of the structure. At the time, Tapp’s was the only department store east of the Mississippi River to offer its customers an air conditioned shopping experience. In 1952 two additional stories were
added to the building.
Tapp’s continued to serve downtown Columbia, but as more residents relocated to the suburbs, the department store followed suit and opened additional branches. By the 1970s Tapp’s had expanded to include four store locations: the original downtown location, Dutch Square, Woodhill Mall, and Trenholm Plaza. A furniture store was also added on Blanding Street. In 1979 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places and the fifty year age minimum was waved due to its architectural significance.
By the 1990s downtown shopping had become practically obsolete. The closure of two other major retail centers, Belk and Macy’s, greatly declined the steadily decreasing business of Tapp’s. In 1993 the department store celebrated its 90th anniversary and stood as the largest retailer still operating
on Main Street. Two years later the Tapp family decided to permanently close the doors to the store. The closure of Tapp’s Department Store provoked a large emotional reaction from the citizens of Columbia who had come to depend on this family run institution for decades. The building remained vacant for nearly a decade until it was purchased by a real estate developer and converted into downtown residential space.  In 2005 Capitol Places formed a partnership with the original developer and began managing the property.
The exterior of the department store is virtually unchanged except for the addition of windows to the south elevation, which were found to not alter the historical significance of the structure. All of the original department store signage has been preserved and can still be seen from Main Street, as well as
near the residential entrance to the building. The first floor, now commercial space, is identical to when Tapp’s was in operation, with high ceilings, columns and other details. Throughout the building, the original concrete floors,windows and columns have been incorporated into the residential design of
the space.

The Tapp’s Department Store still stands over downtown Columbia, now as Main Street Lofts and Tapp’s Arts Center.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

http://www.allfreecrochet.com/sweeps/Bernat-Mosaic-Yarn-Daydream/ml/1

Enter this contest and you could win free yarn for your next project.  I have used Bernat before with great results.

~Becky

Thursday, June 21, 2012

I did a new treasury on my etsy page today and wanted to share it.  If you would like to comment on it, then please do...
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTI4OTI5OTl8MjcyMjk3NjQ3NA/nap-time-for-little-ones?ref=pr_treasury

Saturday, May 12, 2012

This photo was taken at our Riverbanks Zoo.  It shows me with my friends three precious little girls.  Each little girl is wearing a crochet butterfly created by me.  Aren't they beautiful?  Follow the link below to order one for yourself.  

Thursday, April 26, 2012




What do you get for the Mother or Grandmother who has everything? Surprise her with this beautiful shawl in Black or name your color. Custom orders and measurements are welcome. There are 33 motifs in this shawl that measures 72" x 24". The edges are shells and the ends has alpha beads that spell out "Mother" or "Grandmother"and two little hearts. I made it from Caron acrylic, Machine washable and dryable yarn. You can even have a person's name crocheted on one if you like.https://www.etsy.com/people/antiquebeginnings?ref=si_pr

Wednesday, March 21, 2012


three little Insects fasten the sacque made in rainbow colored,"Caron "simply soft acrylic yarn and the border is in White acrylic yarn. The sacque has a shell motif through out and the yoke is double crochet. The matching bonnet is shells and double crochet in White with a rainbow border. Two little insects compliment the Green ribbon on each corner of the bonnet. Your baby girl will be so warm and soft in my crochet cap and sacque with all of it's embellishments. It is definitely one of a kind and you will receive many compliments on it.
Cap and sacque are made to fit 12-24 month babies.
Machine wash in cool water and hang to air dry.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

"Lullaby"


They didn't have you where I come from
Never knew the best was yet to come
Life began when I saw your face
And I hear your laugh like a serenade

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

I slip in bed when you're asleep
To hold you close and feel your breath on me
Tomorrow there'll be so much to do
So tonight I'll drift in a dream with you

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

As you wander through this troubled world
In search of all things beautiful
You can close your eyes when you're miles away
And hear my voice like a serenade

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up


made famous by the Dixie Chicks and one of my favorites.  This lullaby if taken to heart could bring about world peace.

Monday, March 5, 2012




As Scuttle would say we are out to discover! He will tell you about the snarfblat which is really a pipe, or the dinglehopper, Which is really a fork that he says humans use to make their hair aesthetically pleasing. He comes with a cute little snap on scarf and his bill opens so that you can pretend to feed him. The bottom is open for puppeteering and he has cute little wings. His feet are embroidered onto the crochet and he is truly one of a kind with a cute little tail. Double crochet, half double crochets, single crochets, and trebles are the stitches used throughout the making of this little bird. He measures 5" tall by 7" long and he even has nostriles embroidered on. I can hear him singing loudly and off key right now Wa, wa, wa. So cute, a must have toy for your youngster.


