When I was showing all of you my egg cup collection in the days leading up to Easter, I mentioned that I was thinking of expanding it – collecting souvenir egg cups, for example, and pretty china pattern egg cups. I don’t remember whether I mentioned this bit of information to Don; even if I did, he usually doesn’t retain the random comments I make during the course of a day, much to my frustration. I mean, isn’t everything I say worth its weight in gold?
Look what he found for me in Prague:
This sweet egg cup in the traditional shape.
And this square-shaped egg cup. Both of them have scenes from Prague. Praha=Prague. These aren’t vintage, they’re new. That sweet Don has given me the first two egg cups in my souvenir egg cup collection! I really love them.
Then I opened these:
Beautiful Czech hand-painted eggs! Aren’t they lovely? Don imagined I might want to place them in some of my egg cups. Smart Don!
Clearly these were made to be ornaments but right after I took this picture I removed the ribbons and now they are displayed in various egg cups throughout the house. Like this one:
Humpty has a head!
Sweet husband also got me a t-shirt, which shall remain in it’s wrapping until I go to Hartford. It’s black. One does not wear black in this house full of flying white Scout hair, which is a pity, since I love to wear black.
Don kept telling me that he was working on finding something for me in Prague and he spent a lot of his spare time searching it out. He had the hotel staff working on it as well and hoped he could pull it off. I must admit I was intrigued. Well, he’s still working on it – even spent his last morning in Prague trying to find it. Here is his idea. Since he knows how much I love my favorite book ever, To Kill a Mockingbird, he was trying to find me a copy in Czech. They do exist. His idea is to start me on a collection of foreign language editions of the book. Isn’t that the coolest idea? I have several English editions and one that was signed by Harper Lee. Adding foreign language editions is a brilliant idea. So cross your fingers that Don can pull this one off. The hotel staff translated the title for him, so his search continues.
Yesterday, I spent some time in my crowded studio. Yes, it’s cute, but trying to multi-task there is frustrating.
The iron gets plugged into the bathroom outlet, the ironing board blocks the entrance to the bathroom, I have to squeeze by the board to get into the bedroom – you get the picture. And I was working on two floors: a cutting mat was on the kitchen table, along with my rulers and rotary cutter; the quilt was on the living room floor so I could measure it, and then I was upstairs at the machine stitching together strips for binding.
All done. Now I have to sew it onto the quilt.
I had a thought yesterday. Mabel doesn’t have a ¼ inch foot. Ella (the Elna) does. Which machine do I take to Hartford?
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Happy Wednesday.
Dear Claudia, I actually had tears in my eyes reading about Don’s thoughtful, from the heart gifts! Souvenir egg cups…you are now off and running in a new direction! The painted eggs are beautiful, and the idea of him trying to track down To Kill a Mockingbird in Czech…(sniff sniff). You are a lucky woman, but you know that, don’t you? Hmm…tough decision on which sewing machine to take to Hartford, but I think you are going to need the 1/4″ foot if you plan on quilting. I just ordered the 1/4″ for my new machine…I blush to admit, but first I have to figure out how to take off the other presser foot and put the 1/4″ on! Have a great day. xxoo, Martha
Since we’re going by car, I could take the Elna. I’ve already spent money on fabric for the quilt I am making – I don’t know if I want to invest in a 1/4 foot right now – so it may be the Elna.
What wonderful souvenirs– very thoughtful! How cool to have to have your favorite book in other languages– good luck with that. I have an old copy of TKAM but no dust jacket unfortunately.
Here’s hoping we find one!
Claudia, No wonder you Love that man like you do! While I have always admired and Loved even coveted your studio I have wondered about cutting and pressing and over all sewing in such a small area.-Judy A-
It can get very, very tight up there, Judy.
Don gets big brownie points for not only those cute egg cups and eggs, but also for his idea about the book! What a wonderful thought! He is a sweetie, for sure.
In terms of your machine, I am absolutely no help. Are you driving? If so, take the one that you need the most. If you aren’t driving, take the lightest one to carry. Here’s another thought, if you are driving, take the BOTH. That’s the magpie way. If one is good, two are better! ;-)
XO,
Sheila
Yes, we’ll be driving – so I may take the Elna. And if I really need Mabel, I can get her on a weekend visit home.
Typo… sorry, can’t see on this IPAD. Is should read: Take “them” both. ;-)
What a novel idea, eggs in your egg cups. For some reason, that had never occured to me. And what pretty eggs they are. How sweet of him to surprise you with the beautiful egg cups and eggs.
He’s a sweetie!
What wonderful gifts from Don! I love the eggs- so colorful and intricate. I also LOVE his idea of starting you a foreign language collection of “To Kill A Mockingbird”. That is such a wonderful idea!
