Vintage Glitter

I didn't get to any stitching on my current Button Block. I got a bee in my bonnet and decided to re-organize my beads. I have some of them in those stupid little bead jars that screw onto each other and I just don't care for that system. They're too heavy and bulky and take up too much space. I've been putting them in tiny ziplock bags and will then store them by color.

In the meantime, look at what my mom gave to me:



I know most of my readers are needle-workers. In fact, I don't know if I have any readers who do paper crafts. If I do, please speak up and leave me a comment! But certainly everyone can appreciate vintage stuff. Mom gave me an old shoe-box yesterday filled with vintage glitter! What a treasure! I asked why she didn't want it and she said prefers new glitter. Well, I was thrilled and I'll use it!

In other news, be sure to stop by tomorrow. I will be sharing another one of my booklets with you. This one is called "Variety" - Italian Cut Work and Filet Lace. The booklet was published in 1926.

Button Block #33

I've completed the Seam Treatments on this block so now it's ready for beading:



I really like the colors on this one. I'm getting ready to bake some cookies and then I'll get back to stitching on it.

In other news, I received an email recently asking me how to wash vintage & antique lace. Here is the link to my tutorial on that. I'll add it to my sidebar as well.

Ok, I'm to bake but first, I'll turn the calendar over to February!

Embroidered Poodle

I finished up on this little project this morning:



As I mentioned yesterday, I'll work this up as the focal point on a purse. Ya'll know I have this thing for purses!

I didn't stitch the flowers on the hat because I intend to use beads. I'll do that while stitching on the purse.

In the meantime, I thought I would do up another Button Block. This will be Button Block #32:



As I mentioned last week, I'm wanting to put a few of these together into a small quilt. I had all of my blocks laid out on the floor awhile back and I can see that I need some more pastel colors. I enjoy making these so much, I may work some into various projects such as doorhangers, bellpulls and whatever else I can come up with. These little 6 inch blocks are perfect for using buttons and other odds & ends in my stash. Stay tuned to see where this one goes.

And speaking of buttons, I found the most awesome button themed blog today courtesy of the girls at 123Stitch Message Board. Button Floozies blog is all about buttons! New buttons, old buttons, handmade buttons and what to do with buttons including needlework and other craft applications. Please do check it out.

First Robin Of Spring Counted Cross Stitch Pattern

I've re-released The First Robin Of Spring design along with a few of my others:



My current counted cross stitch designs are available here.

Also, for counted cross stitch supplies, check out 123 Stitch and Welcome Stitchery.

Poodle For Purse

I've had the idea for quite some time to make a Poodle Purse. I'd like to piece it in white, pink, black and silver. I'm stitching this little poodle design from my vintage iron-on transfer collection to use as the focal point:



I'm not going to share this pattern because although mine is vintage, it's still available as a current Aunt Martha's transfer from The Colonial Pattern Company.

Not sure when this will get sewn up but I expect to finish stitching it later today.