Little House Pattern

Last week, I received a package in the mail from Melusine. It was a package filled with sunshine in the form of vintage iron-on embroidery transfers! I know I've mentioned it many times here, I love them! I have been collecting these vintage patterns for years and years. They are absolute treasure to me!

My mom came over yesterday for a few hours to play with my treadle machine. She enjoys sewing on it as much as I do! She left just before Scott came home so I didn't have much stitching time and that's okay.

Since I don't have an update on my current button block, I thought I would share one of the pretty little patterns that Melusine sent to me:



Click on the image to go to my Flickr site where you can download the large version. This one isn't dated but most of the patterns are from the 1930's.

Thank you Melusine, for thinking of me! I love these patterns!

More Button Blocks & New Autism Charity Design

Here's my completed red & black block:



Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version at my Flickr site. All of the buttons are antique metal buttons and they are quite lovely!

Once that one was completed, I started on this one:



I was recently asked what my personal preference for waste canvas size is. Generally, I use 10 count and 8.5 count. I reserve 14 count for small projects like my Comfort Cat dolls. The red block was stitched entirely with 10 count and the blue block so far, has been stitched using 8.5 count. If you're interested in working with charted borders and waste canvas like I do, you can find my E-Book here.

Finally for today, I've added a new Autism Awareness design to my Etsy shop:



All proceeds from this design will be donated to Our Children's Circle Autism Group.

Button Block 12

Just a quick update on this block:



I got caught up in some Civil War Documentaries yesterday that I borrowed from my dad and didn't get in as much stitching as I had planned. I'm sure I'll have this one finished up later today.

More Buttons & More Blocks

Well, ya'll knew a cat had show up on this quilt somewhere:



As you can see, I turned the block. I liked the way the lace looked at the top. It also accommodated the cat button. He was the right color for this one so I went with it.

This will be my next block:



I will be using my absolute most favorite button on here:



This came in a jar of buttons that I bought years ago. At the time, I had no idea it was collectible and worth a few dollars. Of course my mom always says, "nothing is worth anything if you aren't willing to sell it!" How true is that!

Anyway, I love buttons (apparently) and bought this book on Antique & Collectible Buttons by Debra Wisniewski a few years ago:



My button is not in mint condition. It's a bit tarnished but I don't care. It's called Pierrot And Pierrette. It reminds me of the opera Carmen which was the first opera I ever saw in person. My mom and grandmother took me to see Carmen at the Opera House in downtown Chicago when I was about 8 years old. Since it reminds me of Carmen, I thought this button would work well on this black & red block.

Here is the button as it is pictured in the book:



If you like buttons like I like buttons, you might want to check out that book. Even if you just like to look at pictures of buttons, this book is loaded with visual gems!

Button Block Update & More

I finished up on this little block yesterday:



I've always liked the way yellow, pink & green look together. So Springy!

This one will be my next block:



I haven't decided what colors to use on this. I may keep it kind of "woodsy" looking and do with browns, greens and cream. Stop by tomorrow to see where it goes.

In other news, The First Robin Of Spring Mystery is revealed! Here is the completed design:



And this is the little "thank you" design that I did for the stitcher's who joined in:



Both are available here.