Pages

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Baking Poodle (2nd Towel Update)

Guess what? Yes! Finally was able to do a bit of stitching!
The circumstances weren't the best, but by doing some embroidery I ended up turning a lemon into lemonade ;-). Below is the progress made so far. I modified the original pattern to fit my needs.

An injured lower back meant down time, so out my stitching came! Spent a couple of days housebound treating it.... it was so painful to walk, bend, reach, trying to sit and get up, etc. 
Much better now, thankfully! With lots of TLC, alternating between: heat pad, muscle ointment, medication, massage, and gentle movements. I'm almost back to normal! Here are a few other pictures of the progress (in regression).

Above, stitching at night with the help of clip-on-light. I was so close to be done that didn't want to stop, but my back was telling me it was enough. I'm afraid it may not be completed soon now that I'm better... you know, trying to catch up with everything that couldn't be done with an injured back. So close to be done!

At the time I had a taste for a piece of Lemon Poppy Seed cake with raspberries for garnish.. yummy!  If I bake it I'll probably eat half of it in a day or two (embarrassingly true). I never used to like the lemon homemade icing that I made, until I found a recipe online that called for butter in addition to the regular ingredients, and heating it in the microwave for (30 seconds? can't recall at this moment). It tastes great! No after taste of powder sugar... which I totally dislike. 

Stitching these french knots I hold the hoop upside down in order to be closer to that area for ease of stitching. I certainly do not bake wearing a pearl necklace ;-)... but it does gives the look of glamorous homemaking ... LOL. When seeing printed vintage advertising, it makes me wonder if ladies in the 40's did wear make up and high heels while doing chores. Do you know? 
Well, I let you go now ;-). Hoping next week will be a great one for all of you! Oh! Just in case you will like to stitch this Baking Poodle, I'm leaving it here for you ;-). Enjoy!!!


Sunday, May 21, 2017

Hand Towel, Kitties!


One of the towels in my last order made it to my little ones' bathroom. I think this design could pass for a hand towel ;-).
Don't think this pillowcase design is vintage, since it's still in circulation by Fairway Needlecrafts Co. , design no.83079 Two Cats. They have it available on their website, and through other sites like Amazon, and 123Stitch.
Still it is as cute as it could be, and my little ones love it! 
They like hand embroidered items, so I'll be stitching a couple of hand towels (by request) for their bathroom... when I complete the few projects that are already hooped. 
Haven't been able to to stitch, but I think I might get a chance soon.
Hoping y'all have a nice week ahead!
Till later!








Sunday, May 14, 2017

Throwback: Vintage Patterns

Wasn't able to take pictures of the new decorative towels made with vintage embroidery, neither was able to squeeze time for stitching. This is why I'm posting a little throwback to some vintage patterns that although intended for pillowcases, they will look lovely on kitchen towels as well. 

Things have been hectic with the move and all that it entails, plus I've been having a few rough days.
Thankfully every time we brought boxes we emptied them practically right away, so not that many left. Our new place is smaller and with an open concept, so it is taking a bit to figure out how to arrange certain things. I'm loving not having to go up and down stairs! My knee joints get so stiff that I look like a robot with no knee joints coming down our previous home's stairs.

Maybe by next Sunday I'll be able to take some pictures of the towels and post them, hopefully. In the meantime I leave you with these pictures, taken last year, of some of the vintage Vogart embroidery transfers from my collection. 
Hoping y'all are doing well!
Till next time!

Sunday, May 7, 2017

The 2nd Towel and Chat

Here is a peek at the 2nd towel I started. Over a week since I started it, and have not been able to continue working on it. 
So much to do when moving, no time for stitching. When I'm not packing/moving/arranging/etc., I'm having to take it easy because of not feeling well.
The area where I'll have my new crafting space will not be completed for some time, so most crafty things will stay in boxes. Some I'll be sneaking into my kids' closets ;-), like my collection of iron on transfers and my craft books, no way I'll let those sit in the garage.
No need for digging out boxes, my travel bag is full of embroidery projects to keep me busy after we are settled in. Hopefully soon! 
The weather is a bit unstable, which triggers FMS flares and arthrithis. Yes, that last one ended up showing in some of my fingers' joints, and most likely is on my knees and hips. I knew something else besides fibromyalgia has been going on inside my body, because of how terribly bad the aching can get. Medication that will normally help, does nothing for the pain. Now waiting to test for which kind of arthritis. The RA factor came back negative, a bit of a relief... although I don't know if down the line things could change. Both, my mother, and oldest sister have RA. 
Well, enough with that :-). I still have lots of things to be thankful for, so many things I can still do! My faith, family, friends, voluntary work, beautiful sunsets, baking, etc.,... and of course, I can still hold a needle in my hand ;-)!
Next time will try to post about some of the other kitchen towels from the 2nd order. 
May y'all be well! 
Enjoy the week ahead! 
Till later! 

Monday, May 1, 2017

A Housewarming Gift (Part 1/ Picture Heavy)

In my quest to have a year round supply of hand embroidered towels to display and to use on my new kitchen, the second towel is already hooped. However the ones I'm stitching will get use, so the search for decorative kitchen towels took place.

These towels are made by recycling and upcycling vintage hand embroidered linens.... they are so lovely! Showed my husband, and he gave me green light! Ordered 4 first to be able to see them up close, fell in love, 2nd order was place (arriving today). Since they are currently on sale (were 50% now 30% off), and the fact that the shop owner mentioned in one of our convos that this kind of towel might not be offered in the future, what is a girl to do than stock up on towels. 
Today I will post the four I received on the first order. Posting, not to show off a purchase, but to share the beautiful hand embroidery work of needleworkers of past generations! Also, if some of you were looking for a deal on towels then perhaps this source might prove helpful. Did you noticed the birdies beaks? She/He that stitched these birds payed attention to detail by outlining the beaks in dark thread and filling in with yellow, gorgeous effect!
These close ups let the details pop. Love me some hand embroidered eye candy! I find joy in studying the work of needleworkers of previous generations. Do you? In this Love towel, the lazy daisy stitches are gorgeous and so uniformed. The word Love was beautifully outlined in stem stitch and then lightly filled in with straight stitches in a complimenting shade. The french knots are tiny and well done. This needleworker was experienced, plus that simple crocheted lacy trim.... gorgeous! I will love to learn how to do delicate trims.
The Love towel also has a very small area worked on a different color thread,... she/he must have run out of green thread and "made do" with what she had on hand. Thrifty and resourceful indeed!
This orchid is lovely stitched as well! Love all the different shades used in the bloom, the neatly done stitches, and that dainty trim!
This towel is another example of lovely hand embroidery work! Do you see the centers of the brighter flowers... they are clustered with tiny french knots, so pretty! Plus the petals are all lazy daisy stitches, so many of them in varied lengths for a beautiful effect. I'm learning a lot from studying these vintage embroidered pieces.
Personally prefer to display towels with lovely hand work in my kitchen! It warms my heart, and makes the space cozier and homey... in my opinion.
They came beautiful packaged... so that is a plus, great for gifting.
Well, that's it for now. Later I'll show you the ones that are arriving today, and the ones I'll be stitching for use.
Hope you have a great week! Ours will be very busy.
Till later!

PS: Non-affiliated Link:
Two Girls Laughing... decorative towel shop on Etsy.