When I came across this last week I knew resistance was futile...
Corry who blogs at Little Miss Shabby is hosting the
Quilty Stitches Sampler Along and we will be making this little beauty. I am smitten!
During the 80's and early 90's I was obsessed with cross stitch. I don't think I ever left the house without a piece of Aida cloth, some floss and a needle. My Mom and several of my aunts were avid stitchers as well.
This wall in our living room is my cross stitch pride and joy. I enjoyed Paula Vaughn's patterns so much because I love their romantic style of flowers, antiques and quilts - well before I became a quilter myself. The finish dates on these range from 1987 to 1990.
When I made partner in my CPA firm in 1994 my present to myself was to have these framed by the best frame shop I knew of. It cost a bundle but it has been worth every penny because these make me happy every single day!
The large wedding dress scene is my favorite... the armoire, the trunk, the quilt, the sampler on the wall and, of course, the dress! I remember doing the white french knots and agonizing over each one.
Of course I have to show a closeup of this one for all of you sewing machine enthusiasts! It's hard to get pictures without reflection... it took me a while to figure out that the lines "radiating" on the top are from our wood ceiling. I love the textured mat board and the detailed inner and outer frames my guy used. I had never seen anything like it. I asked for an heirloom look and he certainly delivered.
This is my baby wall at the end of our main level hall - an awkward place to take pictures for sure but these are the best of the lot.
My Mom made this one when our daughter was born. This pattern was love at first sight for me years before and I was thrilled when she agreed to stitch it!
Then she made this adorable one for our son and my dad made the custom frame with the routed details. I come from a very talented family don't I?
Today I am looking forward to going back to a prior love. I've taken my floss bins off the shelf and am ready to pick out colors and get started on a fresh piece of Aida using new needles.
The first block is the Swoon (upper left corner). I'm thinking red, aqua and green as this will end up in my quilting room. Who would have thought I'd be stitching a Swoon block before I sew one!
I'm linking up to
Slow Stitching Sunday@Kathy's Quilts.
I loved seeing your collection of stitchery! My favorite is indeed the old sewing machine, but they are all stunning! The new project is very very tempting ;)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your slow stitching today and thanks for linking up!
I just pulled out some of my old cross-stitch projects - I have half a dozen or so that I never finished. Congrats on getting back into this, I'm really enjoying it also.
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous. I hope you have so much fun. I used to cross-stitch, but I never had patience for something as detailed as these.
ReplyDeleteThese are really beautiful. I did a lot of cross stitch in the late 70s and early 80s. I also splurged and framed a seasonal landscape set I did and they hang in a bedroom yet. I actually pulled out a monogram type piece I did years ago for one of my girls - her initial "L" and lily of the valley. I was going to frame it but now plan to frame it with fabric and make her a pillow or wall hanging out of it. And I'm hoping to cross stitch the grandkids names to use on some Christmas ornaments for 2014. Thank you for reminding me how much I enjoyed cross stitch.
ReplyDelete..Who would have thought I'd be stitching a Swoon block before I sew one!...lol me too! cross stitch on linen is(was) my first love. i do alot of just nan and miribella, lots of beads. love it. i haven't done much since i discovered quilting a couple of years ago, but i jumped at the chance with Corry, i need a bit of stitching in my sewing room. i think its going to be fun and aida is easy to work with, not like my linen, i need a magnifying glass to see the thread clearly. lol
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful pieces of cross stitch. What a joy to see them every day.
ReplyDeleteYour framer guy definitely outdid himself on those double frames. I've never seen anything like it and they suit your works of art perfectly!
ReplyDeleteYour cross stitches are beautiful. I'm thinking I need to pull mine out of the cupboard and start working on them again xx
ReplyDeleteYour stitcheries are lovely--I especially like "Sleep, Baby, Sleep"...just having had Willa rose come into our family circle...thanks for the share, hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteI love those Paula Vaughn cross stitch designs, as well. I used to do a lot of cross stitching before quilting took over my life. LOL! Now applique gets the hand work time that cross stitching used to get.
ReplyDeleteThose are totally amazing!!!!!!! I'm so glad to see you're getting back to it!!!! This will be a wonderful project!! Hugs.........
ReplyDeleteI too did all those Paula V. patterns. I have one in pillow form on my bed and gave one to a sister as a gift.. I am not sure where the others got to.. hmmmm
ReplyDeleteSimply love your Paula Vaughn's. I have each of those patterns and was a stitchers before becoming a quilter. I do intend to one day do them but not sure that day will ever come!
ReplyDeleteBetween clearing out my mother's home and downsizing my own, I have been going through all our stitchery supplies. I have those very same Paula Vaughn patterns and I'm truly envious that you have them framed. You have done a lovely job on them and I'm glad they give you pleasure. If I would like to see them on my wall some day, I better stop dreaming and start stitching because the eyes don't see quite as well as they once did.
ReplyDeleteI used to be a cross stitcher too, before quilting consumed me. I followed along with Cory's birdie stitches a couple years back and started this one too, but the little 1/4 stitches are killing me : )
ReplyDeleteI used to do a lot of counted cross stitch too. I have the sewing machine picture in my sewing room. I made stockings for my daughter and my nieces when they were born. Good luck on your new project.
ReplyDeleteWow! I loved the show of such beautiful stitcheries. I have a book of quilts by month and have done two so far - both framed and hanging so I see them every day. One of little mouses sewing hangs in my daughters room. Hmmm. I really should pull out the one I started.....12 years ago and try and get it finished this year.
ReplyDeleteI too have a long history with cross stitch! Your work is beautiful! I saw this quilt project and am dusting off my DMC collection!
ReplyDeleteLove your collection of Paula Vaughn - I don't have any of mine left as they were all gifted on over time.
ReplyDeleteI did a LOT of counted cross stitching before I rediscovered quilting ... and I just loved seeing your work! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAmazing work! I love Paula Vaughan's work too!AriadnefromGreece!
ReplyDeleteI did cross-stitch before I quilted too! I am so impressed with your FIVE Paula Vaughn designs! I did one for my mother one Christmas & then swore I'd never do another because the one stitch of colour here & there drove me nuts. :-)
ReplyDeleteMy sister was big into cross-stitch and has done some of those same Paula Vaughans! And she made that same baby cross-stitch for my son that you have (the peachy one with the bunny).
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, cross-stitch; I remember when... (Do a search on my blog and I'm sure you'll find my cross-stitch post).
ReplyDeleteI love all your stitchers and the way you've displayed them. The sampler is a clever idea.
Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for this wondrous post, I am glad I observed this website on yahoo. website
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