Vintage Embroidery Lap Quilt Project: Bluebird

At last! The lap quilt project is out again ready for me to keep making progress on it. Cute bluebird is almost done, just need to finish its eyes. 

This design is part of a vintage Aunt Martha's embroidery transfer. 
Next block is a.... , well you'll see when I post another lap quilt update ;-) .
Until next time!

Count Your Blessings Update and Stash Enhancements

There was a lot going on this month, there wasn't much time for blogging. 
Thankfully I'm practically done with my personal goal for volunteer work hours, and we were able to commemorate de most important event of the year! 

Afterwards there were a few stressful days (homeschool year approaching its end, and personal health issues, missing loved ones, furnishing guest room, very sick kids, doubling up on keeping house as free of germs as possible, etc.). 

Now that things are calming down, I was able to do a bit of stitch therapy. Added some more stitches to the "Count Your Blessings" cross stitch design... cottage done, grass is almost done, one tree is in the making. Lots of progress compared to the last time I posted about it here.

Did a bit of retail therapy as well... blaming it on those stressful few days. Better go now, I'm in the process of making a chicken salad for brunch sandwiches... yummy! 
Be well! Until next time!

Another One Done!

Finally done with the Aster, part of the Aunt Martha's Flower of the Month embroidery transfer no.3813. 

Progress shot above, just because I love seeing pictures of work-in-progress hand embroidery work.

April will prove to be another busy month for my family. Leaving you with one more vintage embroidery pattern, enjoy!

Time for a Break!

I'll be taking a break for a couple of weeks from updating this blog. We need to wrap up the first homeschooling semester, and get ready for the second semester. It is time for kids' round of visits to the various doctors. Thankfully although in winter, we are having some days in which it will be in the 70's,.... crazy I know, but I'll take it! Easier for me to move around doing all those errands when it is warm.
So I leave you with this little guy that I don't think I've posted about before. It was stitched awhile back on the work-in-progress hand embroidered lap quilt.  

When taking the picture I noticed that I forgot to stitched the edge of the table, oops!
That's all for now, be well! Until next time!

Notes:
Pattern is Aunt Martha's embroidery transfer no.3243 Bruno the Bear.

Baking, Evening Stitches, Vintage Carnation

Yesterday's weather was less cold than previous days, which was nice for a break. We headed out to do groceries, and find materials for a science project for one of my kids. Once back, did some laundry, vacuuming, and fixed a quick dinner. A free evening to do some stitching! Started again where I left on the Aunt Martha's Flower Quilt I was making for my mom. I think this is the Aster bloom.

Made quite a bit of progress while re-watching Emma. I do not get tire of it, enjoy watching all the versions, but my favorite one is the BBC 2009 TV Series, with Romola Garai as Emma and Jonny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley. 
My 2nd favorite will have to be the 1996 movie with Kate Beckinsale as Emma and Mark Strong as Mr. Knightly.
Do you have a favorite period drama movie you don't get tire of?
I also like a few others by Jane Austen, but I prefer Emma.

Did the final stitches of the Bluework kitchen towel, will try to post a picture of it next time. 
This past Thursday was a rainy one. We stayed in and baked gluten free and egg free cookies, nut free banana muffins, and rum cake ;-). We did the semi-homemade approached by using box mixes for the cookies and rum cake. The muffins were from scratch.

Since all these pictures above were taken either on a rainy day, or in the evening, the lighting is not great... but you might be able to get the feel of how things went on my side of the woods.
Leaving you with a vintage embroidery pattern of a carnation... until next time!

A French Knot Away

A couple of evenings ago I almost completed this bunny,... just a French Knot away for it to be all done, and already started the next one! It was a productive evening with my embroidery needle.

It is getting bone-chilling cold, the type of weather that exacerbates achy muscles and joints. Medications do not always work... time for regular needlework therapy. Rearranged and organized all my hand embroidery projects to have them ready to go and within reach. Hope the weather is not bad where you are, and if it is that you are finding ways to cope well!

Thanks for stopping by! Until next time!

Back In The Stitchy Saddle

It definitely was a long unplanned break,... but now is time for a stitchy blog update! 

On the Count Your Blessings cross stitch project not much progress, but progress nonetheless. At least the house is up, now starting to fill it up along with the grass. Just taking my own time with this one. I'm learning a lot on this design, especially learning to keep the stitches tidier in the back, and that stiffed Aida is not my favorite fabric to stitch on. Will definitely use a soft Aida for my next cross stitch project. Cross stitching is not relaxing in my opinion, however I do enjoy seeing the design come to life little by little.

