Treasure Chest...

...when I was at home at Christmas, my Mum brought out this wonderful box...

...and said that I could have it!  It was my Nanny's sewing box and I think this may be one of the best gifts I have ever received!  My Nanny taught me to knit, to crochet, to sew, to make friendship bracelets and well so much really, it is no doubt because of her that I am so crafty today.  I think of her often when I am knitting or sewing (especially sewing and especially when I am struggling with something!  I always think of her and how if she were here she would know what I was doing wrong and how to do it right.).  So I am incredibly honoured to have her sewing box and the wonderful treasures inside it.  I've given it a little spring clean and added the contents of my own sewing box and now I have a real treasure chest.  I wanted to share some of the lovely bits and pieces I found inside it with you.

...lots of pins and needles...

...of course lots of lovely cotton reels...

...a pink nappy pin (which was probably my Mum's!) in a box with a pair of pearl earrings...

...wonderful gadgets-a hand held sewing machine and electric scissors...

(the scissors do really work! I haven't tried the sewing machine yet)

...beautifully delicate lace...

I feel the lace needs a little love and care, but I really don't know how to clean it up and make it beautiful again and certainly don't want to damage, any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

There is of course a whole lot more, including a little Viking, a climbing wooden man, some buttons and lots of lovely ribbon.

Now I feel I must make sure I put it all to good use!

My Mum emailed me this picture a week or so ago, my Nanny is the little girl with the necklace sitting on her big brothers knee.

Comments

[bex]

thtas lovely! when i went back for a short break in december i returned with my nannys old sewing box..it was made by her dad...i love it. theres something about them isn't there?

[Mondi]

just "fall" in your blog and saw the wonderful laces.
I have found that: http://www.ehow.com/how_2045098_care-old-lace.html

and my suggestion: warm water- not to hot, maybe the laces starts to shrink then :(, then try to wash the laces gently by hand with soap. Then let dry and take a look- not clean enough? new water, baking soda and wash again. Think that should work. But I think that not all laces has been bright white when they has been new. And I think i is this special touch when they tell their age by color :)
Hope my english isn´t that bad- I´m from Germany and I hope you understand what I mean