Wednesday, December 3, 2014

a kind gesture . . .

 This lady


and these napkins


led to this - please ignore the paint everywhere, it's an art studio.


When I posted this picture on Instagram last week, I had no idea the affect it would have.


The comment on the photo was, "I am planning my Thanksgiving table now that the flatware I ordered on Amazon arrived. And I am mad at myself that I didn't finish embroidering the napkins. I only have 2 finished and I don't think I can finish 5 more by Thursday."


Donna of Georgia Ann Vintage Instagram commented that she had picked up a lot of napkins at an estate sale and that she would GIVE me whatever pieces I wanted - I just needed to stop by the shop in town where she works - Lavender Blue.


This was an incredibly sweet gesture particularly because I had never met Donna, in fact when I went into Lavender Blue, I asked if she was Georgia Ann - it turns out that Georgia Ann was her grandmother.


Steve NEVER goes shopping with me, but that day was an absolutely gorgeous day in Ventura and we took Lulu for a walk downtown to Lavender Blue.


While I chatted with Donna and selected which napkins I wanted, Steve found this vintage workbench.


He could not get that bench out of his mind so we went back to Lavender Blue on Saturday and paid for the workbench - turns out that another man was looking at it so we were lucky to get our payment in first.


Today is actually Steve's birthday and he is having fun organizing his tools and paint supplies on his new workspace.


Meanwhile, back to the napkins . . .


The stitchery is so pretty and I loved them on my Thanksgiving table.


You can see that I fit my primary color scheme in even with Thanksgiving.


I have 2 napkins finished


and my basket is waiting for me to finish the others.


But, right now I am focused on decorating for Christmas.

69 comments:

  1. Precious gesture nowadays from a person you have never met...We feel so lucky when we are surrounded by loveliness, sweetness...Your Christmas decoration is absolutely charming Carol, I saw the previous post.Well done!
    Kind regards
    Olympia

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  2. What a great story! I love the napkins, they are so pretty. I guess by going shopping it was a win win for you and your husband.

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  3. Carol,
    There was a reason Steve went shopping with you to Lavender Blue (of course, I love that shop name!). The workbench was meant for him for his birthday.

    Judith

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  4. Happy birthday, Steve!!!

    What a sweet gesture from Georgia Ann ~ blog folk are the best!

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  5. Love when we can connect with once strangers this way!! And that workbench is amaaazing! So glad you went back for it in time to purchase it.
    Mary Alice

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  6. Carol, this is a sweet story. I, too, have known the generosity of blogging friends. I certainly use and appreciate the pretty white napkins you sent to me.
    Glad your Thanksgiving table was complete. It looks beautiful. Love the cards you made to go down the center.

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  7. Everything happens for a reason...your husband got his workbench and you got the pretty napkins!

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  8. The napkins are gorgeous and so is Donna!

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  9. I love the story behind the napkins, and I love the workbench.xoxo Gorgeous photos, and what a wonderful shop!

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  10. What a sweet gift! Well it must be karma because you do so many nice things for people too. I love the vintage work bench your husband bought too. So neat!

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  11. Carol, Funny how things turn out, isn't it? I love those napkins. Your Steve has a new "old" bench and he's happy too. God is good. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  12. There really are a lot of very kind and generous people in this world and it's so nice to hear about one of them. The napkins looked great on your beautiful table!

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  13. Serendipity!! I adore the bench AND the napkins and you made a new friend as the icing on the cake.

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  14. Connie, what a sweet gift from a blogging friend. And I'd say Steve scored a great find with that workbench. Imagine what he'll create! Your primary colored Thanksgiving table works very well.

    Enjoy the Christmas decorating!

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  15. How lovely! The napkins look perfect. The shop sounds delightful. Pity it's so far away or I'd be tempted to pay it a visit! Enjoy the coming holiday season, xoxox Crol

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  16. That's a great work bench.
    Merle.............

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  17. Serendipity! I love stories like this. And I love the ruggedness of Steve's new work bench. Happy ending (except the napkins are still in the basket, which will be a good project after Christmas. Hey! How about Easter? Just kidding - I love that you hand work your textiles - they're beautiful, and those are the ones my sisters and I covet from estates).
    Rita

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  18. The napkins are very pretty! I have some sort of like yours that was my grandma's. Love the work bench...great find!!
    ~Cindy

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  19. Oh Carol, and this is what I love about our social media. Even with some of the negative things we can all encounter, I think many of us have been very blessed to run into others who are so generous. WHAT A FIND of a kind soul, and what a find of an item! Just what you needed, and as a GIFT! Now this shop sounds familiar to me....what a place to get lost in and dream and even spend a bit of cash. How I wish I could decorate more this year!

