Carol Curtis Catalog

When I grabbed the transfer envelopes at the antique mall the other day I really only gave them a glance. Just a peek to see if they were worth the dollar marked in pencil on the faded flap. I had no idea what a gift these were going to be.

"Revolutionary" 

They appear to be monthly packs of needlework that could be purchased through the monthly WorkBasket magazine.

Mail order the number from the catalog.

To receive the corresponding Revolutionary color transfer.

Heat transfers that were the first of their kind.

Detailed to perfection.

Two sheets per order.

Colors and stippling I remember on Mama's kitchen towels.

Colors that are true to their period.

Along with instructions and ideas should you need them.

Perfect...but there was more.

Stitching patterns from floral to nursery themes.

This baby slipper made me sigh.

Sheet after sheet of daily needlework. So many that I lost count of the pictures I took. Never used simply waiting to be remembered. Three dollars for a peek at the past. I lingered with my fingers over the raised print and thought about the woman who must have eagerly awaited their arrival each month in the mail. Time spent around the radio at night as a family, hours at the kitchen table watching a boiling pot. It was such a pleasure to slow down and enjoy the simplicity of this beautiful pastime.