Wednesday 5 March 2014

I am proud that I made a grown woman cry......read on dear reader.....

I am proud that I made a grown woman (a woman I do not know mind) cry : in fact  not just cry but sob and sob to the point  where she was rendered speechless....arm waving and everything!

I will relate more of that tale in a moment but I am pausing awhile to display my Spring purse.

You don't make a purse just for Spring!!!!

Well I never heard the like!




 Made a little hastily but good enough for those trips to the Co-op


Tra la la.....


Fiddle dee dee


 Lost in a sea of panseeeeeee

If you care to discover what happened to the other bits of this embroidery you will find out here if you read right through the post.



 Once I had made this I was going to go round the house collecting together bits of what I call 'Pansy'nalia - but I thought you might think that a little over the top (as a teenager I had a 'thing' for china pansies and had a little collection of china pansy pendants!) so settled just for this.




 The pretty fabric is flocked - flocked pansies no less!  This was my Christmas present from sister Sue: you may recall we have a fluctuating '£1 to £5 maximum'  budget for Christmas presents and there is a bit of competition as to who can trump another's bargain buy!  Sister Sue has insider trading with the WI which might explain her bargains each year.



 Just in case you feel cheated by the paucity of photographic material in this post I am adding in some extras - call it a 'bonus buy', 'freeby', 'just because'.   The purse below was made for someone from work as a 'surprise/shock' so really does belong in this post .  Ms X has patiently helped me very much over the years : as we recently were discussing Spring bulbs (specifically iris reticulata) and the joy they add to the garden I thought that I would make her this by way of thanks.  I sent it last week so should arrive on her desk this morning I think.



So this was the starting point using some of my favourite floral fabric (good alliterative phrase!) : I have yards and yards but  very miserly when I come to using it.  The fabric dates from the late 40s (I have gone on about it previously I think) but was  never used - bought from a local'ish (Gosport) shop a few years ago.  I love it.


Please tell me that you have seasonal cups - if you don't have seasonal cups I urge you to obtain some asap



The little flowers (just happened to be next to me when taking the photos so thought I would add them in) are second hand from a charity shop head band.  I am going to make 'Spring tra la la dingly dangly' things  to hang from the chandelier : add in some 'old birds'  to 'create something darling'  or 'create something' darling!





A 'bottom' picture for old times sake!



Back to the original story!

Triumphalism is not a pleasant attribute but I must admit that I felt triumphant in my endeavours this time around and in making a grown woman cry.  After watching her sob and not able to speak I merely said: 'Job done' and walked away......

'What a terrible event it must have been'

'She must really have shown her true colours this time' ('What do you mean THIS time?)

'I always knew that there was a darker side..... ' ( I've NEVER heard you say that Arthur)

'I've always said that the truth will out'  (Thank you Martha - your unstinting support has always been a marvel and source of great comfort......)

The Back Story:

Just after Christmas a local charity shop was having its New Year sale - goodness me things were cheap so what is a woman who has a house bulging at the seams supposed to do.....

Naturally I bought a cupboard. The cupboard  cost me ten of our Kingdom's pounds - more of the cupboard another time.

THAT IS NOT WHAT MADE THE WOMAN CRY.

 I was on foot and said that I would return when I had a means of transport to get cupboard from Charity shop to Custard Towers.  No thank you, I did not want to pay £10 delivery - that would double the cost of the cupboard and add to environmental costs so we would all just have to wait.

THAT IS NOT WHAT MADE THE WOMAN CRY.

Cupboard had to wait slightly longer than I thought because on returning to Custard Towers I realised that I had no space for it.   So  I then listed a cupboard on ebay and sold that in order to create space for the cupboard that I had just bought.  Life can get a bit complicated with all the cupboard shifting that has to be done.  The cupboard which I sold WAS CRAMMED TO THE GILLS WITH STUFF.  I had to do a fair bit of sorting : not an unpleasant task and certainly better than having to cut toe nails or clean out the toilets/lavatories so I am not complaining...too much.

