What to do with a damaged runner

The plastic bags in my pantry were getting out of control! We try to use the reusable tote bags, but no matter what, we always seem to come home with a bunch of plastic bags, too. I had been stuffing them into a brown paper bag in the corner, but I'd put so many bags in there it ripped down the middle. But of course that didn't stop me from stuffing more bags in it. 

For a long time I've been wanting to make a bag for my bags (a bag-bag) but was just too lazy busy to do it. I came a cross an old runner full of holes. It was hand embroidered with the cutest little birds on it! So I cut off a "good" section and went to my fabric stash to see if I could find fabric that would match it and at least sort-of go with my kitchen.  I found some brown and red toile, brown and white gingham and some vintage clooney-type lace.

Because the runner is white, I backed it with part of an old pillowcase so that the pattern of the toile wouldn't show through.

I laid it all out, pinned it all together, and then began sewing. This is a very simple project but I kept making silly mistakes and so had to to a lot of seam ripping and re-sewing. But finally it was done!

Now I have to make one for the laundry room, the garden shed and maybe the garage. Sounds like a lot, but I have a lot of runners I could use!!  LOL

Blessings,

Patricia :o)

On my to-do-list

"Bag of Repairs"

I always seem to take the path of least resistance. But I buy linens even if they have issues. What happens, though, is that they end up in this bag to worry about later. I've been adding to this bag for years and have forgotten what's in it.
There's more here than it appears. I think I pulled out at least 10 pairs of pillowcases! This is about all that is left for me to sell on eBay. Although I've been selling linens for many years now, I'm debating whether I should continue or not. That's what prompted me to get out this bag.

It's very exciting to see new linens even if they need work. I'm not sure I can help this pink lady on this runner. She has a few flaws in the crochet. I don't know how to crochet, so I think she will be sold as is.

I was going to finish the embroidery on this adorable pillow panel by Vogart. Riiiiight... That's about as likely as me going to the moon.

This little lady was a pillowcase full of little holes. I cut her out and made a little pillow out of her. There were three tiny holes in her dress, so I added 3 little ribbon roses. Then I used the crocheted trim off the pillowcase to finish off the sides.

This doesn't look like much, but this beautiful pillowcase just needs a couple of loosed threads tacked back down, a little soak in OxyClean, and it will be gorgeous!

This one was an easy fix. All I had to do was re-sew the top edge. It's already listed for sale on eBay. I love that it says "master" which is what we kept calling my hubby when he got his Master's degree. He didn't like it much...at first. ha ha ha

I don't think I can repair this one, either. It has a big, dark paint splater near the top. But I do love the birds!

These were all super easy fixes...just sewed the tops closed! They're already listed, too

Since I can't crochet, I can't finish this adorable pillowcase with he amazingly sweet birds. The top is still open, easy to fix, but I can't finish the bottom edge. I thought about adding lace, but I don't think it would look right.

More pillowcases that need crocheted work.

Isn't she pretty?!!

These were an easy fix, too. Never been used. I think they're so funny! One says, "Come on Ma" and the other says "Shucks No Pa!" ha ha ha ha

Patricia

Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty

I've been trying to think of something new and wonderful to post about, but the truth is that I live a very ordinary though busy life. The only thing that's been on my mind lately has been linens so I will show you some more photos of vintage embroidered items. Last time it was sweet little blue birds. This time it's all about the kitty cats.

The cross stitched kitty above was embroidered on a pillowcase. It's a newer design and not vintage at all, but I loved it anyway, especially because it says "perfect friends" just above her.

The design of two kitties in the basket below is very old. They are hand embroidered on a runner. It's nothing fancy but oh so cute.

I love the expression on this kitty playing with the butterfly! So Sweet and happy!

It's hand embroidered on a simple but pretty pillowcase.

I can't have cats in our home because my hubby is allergic so I enjoy them in embroidered pieces.

I'm always talking about embroidery, but just look at the beautiful hand embroidered lace trim that goes all the way around the runner.

The kitty in the basket below is an old, old design. The stitches are so tiny that the embroidery work looks like it's been drawn on instead of needle work.

