In 2009, I posted about a new picture I had made for our family room - you can read all about how I did it here. I saw the idea in Southern Living Magazine, for taking an old postcard or letter and enlarging it to be framed. I used a letter from my grandfather to my grandmother - and it's been the focal point of our family room for two years now - and probably my most favorite thing I have in the house!
For Christmas this year I made my mom sort of a replica of my picture. This is not my original idea; I used the Crab-Apple-Hill pattern called Vintage Postcard as the starting point for my pillow. I followed the pattern instructions for everything but the wording on my pillow. I took one of my grandfathers letters to my grandmother, and enlarged his hand-writing, then traced it onto the fabric. I also used his words on the pillow...he usually wrote something along these lines in every letter:
The pillow is embroidered with variegated threads on linen, giving it a vintage look. When I had finished the hand-work I decided to use an antique lace I had as trim on the pillow - but it was white and didn't look right...so I dyed it in coffee, rinsed and dried it but the coffee smell was still there! I know it will fade in time but I'm sure when my mom opened it up she was hit with a strong aroma of Peppermint Coffee!
The postmark is dated March 20, 1933, my mom's birthday. And the pillow is addressed to Mrs. Michael Zezza...my grandfather changed his Italian name from Zezza to Conners when he was in his late teens because he thought he would be able to find work more easily with an Irish name...and he did! I have just a few letters that are addressed to my grandmother with his real name.
This turned out better than I had hoped and mom loved it - just a little reminder of special people who now reside in our hearts. Merry Christmas Mom!
