The Embroidered Things I Love

I have always been drawn to vintage embroidered cocktail coasters. Maybe because of their small size and different designs. While looking through a stash of tossed away embroidery transfers from an estate sell that a dear friend had sent my way, I found a cute design perfect for such a coaster.

Of course, I always pull out my pink and burgundy floss first,which reminds me of rose buds and tea parties, I stitched this one........

then I turned to the sunny and cheery colors , which always remind me of daffodils in April, this one turned out nice....I think.

I think these kinds of things dress up a table and make everything so pretty! I am in the process of making several sets of these.......perhaps in sets of 6? In different sets of colors....however, they would also be pretty in mix match colors as well.

I love the way they can dress up a plain plate. Blue and white is always a wonderful way to decorate.

I am already thinking about what to give for Christmas....a set of these with a teacup and some tea in a small basket would be wonderful.....don't you think?

How about you? Do you like little pieces of embroidery...crochet....or even painted things? Do you use coasters and do you decorate your table with linens? I would love to hear.

Still Stitching Along

The towel sets that I am supposed to have finished before Christmas

are ever slowly stacking up.Stitching and trimming each one slowly at a time.

The fall afternoons are so pleasant that I have been taking my stitching outside. If you look closely at the photo, you can see my two helpers, Max and Boo, have given in to a nice nap. Napping will not do for me.....I still have so much more to stitch.

My question to you.......do you like to create your creations in the early morning......middle of the day....or late at night? I would love to hear!

A Busy Time At Yesteryear

An email discussion with a wonderful lady, Liz, wound up turning what I had intended to make for dish washing, into a beauty aide.

Liz had contacted me about my embroidered towels for her guest bathroom and had commented on the crocheted dishcloths being too pretty for dishes. I then told her about my new discovery of this wonderful soft cotton yarn and that the cloths could be facial washcloths instead, to go with the towels.
This wonderful cotton yarn is appropriately named! I love this cotton! It is so soft and yet so absorbant! Wonderful for crocheted dishcloths and soft enough for crocheted wash cloths.

I sold these two sets to Liz. When she received them, she emailed at how pleased she was to have these in her guest bath. (Thank you, Liz ) The darker cloth is supposed to look purple to go with the towels flowers....

here it is...it looks purple in the light...

Today, this shipment of towels just arrived. Another sweet lady I have embroidered for over the many past years wants 7 sets of embroidered towels before Christmas. The sets contain 7 towels each. My needles and fingers are going to be very busy. In the meantime, I will also be making more towels and wash cloths to hopefully sell in my on line shop soon!

What about you? Do you find the approaching holidays a time that you are busiest selling your wares? Which holiday is the busiest? I would love to hear.

A Butterfly Flew By

While out walking and looking for something great to photograph, this beautiful large butterfly seemed to know what I was doing,.......

and stopped by to pay me a visit. My photograph does not do it justice, however, it was so much more beautiful than what the camera reveals.
In the work I do, I get most of my inspiration from nature, such as butterflies and flowers. I have had this set of pillowcases just waiting to be stitched for the longest time. I usually embroider butterflies in the traditional yellow with black. After being visited by such a beautiful creature, I turned to my blacks, peacock blues, and soft blues. You can't tell much by this photo, but the peacock blue running through the black center is striking. The spots on the outside wings are a much bluer soft blue as well.

A sprig of leaves flow on each side of the butterfly.

I need to now add an edging to the bottom and I will have one more set of pillowcases complete. I am still getting my stock ready to sell.

Now......

what color of butterfly do you like best??? The large yellow and black Tiger Swallowtail? The black and red Admiral? Or the tiny blue or yellow butterflies flitting back and forth among the flowers?

I would love to hear!

Embroidered Buttons

I love the small designs in embroidery.

a rosebud.......a tiny butterfly.....
a blossom, no larger than a nickel or quarter.

I have stitched and accumulated a good amount of these tiny works of art.......

but what should I do with them?? I have at times used them as patches on my children's play clothes, to preserve a shirt or dress for a little longer wear........

and then......I started making embroidered buttons.

the main reason......I want to one day learn how to knit a sweater....

and I can just imagine an embroidered button or two on it!

also, at times.....I have used the embroidered buttons as pretty bows on special gifts, such as Mother's day....baby showers....

I love the way they have a vintage charm to them....

now.....

how about you? Any ideas on what to do with small pieces of embroidery....

do you do something special when you wrap a present for someone??

I would love to hear!

Slowly Building My Stash

The work I do takes so long that sometimes I don't realize how much I have actually gotten finished........

but ever so slowly my crocheted cloths are piling up.......
and my embroidered towels are getting finished!

In high hopes of one day actually having enough to sell.... I made up labels.

However....

Christmas is fast approaching and I love giving these things as Christmas gifts.....

maybe I will hang on to these and "give away" something different.

Do you have the same delimma? Do you finally get things made up and then wind up giving them all away? Do you find it hard to accumulate things to sell? I would love to hear how you solve that problem!

My Cup Of Cheer

The stitches are all done and in place..........

the border is on.....

as well as the backing.....



the quilt is finished!

It is a little larger than my usual miniature quilts. I wanted a cheery wall hanging to greet guests as they walk in....this little quilt is 24 x24 inches. Instead of "my cup runneth over" ...I titled it..." My Cup Of Cheer". I really enjoyed designing and embroidering this quilt. When I finally decided on the border....it just popped..."cheery!" I am now thinking on something larger.....more for the bedroom. I have never finished a full size quilt....I think now I will! How about you? Have any of you made a full size quilt? How long did it take? Did you purchase the fabric or is the material from loved one's garments? I would love to hear!