crocheted curtain or crocheted tablecloth?

In between embroidery, I pick up my crochet hook now and then to play with different projects I hope to one day finish. Do any of you have several projects that you have not quite finished? Our home is a little over 100 years old, and it has very large over-sized windows through out with large wood framing. They measure 82 in. in length and 56 in. in width including the frame work. When I first saw them, while we were in the process of purchasing our home, my first thought was.... these need lace curtains, especially the dining room. While going through some older crochet material I have, I found the pattern for this beautiful square pineapple doily. I left off the scalloped edge so that I can join the squares together. Not sure how many it is going to take, and I have no idea when I will get them all finished. But I think they would be beautiful for a curtain. However, one friend who has seen them commented on how pretty they would be made into a tablecloth for our table. What do you think? Have any of you crocheted curtains or tablecloths ? If so, what did you fix to be able to hang the curtain. All suggestions, I am writing down and placing them with the pattern. So thank you if you can help!{:

Old becoming new again

I'm sure you have all noticed how older things we once knew from decades ago, have a way of showing up and being the latest new trend? I love dolls, especially Horseman dolls. The rubber bodied, no movable arms or legs, and with plastic sculpted hair. I also love making doll clothes. I have a box of unclothed Horseman baby dolls waiting for a wardrobe.( Another tucked away dream of someday fixing a wardrobe, plus a carrying case to sell with the doll. ) Last year, I was delighted to find in the pattern section, Simplicity pattern company has reproduced their baby doll clothes patterns. On the front of the envelope it says Simplicity archives and I think this is a pattern from around the 1960's. This pattern number is 4707 and has 3 sizes for the patterns. I had put this away, to use at a later date, but thought about it the other day after a visit with my friend Bell. I have mentioned Bell in earlier posts. She is 91 and along with her late husband, has spent years traveling to flea markets, stocking up her shop with wonderful antique finds. She still lives at home, can only get around with the help of her motorized chair, and still has a love for antiques and flowers. While visiting with her, I went on my usual round looking at her treasures. Lying on a pile of old dust covered magazines was this poor little doll waiting to be rescued. So here she is in need of a good scrubbing and a decent wardrobe. She is an Alexander doll, yet I am still not sure how old she is. So..... as soon as I get that tablecloth done....... well, I'm sure you all know how this story goes. {:

Time for trade days

The weekend was filled with the gardening and embroidery worked I had planned to do, yet, I was still able to "steal away" to a neighboring town for their trade days. We usually go at least once a year. Last year, I enjoyed the folks who brought their turkey, chickens and pheasants for sale. I also met the little old man who gave me the pine cone seeds and who planted the idea of raising pine trees in my heart. So as soon as we arrived, I headed out in search of these two favorites. I was so disappointed, as I did not find either one. However, all was not lost. I found these pretty cafe curtains at a booth for such a good price. They are from the Martha Stewart Collection. I did not buy them for my windows, I bought them because the embroidery and edging is beautiful. I was thinking how pretty one would be made into an apron perhaps? I still have plenty gingham and floral material that would also be pretty to go along with it, or it would be just as nice left alone with just a apron tie belt of white cotton added. I always hang on to something like this for a little while before I take scissors to it. Other ideas always pop up.

Coming along......slowly

I have been working on a tablecloth for a friend of mine......since November? Has that much time already gotten past me? If I had not been lured away with spring fever, playing out in the mud, and on the computer as much as I have been, I would have made more progress. One thing I have made myself a goal for, is to finish this tablecloth within the next 6 weeks. I have a short side panel done, and the eyelet swirls done all the way around. Now I still have leaves and roses to finish. If I did not have to clean house, cook meals, and run errands, I could do nothing but stitch all day! So I am determined to be more disciplined and will probably not post here until the weekend is over. Although I need to say, with all of the rain we got last night, I will also do some much needed work outside.{: The photos above show the picots, roses and leaves. I can't wait to have this done and to hear how it looks on my friends table. So for all of you, dear friends, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I will catch up with you next week!

A cookbook/cooking blog

Hello everyone, in case you have not found out already, I just started up a country kitchen blog. I hope to share cookbooks, recipes, and vintage kitchen finds along the way with other tasty tidbits. You can find my link on this blog or go to http://countrykitchenkat.blogspot.com/ . I hope you all enjoy it!

gathering inspiration

Hello everyone, hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I spent this weekend, working on a tablecloth for a dear friend. I really want to get it finished as she has just moved into a new home... a great house warming gift. Several have asked me about my esty shop... I would love to have one. My work is very slow in finishing, so it takes me a good long while to have things ready for sale. The things I have completed are usually sold to existing customers who are acquainted through the years with my work and are usually wanting to see what I have next. However, I have made myself an "etsy shop box" in which I am trying to finish one thing a month to place in there to get ready to "open shop" as they say{: . The previous posts showing the pillow cases and coaster sets are some of the items waiting. While I worked outside this weekend, I stopped to take pictures of the newest blooming flowers. They are such good inspiration for design and color in my embroidery. As it is getting warmer, the crawly creatures start showing themselves. I have found such beauty in spider webs and colorful bugs. Nature offers such a beautiful palette to work with.

Embroidered cocktail coasters

A few years ago, I stamped an ordinary cloth with various designs just to get the red ink off of the transfers. I find that if the red inked transfers are stored a long period of time, the design rubs off on other transfers. I then keep the transfer for later on and hand trace it on to what ever it is I want to embroider. I came across this cloth a few weeks ago and thought the designs were so pretty that they needed to be made into something. While browsing vintage textile sites, I have often seen little embroidered cocktail coasters in sets of 6 or 12. They are just as adorable as can be. These are a little larger, but still so cute for springtime and glasses of lemonade. I embroidered one and need to satin stitch or buttonhole the edges. I need to decide on two other designs, maybe a butterfly?