My favorite linens to collect are pillowcases, runners and dish towels. I try to use them in "real life" when ever I can. It's funny when people come over and are so surprised to see that I really do use them.

Dish towels add such a touch of charm and whimsy to my kitchen. And they're so easy to care for, too. I love the colors on this sweet kitty dish towel.

Hopefully I'll be selling linens again on eBay some time soon. I still have several baskets to go through and prepare, but I just keep on procrastinating. Oh well, some day I'll get to it....

Blessings,

Patricia :o)

BLUEBIRD embroidered runners

It's been a while since I posted about linens, so I think it's time. While sorting linens, I noticed that I seem to pick out a lot of bluebirds. They ARE among my favorite embroidered animals, though truth be told, I love it anytime I find an embroidered little dog, cat, horse, etc. I occasionally pick up other colored birds, but they just don't seem to be as cute.

SOLD

SOLD
OK, so this little bird isn't blue, but it's sooooo cute! We have lots of cardinals in our yard, so maybe that's what attracted me to this one. Or maybe it's because it's just so sweet.

SOLD

What amazes me so much about these vintage linens, is the workmanship! I tried embroidery several times (and I'm not giving up yet), but I just don't have the talent and/or skill to make my stitches look like this. It's much easier to just find them and buy them than it is to make them. Plus there's still the crocheted trim to worry about. And that's something I can't do.

All the items listed are table runners and are in great condition. If you're interested in purchasing them, please visit my eBay site. Some are listed as auctions and some as Buy-it-Now. Be sure to let me know if you have any questions.

Hope you had fun looking at these pretty art works.

Blessings,

Patricia :o)

Surprise for me!!

Oh my goodness! I received the sweetest surprise today from a wonderful blogging friend, Kathleen of Yesteryear Embroideries . I picked up yesterday's mail and among the bills and cards, I found a little package for me. I know I should have taken a picture of it to share, but I was so excited to have received it, that I just ripped it open. Inside, I found two sweet linens tied up with gold and red ribbon, a beautiful note, and the nicest Christmas card ever!

The doily is hand embroidered by Kathleen and features a wonderful little basket overflowing with yummy spring flowers: daisies, lavender, tulips and the cutest pansy right in the middle. Notice the edges? All hand finished. I love pansies because they look like such happy little flowers. They always make me smile when I see them whether they're in my garden, on a post card, or a beautiful hand embroidered linen (like this one)!

This darling tea towel is also made by Kathleen and is hand embroidered with two yummy roses, floating flowers and the cutest little blue butterfly. It's hand hemmed and then blanket stitched with a matching floss all the way around the edges. Talk about work! I can't imagine doing all that.

She does "hand embroidery for all occasions in all varieties of stitch and style." So if you need custom work, please contact her. Imagine having pillowcases or guest towels personalized with a hand embroidered monogram or your favorite flower/colors. You'll enjoy her blog and get to see some of her work, too. Drop by and tell her I said, "hi!"

Thanks, Kathleen!!

Blessing to all this Christmas season,

Patricia :o)

EBay & Web Store Listings for this week

I love sharing pictures of my linens. Mostly, I post pictures of the ones I'm going to keep. Here are a few that are for sale this week in my eBay and Web stores. Even if a person is not interested in buying them, I think it's always fun to look and admire the work from ladies long (and sometimes not so long ago).


These first two items are listed this week in eBay. You can click on the pictures to get there and see the details.

This blue bird runner is so sweet. It doesn't show in this picture but there's a blue crocheted trim that goes all the way around it. So much work!

The handsome couple of a rooster and chicken is hand appliqued using black and white ginham fabric with hand embroidered details. This lovely dish towel would look adorable in almost anyone's kitchen.

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These next two items are listed in Vintage Linen Treasures.com. The first is a beautiful pair of vintage pillowcases hand embroidered with pink and lavender tulips. So pretty!

The pillowcase case below is a beautiful pink rose with red detailing. It's so cottage chic and feminine! Roses are one of my favorite embroidered designs, (blue birds are a very close second).