The Front Story:

Time passed and I realised that I could not delay in collecting the cupboard much longer....off I went..........
 Naturalment upon my arrival  I looked around the charity shop again....some nice things but 'NO' I must be firm....however I heard some nice fabric calling to me :  'Over here...that's right.....I am nice and cheap so you know I have to be bought'...that type of fabric....you know the sort... nice AND cheap!








On taking the fabric (curtains in fact) to the counter the manager became emotional and told me that they had in fact belonged to her mother who had died last year.

Did I respond by saying: 

a) 'Get over it love, that's life' 
b)  'Finders keepers dearie' 
c) 'Oh no - please keep them....no please...I feel awful and you feel awful...please'.


AHEM!  Shame on you if you said a) or b) !!!

A bit of a  tussle ensued along with some :  'Please keep them' 'Please buy them' going on......

'Oh dear : well I promise that I will make you something nice so that you always have that memory....not sure when....but I'll be back'

Some time passed..... I had more fabric sifting and cupboard sorting to do .  Sometimes things take a while.

 When |I read blogs I note that  others have grand works to make - ordered by large businesses - and large orders to make  for  grand folks -   I get to make a little purse for a manager of a charity shop! However I felt very good about it....very good indeed.

Eventually I made this:


Waste not, want not:  the curtain lining was used to line the purse.



  I took Bronte with me back to the shop so that she could witness kindness in action!  As I walked toward the manager with the little gift in my hands she started to well up .......and then really cry:

 'Look what you've done to my mother's curtains' she wailed 'They have been absolutely ruined'.

 Written for comedic effect.  I made that bit up!  Cheeky!

In fact she could say nothing - she was waving her hand in front of her face, rendered speechless and gave me a hug in between sobs.  I said: 'Job done' and out Bronte and I went (An aside: Is this an example of a split infinitive?).

I particularly liked the little child sobbing....not unlike the manager herself!


I have said this many times : fair exchange is no robbery and little things really do mean a lot.  Sometimes that is all it takes in life to make someone happy - simple stuff but with great impact.  I was quite chuffed.



PS: Nothing to do with anything...whilst re-reading AJP Taylor's 'Origins of the Second World War' I got stuck on the word 'goak' (I must have by-passed that in my pre-Google youth!).  Searching for the meaning I found that many people had the same question: 'I am reading AJP Taylor and have come across the word 'goak'......'   It is good to know that there is a common bond amongst us all !


PPPS: For no good reason I am adding in a photograph that I took a few weeks ago - I was going to use it for a Valentine's Day post but never got round to it.  These are the local swans that also sometimes waft over our garden -  the sound of their wings remind me of that wonderful Grimm (contradiction in terms!)  fairy tale.     I waited ages (five minutes...I am not the patient sort) for the swans to 'align' in a heart shape.....I nearly grabbed necks at one point to show them how I wanted them to pose!  Anyway here it is...nearly a heart shape for a nearly Valentine's Day post




PPPPS: Final one!

'Today we are looking through the ...............stained glass window.....' (vintage tins in the background...)



'Tis the season to be Springy tra la la la la la la laaaaaah!

PPPPPS: The 'now and again' posts work better I think - don't wish to burden the electorate

PPPPPPS:  Saddened that the children were not too pleased with me popping up in the  'John Lewis' Spring window display singing my rendition of:  'If I ruled the world, every day would be the first day of Spring....' à la Harry Seacombe.  Can't please everybody.  Mind you if the children had done that......



Phew!

PPPPPPPS: Thank you SO MUCH again for calling in and kindly using precious time to post a comment

Final phew!

88 comments:

  1. What a wonderful tale ... and lovely you! M x

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    1. You are most welcome my dear
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  2. Hello Jenny:

    Well, darling [may we call you 'darling'?], we have been positively gripped by this post and realise that we can no longer spend our days lazy tarting as we like to think of our use of time. With spring just around the corner we need to immediately galvanise [split infinitive included as a show of superior solidarity!] ourselves and, following your example, start to deck the halls, if not with holly, then most certainly pansies. As for spring purses, dozens of them, all handmade and now being drip fed on to ebay!

    As for she who manages the charity shop, we think it so sweet that she should have wept at what was, and is, your enormous kindness and thoughtfulness. Lovely.

