Old Sewing Cards

These old sewing cards have been sitting on my desk waiting to be shared--then my scanner went kaput :( Back on the 4th of July I had blogged this one. I finally got a new scanner this week (yippee!) so I've been scanning away. The shabby cards were stitched by a little lady named Ethel. Some of 'em are going in the shop but I'm keeping a few for myself...namely the brownie and the anthropomorphic duck wearing a dress.

Flag By Ethel

Embroidered with care by Ethel, this hand stitched flag has been patiently waiting to fly free 'n proud here in this space. I think I love the tidy backside of this piece just as much as the front. Ethel was one meticulous lady. A happy & safe 4th of July to all you American readers!

Crewelwork Sampler

My favorite-est birthday gift, presented by Patrick, was this unfinished sampler of different crewelwork stitches. Does he know me well or what?! Eventually we'll have it framed up, needle and all--the growing pile of "art to be framed one day" is another story. For now, I've rearranged the inspiration boards in my studio and have hung it front and center. It's a mesmerizing muse and color palette of stitchery for the new year.

French Embroidery Rings

I used up a few more tidbits from this booklet of French embroidery patterns. Instead of brooches, this time I created a handful of over- sized rings. Aren't they festive? I think so.

Embroidery Brooches

Remember this old French embroidery book I shared with you a while back? I finally did something with it and created a handful of brooches embellished with snippets from its pages. Some are square and some round--you can take a closer look at 'em right here.

Alphabet De La Brodeuse

An old volume of embroidery patterns, Alphabet de la Brodeuse, published by the DMC library of France has come into my possession. The tiny book is chock-full of elegant lettering, monograms, and ornamental patterns. I'm sure that snippets from these pages will start appearing here 'n there in my collage pieces very soon. Enjoy!

Pure Kaleidoscope

Speaking of recently acquired crewelwork I must show you this incredible piece. In a spontaneous ebay bid I won this pure kaleidoscope of needlework. I was drawn to its color (who couldn't be?), its Springtimey-abstract-landscapish feel and most definitely my favorite part of many things....its backside. It didn't hurt that the project was started in the Spring of 1974 (my birth year) and I love the fact that it was completed over 4 years later and didn't become one of those unfinished projects that plague many makers of things. I would love to tell Christen Baldwin--wherever she is now--that the piece of needlework she painstakingly invested hours of stitching is being wholly admired and enjoyed by me and mine.

Cheery Crewel

Thought I would greet this new week by sharing a cheery crewelwork piece I picked up earlier in the month. How could I resist these sweet lovebirds? The piece was probably intended to become a pillow but now that it's mine it will be stuck in a frame and hung up in Lizzie's room.

Crazy Quilt Pillow

Yesterday I mentioned I had one more treasure to share with you from my weekend antiquing jaunt and here 'tis! This little (10" x 15") crazy quilt pillow with the most delicate embroidery sampler is mine for keeps. I could not bear to part with it and for $3.50 it was a lucky steal. For the sake of restraint I passed up another pair of crazy quilt pillows but neither of them sported such exquisite loveliness. Now I need to decide whether to leave it in its shabby pillow form or frame up the floral sampler.