There's a shelf in my kitchen

holding up an assortment of things that I love................

teapots and teacups, covered in roses and flowers..........along with old platters............

and then there are the Atlas and Mason jars..................

I love them. I love the color of the blue Mason

and the intricate designs on the Atlas. Most of these jars came to me from my mother. My mother is the best cook...........ever................in the world.............I promise!

 Anyhow, one year at Christmas time, she labored and cooked away in her tiny kitchen and brought to my husband, myself, and our 3 small children.............these jars...........

filled with homemade fudge, chocolate drops..........and cookies of every shape and flavor. Some she filled with her homemade picante sauce.............which I can never make taste like hers........no matter how many times I make it.  Out of all of the gifts and guests that year.............

I remember this...........and think about that time each time I look upon these jars that greet me each morning.

I also remember a wedding supper that I attended. Each table had Mason jars filled with wildflowers that had been freshly picked that day.........

such a sweet touch to a special event.

This is one of the designs that I created for my

hope to get published.............I really need a publisher.............

embroidery design book.............

which I am still working on and adding to..........

A Mason jar...................

and you know I had to fill it with flowers................

It's on a blank piece of cotton fabric for now..............I can't decide what I want to make with it............

any suggestions??

How about you?

What do you like to put your picked or cut flowers in?

Is it a milk glass vase from your grandmother's............or is it unique shaped jar?

What flowers do you love best in your vases?

I would love to hear!



I have always loved shirts

with a plaid or checkered design. 

 Especially an open black and white checkered design like this. 

It is the perfect "blank canvas" to an embroidery artist like me.

The first thing I decided to embellish was the pocket. I could just imagine stitching flowers, leaves, and vines, spilling from inside and over the top of the pocket.................

 

like this.

 

(click on photo for a better view)

Already, this ordinary shirt is taking on a new life. Next, I am going to stitch flowers that drape across the other shoulder and onto the the upper back............

what do you think??

How about you?

What do you find as a great "blank canvas" when it comes to embroidery??

I would love to hear!



I finished stitching up baby items

that I previously posted about............

and they are now for sale in my Etsy shop

Yesteryear Embroideries

a collection of bibs created with nostalgic charm..........

and sweet baby shoes in sweet baby colors.

Now it's time to create something else.............

and at this time of year I have a lot of inspiration. The grounds here on the farm are bursting in vibrant colors from the Zinnia gardens I have planted.

Zinnia are my favorite flowers.

They always have the prettiest color palate.......from soft pastels

to bold and vibrant. I love them!

And what can be the best inspiration for an embroidery artist?............

to have a delightful , brightly colored visitor to buzz in and around the flowers. This is a perfect picture for embroidery design.......don't you think?

 

Also...............my favorite thing to grow are pumpkins. Every year I plant pumpkins out in the back of the grounds...........delighting in a walk to go out and see them. This year, I wanted to be able to look out of my window as I am writing and to see these large leaf vines and enormous orange globes. So I planted them in the front yard. As you can see, it turned out to be a good spot.

I have a pumpkin still growing and it is already 49 inches around! I also have decorative gourds growing. To see these and to read more on that subject, hop over to the farm blog by clicking onto the link.........

Eggs In My Pocket

 

So tell me. What is growing in your gardens now that fall is on the way?

What inspires you most..............butterflies gracefully floating and flitting..............

or a pollen heavy bumble bee making it's rounds to each flower?

I would love to hear!