    Not so long ago we were actually in Gosport and clearly missed out on some very good bargains. More fool we! But the price of that ferry to Portsmouth Harbour - wicked!! We can remember it at 6d.

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    1. Delighted to be called darling by your good selves. Heartening to read your own split infinitives!
      I have yet to venture on that ferry to Gosport but I take note of the exorbitant cost involved and will sell purses on Ebay to try and save up.
      Thank you so much for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  3. Where to start! Love the story of the shop lady and the purse - that was so nice of you! I do have some spring cups too!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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    1. Ah yes Liz - I too am partial to a spring cup...sadly...
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  4. I do like a story in installments. But now I'm left hanging. Did you find the meaning of goak? Thanks for making all of us happy today. Off to google goak now-Kathleen

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    1. Thank you kindly
      Goak - an odd word that appears to mean joke...but not as funny!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  5. Your hand work is so lovely. I think what you did for that shop lady was so thoughtful. I think we all appreciate the kindness that others bring into our lives. I do have some lovely spring cups and you're right it is time to bring them out.
    Sheryl

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    1. Get your cups out dear! Now is the perfect time to show off pretty china
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  6. I was looking at the other comments and I don't know why mine is the only one to say reply delete. I unwittingly make some great blunders on this machine.
    Sheryl

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  7. What a good story, love your purses you have made they are so lovely x

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    1. Thank you - that is very kind of you to say so. I do like a nice purse
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  8. Phew, I'm exhausted now after reading all that! Good story well told, though - you are kind and thoughtful, as well as being a good purse maker. X

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    1. Thank you for your kind words - if only I had more money to put in all those purses of mine!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  9. I love the pure mania and the story. Jo x

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    1. Thank you kindly Jo - I aim to please!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  10. In the John Lewis window, woman sobbing, pansies and Swans, Swans! I think I love you old gal?
    bestest etc etc tra lala Daisy xx

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    1. Tra la la'ing muchly today Miss Daisy
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  11. Fabulous as ever Jenny!
    I love the purse story but I really need to know the meaning of 'goak' now! I'm not very patient either!!

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    1. Thank you Gill
      Goak means joke! Hmmmm - a bit of a let down I felt!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  12. Oooh what a lovely spud you are. I am very jealous of anyone who can make a coin purse - tried it once and couldn't get the wretched fabric in the clippety thing so gave up and swore a bit. Goak?? I've recently been told the meaning of 'squoze' - in all my years I'd never found a use for it. Hope your chandelier is coming on well - I'm off to make a racoon x Jane

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    1. You do make me laugh - I hope that your racoon turned out well
      Today I am concentrating on fabric bananas...........
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  13. Dear Jenny,you have now made another grown woman cry,what a lovely thing to do for that poor bereaved woman(will she be saving you all the best fabric from now on?) Sorry that comment was said in pure jest!! I adore that pansy purse so much I could eat it!! (Well I have given up cake biscuits sweets and chocolate for lent!!!) I was laughing out loud at some bits of this post,you could certainly give Victoria Wood a run for her money!! Thankyou for your comment on my blog,it makes my day when you "speak" to me!! I'd better stop here I feel I am beginning to sound sycophantic! (Had to look up that spelling in the good old dictionary) You have lightened my heart with your post,I shall read it once more! All the best of sunny Spring days to you my dear. Ttfn Pam.

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    1. Thank you as always for your kind words dear Pam - glad to have made you shed a tear.
      Sunny day for you too today
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  14. Oh lovely, and I so want that purse! X

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    1. Thank you Ginny
      I will make some more...eventually!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  15. Not only did you make a grown woman cry but you one vintage sheet addict welled up too, how kind of you lovely Jenny......oh and those pansies, WONDERFUL! :) x

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    1. Thank you kindly - I do like to create an 'effect'!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  16. Im with Daisy , love ya! Xxxx

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    1. You are making me blush my dear!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  17. I know 'goak' is a variant of 'joke' and was coined by the American humorist Artemus Ward- but I cannot find out anywhere how to pronounce it - 'g' or ;j' [or is it like the 'g' in old-fashioned Stork margarine - hard in winter, soft in summer?]
    The purse is a treasure - that lady will have been overwhelmed by your kindness and thoughtfulness[more pansies/pensees] . Bless you for your goodness towards her. xx

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    1. Thank you for your extra resourcefulness Angela. I fancy that it is a soft 'g' - like 'gaol' but it is anyone's guess I think

      I was pleased with the 'purse effect'!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  18. You know how to keep us all hanging on, Jenny, I have been left desperately wanting to see the new cupboard.
    It is a lovely tale, and random acts of kindness are all too rare.

