Candlewick and Cross Stitch Embroideries

Long ago before retirement I used to pick up all different kinds of needlework kits at the thrift store whenever I found them. This year I decided to work on a few of them.   

I've finished the candlewick embroidery for this pillow that finishes at 13 inches square. I'm not sure I'm going to turn it into a pillow. I'm going to think about it for awhile.  It may go into a future quilt with a variety of different embroidered items and laces both vintage and new. 

The kit was only 95 cents and came with lace to finish but it is rather stiff lace and I don't like the look of it on the pillow anyway. It's so 80s...well, that is what was on the selvage of the stamped embroidery -- 1983. 

Also for 95 cents I picked up this dresser scarf. The kit was missing the lace and thread but I have plenty of thread so no problem.  I'm going to finish this as a dresser scarf but I'm trying to decide if I should add lace or crochet a lace edging.  I have a small box of laces so will look in there to see if I have enough of anything and if not then I guess I'll see if I have enough crochet cotton for an edging. I have several vintage pamphlets with instructions for crochet edgings. 

Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy's Quilts

 

Hodge Podge of Hand Work

I just finished the candlewicking on a 14 inch pillow cover. There was not quite enough thread in the kit so a few of the colonial knots are done in a slightly different color. 

This kit even came with the pillow cover all put together and a zipper in back. Pretty fancy! 

And it only cost me 95 cents! Back before retirement I used to pick up kits like this at the thrift store thinking I would work on them when I retired. Four years into retirement I guess the time to work on these things is now. They make nice summer project when it is too hot to hand quilt.  There's another 95 cent Candlewick pillow cover waiting for some embroidery. I'll probably skip the lace on it because it is that scratchy and stiff type of old lace I don't like.  I plan to make some pillow forms out of muslin and batting scraps when I have all of these embroideries finished. 

This week I finished five more flowers for Grandmother's Flower Garden. That makes 23 flowers out of the target of 30. I inherited 15 blocks and the parts to make 15 more 

This is another thrift store find. It included the stamped cross stitch dresser scarf/table runner and needle but no lace like the card said. I'm sure I can find some here in my crazy quilting supplies.  I have plenty of embroidery thread so no problem there. This is about the extent of the cross stitch I can do anymore because my eyesight is failing and it has never been that good. The stamped embroidery reminds me of my grandmother who taught me how to embroider on a stamped cloth and also on gingham. 

 I will use this as a buffet topper or pie safe topper when finished. I do love roses! 

Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts