The first cut is the hardest

Vintage linens are equal parts wonderful and terrifying when you are deciding to take a scissor to them! 

I scored this bounty of linens at Décor last week and I've been anxious about it ever since. I washed them, inspected them, sorted them, and admired them for a longer amount of time that I'd care to share. I decided on one piece, a linen table runner that had a few stains and went for it. Nothing too crazy, I had to start small. 

I made a few lavender sachets with some of the lace, some vintage fabric, buttons and bits of vintage trim I had stashed away. I even made a cute little apron. 

Now I need to think of a few more ideas!

Market prep

It's time for the Upper State Street Farmer's Market again! For me this means I get to force my love (obsession) of all things vintage linen-dish towels- embroidery on the public, whether they want it or not! Opening day is this Saturday and I'm not nearly ready but here's a sample of my obsession:

Black Bean Salad

There's an over abundance of soup in the fridge right now so as much as I wanted to make black bean soup I opted for salad. I love how colorful this is, especially because CT is pretty colorless these days.  I'm not missing soup for a minute, this stuff is delicious. Anytime I can use lime and cilantro...it's a good day. 

Black Bean Salad

2 cans black beans drained and rinsed 

1/2 English cucumber seeded and diced

A handful of grape tomatoes halved

4 scallions sliced

A few small sweet red peppers chopped

A bunch of cilantro chopped

2 limes zested and juiced

2tbs olive oil (I used chipotle infused)

1 clove garlic grated 

Salt, pepper, and a pinch of chili powder and cumin

Make a dressing with the lime zest, juice, oil, and seasoning. 

Toss all other Ingredients together with dressing. So simple. 

Refrigerate for an hour or so and serve cold. 

Now onto feeding my creative soul! I am addicted to vintage embroidery patterns

And as hard as I try not to go to www.patternbee.com, sometimes I can't help it. So this came in the mail yesterday:

 I started stitching on some gingham last night, these will cloth napkins soon. 

And I also managed to finish this cute towel yesterday

serial stitching

I just can't stop! Between Beyonce Bowl (which was amazing) and Blizzard Nemo (not so much), I have had lots of time embroidering. I am determined to stitch something from every pattern packet that I have, hopefully I will live a nice long arthritis free life.

Here is one of my favorite vintage Vogart designs, "Bee" Smart #293. Look at the packet...19 cents!

next is Baby Birds #3247. I bought this from Pattern Bee but just noticed that Aunt Martha's has brought it back. Good call Aunt Martha.

I love this guy. The pattern is #268 Day of The Week Apron Bib patterns with cute little animals for babies. I made the animal print towel from a piece of home dec weight cotton that I found in the remnant bin. I love buying up cute prints like that and make towels and/or potholders for gifts.

This is one of my all time favorites from Aunt Martha; #3929 Happy Gadgets. I am such a sucker for animated kitchen things.

this last towel is a combination of my favorite fabric and patterns. So cute! Sometimes I like to add a patch to a towel I love rather than stitch on a plain towel.My towel, my rules.

lastly, here is a picture of my driveway yesterday

not nearly as sweet as vintage embroidery.









stitching along

Not a whole lot going on these days. I started a minimum wage job this week that I don't love, but I am happy to be able to earn some money until I find a big girl job. Enough of that talk...embroidery makes things all better. I finished a few towels this week:

This was a freebie from Patternbee.com, it came with my order. Love it!

A cute little squirrel to go along with my squirrel obsession these days.

And apparently I like Monday! I added some crochet trim to these guys.

A stitchy kitty

and lastly, a lemon patch added to my gingham towel. 

oh my

Hello, my name is Carol and I am an embroidery pattern addict.

I had a free day yesterday and decided to tackle my craft supplies that have gone wild; baskets and baskets of mixed up supplies and bags from craft stores that I never put away. Wow, did I learn a lot about myself. I know that I love all things embroidery and of course I know that I love to buy patterns...vintage (original and reproduced), modern ones, corny ones, I LOVE THEM ALL! It wasn't until I decided to file them that I realized that I have HUNDREDS of patterns.

I have a special affection for produce and household items with faces and days-of-the-week; in fact I could probably produce 700 of just those towels easily. So, what the heck am I to do with them? It is nearly impossible to make money from embroidered dishtowels...I know, I've tried, so I think I will just be gifting them to every single person I know.
If you love vintage patterns you really need to visit Vicki at www.patternbee.com , she has an amazing collection and is such a sweet person.

 I love all of the cheesy Aunt Martha's that I find at www.colonialpatterns.com, the prices are great.

 Of course there is www.sublimestitching for all of your hip and modern patterns, they are so cute.

 A lot of times I just sketch a simple line drawing right on a towel or paper
for a quick gift...because I never could find a pattern before I organized them!