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    1. Daw...cupboard post all lined up
      I do like to give things away - boosts my own sad ego I think!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  19. I can just imagine how wonderful it must have felt for her to be given back a piece of her past unexpectantly like that, transformed into something new and usable. Well done you! kind deeds are good for the soul. I love your spring picture and the swans! Heather x

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    1. Thank you kindly Heather - it was a simple thing to do and I was pleased with the effect that it had!
      Kind regards
      Jenny

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  20. Well that lady may have sobbed but you make me larrrfffff. Thank you for finding me in blog land too.
    Swan wrestling may become a new photographic sport!

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    1. The full range of emotions coming out today!
      I am off to wrestle a swan or two this morning.......
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  21. A beautiful story I'm sure that lovely purse will be treasured, what a lovely thing to do. The swans and beautiful spring material is fantastic. Sarah x

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  22. Fab, made me weep as well, maybe iam a bit pmt-ish, but how kind of you, Catx

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Ah yes that old PMT thing gets me every time!
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  23. Thank goodness you did not have to resort to manipulating the swans' necks as a broken arm might well have been the unpleasant result.

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  24. You've told a complicated story well. The twists and turns and sewing and embroidery and generosity and patience of the participants in the tale show us all much that is good in human nature.

    Every time that I come over here for a visit, I find something surprising, in a most delightful way.

    Happy belated Valentine's Day to you and to those compliant swans.

    And thank you for visiting over at my place, too. xo

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    1. Thank you Frances
      I do like to write - often it only makes sense in my own head but I have to empty my head out or I will never sleep at night!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  25. What a lovely story and those purses are gorgeous. J x

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  26. I went wow over the pansy purse but the gift you made stole my heart and almost made me cry. So Lovely

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    1. I am pleased with the emotional response here! The manager was very moved by it all I am pleased to say
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  27. I'm not surprised she cried Jenny, what a lovely purse and such a lovely thoughtful thing to do. She still has a memento. I bet life at yours is never dull! Oh, and thank you for the comment about the Rhubarb on my post the other week. Completely agree about the bowels stuff, Oh ye, Bowel Queen!!!!!! (Jenny, if anyone is reading this comment they are probably wondering what the hell is going on now!) XX

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Yes Anne your comment will provoke a little bit of puzzlement I think! No bowel problems in our house as you can imagine (just lots of toilet roll needed...)
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  28. Oh Jenny, you always brighten my day with your tales ... you're a born story-teller. Love the tra-la-laaing and fiddle-de-deeing too ...

    What a lovely thing to do, to make the purse for the lady ... my heart almost stopped when I read what she said ... then started up again when I realised she hadn't ... naughty!

    I embarrass my children often too ... so glad I'm not alone!

    Have a wonderful day

    Love Claire xxx

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    1. Glad that it made you smile Claire
      I am one bit embarrassment I fear!
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  29. Embarrassing one's children is a time honoured tradition (memo to self, just so long as you don't embarrass yourself at the same time, but please don't ask me how I know about that!). So job done there too then.

