I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

Sharing a common thread with those who love the art of hand embroidery

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Welcome to a tour of my country embroidered home.........

I often get emails from blog land readers and friends who ask if I, myself, use my own embroidered linens in my home...................
I  use quilted and crocheted items as well!
Yes! I do. Not only do I use my own, I also use vintage pieces. I also use the many collections of dishware and cookware, throughout my home. So I will take you on a tour..........
starting with my kitchen. I love to collect teapots, dishware, and jars........


an old hutch holds a variety of utensils and kitchenware...........

my kitchen is full of roosters, chickens and rabbits.

I use my embroidered aprons and quilted embroidered hot pads.

A drawer in my kitchen holds many crochet dishcloths and hot pads..........
some crocheted by me.......
some crocheted by others.........
I love them all.

My embroidered towels, many featuring chickens and pumpkins get a good use in my kitchen,.

In the dining room the dining room table displays a vintage cut work tablecloth.

I found this beautiful tablecloth in a flea market, unused and un-valued..........
I bought it for pennies. I use it everyday.

Some of my stitched pictures are in the dining room and the living room. Many are earlier pieces that I had stitched years ago.

An old vintage night table........I use for the living room is dressed up in a wonderful cut work piece.......


once again, found and bought at a flea market.

The hallway holds my miniature quilts that I make from time to time.However, I am about to move them onto my new embroidery /guest room , (once I get it fixed up) and I will hang family photos here.

The back entry way also displays my stitched photos, and quilts.

A close up of some of my miniatures.

Even the bathrooms do not escape my needle.
The guest bathroom holds an old vanity dresser, which I place a pitcher and bowl, some guest towels,

and embroidered dresser scarves.

I love pulled thread work as well.

Each bathroom has one of my crocheted rugs.

My personal bath has the towels, I just finished working on,

a crocheted rug,
An embroidered dresser scarf for my heart box collection,
I used pinks and soft greens when embroidering this scarf,..........

My miniature perfume bottle collection is graced with a crocheted doily that a dear friend crocheted many years ago..........she has long since passed, and I think of her each time I see this.

The bedroom for now has embroidered pillowcases. I am currently working on a quilt for the bed.
So as you can see, embroidery can fit anywhere in the home..............
I am not afraid of using stitched linens. I feel they can always be cleaned when stains get on them, and they can always be repaired when minor holes or tears surface.
How about you?
What is your decorating preference. Is it country.........romantic cottage.......
or modern?
Do you display or use some of your creations in your home?
I would love to hear!

21 comments:

Sandra said...

I really enjoyed the tour of your home. You have made it a lovely place to live in. It is so special to be able to see and enjoy the many things that you have created. That is what a home is all about! Thank you for sharing!

Bev said...

Wonderful tour! Thank you!

GardenOfDaisies said...

Thank you for sharing your home with us. It all looks so cozy and comfortable. I love all the ways you use your beautiful embroidered and crocheted handiwork.

Zova couture said...

kathlene..It was realy a pleasure tour..I enjoyed ..each and every piece..my mother is having almost same like ur vanity dresser..I am seeing another world from ur blog..we mostly decorate our home with modern things..but I love to decorate my home with my own creations..thank u for sharing..dear..

Betty Lou said...

Your linens are so beautiful, I loved seeing them throughout the house. Thank you for the tour. Whenever I see handmade linens at flea market it seems such a shame that no one valued their beauty. I have a guest towel I made in high school with embroidered initial and a pulled thread work. I should get that out and put it somewhere.

Miss Holly said...

So much fun!!!! Thank you for the brilliant tour! I just adore the linens everywhere ....what a wonderful job you've done in your home....so inviting and warm...thankyou for letting us in!!!

twinpeakprimitives said...

I loved your way to expose yourself to us through the stuff which you 've collected/made and gathered! It was kind a travel to the past!

Thank you for taking us such lovely tour with you!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Your stitched treasures really do enhance your very country home. You have a lot of wood. I don't see that much. People are always surprised when they come into my home and find tongue and groove barn siding stained and varnished on some walls and ceilings. Its so cozy.

My home is decorated, in a word, eclectic. There is a bit of everything.

My husband would LOVE the chickens and roosters you have. We have quite a collection . Most are kept on shelves near the ceiling that surround our dining room.

He is a rooster and barn kind of guy. I am more new age and Big Cats. We both totally love Native American Indian and Buffalo.

Loved your pics.
xx, Carol

Twyla and Lindsey said...

I enjoyed the tour so much! Country style is closest to my heart. Thanks! Twyla

Gina E. said...

Oh Kathleen, we are soul mates across the Pacific! I just drooled all the way through your tour - and it has inspired me to do a similar thing on my home. Do you mind if I copy?? No, I didn't think so - lol! Your chickens and roosters are SOOOOOOOOOO gorgeous. I have quite a few, but maybe not as many as you. Doesn't matter - as long as they are loved!

Brenda said...

LOTS of beautiful vintage!! Your talent just amazes me. I love your the paneled hallway with the lovely minis. you have many wonderful pieces to pass down from generation to generation. Any family member or friend should feel blessed to get such treasures. i dearly enjoyed the tour.
Brenda
Down Memory La La Lane

Karen said...

What fun to be able to visit your home! I love your decorating style and I agree that it's fun to use stitched pieces around the house. I love your embroidered linens especially!

lil red hen said...

Thanks for showing us how you use your beautiful work in your home. I use vintage dresser scarves and some of my little quilts.

Be sure and show us your quilt when it's finished. o.K.?

Bev C said...

Goodmorning Kathleen,

Just love the rooster on your back entryway. Thanks so much for the tour of your home, it is great to see you using your crafty items around the home. I think years ago things were only brought out on special occasions, no wonder we all have items from our Grandparents etc.There is something very special about handmade linen, no need to turn it over to see where it was made.

Happy days.
Bev.xoxo

The Woodbury's said...

Thanks so much for the tour! I've always wondered what the inside of your home must look like...All of your handiwork is so pretty (I recognized at least one piece from back when you did it) -- and it's always so fun to find a treasure among the "heaps" that others disregard. I especially love how you have incorporated your treasures in every room. The whole house just says, "Welcome!" It is truly beautiful.

I haven't decided if my dream home is a log cabin or more of the English cottage style, but I think the vibe that you have going would work in either one. Thanks for the inspiration!

Hill Top Post said...

What a wonderful post! I so enjoyed the tour of your home and seeing the way you use your beautiful embroidered and crocheted pieces...so much inspiration!

letslearnembroidery said...

You have such a lovely house.Normally, I frame all my embroidered projects not wanting to stain them but seeing yours being used for daily use, I'm inspired.

Anonymous said...

Kathleen, thank you for the delightful tour. I loved seeing all the uses for your beautifully embroidered and crocheted items.

Blessings and love,
Marianne xo

A Colorful World said...

Each and every one of your wonderful stitched, embroidered, quilted, crocheted pieces whether made by you or vintage, are just wonderful! How lovely to have a home graced with such beautiful items!

janice15 said...

I had such a great time visiting your home all your things are just lovely...Happy Friday with love Janice

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

How in the heck did I miss this post? I love seeing all your handwork and that of others all about your home. Each and every one is so special and beautiful. I have crochet and cross-stitch everywhere! And so do lots of my friends because of me. :) Hope your day is great. Tammy