Friday, 5 June 2015

5 in 5 - June 2015 - A CHEST OF PAPER TREASURE

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of
each month I post 5 photos that I have
taken in 5 minutes. 


 
Yesterday I wondered what photos to take for this months 5 in 5.
The garden is looking good and I had other ideas in mind but I decided to trust that the day would bring something special. 

And it did! 

Because when I visited a friend she showed me an old chest she has just been given.  Inside it was packed full of old newspapers.... decades old and fragile. 


And between these were vintage patterns and the most beautiful ledger with marbled paper cover and  exquisite handwriting.  We guessed the newspapers had been saved to make dress making patterns because there was a collar shape piece and other clues.
 
My heart was all a flutter!! 


Now, some people would look at this pile of paper and just burn it or put it in the skip unable to understand that to others this is pure treasure.

And I am ecstatic that this chest was rescued from this possible fate, and to know my friend Pauline will make good use of it and love it as much as the original owner.  This chest and its contents deserve that because you can tell by the carefully cut pattern pieces and notes in the ledger that this was work of love. 





I love all things haberdashery, it reminds me of my grandmother who was a dress maker and the hours we would spend together quietly sewing and chatting.  I am immediately transported back in time, and so it is with this chest.  

Inside there are envelopes addressed to Miss G. Harrison, living in London and dated 1933. 

I wonder what G stands for..... Gertrude? Grace?  I may never know.  There are ways of finding out if I really want to put the pieces together but for now I will just enjoy the patterns that Pauline gave me.  And I hope Miss Harrison would be happy to know that her work continues to give pleasure and be appreciated. I have ideas how I might use these patterns and I may be back one day to show you....

Meantime if you would like to join in this monthly photo challenge please link in below so I can come and see your photos. Here's the plan:
 

  1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a timer for 5 minutes (I use my mobile phone).

4.  Take as many photos you can until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool below. 


   Please note: 

You can take  your photos any time, they do not have to be taken on 5th!
And you have until the 25th of the month to add your photos to the link.
 
There are more details here
Thank you for popping by, your company and comments are always appreciated and special thanks to Maggie, Joy, Eileen, Helena and Melanie who took part last month. 
 


12 comments:

  1. Oh, wow, how exciting for you both x x

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  2. A real treasure chest and an insight into social history, such an amazing find.

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  3. Absolute treasure. I might just be hyperventilating a little bit here

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  4. Oh, I have goosebumps! How fortunate it should have found its way to people who will value and treasure it. That ledger is just wonderful ...

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  5. That is a great find. I love looking through old papers

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  6. indeed a treasure chest - lovely to see her hand writing and to think of the clothes made from the patterns

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  7. Ooooh I nearly forgot about this Sandie!!! I'll do it!!! LOVE love love love you pics.. .they are gorgeous - all things I admire too!

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  8. I would love to have that trunk and all the old documents ... my idea of heaven!

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  9. What a treasure! I often wonder if we throw away too much.

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  10. How exciting, my heart is all of a flutter! It is so wonderful to have found it's way to someone who will treasure it.

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