    HAVE FUN my friend! Anita

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  20. Blogging is an amazing thing and the kindness of strangers is touching. AND Steve found that amazing work bench. Glad you had a good Thanksgiving! I'm decorating for Christmas and have the same pillow(thanks to you) out on my couch!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  21. That was so kind of her! I love stories like that. There's always so many bad stories you forget sometimes how people can be nice :)

    That work bench is really cool!

    All I've done is put a Christmas wreath on the front door. Our neighbors are putting up some amazing outdoor decorations. I'm hoping it's not the kind of neighborhood where you have tons of cars drive by to see the decorations!

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  22. That certainly was a kind gesture. The napkins are lovely and so was your table. Of course, I knew it would be! Steve's new work bench is amazing. Such a sturdy piece and it looks as though it is certainly built to last. Happy Birthday to Steve! Hope you both have a lovely evening.
    Blessings, Vicky

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  23. What a great story. Filled with goodness. I have a beautiful embroidered white on white tablecloth from my grandmother but no napkins. Now I've seen what you have done I'm thinking it would be a good winter project. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  24. I have red and beige flatware like that. LOVE the blue! Will have to check that out. Tell the hubby Happy Birthday from the blogging community!
    Brenda

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  25. What a lovely gesture and a lovely lady to share her napkins with you. Steve's new work bench is wonderful - perfect timing for his birthday. I love your primary colors for Thanksgiving and of course - love - love everything you have done for Christmas.
    So glad that you are feeling better and decorating for Christmas.
    Have a lovely day,
    Erin

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  26. Isn't it amazing when people are so kind and giving. I always try to give back to people.
    Your napkins that you are making are stunning and I love the napkins that you received as a gift.
    Belated Happy Birthday to Steve and what a wonderful gift for him.
    I am so happy that you are feeling better. Please take care of yourself. Did they ever figure out why you needed blood transfusions?
    Have a great week, isn't the rain the greatest.
    Mary

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  27. Wow, what an amazing act of kindness from someone you didn't even know. The napkins are beautiful and I LOVE Steve's new (old) birthday present.

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  28. Such a thoughtful person! There is such camaraderie in the blogging world. Your napkins are lovely and what an amazing work bench. I can well imagine your husband is loving it!

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  29. It's karma for all the wonderful things you've done for others.

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  30. What a sweet thing for her to do! The napkins are so pretty...Happy birthday to Steve. Happy you are feeling better,and wanting you to be better and better!

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  31. What a great story. The power of social media is so mind boggling. Love the work bench.

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  32. I tell you what...people never cease to amaze me! What an awesome person and what a fantastic shop she has!!! The napkins with your primary colors are stunning! And that workbench....my mouth is still on the floor! Man is that a cool piece!! A very happy birthday to Steve!! Wishing you and your family a lovely weekend....that Christmas pillow is fantastic!!! Nicole xoxo

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  33. Love this post Carol. You do so much for others and are so giving so this was nice to have you get gifted back with the napkins. Your place settings looked beautiful.
    Love that work bench. Ha ha Terry was looking at one that was similar when we were junkin last week end. We may go back to get that one too. It is fun to see the hubby's get excited over a vintage piece! Have a great week my friend.
    Kris

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  34. I love the wire basket with Christmas goodies. You have given me an idea about how to make a napkin ring. Thanks for sharing.

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  35. Carol,
    Kindness by others especially when you don't know them is to me lives blessings that grace our hearts. Those blessings become precious memories you never forget. Thanks for sharing the napkin story. Which by the way are so charmingly pretty. Happy Birthday wishes to Steve! His workbench was meant to be "serendipity" for sure! Your basket with the books and trees looks adorable. Happy decking of merriment.
    xoxo

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  36. He is going to really enjoy that time worn and great space. Cool to think of all that worked at it before.

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  37. What a nice story you'll be sharing each time you use those pretty napkins! And your hubby was smart to go back right away for that fabulous work bench. I found the perfect kitchen cupboard for our youngest daughter last week, but when she went to look at it, it was gone. :o(

    Great new pillow you made!

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  38. Happy Birthday to Steve!

    The kindness of strangers always touches me; what sweet souls and big hearts they have! Both the napkins and Steve's new work table are lovely, as is this Christmas story.

