Easter Paper Dolls

By on 3-26-2010 in Paper Dolls

posey

Next week is April. March has been a great month, warm and sunny. I thought since Easter is April 4, I would post the Easter paper dolls early. Let me introduce you to Posey Piglette and Patches Puppy. They can hardly wait to hunt for what the Easter Bunny has hidden for them.

patches

Christmas in March

By on 3-12-2010 in Christmas Patterns, Embroidery, Original Pattern

Happy Freddy Snowman

Freddy is a very cute snowman. His smile says “I’m happy and I feel like bursting out laughing”. I have completely embroidered him with a chain stitch except for his nose. I filled his nose with a few French knots. I chose a soft white diaper flanellette rather than a smooth muslin. I like my snowmen to be soft and fuzzy. I sketched him on Tuesday morning and finished the embroidery Tuesday evening. In this 3 inch square version he is free to use. I am drawing more of him with different hats. He sure is a pleasure to sketch as he makes me smile when I look at him. When I am finished all the different hats I will use a larger version to make a very happy Christmas wall quilt.

Freddy Snowman

Roosters to wake you in the morning

By on 3-09-2010 in Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

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I love this rooster from two McCall’s Needlework & Craft Magazines. The pattern is from the Fall-Winter 1970-71 magazine. They used it for two mosaics, one made with beans and seeds and the other from nails and brads. I chose to use it as a quilt pattern. The edges of each of his feathers were left raw to give him a better “feathery” feel and a mother -of-pearl button turned to the back was used for his eye. My little rooster is hanging at the back door entry wall and greets everyone who enters through my door. He would also make a great cook book cover, or maybe painted onto a bread box or planter. It’s time to redo him and this time I think I will try different patterned fabrics for his feathers.

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A 316kb pdf rooster pattern is here : McCall’s Magazine Rooster Pattern

Christmas in February

By on 2-23-2010 in Christmas Patterns, Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

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These little vintage embroidered ornaments are in the McCall’s Christmas Make-it Ideas, Volume X, 1967 magazine. Embroidered on felt they lend themselves well to updated stitches and fabrics. I chose a muslin backing and red floss to do the little piglet. It hasn’t been put together into an actual ornament yet, but it will have a red backing along with a fringed, muslin border. Rather than using satin stitch for fill and a back stitch for lines I chose chain stitch with two strands of floss. The chain stitch fills easily without puckering on a project without a hoop. I back my muslin with a piece of flannelette to give strength to the piece as well as hiding any cross stitching on the back.

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Isn’t this little piglet sweet? He would certainly stand out on any Christmas Tree. He could also be used throughout the year for a package ornament.

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Patterns for all 5 ornaments, a 610kb PDF file, can be downloaded here: McCall’s Christmas Make It Ideas, Volume X, Embroidered Ornaments