Although my work basket is full

of the various embroidery projects I have already started and am in the middle of stitching........

I have decided to ..........and I say very seriously......"attempt"  

to embroider this lovely Victorian lady. 

This is one of Raphael Tuck & Sons prints/postcard.

I discovered Raphael Tuck & Sons a little while back , and was 

captivated with the images of lovely Victorian ladies, with their large hats, adorned with roses..... and then there are the sweet children ......little girls and babies ...dressed in pinafores......surrounded with flowers.  

 I have always loved the Victorian rose and floral images for as long as I can remember...........

but now........my attention is on the ladies, with the large flower covered hats. 

 What caught my heart the most......is the soft colors used to create these beautiful images. 

I have not worked the stitch concept out yet..........but I have picked out the color of floss that closely matches the picture.

When I come back here........in a few days........weeks???  I hope to have a stitched 

photo to show you.

So.........how about you? Do you love Victorian era art......or images?

What is your favorite?  Roses, floral.......or ladies and children?

I would love to hear!

I only had a glimpse of two things hanging from a box ......at an estate sale

and knew instantly that this piece had to go home with me...........

I first saw a glimpse of this incredible pink embroidered flower,

and the hand crocheted lace edging hanging over the edge of the box...........

with a sign........that read

50 cents each.  

As I pulled the piece out of the box, I was saddened to see this large hole

and other holes worn in one area

and the leaves...........beautiful, but the embroidery decayed off.

As I held the piece up, another lady, who was behind me, commented

"that  cannot be used.......it is ruined"

but you all know me well...........I was thrilled to put it in my pile,

and away it went home with me.

The piece is made of linen........and I was able to find , in my stash,

the same weave and color of linen for the hole repair.

I spent a few days, hemming, trimming and sewing in place the pieces

of linen to cover the holes

Looking closely, one can see that there is some kind of difference in the surface,

but all of the holes are covered and the whole section is sturdy and complete

The pink embroidered flowers by the way...........had no wear.........it was only the green embroidery on the leaves for some reason.

I tried to match the green floss closely and spent the rest of the week embroidering over the 

worn leaves

and now they all look crisp and new

The design on this piece is lovely...........

now it is a beautiful 25" X 25" square table piece..........ready to be enjoyed again.

To think that it could have easily been thrown away after the sale........or used for a rag...........

it now has been 

repaired, restored, and re-loved!