An embroidery for dad…just in time for Father’s Day

By on 3-17-2011 in Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

McCall's Memory Lane Embroidery Book cover

I have several vintage McCall’s Iron On Transfer Books. I will post these pages throughout the year. The first transfer book is the McCall’s Iron On Transfer Memory Lane, Vol V. There are some wonderful transfers to embroider including cross stitch motives. Check out the price for the book.

Locomotives, page 3

The first transfers I am posting are these vintage trains. Just in time for Father’s Day in June they would look great on tea towels (for those guys who do their own and other’s dishes). I think it only fair to give them some towels of their own. They would also look good on a pillow for his favourite arm chair or a cover for his CD case.

Spring wedding and anniversary embroideries

By on 3-14-2011 in Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

holiday transfers

The Cross Stitch and Country Crafts Magazine was a great little magazine and this insert from 1992 has plenty of cute and timely embroidery patterns. This month I am posting the wedding and anniversary page. If you need a cute embroidery for that spring or summer bride this would be ideal. It could be used as a gift tag or embroidered onto a little ring pillow. The anniversary pattern would be great with a photo of the couple printed in the center or on an album cover with photos from their life together. Both frames could be used for quilt labels as well.

wedding embroideries

Christmas Elves, what cute little elves they are

By on 3-09-2011 in Christmas Patterns, Vintage Patterns

Christmas elves

These elves which were published in the McCall’s December 1986 Needlework Magazine are so cute and versatile. They are shown hanging on the tree, under the tree on a tree skirt as well as book ends. I made them in felt and placed tags in their hands for presents as well. What great cushions they would make from an enlarged pattern. Very easy to sew or paint as well, so would work up quickly. Their striped arms and legs would lend themselves to beads and laces for gift giving.

Christmas elves pattern

I have posted one pattern here and there are two more in the 240 kb pdf document below. Have fun.

Christmas Elves, McCall’s December 1986 Needlework Magazine

Vintage Stained Glass Pattern…..quilt label or book plate

By on 3-06-2011 in Vintage Patterns

vintage stained glass

A vintage stained glass pattern can lend itself to a pretty quilt label or book plate. The panel was published in the McCall’s Needlework Fall/Winter 1974 magazine. A silk scarf, painted with this pattern would make a great gift. It would also be a very pretty used for discharge dying. I liked the pattern so much I coloured it to use as a quilt label. It would also be great quilted and beaded onto the flap of a little fabric envelope along with a little chain for a handle.

quilt label

stained glass pattern

Here is a pdf document containing the photo, pattern and three quilt labels. McCall’s fall/winter 1974 stained glass pattern and quilt labels

Colourful Buildings of the World

By on 3-02-2011 in art quilts, Christmas Patterns, Fabric Postcards, Original Quilts

colourful buildings postcards

The first cards are from an exchange last fall…..colourful buildings. The theme was chosen after Valerie Hearder posted some photos from her holiday in Mexico. The buildings were fantastic. Then the on-line conversation drifted to Newfoundland and the other Eastern Provinces where they also have such pretty and uniquely coloured homes and other buildings. A new postcard exchange was born. The second group of cards are my first and second that were created for my first two exchanges. Also included is an Ottawa bicycle path, you can see the parliament buildings in the background and the 2009 Christmas card that I sent to family and friends. What a wonderful way to quilt.

2009 postcards