Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Charmed, I'm sure.

How many of you buy your own anniversary gift? This year, I bought mine. I've blogged before here and here about my love for vintage charm bracelets. I saw this one for sale, obsessed about it over night, and caved the next day. It's all sterling silver and has 52 charms. I try to find bracelets that have unusual and movable charms. To me, they tell a story about what the collector liked, and where she travelled to. This one has many charms from the UK, which was the main reason I wanted it. Some of my favorites are the Tower of London, which opens to show a teeny tiny person with their head on the chopping block, and a person holding the ax over head. Gruesome, but still awesome. The double Decker bus opens up to show people riding and a ticket taker at the door. The Bobby hat opens and displays a whistle. Some others are a Cornish pasty, coat of armour, Shakespeare's head, thatched roof cottage, Old Curiosity Shop, Scottish thistle, and the Tolbooth Church, which is near Edinburgh Castle. The ones I love the most are the London Transport and British Rail. Can anyone tell me what Berwick on Tweed stands for? It has a small cow standing in front of a tree, and looks like a coat of arms of some sort.
Some of the American charms include the state of VA., the Mayflower, Pilgrim's Arch, Boston bean pot, lighthouse, lobster, antique bicycle that moves, and a spinning wheel.
I could go on and named them all, but I won't. Happy anniversary to me.

Here's more of Isabella Johnstone. I love this sampler, and I'm really having fun stitching it. I'm using 45ct. vintage Lentil with the called for Belle Soie silk. I'm having better luck with this silk now that I'm using shorter lengths.

If you want to see what the four-legged ones have been up to, check this out. One more thing, Cari asked what I named my iPhone. She's Isabel.

28 comments:

Faye said...

Love that charm bracelet~~~ You wont sneak up on anybody wearing that one!!! LOVE IT~ Faye

staci said...

That is an Awesome bracelet! Happy Anniversary!!!

Laurie in Iowa said...

I had no idea that there were movable charms. The bracelet is lovely and may it bring you years of pleasure.
Love the 'cow' sampler.

MyLifesAStitch said...

OH my!!! That bracelet is AWESOME!!!! I am jealous!!! Good for you!! I'd love to see some close up shots of those charms (no pressure, though! :) )! Great find!

Your progress is really looking fantastic, too. She is just beautiful... sigh... yet another to add to my "someday" list. I can always count on you for inspiration. :)

Margaret said...

That is one awesome bracelet! Wow! Great choice for an anniversary present! And yes, I usually at least tell my DH what I want for our anniversary, if not going and buying it for myself. :D

As for Isabella, OMG! She's gorgeous!!!!!! Ack!!!

Unknown said...

That bracelet is a real treasure!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Love the charm bracelet, Tanya! I have a several charm bracelets myself and I wear them all the time and get lots of comments. I don't think though that I've seen one with as many awesome charms as yours has! I love it.

The sampler is looking GREAT!

Stef said...

I'm so envious, I love the bracelet! Oh and Berwick is probably a village and it's located on Tweed river. Congrats on your beautiful find and your anniversary!!!

Katrina said...

Gorgeous bracelet!!! Happy belated anniversary too I buy my own presents too, LOL.

And I love the cow sampler!

Cari said...

OH MY GOSH --- I love your charm bracelet. Good for YOU! And love your stitch!! It's such a fun piece!! Have a great week!1

Alice said...

Such a pretty charm bracelet and great stuff to collect. Yep, I also buy my own anniversary gifts. Shhh, don't tell DH! You sure have progressed with Isabella. An iPhone with a name? : ))
Alice

Kelly said...

Love the charm bracelet. I have some of the charms on mine. That thing must weigh a ton!! It is so full. Happy Anniversary.

Bertie said...

Love your charm's and like the history to accompany them Tanya.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berwick-upon-Tweed

Have a look here and you will see the history of Berwick, but maybe you found this already?

Unknown said...

Love, love the charm bracelet - what fun! Especially the Virginia charms.

Great progress on Isabella.

Enjoy your day!

Kellie said...

That bracelet is beautiful! And the charms you described sound really neat. I bought my own anniversary present this year. It's win-win. He doesn't have to come up with an idea, doesn't have to shop, gets credit for a great gift, we get something we like, everyone is happy. LOL!

Isabella is looking fantastic! :)

samplerlover said...

Another thing we have in common. I also love charm bracelets and I have 2 full of the most wonderful charms. One is full of charms from travelling around Europe. I also love ones that do things and open up. My other bracelets includes a silver urn that belonged to my Gr. Grandmother when she was little and is way over 100 years old. I also love the modern day version of them - Pandora bracelets and have 2 of them. I wear those all the time when I go out.
Isabella is looking wonderful. - Sandra.

Deb said...

I end up buying most of my gifts - just easier that way. I order them, give them to DH to wrap - and I get what I want.

Love the charm bracelet! I have a couple that I barely ever wear anymore. Probably because the kids used to always pull on them. Well, they're pretty grown now, so I should pull them out.

And love your progress on Isabella Johnson!! I just may have to add that to my list for future stitching!

mainely stitching said...

Those charms are amazing - thanks for sharing them!!

Melissa said...

Happy Anniversary to you! (That's our date too!) You are so clever to have found that charm bracelet!

Siobhán said...

Okay, you had said charm bracelet, but holy schmoley, that is a charm bracelet!!!!!!!!!!!!! My mouth is hanging open and I'm drooling all over the place. That is FABULOUS! I can't believe that somebody sold the bracelet but am so glad that somebody who appreciates it can treasure it now. That is neat neat neat. It also reminds me that I must call my mother & ask about her charm bracelet before she gives it to my nieces. ;D I have a charm bracelet somewhere, but I put it in a safe place and I can't remember where that safe place is. I can picture it in our old house but not here. AGH. I got a Pandora bracelet for Mother's Day but it's not the same as having my old bracelet.

Love your sampler progress, too!

Sherry said...

Love the charm bracelet! I have a charm necklace that I have added to over the year. Happy Anniversary!

Isabella is looking beautiful.

Kelly said...

Have I told you lately what a wonderful fantastic aunt you are!!!

woolwoman said...

Love your new bracelet and the pups new carriage is so cute! I see people around here riding children in those pull alongs but never pups - very cool! That Henry - what a scamp. Love your Isabella - you are flying along.
Mel

Terra said...

Now I am inspired to buy a vintage charm bracelet; yours is perfect.

ohiofarmgirl said...

What a fun collection...I think I might snoop around for a find of my own. Blessings, Dianntha

Irene Jones said...

Tanya
The charm bracelet is so wonderful what a great find. Do you mind telling me where you found it? Alas your samplers are to die for just keep getting better and better. You are truly gifted.

Michelle said...

Totally in love with your charm bracelet. I have three of my own (with charms I collected), but the charms seem to be harder and harder to come by these days. What a find you have there though. You need to show a closeup of the Tower of London inside though!!

Bertie said...

You make great progress Tanya, and am somewhat envious of you doing that on 45ct!!, which is only possible in a dream for me LOL.

Just love the bracelet.