Tear bottles, mentioned in Psalms 56:8, and earlier in history provide fascinating collectibles and gifts.  I first heard of them yesterday, when a friend mentioned that her painting had been inspired by this Bible verse.
“What are tear bottles and why are they special?” I wondered. 
Then I discovered that these bottles for collecting tears, whether symbolically or in actuality, have been around for centuries.  They date back more than 3,000 years to the Middle East and Egypt, were used in ancient Rome, mentioned in the Bible, and popular in Victorian times.  They also were used in the Civil War era.
Collecting tears in bottles has …read more

 Decorating with quilts presents many possibilities.  The quilts may be old or new, pieces salvaged and framed, quilts repaired and reconstructed and many other quilted items that add interest and color to the room’s decor.
An interesting article at STLtoday.com’s lifestyle section, Family Heirlooms Make This House a Home, by Susan Fadem with photos by Laurie Skrivan, describes decorating with old quilts. 
 There’s a framed yo-yo quilt, made from flour sacks, by a great-grandmother.  This quilt originally was cut into three pieces so that each child could have a piece.  Then it was cut into thirds again before being framed.
Another inherited quilt is …read more

                 As I browsed around the Revival Fabrics web site, I came across the vintage tablecloths category.  Pictured there was a tablecloth and napkins in blue and white with floral and ribbon design.  I’d say it dates to the 1950’s or early ’60’s.
They reminded me of a wedding shower gift from my husband’s aunt!  She had given me a set of placemats and napkins…white background with blue flowers and green leaves.  No swirls, but the tablecloth design at Revival Fabrics immediately reminded me of this gift, which I’d kept in pristine condition all these years. 
Jim and I were married …read more