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

Thursday, September 26, 2013

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!


16 comments:

Cindy said...

Your kitchen shelf looks so pretty with the lace and jars. And your embroidery is wonderful! I really hope you find a publisher soon too:)
I like to use canning jars for flowers and I also use some old milk jars.

The Tea Lady's Journal said...

I have plenty of Milk Glass dishes and vases of every kind. All with the Grape Pattern. I love using canning jars for all different things; as well as using them for canning food. Love your designs; you always amaze me with what you come up with next. Always look forward to seeing your stitches!

Patty H. said...

I love your shelf!
I have a couple of the blue jars and lids that were my grandmothers. I love putting them on my table with flowers in them. I also have a couple of beautiful glass vases that I use for flowers.
I do hope you can get your book published.

Paula said...

Your design is so beautiful! I have lots of clear Mason jars but no blue... but I do have some treasured glass milk bottles with lids. I even keep milk in one of them... the milk stays SO COLD and delicious.

KathyB. said...

I am beginning to be a tad bit jealous of all you ladies with moms who were so devoted to you, God, canned & baked for you, cooked for you, loved you. I love this post, and it inspires me to be that kind of mom & grandma.

Anyway, I love the embroidery you showed, and I too have a collection of old blue Mason jars from my husband's side of our family where the women were godly, canned, preserved, and showed love & concern for their families and communities.

Hindustanka said...

Those jars are really nice, I do love simplicity of such things, and you can actually use them well. I think that design could go as kitchen towel, or can be put into frame for kitchen decor. :)

Preeti said...

Beautiful embroidery !! You may use it on a cover for any kitchen appliance

Karen said...

Love that embroidery, Kathleen! I'm anxious for your book to be published, too, I think it will be wonderful!

lil red hen said...

You make lovely designs, Kathleen! It's too pretty for a dish towel but I can see it used in the kitchen some way.

Love the old jars on display!

Anonymous said...

My first thought was a towel, but in this home that would be dangerous;-) I like Preeti's idea...less likely to get some damage.

Is there anything we readers can do to help you with a publisher? Google searches for example.
blessings, jill

GardenOfDaisies said...

That lucky four leaf clover jar is wonderful! Beautiful embroidery, as always. I use whatever I can find that has the right size "mouth". Canning jars, vases, milk glass containers, an old cookie jar without a lid, etc...

Anonymous said...

Kathleen, I love the design!!! Oh, I think it would look so pretty on a pair of kitchen towels. One towel with these absolutely lovely flowers and the second towel with a different type of flower - oh, maybe a little bee, too, on the second. I just adore kitchen linens. I loved your story about your mother and the mason jars. Wouldn't it be nice to add some of these warm stories to your book with the design.

Oh, I do pray that a good, happy publisher finds you...it CAN happen. I'll keep that in my thoughts.

Blessings for prosperity in all your dreams,

Marianne xo

Kath said...

What a beautiful design and a great way to honor the memory of your mother. Perhaps use it to make an apron so that when you wear it as you cook or bake, you'll feel the spirit of your mother in the kitchen with you.
I sure hope you find a publisher really soon, I'm dying to buy your book!

Unknown said...

What pretty little design. Does it come as a set of colors. it looks so vintage. I wish you luck in marketing it.

letslearnembroidery said...

That's quite a collection!The design is so pretty.I really admire your shading technique.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Now that in my book is the best gift ever. Homemade goodies prepared with love and gifted in a fabulous, reusable mason jar. Fantastic! Your design is so pretty. Best wishes, Tammy