Wooden Spool Ornaments and an Inspirational Advent Calendar Wreath

By on 8-21-2011 in Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

These pieces were all made for the ArtForTheCreativeMind Yahoo group. The three wooden spools had a mind of their own and my muse just went with the flow. I had originally wanted all white and light blue and glittery spools, but they told me they wanted to look a bit like French vintage. So French vintage it was. I used large beads and small as well as cord and wire for the hangers, even a pipe cleaner. Some French vintage papers helped give the ‘French’ feel to them.

wooden spool ornaments

My advent calendar wreath was another piece that grew as I made it. I knew I wanted the Matryoshka dolls to be a part of it. First the pattern had to be drawn and I chose to create that in Photoshop Elements which made it easy to create the little faces. Christmas papers were used for the outfits. Finding the right size of prints became a difficult task as many of the paper’s designs were too large. I then glued them onto black card and created 25 different inspirational words instead of numbers for each December day until Christmas. These little dolls can be removed from the wreath to be used as tags at a later date.

paper doll wreathe
paper doll wreathe

Owls, three of the perkiest little fellows sitting on a branch

By on 8-21-2011 in Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

These owls were published in the McCall’s Needlework and Crafts 1965-66 Fall Winter magazine. Made of metal in this version, I can see them made from paper. How cute would they be painted in a border along a chair rail in a country cottage kitchen? Matching cushions on the wooden chairs would be so cute embroidered on linen.

owls

owls

I have redrawn the owl in Photoshop using layers and then filled with patterns. I then used a different sized stroke around each layer and bevelled each one differently. I then filled the background with black. He is too cute.

Owl created in Photoshop

Embroidered Alphabet

By on 8-21-2011 in Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

Another wonderful alphabet to embroider from the McCall’s Christmas transfer book. This one features caps only and would be great used for monographs. A little book to hold and sort sewing machine needles would be a great gift for your quilting mixed media artist friend and would be theirs with their initial on the front cover. A special handkerchief or napkin would be pretty with this alphabet as well as gift tags made for a favourite somebody.

alphabet-1

alphabet-2

Cross stitch Alphabets …. for the words in your embroidery projects

By on 8-21-2011 in Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

This alphabet was published in the McCall’s Christmas Iron On Transfers,Vol-II-1976. It is a smaller size and could be used throughout the year. Mother’s and Father’s day cards using embroidery floss, fancy recipe cards using a permanent marking pen are great ways of using these in mixed media. Little muslin samplers made into personalized ornaments and gift tags would be quick to do and give a personal touch in any season.

cross stitch alphabet

Vintage Steam Trains…..the last of the series

By on 8-21-2011 in Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

More McCalls transfers from the Memory Lane book…the last of the trains. I love steam trains. They are such large black beasts, playing a large role in the Victorian period novels. Wouldn’t they look good on a pillow for dad on father’s day? How about a book cover or a fabric bag … it would be just for the man in your life.

vintage locomotives to embroider

vintage locomotives to embroider