Remember my personal, long term, embroidery project using Aunt Martha's iron on embroidery transfers? (A little refresher here.) I picked it back up few days ago, and it felt so good! Simple and cheery, nostalgic and dreamy, cozy and meditative, choosing whatever patterns, colors and stitches that tickle my fancy. Very relaxing and therapeutic indeed, it definitely puts a smile on my face when I'm working on it... so will be keeping it out and work on it here and there. 
Until next time! Be well!

Notes: 
Count Your Blessings cross stitch design by Country Cottage Needleworks.
Aunt Martha's iron-on hand embroidery transfer no.675 Bunny Rabbit.

A Work In Progress and Completed Stitcheries

Clouds have lingered these past few days. Today the sun shined through, just for a bit before sunset, enough to take a few pictures of my projects ;-). 

Above is where I'm at on my Give Thanks project from Stitches from the Harvest book by Kathy Schmitz. Done with the chain stitch on the yellow pods, and practically 2/3 done with the brown stems/branches. Might work a bit more on it this weekend.

These, above, are all the completed stitcheries, and the WIP on the first picture.

Above is this month's One Stitch at a Time design. It was stitched by my daughter on a flour sack kitchen towel by Colonial Patterns. She used DMC threads.

From these ones, the Quilt on the Line and the Hop Along Stitches were also stitched by my daughter. She used Artiste variegated thread in Sugar Plum, and for the house with the quilt she used variegated Valdani 3ply thread in color M66. The other two were stitched by me. Fruit basket was August's One Stitch at a Time design, stitched with DMC Color Variations no.4129. For Skippy's Green Jumper I used DMC Color Variations no.4068, all these patterns are by Kathy Schmitz and available as PDFs on her shop (link at the end of post).
Last but not least is Mrs. Gardening Hen, my daughter stitched this towel as well!

Teaching her a bit about finances, I commissioned this towel from her. The colors were the ones requested and she did a nice job on it.... cash well earned! She did so much stitching this summer that it rekindled her interest in hand embroidery, even said that she was enjoying it! I thought to myself: "Mission Accomplished!" ;-) By the way the pattern for the hen is Aunt Martha's no.3942.
Maybe next time I have some cross stitch progress to show, also hoping to finished an English Paper Piecing project from last year's autumn. Enjoy the weekend! Until next time!

Notes:
Kathy Schmitz's Etsy Shop 

Reminiscing

At some point I will continue to work on this quilt. The one that was meant for mom. There are a few older blog posts about this project. When mom's health started to rapidly decline it took us (my siblings and myself) by surprise, it happened so fast, like a ride down a playground slide. My grandmother (mom's mother) lived for many years with Alzheimer's, even her late stages were quite long. We thought it was going to be the same with mom. Not so. Perhaps the fact that mom also had Lupus accelerated everything? Can't know for sure, but it is a possibility. Perhaps, all was clear all along and we were somewhat in denial? Maybe. What if the natural disaster that hit the area had to do with it? No matter how many questions we may ask, what we do know for sure is that the 'unexpected events befall us all'. - Ec 9:11.
For safety reasons only certain things approved by the caregiving facility were allowed in her room, handmade quilts weren't part of that approved list. Below is the last block I got to finished awhile back.

This coming November will be a year. Finishing it and using it will definitely keep many memories, happy and sad, alive daily. One of my sisters and my niece encouraged me to finish it, they were the ones that helped me stitched two of the blocks. I'm not sure if I'm ready for the rollercoaster trip of emotions that will come to mind once I continue working on it. A totally different mind set from the one I started with. Maybe I'll continue where I left in November.... or not. Just going to wait and see.
Hoping your day is going well!

Mouse Embroidery Finished!

Back in June, more specifically June 24th, 2018... I posted about the humble beginnings of this design. Now it's all done!

Pardon the wrinkles. Below you have a better view of the stem stitch.

Stitches used: back stitch, detached chain stitch (aka: lazy daisy), straight stitch, french knot, stem stitch, satin stitch.

Here are a few progress pictures in backward sequence:



Threads used were all DMC embroidery thread/floss. 

