The Early Workbasket ~ Needle Cases

Welcome dear friends...hip hip hooray it's Friday!

The days just seem to pass so quickly...too quickly!

However, this was a good and productive week and I'm happy to

 say the design is all charted for the Schoolgirl Samplar Club, 

which means I'm ready to start stitching this evening!

I'll be sharing an update on Monday!

~*~

~ The Early Workbasket ~ 

featured the 1st Friday of each month

Today's topic is Needle Cases...

Early needle cases come in such a wide range of styles,

hand carved with exquisite detail on beautiful woods like

Black Forest, Rosewood and Ebony.

These rather tall needle cases measure up to 5.5"...

They work wonderfully for storing long darning needles!

Each needle case is so uniquely different... 

Many cases were carved from the wood of different

nut trees such as; Tagua Nut, Coquilla Nut.

And then there are the different metals...

Brass, Nickel, Sterling Silver to name a few.

Carving was also very popular on Ivory, 

Cattle Bone, Vegetable Ivory...

Each one with a delicate top cap!

Animals were a very popular theme...

Birds, Fish, Rabbits and many more!

During the Victorian Era Stanhope Parasol's were the in thing...

Intricately caved Ivory, cira 1890.

Also popular were "Ears of Corn"...

Ebony and Ivory!

I love all my needle cases, 

but I'm especially fond of my three 

Polish Folk...

My grandparents on my father's side both came from 

Poland, which they always referred to as the 

"Old Country".

I'm half Polish and these are my tribute to that 

part of my heritage.

Wooden needle cases from Poland will be stamped

in purple on the bottom...

I admire early needle cases because the 

workmanship is so outstanding!

To make my workbasket extra special

I pick a different needle case with the change

of the seasons...no fun collecting if I can't use them!

~*~

I'm still trying to finish organizing my 

open bookshelf with finishing supplies...

 Time only allowed for me to add 

sawdust and funnels.

And a couple more jars of buttons...

Little by little I'll get this project done!

~*~

Mrs. Mama Dove would like to say hello...

She is taking such good care of her two babies!

~*~

Weekend Soul Food...

"I can do all things through Christ

which strengtheneth me."

Philippians 4:13...KJV

~*~

 My husband just informed me 

that it's 91° out!

It's time for me to gather my stitching 

basket and relax!

Many Blessings, Tammy

Watching & Waiting for mama...