Style Junket

For the last few years, I have been creating pillows for special occasions to give as gifts.  Many have gone to my daughters’ friends for their wedding gift. Others have been for Christenings, graduations or birthdays.

If it is  for a wedding, I usually inquire as to the bridesmaids’  dress colors, flowers, etc. If the couple has a special interest such as skiing or sailing that may be used as a theme to make the individual pillow.  Shopping for beads, pearls, roping and other such items is what I really enjoy. I am  in California for Jan and Feb  and for the past 5 yrs I have frequented the best shop for trims, buttons, laces, vintage flowers, you name it. It is a tiny shop  located in Morro Bay with floor to ceiling shelves brimming and overflowing with colorful items, not to be found anywhere else (that I know of). I usually have Rob drop me off and tell him to come back in an hour. Honestly, it is never enough time. I found these gorgeous aubergine velvet leaves that were imported from France and probably were to be used for millinery. I have no idea what I am going to use them for but I will use them!

The shop is called Lina G and I would love to say that she has a website. But she gave it up and now has an ebay store. I prefer buying in her store where I can feel and touch her items. I also bought white pearl rose shaped buttons that I thought were beautiful.

I am  incorporating into my pillows, beautiful laces from my grandmother’s hope chest (circa 1920). Though I hate to part with some of it, I feel like I am bringing her alive again through my pillows. She was a fabulous seamstress and worked at it up until she was 90 yrs. old. My mother gifted me these laces and also some beautiful ribbons that were in Nonni’s sewing box. I know she is watching and smiling.

I cannot amass as much of this foppery as I would like as we have moved to a smaller house and storage is at a premium. But there never seems to be an end to momentous events that require that special pillow. I love the challenge and would love to hear your comments and/or ideas for your special pillow.