Aunt Martha's iron on transfers are so cute and easy to stitch! 
This particular one is no.3820 Mice Tea Towels from the Red Category (just in case you like to look in your local craft store).
This is how my lap quilt is looking so far.  Every other block will be hand embroidered using Aunt Martha's iron on embroidery transfers, with patches of fabric appliqué in the rest of the blocks.

As you can see, I have 3 other designs already transferred. The one with the red ink is a vintage out of print one. When I get to it will post envelope. Started on the bunny the day before yesterday and hopefully will get it done soon. 
I've been having lots of fibromyalgia flares recently, and combined with osteoarthritis... when the barometric pressure drops, the pain in my entire body goes beyond what I can bare.  Medication ease the pain a bit, once the meds takes the edge off the pain then I can focus a bit in something else. Stitching is therapeutic, especially when listening to spiritually upbuilding and encouraging mp3s. For some reason when I'm in pain reading is useless, I'm not able to focus, can't retain at all what I read. My hearing sense still functions well during a flare, so that's something I'm very grateful for! When meds don't work then I just completely rest.
Well, have to go now!  Until next time!

Non-affiliated links:
Aunt Martha's transfer no.3820 Mice Tea Towels.
Aunt Martha's quilt fabric top Retro Flower Print.

Mouse Stitchery and Cravings

Started this cute mousey couple of days ago while resting up a bit from a very sore and painful upper back muscles & neck. A good friend of mine and spiritual sister is also stitching from this same pattern (Aunt Martha's no.3820). In fact she was the one who motivated me to work on mine, she's doing hers on tea towels. Even though we do not live close by, we keep updating each other on our embroidery progress thru modern technology ;-). So bless to have a stitching friend! 
I'm stitching mine on my lap quilt project, may have to post my progress. As usual I have a few embroidery and english paper piecing projects going at once. Hoping to make considerable progress this summer on some of them, will definitely post updates as I work on them.

Now changing subject... the other day I had this intense desire for a burger, it had to taste as I was imagine it, LOL.   We jumped in the car to the nearest grocery store and grab ingredients, as soon as we got back I got busy in the kitchen.

Mmmmm, it was good! Just as I imagined it was going to taste. My choice of burger is a simple kind, with basic toppings, and this time with whole grain bread. Normally cheese-burgers don't get my attention, unless we are talking about a mushroom & swiss cheese burger ;-), but most of the time a simple well made burger is all it takes to take care of the cravings. Well, that's all for now, till next time! PS: Now I'm craving for another one!

Non-affiliated links;
Pattern "Mice Tea Towels" no.3820 from Colonial Patterns.

Snow Days (Updated)

Believe it or not, this little guy was the only progress I was able to make this weekend (so far).

We ended up getting 7 inches of snow. There was a lot going on here (2 sick kids), wasn't able to stitch as much.

Although snowed in, which normally will make you crave hot beverages, I was craving a virgin piña colada. Didn't have cream of coconut in my pantry (not the same as coconut milk), so I improvised. Threw in the blender some: crushed ice, pineapple juice, 2 bananas, a bit of agave nectar, and a delicious banana colada was the result! Enough for 4 generous servings.

What is your favorite beverage? 

Anyhow,  need to go and finish the laundry today instead of waiting for Monday... yippee, so exciting... :-/ Not! Vacuuming done, thankfully. More homeschool work to scan and upload tonight. Powder room done, bathrooms tomorrow. Sorry to be discouraging, but there are days that I'm full of energy and all up for it. Then I have days that I'm just dragging around, but still need to get things done.  If not I start seeing tumbleweeds instead of dust bunnies. Today was a draggy day, throw sick kids on top of that and... you know what I mean.

The positive of it is, if I'm done with all of it between today & tomorrow I'll have a less chore-y Monday!  
Will take a break from posting for some time. Enjoy what is left of the weekend and may the weeks ahead prove to be great for you!

PS: The goodies I ordered arrived today (delayed USPS delivery do to the storm), here's a peek:

Back On The Saddle... Sort Of

While listening to upbuilding material I felt the desire to pick back up one of my projects that's been on stand by for some time.
Start of it posted here, and these are the designs I've stitched on it so far:

(above: out of print vintage, Puppy Fashion Show no.3262)

(above: Busy Bee no.3681 and below: Dottie the Duck no.3400... both still in print)

So those three designs are the ones already embroidered on my quilt top... by the way, I really love the pre-printed blocks on this quilt top. Thinking of using those pre-printed dotted lines as hand quilting pattern guide once the quilt top is done, most likely using perle cotton no. 8 or 5. Here is a link and picture of it in case some of you may want to check it out (non-affiliated link).  

