Vintage Embroidery Monday and Stitchery Link Party

I purchased these Elizabeth Bradley kits on my mother's and my first trip to London in the early 90s. Actually, I purchased all four panels and a ribbon border to make a carpet, but when my husband and I moved to our new home in 1999, two of the panel kits were lost. So, instead, I made these up as pillows for him.  He loves being outdoors. When we purchased our small farm, we made a promise to keep the land such that it would be a refuge for wildlife - and we've succeeded.

"Meadow" 16x16 inches

"Woodland" 16x16 inches

Pop on over to Super Mom - No Cape! to see what others are stitching and enjoying.

A Wee Little Tea Cozy

It's finished! The Berlin work tea cozy (kit from Janet Granger).

Front:

Berlin work miniature tea cozy 1.5 inches wide by 1.25 inches tall

Back:

Mini teapot:

Miniature teapot .75 inches tall, 1 inch wide

Teapot nestled inside the tea cozy:

Oh dear - what to work on next??

June Smalls SAL Check-in and Surprise in the Mail

Here is my Smalls SAL for this month. It's called "Little Irish Sampler" from The Sampler Girl. It was a freebie. The blog has moved, I couldn't find the pattern, but I know it's posted on Pinterest.

Little Irish Sampler on 32 Ct Linen - 6x7 inches

I received such a nice surprise in the mail - from sweet Jacquie. I had commented I rely loved the sparkly fabric she used for one of her pieces. She surprised me and sent me some - along with beautiful lace and a wee-small pillow she stitched.

Here's the back of the pillow - 

It's so - JACQUIE, isn't it?  And - yes - it made me smile. Thank you, Jacquie!

Vintage Embroidery Monday and Stitchery Link Party

Good morning! I can't believe it's Monday already! It was kind of a wild weekend - we had our hay cut and baled, trying to get ahead of the rain. Looks overcast today, storms coming - which means it will be a great day to stay in and stitch!

I wanted to share the scissor fob I made at a seminar taught by the Royal House of Needlework.

Scissor Fob - 1 3/4 inches square

It was so much fun - and, of course, I needed to show it off on a pair of scissors in a Limoges box (another one of my passions).

Pop on over to Super Mom - No Cape to see what others have stitched as part of the Vintage Embroidery Monday and Stitchery Link Party!

1:12 Miniature Footstool

Another miniature done! This is from a kit by Janet Granger. The design is a Berlin work design.

Now - off to stitch a miniature tea cozy!!

HoE, Two Finishes, Four Miniature Portraits

Greetings!
I just got word the Christmas ornament I sent to my Hooked on Exchanging partner, Gabi, arrived.

And here's the cutest little fox ornament I received from Rosa - THANK YOU, Rosa!!

Last year, I participated in a Round Robin swap hosted by lovely June. I have been contemplating what do do with some of the stitching I received and stumbled into some miniature frames in my stash. Here they are -

These are proudly displayed in my sewing/painting studio.

While wandering around Pinterest this morning, I found some beautiful 18th century miniature portraits and it re-awakened my passion for these little things. You know how I ADORE miniatures - well, I thought I'd share some of the ones I've painted on porcelain:

 3.25x2.5 inches.

If you look closely, this young lady is holding a locket in her hand. 

I painted this from a Christmas Card using the Old Master's method, called "grisaille". You can see it has a different look to it from the girl with the locket:

Madonna and Child - 2.75 inches in diameter

Grisaille is a term used when a painting is done in monochrome, or grays. Here's what a painting would look like after the first fire, before color is applied:

Madonna

2 3/8 x 1 3/4 inches

Last, but not least, here is a little angel:

2 1/8 x 3 inches

I've got a few more to share - but I'll do that in a future post.

My Father's Gift

I had a close relationship with my father.  An only child, he encouraged me to be adventurous, to explore.   Not realizing it at the time, his words “March to your own drum” gave me confidence and taught me to listen to my inner voice.

The year I was pregnant with our only child, my parents moved to California from Iowa.  We kept in touch by phone, but rarely saw each other.  Four years later they decided to come back home for Christmas.  Elated, I started planning festivities and making special gifts.

Mother was easy, Father challenging.  I reflected on his mantra and decided to immortalize it by transforming it into a cross-stitch pillow.   I painstakingly, lovingly, stitched the words  “When you are troubled and don’t know where to go, talk to your heart – Listen with your soul.”   

He died a few weeks before Thanksgiving that year.  I never had the opportunity to give my gift to him, to see his eyes light up.  I know he would have fought to hide his tears.  I missed the chance to tell him how grateful I was, how much his words have guided me time and time again.  His gift is burned into my heart and soul.   It is eternal and enduring.

Thank you, Daddy.

Please visit Super Mom - No Cape!'s blog to see what others have created as part of the Vintage Embroidery and Stitchery Link Party.

