Our vacation to Connecticut

 

On our last day in Connecticut Anna took us to Massachusetts to see Sturbridge village. We saw how people must have lived back in the 1800's with real people staging different real life from that era. They were dressed in appropriate clothing for that era. We got to see how they would have made their clothing also. They began with animals who shed their fur and then the people spun it into thread which then got dyed and hand sewn into the clothing which they wore.
It made us think about how far we Americans have come with industrialation, and how dependent we are on machinary to create our every day items of clothing. They also crocheted many items and knitted some too. We saw the tools that they used too. Spinning wheels, looms, and such were in homes first before they were ever in factories.
Animals of that era weren't just pets but they were used for transportation, food, fertilizer,and clothing. They had a horse drawn wagon that we could ride inside of if we wanted to. They even had a bank with half cent pieces displayed and a general store. We got to see their weapons and their Miltia attire.

Hand Crochet Holy Cross bookmarks

Shown are the bookmarks that I just finished this morning.  They are drying on the freshly made autographed cards that I created.

These Holy Cross bookmarks makes a nice present in a new book. Crocheted using soft cotton thread to form shells and Picots. Then fed with a satin ribbon. Measures 12 inches from the top of the cross to the end of the tassel. I presently have 4 Rainbow colored, 5 Variegated Green, 2 Pink trimmed in White, 1 Yellow, and 5 Purple in stock. These come mounted on a card that is colorfully printed with the Antiquebeginnings logo and personally signed by the artist and sealed in a package to protect. They are the perfect gift for the upcoming Christmas season. Can be machine washed and dried.
For sale here http://www.etsy.com/listing/81877839/holy-cross-bookmark

Hand Crochet Rainbow colored Ribbons and lace Bib

I Hand Crocheted this absorbent cotton bib & fed it with ribbons through the eyelets at the shoulders and down the center. The edges are accented with picots, for babies 0 to12 months. Finished measurement is 11" from neck to bottom x 9" from side to side at the widest point. I made this bib with Rainbow colored thread that accents the White satiny ribbon which has pastel poka dots on it. This can be used for a girl or a boy. Buttons at the neck with a light reflective button. Easy care instructions are to machine wash and dry. This is a sweet and festive beginning for any baby! Sure to become a keepsake/ heirloom to frame and keep, or to pass on. For sale here http://www.etsy.com/listing/84278675/hand-crochet-rainbow-colored-ribbons-and

Hand crochet Santa Striders

They are made from Red acrylic yarn and accented with White straps that fasten to the outside of each shoe with cute Santa buttons on each side.  These measure 5 inches from the heel to the toe of each bootie.  These can be machine washed and dried and baby can give Santa a warm welcome.  

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A word of advice:
Small parts (buttons) are sewn on as securely as I can. Please be careful and use supervision while your baby is wearing the shoes.

Hand Crochet Antique Baby Dress reproduction

This hand crocheted dress is made in eight separate pieces,(Front yoke, left and right back yoke, left and right sleeve caps, Yoke edging, skirt, and bottom ruffle) and sewn together to create a magnificent reproduction of an Antique Baby Dress. It is made from #30crochet thread, which is very fine string. There are many love knots on the sleeve caps ,around the outer edge of the yoke, and the edging around the neck. The flower diamond and mesh motif is repeated in the yoke, sleeve caps, It is joined together by hand sewing and fed with satin ribbons at the yoke,around the sleeves, and button holes, and between the skirt and bottom ruffle. This dress is made for 0-3 months 
20 1/2 "chest
It measures 28" from the neck to the bottom of the dress. This makes a great christening dress and a great piece to preserve and frame after your baby has outgrown it for the next generation.
While I make this sort of item I think of all of the Grandmothers of the past who took time to do this for their children and Grandchildren because there weren't any manufacturers or so many stores to buy them in.  Some of them even had to spin their own cotton.  
Due to detail work dry cleaning is suggested but it is also possible to hand wash by soaking in Denture tablets and rinsing then soaking it in fabric softner and drying in the sun.