AUNT MARTHA'S QUILTING FABRIC - RETRO FLOWER PRINT

I'm also trying to keep my selection of designs to be embroidered from my Aunt Martha's transfer collection. Easy going, no deadline, no stress stitching.

This last design is a vintage one, re-printed and found in the Aunt Martha's Vault section of their website (patterns in that section come without the envelope).

(above: Donny the Donkey no.3876)

I think this cute donkey is mesmerized by the singing of his tiny friend! My plan is to embroider every other block, and then appliqué squares of fabric from my stash on the rest of the blocks. I'll end up with a cheery lap top that will bring to mind fond memories.

Until later! Have a nice weekend!

New Fall Projects, A WIP Update, and an Outing.

What a month October proved to be! Looking forward to a beautiful November! I started a new towel.

This English Paper Piecing project below, it is the one I made reference to on my last post.  I'm using autumnal fabric prints, mixed with a few hand embroidered 1" hexagons (hexies). It will become a bedside table mug rug. The stitcheries are part of various patterns by Mollie Johanson at Wild Olive blog.


While on an outing I worked a bit more on this work-in-progress (aka: WIP) kitchen towel. Only a few more stitches left to complete it.

It is very interesting to me that I'm not able to read in a moving car without getting carsick, but hand embroidering is not a problem :-).

Well, enough "chatting" for now. I need to keep moving in order to accomplish today's To Do list. 

Hoping all of you are doing well! Have a great weekend!

Summer Cold :-(

Yes, I'm welcoming summer with a cold... how very fun... Not!
Hopefully you are all doing well! Didn't finish the Baking Poodle towel on previous post, so here is an old picture of a finished project. 

This kitchen towel embroidered with a rooster from a Stitcher's Revolution Iron-On Embroidery pattern SR23 Folksy Farm. I blogged about this project back in October 2016 on this post. Thinking in making myself a whole juice (smoothie with no milk or added sugar), don't have any oranges or tangerines handy, but everything else is either in the fruit basket or in the freezer ;-). Yes, indeed, heading to the kitchen now!
May you all have a great week ahead! Till later!

First Housewarming Tea Towel Done!

Impromptu tea towel project, yielded fast results ;-).
Here is my first housewarming tea towel for my new kitchen stitched by me (with a bit of help!).

The pattern used is an Aunt Martha's vintage one,
called "Dishes and Flowers"- no.3200.
It all started few days ago, when my younger child asked if she could stitched a towel for me (her older sibling is working on one).
I found this pattern which is very beginner friendly, and thought 
it was perfect for my little one to give it a go.

Today she asked if she could start her towel. After a bit of volunteer work from home, and a couple of house chores, I needed to put my feet up for a bit, but not before getting the pattern ironed on to the towel, and hooping it. She was very into it, for a few minutes. Then it was nap time, she asked if I could finish stitching the teapot while she napped, and she will do the flowers once nap time was over. I agreed.

Above she is making the first few stitches.
Needless to say... I ended up finishing it. Such an easy going pattern! By the time nap time was over, I was almost done :-). Little one was looking forward to playing with her sister, she didn't mind much that I did the flowers ;-).
Sidenote... kind of nice that even though this is a vintage pattern it still ironed nicely. It took a bit longer than the newer ones I have with black ink, but still gave a very nice transfer.

Haven't touch the actual kitchen towels I have ready to begin embroidering. This was a very easy design, which served as the motivation to keep stitching, knowing that I was going to see it finished today. Simple lines, a few colors. Now I want to stitch the other designs in this transfer! I've been trying not to think much on a recent Dr. visit... this project was a much needed therapy.

Very interesting, the red ink on this vintage pattern transfers very similar as the red transfer pencil sold by Colonial Patterns. 
Do you use your vintage patterns? Do you cut your vintage patterns? There was a time I used to be against cutting them, not anymore. Hand embroidery brings joy to me, mainly the stitching,... a bit less fun when trying to preserve a pattern intact. Don't get me wrong. I totally like collecting patterns, and keeping them in good condition, but do not mind any longer cutting into them.  Totally respect your opinion if you differ ;-).
Hoping to be back next week with more needlework updates!
Have a nice Sunday and week ahead!