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!