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

Friday, August 28, 2015

I started embroidering this set of coasters............way back.........in 2011

that's right.........really should have been through with them a long time ago
 However, as many of you stitchers know .........UFOs ( un finished objects) 
can hang around for quite awhile. But this year I made it my goal to finish these coasters..........
and last night........in the wee morning hours.........I laid my needle and scissors to rest.
These are the kinds of linens I want to have for sale in my shop...........however, I also want a set for myself. So I began ............hand tracing ........each design......twice, onto a large piece of cotton fabric. One set for my vintage shop.......one set for me!!  I then started embroidering..........but as many of you can relate to........life often took me away from my needle...........and I always started something new to stitch on.............

so once again, I pulled the piece out of my work basket and embroidered on it a little...........then a lot.....each day..  The design is an Aunt Marthas Hot Iron Transfer. I drew the scalloped border around each design. After I was through embroidering the flowers I then had to hand embroider each scallop edging of each coaster using the closed butionhole stitch.
I then had to carefully cut each one out.

I could not decide whether I wanted a full color Carnation or a speckled one........
so I embroidered both

I have a vintage plate with Violets painted on it........
I used that to go by as I embroidered this coaster.

I often looked up the flowers in a book or on the internet  to get the right coloring

and sometimes I just chose a color I liked the best.

I also chose an antique white color of fabric because I knew I would have a few flowers that would need to be embroidered in bright white. I wanted them to show up and I also wanted a vintage look to the coaster set.

I almost chose a light pink for this Rose coaster.......because I love light pink roses.......but this color did well I think.

I wish I had actually embroidered the Larkspur in a purple color. But I once raised Larkspurs and there were a few light blue that were so pretty that I chose blue for this coaster.

The Gladiolas always look pretty in golden yellow  to me.

The Aster that grows here on the prairie is a pretty purple, so I chose to embroider this coaster that way.

I have never heard of Calendula flower, so I looked it up and they are a pretty vibrant yellow flower. 

I love light purple or lavender Chrysanthemums.....
don't you?

Again.......the white Narcissus.....
it can be seen well.
(If you right click onto the photos you can get a better view of the embroidery)
I do plan to use my coasters. 
I cant wait to have a large group of family or friends over for dinner and to be able to hand each one a coaster for their birthday month to use!

How about you?  Have you gotten any of your UFOs out of the way?
I would love to hear!

15 comments:

Laurie said...

Wow! These are beyond words! You do such beautiful work, and the skill and patience involved really shows in each of your coasters. I think I can pick my jaw up now, and get to work on my grand daughter's quilt so it will be done by October. It's been too long working on it. Thank-you for sharing your beautiful work!

Unknown said...

Your needlework is amazing! Such detail and beautiful colors. A coaster for each month, your guests will be so pleased. I love how the the white stands out on the Lily of the Valley and Narcissus. I raised Calendula and they are a very pretty flower.

janice15 said...

Very sweet they are.. I keep forgetting to ask you about the table cloth... My mind is so busy these days I can barely remember my name anymore.. Happy Weekend with love Janice..ps thank you for your dear visit..

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Those are so sweet. Lovely work.

Have a great weekend ~ FlowerLady

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Well, my first thought was who on earth would use such beautiful work for coasters.

In reading your commentary, I hung on every word, perused each picture in awe of your stitching. My jaw dropped when you mentioned that you stitched each scallop. My eyes popped when you said you carefully snipped the fabric away. WHO DOES THAT?!? Well, only one answer. Someone who dearly loves embroidery and has honed her skills with years of practice.

I would not and could not use these for coasters. My environment is rather rustic and filled with raucous dogs and grown boy grandsons that often act like children. But I can definitely see a china tea cup sitting on top of one of these lovely pieces....but not at MY house. (lol)

I absolutely love your stitched flowers, but of course the violets are my favorites.
xx, Carol

hron said...

What a "labor of love" and what beautiful work you've done! These are truly new/old treasures!!!! Thanks for posting!

Shami Immanuel said...

Very very beautiful, pretty, cute. U r so patient to embroider so much. Great job.

lil red hen said...

Kathleen, these are so beautiful! Your work is always perfect! I need some of your patience to do embroidery work. The scallops are just what the coasters needed to finish them off. I have two WIPs, started by someone else, which I am considering for work this winter.

Wren said...

Wow, you have more patience than I do, especially with hand work!!

Karen said...

Each one of these is absolutely beautiful! I love the colors you chose and your stitching is perfect as always!

Flora said...

Wow! Beautiful work! You have lot of patience.

Sandra said...

Wow, to stitch not one...but two sets is really an accomplishment. So many stitches! The borders alone are amazing and then you add in all the pretty stitches and colors on the centers. So happy you finished this and shared with all of us. And so happy you will have a set to keep for yourself. I just finished a large embroidery; the Rose Quilt top. http://mylinenembroidery.blogspot.com/

Sandra

Marianne said...

Kathleen! These are lovely, and I understand completely wanting to sell a set and keep a set, but all the work!! Well, it was worth it, because they are wonderful. I think you were chose the perfect color for the rose. I like light pink roses, too, but this color stands out so beautifully. And I love the light blue for the larkspur. You seem to always make the right decisions.

I'm moved now, but the organizing and getting everything out from the middle of the living floor and off the counter tops is my next big project. I'm exhausted! But I must give my 25 year old son, Robert, his due. He was a blessing Saturday and Sunday - I really could not have done it without him. We had much better weather for the move, but the mosquitoes decided to come alive. Robert kept focused on the momentum and the task at hand and worked through being bit by the pesky insects, the heat, as well as a blister on the back of his heel. He never mentioned it, except that I noticed it. He was a beacon of light for me during those two days, and I cherish that.

Well, I must be on my way. Have a wonderful and creative day, my friend...

Marianne xo

Debra said...

These are so very pretty! I can see a lot of work went into them. My grandma would have adored them....

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

How beautiful! I brought some crochet supplies to do that while we are here. I'm not sure yet what I'll work on. Enjoy your afternoon! Hugs, Diane