Don often thinks of the neatest gift ideas!
What great gifts from Prague! I can’t wait to see your egg cup collection grow! And your favorite book in all different languages! What a wonderful husband you have. Mine never even listened to me when I told him I was in labor! Came downstairs with my suitcase and he asked me where I was going!
Oh, and for years I just put a piece of masking tape on the bobbin plate to mark my 1/4″ until I got a 1/4″ foot. So you can take either!
For some reason, I’m wary of putting any tape on my pretty Featherweight. Silly, isn’t it?
Claudia I think that Don sure is a keeper! The new egg cups are perfect to expand your collection in a new direction. I love those eggs also and I’m glad you added them to some of your cups! What a great idea to collect your favorite book in different languages. Hugs to you and Don!
Linda
He is a keeper, Linda!
Claudia, I love reading your posts. The words flow so beautifully and are descriptive, informative, and allow audience participation! What a thoughtful husband to bring you all those really lovely souvenirs. It’s not every day one gets to go to Prague :) Would it be possible to set up your studio work space downstairs and move your dollhouse and mini collections to the tiny alcove space? I’m sure you’ve given your space a lot of thought but just wanted to throw that idea out there. Maybe the dollhouse has already been there? Living in a small apartment in San Diego, I have the same problem with my ironing board blocking my bathroom so I’m feeling your pain…I vote for taking Mabel & investing in a 1/4 in foot for her before you leave. I think she would be crushed if you left her behind. Mobile Mabel, right?
Unfortunately, downstairs is the living room and the den, both of which are fully occupied! And we have the piano taking up a lot of wall space. Believe me, I’ve thought of every possible nook and cranny!
Don did good!! I’ll bet you’re glad he’s back..I love your quilt..Can’t wait to see the finished project..
Here’s hoping I get it done before I leave, Missy!
Don obviously knows you well and loves you much. Egg cups and eggs! Perfect. And the “to Kill a Mockingbird” search. Well that proves his love. He’s a keeper for sure.
Blessings,
Betsy
He is a wonderful guy and I am very, very lucky.
Claudia – that Don is so thoughtful, clone him and send him up here to Canada! Love the egg cups and the accessories.
My sewing/craft room is a little larger than yours but not by much – open the ironing board and I feel like Alice drinking a shrinking potion. I saw a good idea on Pinterest – using one of those folding wooden TV tables and making a little ironing board out of it. Especially good for quilting and ironing open the seams. One of my future projects. J
I have a padded ironing mat that I sometimes use – but I needed the ironing board for that long, long length of binding!
What a sweet husband Don is. I love your new egg cups and eggs. That’st a great idea about To Kill a Mocking bird in foreign languages. I’m sorry that you have to leave to go to Hartford so soon after Don got back, but I know you are happy to have the job.
Hugs,
Laura
I am very happy to have the job.
Yeah…you’ve got a keeper there…Don that is….very thoughtful gifts! I love those eggs…so beautiful! If you can, take both machines. Love the foreign language collection…so, novel! ;)
He is a very thoughtful guy.
What a sweetie!
Yep!
I love the idea of foreign language copies….see, my favorite book is Alice in Wonderland and in addition to several English versions for various ages (yes, it’s been a fave for a long time) I also have copies in French and German, purchased when working in each of those countries. I also have various media pieces, from the little statuette that came with my first wrist watch given to me at age 8 (wish I still had the watch!) to a larger statuette painted for me by a SIL to an anime drawing recently purchased in the Japan section at EPCOT and a Su Blackwell print of her artwork. So a long winded way for me to say go for it!
You’ve inspired me, Renee!
Good Afternoon Claudia, What a surprise….such lovely gifts from Prague. The hand painted eggs are so beautiful.
I understand your frustration with your small sewing room as mine is the same. I sew, I blog, I do the household accounts and much, much more and like you I run up and down the stairs when it comes to cutting material as I have to do this on my kitchen table. ……but…..our houses are small in England.
Have a lovely day….I hope you can decide which sewing machine to take on your trip….do you think it will be a last minute decision?
Best Wishes
Daphne
I’m not sure! Maybe I’ll ponder it a bit and then decide next week.
Our little cottage is small, just like the houses in England.
Claudia,
Painters tape does not leave a residue, lots of people even use it on their quilts to mark quilting lines. You can buy a 1/4 in foot for your FW, not too expensive and well worth it if you are planning on making quilts. Love your blog, and enjoy your trip! Trish
I think I need to hold off on the 1/4 inch foot – thought I know where to buy them. Thanks, Trish!
Is he not the most thoughtful man around? He bought you things he knew you would love and you do!! The egg cups are just gorgeous! Those decorated eggs are just awesome. Lucky you.
