Wednesday, December 23, 2009

VTT Christmas Postcard


I can't remember where I found this sweet card, nicely preserved in a vintage looking two- sided glass frame with a loving message for a brother and his family at Christmas, dated December 11th. 1911. I am thinking that my Dad would have been seven months old then and quite unconscious of the fact that he would be alive for Christmas 98 yrs, later! But I digress.........
Notice how the sender of the card has added "Christ" over the word "Xmas". It really doesn't offend me as it seems to have bothered her, though I notice in her handwritten message on the back she uses the exact same abbreviation! X [chi] is the first letter of the Greek for Christ and has been used as an abbreviation since the mid 16th. century.


Completely unrelated, as I was pressing a quilt top this evening I realized that my little travel iron is probably vintage, isn't it adorable,very feminine!


I had another travel iron for about 10 years, but I dropped it one too many times and I missed it. It was perfect for that interim pressing during piecing, but I am too frugal to purchase a new one and even on eBay by the time I paid shipping I decided I could wait.
Then recently I was out "strolling" baby Matthew when I decided to check out a yard sale and there was this dear little iron with all the original papers and the box. I asked the young woman "How much", "Two dollars" she said, done deal I was very happy! Did you notice that it matches the paint color on the walls of my studio, it was obviously meant to be mine!
I really like this older version better than the more modern version iron I had previously. This one is definitely heavier and hotter, in fact very hot, perfect for quilt pressing and the point of the iron is narrower that works well for flattening those pesky seams. I haven't tried the little water bottle, haven't needed it and probably won't but the iron is in great condition so I'm assuming it probably would steam if needed.
I tried to find it's age, I did discover that GE began making the lavender version in 60's so it may be a 70's model. It looks identical to the 60's model except for the cord.

This is the top I was pressing, the strip scrap quilt I have been working on, now ready to go on the longarm.
Most of the other VTT bloggers are showing their Christmas vintage so do check them out beginning with Colorado Lady.
The blogger whose number was drawn last week for the vintage apron gift has not responded to two emails so if I don't hear from her I will draw two numbers this week.
Happy VTT and a Merry Christmas too!

13 comments:

joanne said...

I love the postcard...so sweet and in such good condition. What a great find, along with that iron. It is too cute...it might even get me to iron! Merry Christmas Ros...enjoy.

Ruby said...

I love old Christmas cards, nice bit of history there. I actually like to iron and your iron is lovely. I bought an old small one but it gets 'too' hot. As in scorched fabric! :0 Being the pack rat I just use it for decor! Merry Christmas!

Sherrie said...

Hi!
Beautiful postcard! I really like that Iron, it sounds like it's a keeper. Your quilt is awesome!! I took a peek at some more of your posts. Your quilts are beautiful! Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Sherrie
Sherrie's Stuff
http://sherrie-plummer.blogspot.com/2009/12/vintage-thingies_24.html

Unknown said...
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Keetha Broyles said...

Loving that strip quilt!

Ironing? What's that??? Oh I do kid, but I rarely do any ironing any more.

Postcardy said...

A two-sided frame is ideal for that postcard with its long message.

Lis Harwood said...

Have a very Happy Christmas Ros and a Happy Quilting New Year, love Lis x

Tussy said...

Sweet Postcard, you must keep it very good, it looks like new.

Thanks for sharing.

Merry Christmas!

You Got a Posty
My Bangkok Through My Eyes!

concretenprimroses said...

Beautiful quilt and card, and cute little useful iron too!
I used my mom's vintage iron for years but it just started leaking too much.
Kathy

Jocelyn said...

Wow great card! And the iron is amazing, as is your quilt. Love it. Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

marian said...

love your 'new' vintage travel iron..what a cutie..but OMGosh the strippy quilt is adorable!! a verry Merry Christmas wish to you, Ros..xx

Carol Murdock said...

Merry Christmas Ros ! Great post! xoxo

Stacey said...

Hi Roz, Your scrap string quilt is beautiful. I love your setting. I think I'll try one like that too. I use phone book pages for my foundations. There are easy to tear away and who needs all those little books we get delivered here? Thanks for stopping by and leaving me a comment. I am going to be hosting a string along challenge. Watch for it to be announced and come along and join me.

Happy Quilting
Stacey

Driving Miss Stacey
Sew Far Sew Good Quilt Shop