    Poppy

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  39. What a kind gesture for sure and the work bench looks like a fantastic piece. I have the same dishes as you, I purchased mine at Target.

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  40. What a kind lady! And Steve is one lucky duck to have scored the workbench. I love it!

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  41. I LOVE that basket with the Christmas music and books. So precious! I've been hoarding vintage linen/cotton napkins in the hopes of doing some napkin painting. But maybe I should leave them all white.

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  42. What a wonderful story and such a wonderful person. What a neat place and a great lady. Great table for your hubby

    Cindy

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  43. How great that Steve found something to buy on a rare shopping expedition with you, maybe he'll tag along more often !
    I love your new napkins, and everything else in that great shop. Happy Christmas decorating to you and belated birthday wishes to Steve.

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  44. So very kind of Donna, but remember what goes around comes around, and you are a very giving woman so I am not surprised that you were gifted those napkins! Your flatware is so unique and pretty, I really like the banding! Happy decorating! Blessings, Cindy

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  45. What a fun, fun story. I am so glad you shared it with us. :-)
    Love how you did up Thanksgiving.
    xx oo
    Carla

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  46. Hi Carol, how wonderful she helped you out with napkins. Such a sweet thing to do. Love your flatware and your table with the primary colors looks gorgeous. Love that old workbench your hubby got. That is the perfect birthday present too.
    Thanks for sharing this story of giving. It is perfect for the season.
    Have fun decorating!
    Hugs

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  47. Hi Carol, what a sweet story. Love the napkins, love the kindness of Donna and Steve's birthday workbench is wonderful. He may just start shopping with you more often, now :)
    Your table was lovely and your delightful color scheme is what drew me into your blog on my very first visit. I'm glad that you do not stray too far from it. It is so crisp and fresh.
    Have a nice weekend.
    Connie :)

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  48. What a wonderful story and such a kind woman! It was all meant to be...going into that shop AND Steve being with you. He should go shopping with you more often! ;-)

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  49. Every time you use these napkins, you'll remember the kindness of strangers. Love the blue flatware, and Steve's bench is awesome! Happy belated birthday to him!

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  50. This is so thoughtful and the napkins are lovely. The workbench is a beauty.

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  51. That looks like a wonderful shop.

    Very nice gift.

    Love Steve's new worktable.

    Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving.

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  52. What a lovely lady, can't wait to see what you come up with for Christmas.

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  53. What a beautiful gift just before Thanksgiving too, what a lovely lady and such gorgeous pieces in that shop!

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  54. I love shops like that--the work bench is awesome and so our the napkins! Love that pillow in the last photo. Enjoy the season!

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  55. I love the napkins and gorgeous stitching! Such intricate floral details and so much love to put in the handmade pieces! Looking forward you Christmas post!

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  56. Such a kind and sweet gesture indeed and plus you have made a new sweet friend. The napkins are beautiful. A happy belated birthday to your hubby. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

    Hugs,
    ❤️Ana

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  57. Hi Carol, wow I am really am so amazed at this story! The napkins are pretty and enjoy them. I hope your husband enjoys his new bday present! Have a nice weekend.
    Julie

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  58. Serendipity! Isn't the world an amazing place? Angels to you.

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  59. Wow!

    What an absolute sweetheart!

    And I love Steve's new work table. SO neat!

    And the pretty napkins. Both the ones you are making and the ones she gave you.

    Thanks for sharing this story.

    xoxox

    Sheila

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  60. I saw that pic on Instagram! What a lovely story of kindness for Christmas. Happy Birthday, Steve!

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  61. What a delightful story Carol. You and Steve got something beautiful there!

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  62. Beautiful napkins, and the workbench is amazing. Sounds like you both enjoyed the outing immensely!
    xo,
    Lin

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  63. That workbench is a great piece. It was nice to hear of the spirit of Christmas giving alive and well in the world. Enjoy the season!

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  64. How thoughtful of Donna with the napkins! And that workbench is an amazing piece!
    Susan

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  65. I love that flatware and I'm glad Steve got the bench. I love that bench too! Happy Birthday, Steve!

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  66. I really enjoy your blog. I dream of a cottage by the sea. For now I make my home in the suburbs as much a cottage as I can and my sea is my in-ground pool in the backyard. Thank you for sharing your life and bringing such simply joy.

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  67. Such a sweet angel and an awesome birthday present for Steve.

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  68. How lovely that one comment lead to so much! Sarah x

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