11.13.08

Antiques Stores Hold Tiny Treasures in Time

Posted in Antiques, Embroidery at 1:41 am by Administrator

We really like to browse in antiques stores. They can transport one to another time and sometimes say something about popular tastes, the type of goods that were valued during a past time, and items that have clearly served a long time before they hit the shelves. The material objects that one encounters are always delightful. Each time one visits a store of that kind, the surprise factor is in place.

The other day, we wanted a break from work, so we visited one of our favorite haunts. Walking in the door, I spotted the following item, and before anyone could say, “Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick,” I had scooped it up into my hands and was ready to claim it as my own. What was this item I so coveted? Here you go:

Redwork pillow with image of girl and feather duster

The image of a little girl in Redwork, holding a feather duster, appealed to me. Isn’t she sweet?

After that find, I didn’t care too much about buying anything else, although I did find a few inexpensive things that called my name. These treats for the soul did not break the bank. I think that it is important for us to continue to shop, especially in the small stores that struggle to maintain themselves, on the best of days. If we don’t help, the next time we go to shop there, the store may not be in place, just an empty storefront, and how often have we seen that lately?

Sometimes, the smallest things can change a mood, or make one feel happy. Now, don’t get me wrong. Don’t spend money you don’t have, but every now and then, break into the piggie bank to “borrow” a little cash to buy a little something special. I did. Isn’t she great?

Patricia Cummings, Quilter’s Muse Publications, the home of more great Redwork designs and books, offered at no charge!

02.14.08

Small Needlework Project Holds History

Posted in Embroidery at 1:20 am by Administrator

Last Christmas, I was given a very special little project, a cross stitch kit that my son picked up at the Tower of London when he was in London to present an academic paper at an invitational seminar. So nice of him to think of me, at that time!

Tudor Rose

The size of the finished item is probably about as large as the image on this screen. The name of the project is “Tudor Rose,” and the design is the “flower emblem of England,” according to the instruction sheet, and commemorates events in British history. The kit was prepared by Textile Heritage, a company in Scotland: http://www.textileheritage.com

The finished product looks as though the project was easy. Actually, though it was not difficult to do, it was extremely time-consuming. I am very pleased with the final result. The piece has enough contrasts in color to be very striking. I had not done any counted cross stitch in a long time, and it was fun to work on this one. I especially liked learning about the history of the rose symbolism which became an official symbol of the Tudor dynasty under King Henry VIII.

Patricia Cummings, http://www.quiltersmuse.com

09.29.07

Turn a Photographic Image Into Embroidery

Posted in Announcements, Embroidery at 12:48 pm by Administrator

New Article by James Cummings:

How to Convert a Photo into a Line Drawing for the Purpose of Embroidering a Portrait of a Person

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