Hand crocheted Fall carrot striders

Fall is definitly in the air while you harvest these cute little striders in 12 month size.  They are made from Yellow acrylic yarn and accented with straps that fasten to the outside of each shoe with cute carrot buttons on each side.  These measure 5 inches from the heel to the toe of each bootie.  These can be machine washed and dried and baby can definitly hide these carrots under the table.  

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A word of advice:
Small parts (buttons) are sewn on as securely as I can. Please be careful and use supervision while your baby is wearing the shoes.

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Dollar/Buttons

button from the antique store above

New recently created and bought buttons.  Please note the price difference.   The price increase shows  how much our dollar has deflated in 2011.

new buttons in above photo

vintage buttons in the photo above

Today I want to tell you that a dollar isn't much as much as it used to be.  There fore it takes a lot more dollars to buy the same sort of items.  While in the antique malls looking for vintage patterns, I also look for vintage buttons with vintage prices.  Above, I have pictures of the buttons then and now. This forces store owners to increase their prices.   The new Holiday buttons will be incorporated into some of my upcoming items.  I am purposely keeping my prices to a minimum as a special gift to my customers.

A Saturday trip to the nearby Antique Mall gave time for reflection and a realization that crochet books are becoming a thing of the past.  With new technology replacing books of all sorts.  Information is now being downloaded and printed inside of people's homes.  I treasure the old patterns and I love the antique look that these patterns produce.  Of course I love looking at the ready made antique pieces that I see already at the antique malls but, the ones that I get the satisfaction of producing and placing my name on are new with the vintage look.  Today I wanted to share my vintage pattern books so that everyone could see what I work from.
I can't believe how much patterns cost these days in comparison to what the books used to cost.  Many  of my books were only 10cents at the time they were sold and now cost me as much as 8.00.  Sometimes I find them at garage and yard sales too.  Here is what some of my books look like.

I hope this will add more appreciation to the work that I do.  ~Becky Van Loozen McCarty
"This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is important, because I'm exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, not loss; good, not evil; success, not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it." -Anonymous

Picture this...Hand crochet gift set of Pineapple motifs which line the bottom of this little white cotton, baby dress. It fits 0-6 months. The bodice has eyelet that is fed with ribbons to tie at the back and the sleeves also have eyelet fed with ribbon to tie on the puffy sleeves. The back of the dress fastens with flowery buttons and a snap. The front of the bodice is adorned with a pretty and feminine pink rose as is the bonnet which is also fed with satin ribbon through the eyelet. From the neck to the tail is 13". Your baby will love wearing this one today and it can be framed as an heirloom for later generations. Comes starched and ready to wear. Well made. Soak in denture tablets for stain removal. Then cover buttons, and machine wash and dry. Caution , Not too pretty to wear!
Go here to purchasehttp://www.etsy.com/listing/83266532/crochet-baby-dress-bonnet-pineapple

This Holy Cross bookmark makes a nice present in a new book. Crocheted using soft cotton thread to form shells and Picots. Then fed with a satin ribbon. Measures 12 inches from the top of the cross to the end of the tassel. I presently have 4 Rainbow colored, 5 Variegated Green, 2 Pink trimmed in White, 1 Yellow, and 5 Purple in stock. These come mounted on a card that is colorfully printed with the Antiquebeginnings logo and personally signed by the artist and sealed in a package to protect. They are the perfect gift for the upcoming Christmas season. Can be machine washed and dried.

Go here to place your order

Arched Flower Runner

I made this Arched Flower Runner to be 22"in length x 9 1/2"wide. It is arched at each end with flowers and picots to create an effect that reminds you of a garden gate to a monestary.   This would be perfect under any Halloween bowl or under a centerpiece for upcoming Thanksgiving event! 

This applique/doily is hand crocheted with a satin sheen cotton thread. The head and antenae are made from a stiff gold thread and has wood beads for eyes. It measures approximately 8" x 10" in size. This makes a great doily on a table or can be stiffened as a fluttering floral decoration, or as a butterfly applique to be used on clothing! Also makes a great thanksgiving gift !
If you need to know how to stiffen this one for floral arrangements, please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to include written instructions inside of your order. Can be machine washed and dried. 15.00 each