Sunday, December 7, 2008

Treasures


You know what the secret is to finding "Treasures in the Attic" don't you?
Send your neighbor on the treasure hunt. . What you overlook or think isn't too exciting, they may discover and see as a worthy treasure.

Take this trunk. I don't know where it started life, but I know that my father rescued it from a barn and it belonged to his father or grandfather. He acquired it in the 70's, painted it, then my mom sent it to the basement where it was living underneath the stairs covered up with all kinds of stuff until my neighbor discovered it. My neighbor (I can't remember why she was even down there).... saw it and insisted I bring it upstairs.



It really doesn't look too bad in the living room. And it's a great place to store the pet "stuff".

Know what it used to store? Long forgotten prom dresses, party dresses, and ballroom dancing dresses. I remember seeing these dresses when I was very young, but I just assumed that they had long since disappeared.

This was my mom's prom dress in 1947.



She said she was mortified when she got to the prom and discovered that everyone else was wearing the same dress. Apparently it was THE DRESS to wear that year.


This was a ballroom gown that she wore in the late 50's I believe. The gardening aunt has a picture of Grandma in this dress....maybe she'll read this post, dig up the picture, scan it, and insert it into the post (hint, hint, hint).



(Who says Carol can't take a hint?)
The dress used to be completely green, but the satin has faded to gold with time. I guess it's allowed since it's pushing 60 years old.


Here's the best dress.

My grandmother made this dress for my mom for a dance her first (and only) year at IU.

I think that was in 1949 maybe?

It's a great dress for dancing....





And spinning....









And the best part of this dress is that I remember when we were little either our Grandmother or our Mom (I don't know which one) made a matching dress for a barbie doll. That's buried in another box in the basement somewhere.....

What's buried in your basement?

11 comments:

Beth said...

I have saved all of my old bridesmaid dresses and I'm so glad I did. Now, my little girls can play glamourous dress-up. LOL

LOVE, those photos of those dresses. I'd love to see the photo of your Grandmother wearing that dress.

Mel said...

I have no basement, but going to grandma's house used to be AWESOME...
She let us dive in her closets and find sooo many cool things!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Thank goodness I don't have a basement or it would be fullll of junk. My mother was not a saver of things. The only thing I have from my childhood is a christmas ornament and a few photos.

Hannah-Indiana said...

Oooh! Sophie looks so pretty! I love those dresses.

See you tomorrow!
Hannah

julia @say you will love me forever said...

If Sophie doesn't mind marrying a younger man one day, I'm doing my best to make Nathan the best husband ever...toilet paper changing, mopping floor, and bathroom cleaning Nathan..what more could a woman ask for?! julia.

PS: I miss seeing you! You would be amazed at my computer skills now, amazed, I tell ya!

Missy said...

what a great find! love the photos!

We have this old wooden nightstand that is coated with several layers of pain and shelf liner. I used to have it in my basement along with some other junk we didn't really use. My aunt, who is very knowledgeable and a huge collector of antiques saw it and asked me about it. "Don't ever get rid of that table! Strip the paint and paper, get some stain, that is a gorgeous table!"
I have never looked at that old table the same way again!

Carol Michel said...

See, I can take a hint. I added the picture of Mom in the dress. Now, what WAS the neighbor doing down in your basement?

Carol, May Dreams Gardens

Mel said...

Hi Sherry,
Just stopped by to wish you and all the beauties at your zoo:
¡¡¡Feliz Navidad!!!
Merry Christmas!!!
Hugs from Peru,
Mel

Laurie and company said...

cute post...what fun to find those dresses!
It brought back memories of trying on my mom's wedding veil and Grandma's wedding dress (which I did end up wearing)...and then watching Melanie do the same thing.

Merry Christmas...hope yours was a good and blessed one.
LY

Mary said...

What a treasure! I wonder where all of my Mom's dresses are, and mine! I do have her wedding dress stored in a safe place...with mine.

Lovely post. Your little girl is stunning.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Sherry!

Mary

Tera Rose said...

where'd you go? i miss reading your blog posts...