Noble Leap of Faith

Donna, from By the Bay Needleart, had a contest to name one of her designs. The winner received the free chart.  Isn't this a darling design?

It so reminded me of Jacobean designs. I'm a huge fan of the Tudor, Jacobean and Elizabethan eras. I read and study about them whenever I can. That being said, I couldn't resist entering.

The Jacobean era refers to King James VI of Scotland (also to become King James I of England). The thistle, in ancient Celtic lore, represents nobility of character.  The deer are from the fairy realm in Celtic lore and represent magic and spirit. Given that, I suggested "Noble Spirit".

Another suggestion from Tripps Grammy was "Leap of Faith", which I really liked. Well, Donna liked both, combined them and named her piece "Noble Leap of Faith". Isn't that awesome?? Both of us won the free pattern. I'm so very excited and can hardly wait to get my hands on it and stitch it.

Thank you, Donna!!

Tomorrow is Monday - stay tuned for the Vintage Embroidery Monday and Stitchery Link Party!

International Thimble Exchange Parcel Received!!

As a result of the decorative thimble exchange I hosted a month or so ago, I was invited to participate in an International Thimble Exchange (see Fabebook Page). I received my package this week - and OH MY GOSH! My exchange partner, Isabel, from Spain, sent me the most amazing thimbles.

We were to also send along postcards - here are her gifts:

Here's a closer look at the thimbles - aren't they amazing? The blue one in the middle has a 3-D effect.

I'm sure there will be more exchanges with this group. If you're interested, please send me a note and I'll put you in touch with the hostess.

Now - back to stitching!!

Vintage Embroidery Monday and Stitchery Link Party

Here we are - MONDAY! The time is flying by so quickly these days. Without further adieu, here's my post for Super Mom- No Cape's Link Party.

I finally finished the 1:12 Cluny footstool from Micro-Stitchery and mounted the needlepoint on the needlepoint frame from Janet Granger. Both are stitched using one thread of DMC floss on 40 Ct silk gauze.

Don't pay any attention to the rug - it's actually my mouse pad. My next endeavor is a pair of slippers on 48 Ct silk gauze, followed by designing and stitching a cushion for the chair and a rug.  Oh, what FUN!

Don't forget to pop on over to Super Mom - No Cape's blog to see what others have posted this sunny, happy Monday.

Friends Swapaway Parcel!!! (NOTE: Photo Heavy Post)

This past week, I received my Swapaway package from the lovely Kaye of Kitten Stitching. And what a treat it was! To refresh your memory, Kaye and I decided to do a joint Friends Swapaway last year. We chose one of our followers and each of us stitched something involving the letters in "Friends" - meaning seven different gifts.

 This is what I saw when I opened the box from Kaye, each gift wrapped individually with a gift tag telling what gift went with what letter:

"F" is for "Fabric and Friends"

"R" is for "Round box"

"I" is for "Initial"

"N" is for "Needleminder"

"E" is for "Embroidered Button"

"D" is for "Don't Talk to me, I'm Counting"

"S" is for "Life's a Stitch" and "Something Extra for Being Late ;0)"

I can't tell you how thrilled I was - maybe you can tell I was excited to open the packages, as some of the pictures are blurry - HA! I can't thank Kaye enough for the work she put into this swap. Her stitching is so pretty - I will cherish these gifts always.

OPAMs, a Stocking and a Pillow Finish

I've been stitching and stitching. Unfortunately, I can't show you a lot of it because the pieces are for exchanges. "HO! HO! HO!" seems to be the theme ;0)

However, I can tell you I finished 12 more tissue covers - given most of them away already. What great little gifts as a pick me up for others.

And - oh, I"m SO PROUD of this!!! Here is my dear grandson, Ronin's FINISHED CHRISTMAS STOCKING!!  Drum roll, please!

It's 22 inches long and 9 inches wide on 18Ct canvas. I used DMC Pearl Cotton and some metallic threads to stitch it.

And here is the Catherine Parr pillow….long overdue, but I really, REALLY love it. It's going to stay here. ;0)

Needlepoint Pillow - Catherine Parr 5x5 inches

I've got more in the works - stay tuned!

Vintage Embroidery Monday and Stitchery Link Party

I can hardly believe it's Monday once again - and JUNE! Ah, summer is long overdue!

If it's Monday, it must be the Vintage Embroidery Monday and Stitchery Link Party hosted by Super Mom - No Cape!

I made this almost 26 years ago during the winter months after my DH and I got married. I can still remember watching the classic old movie "Death Takes a Holiday" in our family room in front of a warm, toasty fire. Isn't it amazing how these stitched pieces evoke memories?

This hangs on the wall in our upstairs hallway and is visible for all to see as they come in our front door. It's a needlepoint tapestry measuring 46x32 inches.

Stop over to Super Mom - No Cape!'s blog to see what others have created.