Something different and Vacation Time : )

We are going on vacation starting tomorrow, will be back in a week or so, and I am not sure that we are going to have any internet access while on the road, so this post will be the only one for a week (can I go a week without surfing the net?).

Instead of stamping stuff I am bringing embroidery with me, and yes, I embroider every so often : ) I bought some of the old fashioned flour cloth towels, heat transferred some designs (not well mind you, sigh) and will stitch around the whole towel as well. Embroidery is just easier to take with us in the car, though I really was trying to figure out how to bring some of my stamping stuff.

Embroidery reminds me of a time gone by, of less hectic times, simpler times. Used to be that when someone had a bridal or baby shower guests would bring hand made things, blankets, embroidery, now for the most part we go out and buy things. I miss the hand made connections in our lives, maybe that is why I love rubber stamping so much, it reminds me of days gone by because of the handmade nature of the craft.

My grandmother's kitchen (my mom's mom, we called her "noni") always had an embroidered towel or two, an embroidered table cloth, napkin or some other little piece that someone had made. My Noni crocheted, sewed, embroidered and knitted. My mom knits, crochets, does calligraphy, flower arranging, needlepoint and has embroidered a bit.

In addition to doing some embroidery I also collect vintage embroidery (just pick up a piece here and there, don't have a huge amount, just a few pieces. Am still trying to figure out what to do with them). I have also started collecting vintage handmade aprons, not fancy ones, just plain ones that are old, mostly worn, and reflective of a time passed. My Mom gave me the most amazing laundry bag that someone made for her years ago (as a wedding or engagement gift), here is a picture of the bag, with some wonderful embroidery on it:



Here are some close ups:





The whole bag is hand sewn, not one stitch is on a machine (the front and back were hand stitched together). After making the bag the person embroidered all over, covering the bag with flowers, birds, a adorable girl, it is an amazing piece. When my Mom gave it to me it was all stained and I was able to get most of the stains out (the stains were from age and yellowing), haven't decided what to do with it yet, it is just stored in the linen closet for now.

Here is a pillowcase I did for my Mom:



Some close ups:





And here are some other embroidery pieces that I have found in thrift stores:









Anyhow, hope you don't mind that tonight I posted a bunch of embroidery : ) Will get back to the stamping when we are home.

Until then, do something different, don't be afraid to try something new, and have a great week all, I am really going to miss you.