OK, first for the giveaway. My dear friend, the random number generator at random.org, drew for me. And the winner is...
No. 56! That would be Denise, of First A Dream. Congratulations, Denise, and welcome to blogging, too. Denise is a new blogger, so I hope you all will stop by and say hello. Denise, please email me at mrcarroll@optonline.net with your name, address and phone number, and I'll get your print right out to you. :)
Next, I have a question for you all: How do you feel about monograms? I think I have mixed feelings about them. When I was younger, I thought they were a little pretentious. But now, I've begun to change my mind. And thrift store silverplate is the reason.
I love it.
I can't get enough of it.
Of course, I do have to point out that most of the monogrammed flatware I have doesn't actually have my own monogram on it. But that doesn't matter. I think what draws me is the beautiful letter designs, and the thought that someone cherished these pieces enough to place their initials on them.
Be sure to click on the images, so you can see the monograms more clearly. And let me know where you stand on the monogram question. Inquiring minds want to know. :)
Posts
I've always liked monograms. I started a tradition a couple of Christmases ago of giving my sons something with their initials monogrammed in it. They like it!
ReplyDeleteThe silverware is beautiful against the deep red background, Mary.
And I never knew of the giveaway, darnit!!
I love monograms. I actually don't have anything with mine on, but we have both silver cutlery as well as linen with my husband's grandmother's monogram on and now it actually is the same initials as my 3year old daughter. So it feels a bit special for her to have these later in life, if she wants to.
ReplyDeleteI particularly like silver and linens that have monograms. When giving a gift, it makes it so personal. And then, like you said, it adds to the intrigue in the future.
ReplyDeleteI have also collected a few pieces of silver and silver plate with monograms, at first I started not to buy it because it wasn't my monogram but the pieces were so nice I couldn't pass them up. I also have some linen and vintage hankies so pretty with the lace.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Denise, I'll jump right over and give her a shout out:>) I love old monogrammed silver. I don't think anyone cares what the letters are, it is all so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLike monograms; often have LLBean bags monogrammed...does this count? If I had such a thrift store near me, I can definitely see myself falling in love with such pieces.
ReplyDeleteThe monograms are wonderful! I like the quirkyness of all of them mismatched together.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Rosie
I am a Southern girl (GRITS) so I love monograms. I collect my silver pattern with monograms at consignment stores to get my fix!
ReplyDeleteI love these monogrammed pieces. You know, I never thought to go ahead and pick up pieces that I like that don't have my monogram on them. You've opened up a whole new world for me...
ReplyDeleteI do like monogrammed items, especially silverware.
ReplyDeleteYours is lovely.
Rhonda
I don't know that I've ever thought about it. I liked personal monograms once I got married because I never had a middle initial until I was married (mom couldn't think of a middle name that went with Charlane). But these are beautiful because they have the preloved patina. I love those soft worn scratches.
ReplyDeleteI have some of my grandma's pieces that are monogrammed, and I love feeling the connection with her when I use them We received some monogrammed towels when we got married and I loved them.
ReplyDeleteThey are absolutely gorgeous, I love monograms. My Mom has given me many pieces of silver throughout the years, I cherish them. What a lovely collection you have.
ReplyDeleteJen
I just LOVE monograms & have jumped on this with gusto this past year, from pillows to lampshades & anything else I can think of. Your flatware is just beautiful & if I find some monogramed, I will snatch it up too, no matter if it's my initials or not.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Mary! Your pics are gorgeous, as usual.
I have come to ADORE monograms, and have decided now that I need to shop at YOUR thrift store!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like we all have great taste! I love monograms too. You have found some gorgeous silveware, Mary. I have a few and always on the lookout for more.
ReplyDeleteDonna
Since I was a teen going to the flea market with my Mom (way back in the 70's!) I have loved linen and silver that is momogrammed. I have an assortment too, loving the piece or the engraving though it may not correspond to my own initials. I have gotten lucky a few times and found S, G. or K's which do relate to family names. A few years ago my MIL gave my serving spoons and napkins all with our monogram. I guess she finally "gets" me, huh? I think there is a timeless grace and beauty to those old pieces that wear their family "crests" for us to continue to enjoy. And if found at a bargain, all the better! Collect on Mary! I'll race you to the thrift! Bramble
ReplyDeletePS..We had an overnight guest not too long ago who thought it wonderful the pillows she slept on had R monograms just for her!
Oh, I do love monograms. I always feel for those whose monograms happens to spell out something undesireable. My favorite pair of pajamas are in white cotton with my monogram on the pocket!!
ReplyDeleteMonograms bring a whole personal story to a useful item. If they belonged to my great-aunt or Nana, the story I may know, however it becomes more interesting if I can imagine my own story. :o)
ReplyDeleteI have always loved monograms, perhaps because they were pretentious. Remember those monogrammed circular pins that were used to highlight Peter Pan collars in the late 60s? I had one and also the monogrammed earrings to match. Always trying to outrun my blue collar roots or something..
