It's a Daisy Day

I finished my piece for the May Stitch Along over at New Embroiderieswith Vintage Patterns Group. It is exciting to see what everyone stitches up.

The daisy is actually from an antique pattern by Briggs, which was kindly shared on Flickr by Embroiderist. It just goes to show, that just because something is old, does not mean it is outdated. That is what our embroidery group is about, using vintage patterns in fresh new ways.

The entire daisy was done in stem stitch. The white embroidery floss was some old Bates that I had, and ended up looking thinner than the green stem and leaves done in DMC. To make the flower "blossom" I went back over the white again. That is why it looks a bit raised. I don't think it is considered couching, because I just whipped the thread around the stitches without going through the fabric again.


It was my first time embroidering on linen, and I can see why folks like it.

Those of you who visit here often know I am addicted to bags, they're just so handy. They are also a good excuse for using up bits of fun fabric.  This little bag is entirely hand sewn while waiting for Little Miss at physical therapy, and on Mother's Day.  I am never bored!

I have been wanting a bag to carry my crochet thread projects in. Even though the work itself can be folded up small, some of these balls are pretty big. They are small enough to stuff in another bag or large purse though, so that is what I wanted to be able to do.

There, all nice and neat, no fuss, no muss. The lining is actually some light green synthetic lining fabric that was languishing in my stash. Now I can slip the bias tape handle over my wrist, and crochet away while the ball spins inside the bag.

The bias tape handle is some vintage quarter inch bias tape that I was lucky enough to find. Do they even make this anymore? I whip stitched the open side, because machine stitching it would have made the handle stiffer than I wanted. My father watched me stitching it on Mother's Day, and said I was silly for going to all of that work for something you couldn't even see. Mom told him that was the whole point to make the stitches so that you cannot see them. They're so cute!

Surprisingly our daisies have popped up already. Then again, everything is off kilter this year. They wave to folks as they drive around our corner.

Little Miss and I went to the neighboring town of Beloit to visit the Beloit College Art Museum last week. They are having a show of the senior's work. The irises are starting to bloom in their poetry garden. We had a lovely time.

As we were leaving I was sharing with her that I lived in that neighborhood when I was very little. Lo and behold, we followed some rummage sale signs, and when I parked at one we were in front of my old home. It is very little, very old, and still as quaint as ever. The tree I ran my bike into was still out front! We had some laughs and found this lovely vintage vase. We decided to enjoy it awhile before I sell it. It is perfect for daisies!

I am having all kinds of daisy fun. Today I listed a group of Vintage Mikasa Plates with them. They are their Boyne pattern from their Eclipse line. I'll be listing the rest of these vintage daisy goodies this week.

Playing with daisies is fitting my mood this morning. The sun is already shining. It is going to be a great day. YOU have a great day too! Hey, what kind of daisy items do you all have?

(Here is the daisy for those who would like to do it.  Just right click to copy, and paste into whatever picture program you use.  It's a bit fuzzy, because I blew it up so much.  It can just be traced with pen.  Have fun!)

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