    You have the kindest heart x

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    1. Now I am very keen to know indeed!
      Thank you for calling in Annie
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  30. Oh how I love reading your posts!!! Thank you xxx

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  31. Lovely post, lovely purses, lovely bottoms! I love the story of the lady's curtains - oh how I chuckled at the thought that she might have told you off for ruining them. Sorry I'm one of those awful people that laughs first at someone tripping over before checking whether they have hurt themselves and helping them up. Don't suppose I'm ever likely to grow out of that. P

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    1. Your true colours are revealed! I laugh at such mishaps too......
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  32. gorgeous lovely wonderful funny kind fabulous post! Now this is why i book mark you, you offer up ll of this and sewing and beautiful fabric and all sorts of wonderfulness to us! That purse made me well up a bit as well! fabulous what a lovely thing to do xxxxxx

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    1. Thank you kindly Janey G
      Glad to bring a tear to your eye (meant in a nice way!)
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  33. Tru ly delightful post!! Thank you for brightening a difficult day. :-)

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    1. Sorry to hear for difficult times - I hope that life is kinder to you today
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  34. What a lovely story and what super fabric! At one stage they must have been the most amazing (children's) curtains as they have a lovely Arts & Crafts feel about them, especially the citrus trees.xx

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    1. Thank you - the fabric is a bit Kate Greenaway/ Arts & Craftsy isn't it
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  35. well another amusing story which had me laughing out loud - absolutely loved it and the purses!!!! it really was a lovely pair of curtains wasn't it? - as an extremely over sensitive person who blubs at adverts i can identify with the lady in the shop - i'm sure she appreciated your very kind gesture even though she couldn't talk!!!! but you already know that - as for embarrassing your children - that's what mum's are for - looking forward to you next post already xx

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    1. Glad that it made you laugh - mixed emotions being generated by this post I think!
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  36. I seek high and low but I never find any fabric as nice as yours! Your purses are absolutely beautiful and they should be filled with gold pieces to spend in the finest of shops!! I'm going to a wedding this year and a pretty purse might just be in order, xx

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words - I have made some more recently and will take photographs of them eventually!
      I look forward to seeing your wedding outfit
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  37. Can I just add that you are the loveliest person I know Jenny, what a kind gesture to make the lady a purse and I'm sure she'll treasure it forever....you are one of the best. x

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    1. Daw...you are making me blush my dear!
      Thank you kindly
      Jenny

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  38. Jenny you are a gem...and I'm mighty proud to be your blog buddy! I LOVED this 'true' story...It warmed my heart soo...LOVE the material so much and Ooh I love a happy ending of the sorts..
    Hugs maria x
    PS I can embarrass my children lots too...I like to repeat often " YOU will be like me too, one day" ~ .ha ha..x

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    1. We all morph into one and the same eventually I think Maria!
      Thank you so much for your kind words - sorry for the delay in saying that
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  39. How very nice of you and I am so glad that she wasn't crying because you had cut into the curtains (what a relief). I am sure she will treasure this very sweet gift.

    xo Danielle

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    1. What a relief indeed - a tragedy averted!
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  40. what a kind deed. whilst I dont get a purse neither do you make me cry,your blog always makes me feel good, that in itself is a good deed!

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    1. Dear Knittynutter
      I am glad that this blog can spread a bit of cheer when possible
      I hope that life is treating you well my dear
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  41. Okay, your story had me in tears and reminded me of a similar experience I had a few years ago. A friend's father passed away and when she told me that they were disposing of his clothes I asked if I could have one of his flannel shirts for my husband. She readily agreed and was glad one of her father's favorite shirts was going to a friend. Instead of giving the shirt to my husband I cut it up and made a stuffed teddy bear out of it, even used the buttons for joining the legs and arms to the body. Needless to say when I gave it to to my friend (did I mention she collects bears?!) she burst into tears and hugged me and the bears quite vigorously. Feels good to make someone cry, doesn't it?

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    1. Ah yes Jan - it is indeed a gift to be able to engender tears of happiness and sadness all in one go. That was a kind act you did for your friend
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  42. Jenny...what can I say, other than, another wonderful post, with super pictures and I am so lucky to have, not one but three of your sensational purses The one very similar to the purse showing at the top of the blog is my favourite and sits on my dressing table, so I see the lovely fabric and beautiful vintage embroidery. Thank you again Jenny :) x

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    1. You are so generous with your kind words Barbar
      Thank you so much
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  43. Yes I think it is kindness that actually makes the world into a community... I Love the pansy embroideries Jenny and looking through the arched window too... Smiles Cass x

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    1. I love embroidered pansies...I love lots of things sadly!
      Thank you for your kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  44. Such a bright a cheerful post and such kindness
    Thea xx

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