I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

Sharing a common thread with those who love the art of hand embroidery

Monday, February 23, 2015

So many times, I try to find another use for pieces of vintage china in my shop

 pieces that are missing it's companion sugar bowl, creamer, or the all important lid to that particular piece.

Pieces that are still so pretty and still wonderful to enjoy
(I think)
They have sat for years on a shelf or in a dusty box in junk stores and sales,
until I find them........and bring them home to my 
shop


Such is the story on this piece. It is a very vintage 1920;s  creamer, missing it's companion sugar bowl.
Hand painted, made in Japan. I have researched and have only found one antique pitcher with the same design.
One side has this house by a lake with boats sailing, 

the other side has a quaint farm scene, which captured my heart.
The only flaw is tiny chip in the upper rim by the spout.
I decided to try to find another life for this pretty piece

and added a blue scouring pad.

I then drew off a design to match the farm scene and stitched it in different shades of blue

onto a soft cotton dish towel.

I then crocheted a dish cloth is blue and white

and crocheted both dish cloth and towel in a dark blue edging.

Now the little creamer belongs to a set that is perfect for a 
quaint and vintage touch for the kitchen.......don' t you think?
I am hoping someone will buy it and take it home to use once again.

I also did the same to this little hen salt , pepper, and napkin holder.
Someone made it in ceramics in 1987......that is what it shows on the bottom.
Since she was painted in blue and has blue flowers on her, 

I found this cute hen design with flowers and embroidered her in blue on 4 vintage napkins.

Now this is also a cute set ready to be used once again!
So tell me, do you like to re purpose things? 
Old pieces of china, old chairs, or old tools perhaps?
I would love to hear!
If you want to have a good look at my vintage shop Yesteryear,
hop over to my country blog
where I have posted about it today.
Hope this finds everyone staying warm!

Saturday, February 14, 2015

I have collected vintage handbags, mostly from the 60's

for a while now. They are so elegant and pretty, I think. 

And although I do not want to sell clothing in my vintage shop, I have decided to start selling a few of  my handbags. 


I also have collected vintage costume jewelry for years and decided to combine both pieces, by embellishing the purses

with the pendants or broaches. I add small rhinestones and glass beads as well.  
It gave the handbags a whole new look..........don't you think?

Now some might say that I have ruined the "value" of these handbags.......and they might be right.
However, these bags have been in other shops for years......not being noticed.

And now they have a new look...........and maybe might get a new life.

This purse is pretty by itself..........

but with a lovely broach and glass beads........it looks alive again.
( I think)

This ordinary clutch........looks tired and unassuming......

but with a cluster of pearls and rhinestones........it is ready to accompany a dress.

I love pearls in vintage jewelry.........don't you?

I have a wonderful biscuit recipe on my cooking blog using buttermilk. 
These biscuits come out tall and delicious!
You can find this recipe by clicking on to the link



Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Here is a pretty cross stitch pattern for you to try!


Don't you love blue birds.............I am not sure why they did not turn out blue on the photo above......but they are blue. 

 My hands are busy stitching..........and I haven't any thing to show you, so while browsing through my books, I cam across this sweet blue bird pattern. It comes from the book
The Cross Stitch Garden by Melinda Coss  1995
and is full of wonderful patterns. 
I hope you can click onto this photo to work the pattern for yourself.
Also, if you visit my cooking blog, My Country Kitchen
You will find a recipe for Texas Caviar 

and a wonderful history about the Texas lady who created this recipe.