Judy
He’s a sweetie and he had a limited amount of free time. What a guy!
I love Humpty’s head! Don brought you back some great gifts. And such a lovely idea to look for the book — I hope he’s successful in finding one for you. I didn’t know or never paid attention to the fact that Don was a singer. I’m listening to Say It Twice right now. I love it! In fact, I’ve listened to it twice. :) Best wishes, Tammy
I’m so glad you like his music, Tammy!
Tammy, if you want to download that song for free, go to Don’s website: donsparks.net.
I think the egg cups are beautiful and the hand painted Czech eggs are gorgeous! My Mom had a friend who painted one for her every year for Easter. Mom lived at my brother’s house in an apartment when she passed and I do not know what happened to them. I wish I had them….♥
I’m always amazed by this kind of painting – whether it’s on these Czech eggs or the intricate Ukrainian eggs. Beautiful!
How thoughtful of Don to remember your egg cups! The painted eggs are gorgeous.
I thought of Don the other night when I saw a documentary about Terezin (the Jewish Ghetto in Czechoslovakia). All the Jews in Prague were relocated to Terezin, including many artists, actors, musicians, poets and writers. A conducter started a choir and they performed Verdi’s Requiem. Years later, survivors went back to Terezin to hear a memorial concert of the Requiem. It was such a moving documentary.
I thought of Don in Prague, of that beautiful city, and of all the actors who were transported, many to their deaths. I thought that it is a sign of hope that Don, an actor, was working in a city where so many actors never were able to again perform. It brought tears to my eyes.
I will pass this on to Don, Paula. Thank you.
Loving your new egg cups and Czech eggs! What a sweet man Don is to think of you and what you’d like ~ and then actually picking those items out. I could see those eggs hanging from some bare branches stuck in a vase of sorts, but since you took the ribbons off, they do look cute in your egg cups. I like how Humpty now has a head. ;-)
I’m also crushing on that little pink dish with the bird. It looks vintage – is it? Who’s it made by?
It is vintage – but there’s no mark on the bottom, so I don’t know who made it.
I don’t know anything about sewing machines & feet – but didn’t didn’t Mabel tell you she was so excited to make the trip with you? I sure hope this doesn’t result in a squabble between her and Ella! You know girls sometimes!
BTW, LOVE that dish holding the pins!
The egg cups are sweet. Foreign language copies of To Kill A Mocking Bird are a brilliant idea.
Oh love the Egg cups and the eggs!… I also love To Kill a Mockingbird although I’ve never read the book have only seen the movie with Gregory Peck a zillion times.. Is the book much different? I think your husband is extremely loving to do something like he’s trying to do for you.. What a great man! :)
Robyn
What a wonderful way to start your new collection..especially since the two of you travel so much in your line of work..Maybe you can find one in Hartford..Don is going to get an extra large ego from all of us women praising him so much..lol..
How sweet of Don!! A special reminder of his trip and to know that you were on his mind.
What a sweetheart that Don is….such wonderful and thoughtful gifts. Isn’t it wonderful when, occasionally, our words do not fall on deaf ears?
Your husband is so sweet to send you those goodies and look for that additon of “To Kill a Mockingbird”. I hope he is enjoying his time there very much. Ann
You have a very sweet and romantic husband!
As to the ‘whatnot’ post….that is what MY family called wooden shelves that my grandfather made for all of us. I don’t have mine hanging in this house or I’d show a pic but its the first time in a LONG time that I’ve heard shelving referred to that way! :)
Sweet gifts, sweet man!
I’m drooling over your pin holder!
When I think to myself “what’s Claudia up to?” I need to know if I should think Clawedia or Cloudia?
with an ‘aw’, Tina.
Aww! That is how my grandmother’s name was pronounced, too! :)
Wonderful pictures. I love the eggs. I would love to visit Prague someday. It seems I am a descendant of people from Bohemia, which isn’t very far from Prague ; )
Have a great day.
They are so lovely and Don was so thoughtful – your collection is going to be amazing, well already is! Love Humpty D with a head.
The book collection will be fun – I love that story and amazed to see how many bloggers always have it in their list of ‘favorite books’.
Look forward to you modeling the t-shirt once you get to Hartford – mirror shots expected!
Hugs – Mary
What lovely souvenirs, Claudia! Those egg cups are lovely, and the hand-painted eggs are so beautiful. (Love the one as Humpty’s Head!!) I can sympathize with the obstacle course when you work on projects. My cottage can be that way. Although, not when it comes to the ironing board… one of the things that sold me on my cottage was an ironing board that pulls out of the wall in the kitchen! Honestly, if they’d said the house would come with a pot of gold I couldn’t have been happier.