Colourful Buildings of the World

By on 4-23-2010 in art quilts, Embroidery, Fabric Postcards, Vintage Patterns

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

Vintage Christmas in February

By on 4-23-2010 in art quilts, Embroidery, Fabric Postcards, Vintage Patterns

Choo-Choo Christmas Stockings

Although this image is tiny this little ‘choo-choo’ shines. Each train car is a separate stocking. What a great pattern for above a fireplace or on a window shelf. It could choo-choo around a tree skirt using paint or applique and lots and lots of shiny beads and embroidery. Painted in pastels, it could also travel around a nursery wall.

cho cho pattern

Embroidered Felt Fishing Boats on Canvas

By on 4-23-2010 in art quilts, Embroidery, Fabric Postcards, Vintage Patterns

fishingboats

These two fishing boats were published in the McCall’s Needle Art Volume IV magazine. A romantic piece of embroidery that was sewn on canvas using the sewing machine and straight stitch. Felt was used for the boats, sun and building. Wouldn’t these boats look great using the new threads and fabrics available today? I can envision painted and stitched boats sailing over a large summer tote. A sea coast landscape quilt could be the background for one of the boats.
fishing boat pattern

The patterns for both pictures are here….pdf document is 460kb Fishing Boats Embroidery with Machine

Embroidered Silk Collages

By on 4-23-2010 in art quilts, Embroidery, Fabric Postcards, Vintage Patterns

embroidered silk

Silk…..these collages were published in the McCall’s Needlework Fall/Winter 1973/74 magazine….. is the fabric of choice for many thread artists now. What a great way to practice your stitches using these two patterns. Although they are over 30 years old they still hold up today. The patterns could also be done on wool felt or painted cottons. Colours could be chosen to match your home’s interior decorations. Box frames would give them a completely new look.

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Here is one pattern. If you want both patterns you can download them here, in PDF format:
Embroidered Silk Collages, McCall’s Needlework Fall/Winter 1973/74 magazine

Halloween Cats are Holiday “Purrfect”

By on 4-23-2010 in art quilts, Embroidery, Fabric Postcards, Vintage Patterns

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These cats from McCall’s Fall/Winter 1965-66 magazine are ready to “strut their stuff” under the moon on the spooky night. They were appliqued on a black pillow and would look just as good on a wall quilt along with ghosts and goblins. Created in less spooky colours and smaller eyes they would look great in a child’s room. One little cat would make a pin cushion stand out from all the others.

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