Mr. DIY's 85-year-old grandmother passed away last week. She lived out on the family farm. We now have the task of cleaning out her house. Like many people from her generation, she was a "pack rat" or hoarder if you will. She saved everything from fast food containers to used tin foil. As we dig through the house, the treasures we are finding are phenomenal!
She was a quilter. She kept a notebook with a record of every quilt she ever made and who she made it for or sold it to. We are talking hundreds and hundreds of quilts...they were hand quilted, not machine quilted. Three Lane cedar chests full of finished quilts, quilt tops, blocks, embroidered pillow cases and doilies were divided between my husband and his sister. We each also chose a cedar chest to keep our treasures in.
The remaining items in the house will go to my husband and I. There are many antique dressers, tables, wooden chairs, a china cabinet, dry sink, and my absolute favorite...an antique wardrobe. I fell in love with it the minute I laid eyes on it. It even still has the key to lock it!
She was a quilter. She kept a notebook with a record of every quilt she ever made and who she made it for or sold it to. We are talking hundreds and hundreds of quilts...they were hand quilted, not machine quilted. Three Lane cedar chests full of finished quilts, quilt tops, blocks, embroidered pillow cases and doilies were divided between my husband and his sister. We each also chose a cedar chest to keep our treasures in.
The remaining items in the house will go to my husband and I. There are many antique dressers, tables, wooden chairs, a china cabinet, dry sink, and my absolute favorite...an antique wardrobe. I fell in love with it the minute I laid eyes on it. It even still has the key to lock it!
The only down side to these wonderful treasures...mouse droppings. Living on a farm and being an elderly, stubborn German lady (I say this with love, she was ornery!), she refused help with her house and the mice have taken over. My first instinct is to bleach everything, but I don't want to ruin any of the pieces.
I'm looking to my fellow DIY furniture refinishers for advice on how to clean these pieces so they are able to be used again and without hurting them.
I still need to take pictures of the pieces, but many of them are still in the house and will be moved to a storage trailer temporarily until I can work my way through them.
I'm looking to my fellow DIY furniture refinishers for advice on how to clean these pieces so they are able to be used again and without hurting them.
I still need to take pictures of the pieces, but many of them are still in the house and will be moved to a storage trailer temporarily until I can work my way through them.
Hey Tricia :) I'm so glad you liked the post on my cabinet feet. They really were easy and sure did add a lot to my kitchen cabinets! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about the passing of your Mr DIY'ers grandma, it's so hard to lose someone like that. :( It sounds like she was a serious quilter! My grandma quilts too....I have a quilt she made me for my 27th bday..I treasure it! I LOVE quilts and antiques...sounds like you're getting quite a few of both. Good luck going through everything.
hugs
Missy
Nice cabinet. I guess it is better if you change its color to a lighter shade. Sanding it first would make a perfect outcome. :) - www.colonialrestorationstudio.com
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