Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Yuck!  It's been just downright dreary today!  On days like this I like to snuggle up with some tea and never ending episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race.  But I did manage to get a few photos before the sun went away.
All these cuties will be in the shop tomorrow.  I'm especially in love with the alphabet vest.
I have a stockpile of dresses soaking right now.  They were a little bit worst for the wear, so I'm hoping a nice soak in a mixture of Dawn liquid and BIZ stain remover will take care of the stains.  It wouldn't hurt to a have a little sun to set them in, fingers crossed that the sun will come out tomorrow!

Friday, February 22, 2013

Reed Van Brunschot

I'm pretty smitten by the art of Reed Van Brunshot.  I was introduced to her art while reading Country Living Magazine.  Her Home Sweet Home embroidery is on the cover.

Isn't that the sweetest thing?

Thursday, February 21, 2013

A Little Sample

I finished my first embroidered sample last night.
I used the extra linen fabric from a set of curtains from Ikea.  Because this was my first sampler, I used a pattern from this Japanese embroidery book:



The patterns in the book are really cute and easy to follow.  I changed it up a bit by using other embroidery stitches I wanted to learn.  I bought the book at Mitsuwa Marketplace in Arlington Heights, Illinois a few years ago.
I would love to find one of these vintage Aries Horoscope crewel kits, but they are so pricey!  I think I will try to make a pattern of my own.


And I absolutely LOVE the vintage inspired Crewel Kits over at Betty Crafter, such an awesome idea.
I love needlepoint because you can multi-task with it and not worry about messing up like with knitting or other crafts.  Plus there are tons of vintage books about needlepoint and crewel, I find them all the time thrifting, which are great for inspiration.