WOYWW 121 & Vintage Sewing Box

Woo hoo! I've just heard that I've won a pack of goodies in Jenny's 4th Blogaversary Blog Candy draw. Thanks Jenny and I am so thrilled I'm a winner!
WOYWW 121
 This is a lovely mess, it is my mess, I made it and I love it!

It's a right mish mash of crafting and vintage sewing items, collected on my desk today in preparation for a workshop next Saturday at Vicky Stampers. It's going to be a great time as Neet is our tutor for the day and woo hoo! Doone(Donna) is coming over to join us and also my friend Pat, yeah! 

We are going to decorate and fill the House Box which you can see part prepped on the right. The box to the left contains items to go in it and I KNOW they won't all fit but a gal needs choices. I was lucky today to find the orange card of beautiful mixed vintage pearl buttons in an antique shop at Lady Hayes Craft Centre in Frodsham. Perfick!

 Now see next pic below! I've packed up the collection of bits and bobs for the workshop and it's not toooooo bad there, you've got to agree. Plenty of strawberries exposed so there, go on, just take back what you thought at first!!! Got to make a bit of space for Donna and I to mess up again!

These signs of insanity arise every Wednesday when at the word from Julia of Stamping Ground crafters around the globe show what's up and what isn't on our desks. Take a peek HERE for more, and more, and more! Plus Julia's witty words and great crafting too.
Can you spot freaky dolly with her arm on her nose?... still awaiting her fate!

 

 As I looked through my cupboards for items to include in my House Box I remembered this lovely vintage velvet lined sewing case from around 100 years ago. I wonder who used it and what they made? 

There is a little love token embroidered on punched card and attached to a little length of silk... In Love Remember me. 

Tucked in the lid at the back there is a letter advising the owner of the case on how to obtain work in the sewing pattern trade in New York, so I wonder, has the case crossed the Atlantic and returned or did it never leave England with this hopeful or hopeless seamstress? 

 

Here's the letter (in high definition) and if you'd like to print it as background card you are welcome!

 Here are closer views of two halves to make it easier if you'd like to read it....

If you ever do a vintage sewing theme you are welcome to print my collages of  these old cards and packets.

I wonder which ones will end up encapsulated in my House Box?

Hope to pop in on more of you this week and thanks to everyone who visited me last week.