Sunday, January 15, 2012

Valentine Pillow for Baby


 Imagine a sweet little girl who has stolen your heart resting her head on this homemade Pink baby pillow that has Hand-crocheted edging on it. Pink baby pillow measures 16" x 12" and comes with a polyester filled pillow inside. The curator then made a beautiful hand filet crochet heart motif edging for it and it is hand sewn to the edge and fed with satin ribbons that tie on the four corners of the edging. The ribbons can be sewn down or easily removed by the purchaser. All are fully washable. Happy Valentine's Day !http://www.etsy.com/listing/90543901/homemade-pink-baby-pillow-for-valentines?ref=v1_other_2

Valentine Sheet/Coverlet for Baby



 Dreams are now reality~Using soft # 10 variegated Pink crochet yarn I crocheted this edging from a vintage pattern and fed ribbons through the top and then sewed it on this homemade soft baby sheet that measures 29 1/4" by 24 1/4 ". There are a total of nine hearts on this edging. Ribbons and edging are sewn onto this sheet/ lightweight coverlet. This can be bought as is. ~ The edging can also be bought separately in the length that you specify to create your own romantic piece for adults. Send me a conversation if the later is the case to discuss price.
Care Instructions:Machine wash, dry, and iron to flatten edging.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90582274/dreamy-valentine-motif-hand-crochet?ref=v1_other_1

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Ballet SlippersEasy to crochet slippers. Can be worked up in one evening
exchange to knit
COATS and CLARK'S O.N.T. "Speed-Cro-Sheen" MERCERIZED COTTON, Art. C.44:2 balls o£ No. 126 Spanish Red and 1 ball each of No. 1 White and No. 12 Black.

Milwards Steel Crochet Hook No. 0.

GAUGE: Sole--6 sc make I inch; 6 rows make 1 inch.

Directions are written for Small Size. Changes for Medium and Large Sizes are in parentheses.

SOLE (Make 2) . . . Starting at center with Red, ch 30 (36-42). 
1st rnd: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 15 (18-21) ch, dc in next 12 (15-18) ch; make 7 dc in last ch (toe end); working along opposite side of starting chain, make dc in next 12 (15-18) ch, sc in next 15 (18-21) ch, 2 sc in same place as first 3 sc were made. 
2nd rnd: Sc in each st around, increasing across heel and toe as necessary to keep work flat--  to inc 1 sc, make 2 sc in 1 sc. Repeat 2nd rnd until 8 (8-9) rnds have been completed. At end of last rnd, join and break off.

UPPER . . . Starting at back with Red, make a ch slightly longer than outer edge of sole, having an even number of chains. Join with sl st. 
1st rnd: Ch 1, in same place as sl st make sc, ch 3 and sc; * skip next 3 ch, in next ch make sc, ch 3 and sc; skip next 2 ch, in next ch make sc, ch 3 and sc. Repeat from * around. Join to first sc. Break off. 
2nd rnd: Attach White to first loop, in each loop around make sc, ch 3 and sc. join to first sc. Break off. 
3rd rnd: Attach Black to first loop, work in pattern around. Join. Break off'. 
4th rnd: Attach Red to first loop, work in pattern around. Join. Break off.

5th rnd. Repeat 2nd rnd. 
6th rnd- Mark the center front (between loops) with a pin, attach Black at back, work in pattern to within 2nd loop preceding marker, dec 1 loop--to dec 1 loop, sc in the next 2 loops, working off these 2 sc as 1 sc--ch 3, sc in same loop, dec 1 loop on opposite side of marker and continue in pattern around. Join and break off. 
7th rnd: Attach Red and work as for 6th rnd. Now work in short rows as follows: 1st Row: Mark center front with a pin, mark the 8th loop on each side of pin. Attach White to 8th loop preceding center marker, sc in same loop and work in pattern to within 2nd loop preceding center marker, dec 1 loop, dec another loop on other side of marker, continue in pattern to within last marker, sc in last loop. Break off. 
2nd Row: Attach Black to first loop, sc in same loop, work in pattern to within 2nd loop preceding center marker, dec 1 loop, dec another loop on other side of marker, continue in pattern to within last loop, sc in last loop. Break off. 
3rd Row: Attach Red to 8th loop preceding center marker on 7th rnd, sc in same place, ch 1, sc in first sc on first short Row, ch 1, sc in first loop on same Row, ch 1, sc in first sc on 2nd Row, ch 1, sc in first loop on same Row, in next loop make sc, ch 3 and sc; dec 1 loop, dec another loop, in next loop make sc, ch 3 and sc; ch 1, sc in next loop, ch 1, sc in last sc, ch 1, sc in last loop on first Row, ch 1, sc in last sc on same Row, ch 1, sc in 8th loop following center marker on 7th rnd. Break off. 
Last rnd: Attach Red at back, make 2 sc in each loop to within first short Row, sc in each sc and in each ch 1 to within next loop, make 2 sc in next loop, work off next 2 loops as 1 sc, 2 sc in next loop, sc in each ch 1 and in each sc across short rows, 2 sc in each remaining loop. Join and break off.
Sew soles together. Sew upper to sole. Make another slipper the same way.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Valentine Bonnet for baby Valentine


Little baby Valentines will have a warm head in this unique Hand Crocheted Valentine bonnet. Made with treble, double crochet, shell, and picot stitches, it is truly one of a kind designed by the curator of this shop. The outside of the bonnet is accented with a heart applique on each side which has an embroidered chain stitch around it to ensure that babies ears stay warm and a satin ribbon which ties under the chin. Feminine, sweet, and warm all for your baby.

Care Instructions: It is machine washable on warm water, roll in a towel and dry in the sun.