ReplyDeleteJanet
I love them. It gives them history and makes me wonder about the people that owned them. I especially like linens with monograms for some reason.
ReplyDeleteI really like all those lovely utensils with J btw.
Monograming silver
ReplyDeleteis the icing
on the cake.
Congrats to Denise!
ReplyDeleteI like monograms, but I don't have any! Maybe someday.
I also love monograms. I don't have to many pieces, but I think it makes it a personal item
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Monograms on silver seems to me to signify a very momentous event, most especially a wedding. Imagine the tables that were graced with your finds! They are like a tangeable link to the past.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thrifty Hunting :)
I love monogrammed things.
ReplyDeleteThey are more personal and have a certain elegance to them.
I enjoy your photos so much.
Your photographs are beautiful...love the sepia look with the old silverplate...I love the old monogrammed silver and silverplate but would never buy it new for myself...the future generations will have a harder time finding monogrammed lovelies like the ones you have found!...
ReplyDeleteI love monograms. Have none, but think they are beautiful, especially on silver or china.
ReplyDeleteDi
The Blue Ridge Gal
Monograms make anything special. It does not matter whose it is, it is still special in my eyes. When you hold it in your hands, you have to wonder who cared SO much...
ReplyDeleteMona
I love monogrammed silver. When my grandmother died 20 years ago, no one wanted my great-grandmother's sterling silver with a "D" on them, not even those relatives with the "D" last name. I said I didn't care and took the service of 12, which I have used and loved hundreds of times. Sally
ReplyDeleteHi Mary....I love monograms and I'll never forget what Martha Stewart said once about them. She buys silver and linens with other people's initials then she tells people the item was inherited by a family member....I thought that was awfully clever, but then again that's what makes Martha Martha...your milk glass in the picture, my daughter got me the exact same piece for Christmas....I love it!
ReplyDeleteI love vintage silverware with or without monograms...but I do love the monograms....
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Penny
Monograms are perfectly fine with me...a few years ago I was in a thrift store and bought a beautiful plate monogrammed in gold...of course not with my initials...I hung it upside down in a plate grouping in my dining room and it looks great....but I also bought a gorgeous monogrammed purse and the initials were exactly the same as mine....
ReplyDeleteBlessings...Betty @ Country Charm
I like 'em! An antique booth was having a closeout sale before Christmas and I bought a set of silverplate for my 20 year old daughter. It is monogram-less but still beautiful. And the monograms can stand for whatever you like--Joyful, Surprise, Lovely....!
ReplyDeleteDear Mary, I love monograms on cutlery, napkins, tablecloth etc. I love the intricacy of the letters. I introduced my daughter to your blog. She was so enchanted with your "Little Red House she started her own blog. http://marie-louiseliving.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteThese are truly wonderful...
ReplyDeleteI LOVE monograms. I have a few bits and pieces of silverware. One set says 'Emma'..be still my heart and one simple, yet lovely spoon says 'Bessie'. Others have a single letter. I love monograms on linens too..and brooches and oh I just LOVE monograms!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love, love monograms - I think they just elevate the beauty of any pieces with monograms on them! :) I enjoy seeing all your monogrammed silver pieces.
ReplyDeleteANYTHING monogramed is perfect...to me. I love monograms.
ReplyDeleteAll your silver is very pretty. That is one of the things I've not collected ......yet.! Remember...I am TRYING to de-clutter but when things as beautiful as ;your silver comes around, how does one resist? HA...look who I'm asking !! ;>)
xo bj
I am still soooooo thrilled that I won your beautiful photo! It's going to be such fun to frame it and decide on the perfect spot. The idea of winning something, in itself, is wonderful. I've had an extra bounce in my step ever since I found out. THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteI shouldn't have stayed away for so long! I see I missed a chance at a beautiful giveaway!
ReplyDeleteLOVE monograms, whether they fit me or not, and have many of them in my oddball collection of silver plate silverware.
ReplyDeleteI love letters, so it stands to reason I love monograms- in moderation. Having monograms is a little difficult for me. I remarried which makes my last name different than my oldest two daughters' and they are still young enough that I don't want to accent that difference right now.
ReplyDeleteLove 'em. (Southern girl here too.) I buy them all the time partly because the art of hand-engraving is a dying one. When my granddaughter, Ella, was born, I began collecting pieces with that name on them. The old tradition was to give a girl a sterling spoon for every life event (8th grade graduation, etc.), and the spoon was engraved with her first name. I even have a flat server engraved, " For Mother, from Ella." This one will go to my daughter some day soon. In Sweden I found a large Russian sterling spoon with a large Art Deco style "LA" on it. Perfect for my daughter, Lee Ann, who spent some very important years in Los Angeles, and so was nicknamed "LaLa." What fun!
ReplyDelete