Happy Thursday!

It's almost the weekend. Its sunny and 70 something. CSi is on tonight. And, I've completed a few more apron designs That makes for a happy Thursday.
Thanks to all who visited on Vintage Alphabet Party Monday and Rednesday yesterday. I am so happy to meet new blog friends.
I just wanted to show you one of my newest creations............................

There are a couple of more I just placed on my Etsy site, Apronation. Hope you stop by and check them out.

Hope you're having a Happy Thursday!

One Busy Designing Woman!

Holy Cow! I cannot believe it's only two weeks till my first big craft show at Loveland High School. Where has October gone! I'm getting a little nervous, there are 200 vendors at this show! I didn't think the building was that large. I haven't been able to post as much as I like,It seems I have lost my WiFi hotspots in town, so during the day my laptop doesn't get out. This is what has been occupying my night time..........


















This tablerunner was a 1950-60's linen dishtowel. As you can see I hand-embroidered the the flowers and foliage as well as the clock. I added new fringe in the same brown tone as found in the print. It seems to tone down the pinks.















This little pink gingham apron is from the 1940-50's. I refurbished it a bit, completed the cross-stitch and added the sparle pink flowers and whimsical Panda Ballerina. This makes the perfect apron for a new mom! I'll be adding a little bib that can embroidered with the baby's name later and a pacifier.

I found this apron at the same time. I love the bottom border. Strands of fabric have been carefully removed to create a flying geese pattern usually found in quilts. I completed the Cross-stitch, embellished the pocket with a 1940-50's Christmas holly and poinsettia hankie that I hand-embroidered, and added a gold-tone poinsettia charm with red Austrian Crystals on some of the berries. I wish you could see the sparkle!

These are just a few of some of the new creations I've been working on. I haven't been able to get pics. It's been getting dark earlier and harder to catch the light. I hope to show more in the coming days.
It's going on 8:30p I'd better get back to my work before we have to put the kittens to bed........
didn't I tell you we had new fur kids! And yes Shadow is so happy. That is for a future post.

Family Treasure

I was going through some boxes in my basement one day and I found a couple of my Grandma's tin's. Treasure boxes! She used them to store all kinds of things. Cookies to nails. This box was not too heavy, so it couldn't have been nails and junk. I remember this tin. She got it in the 60's. It was always hard to open.....the hinged lid stuck.

It's like a time capsule. Filled with unfinished projects she'd get back to later.

Unfinished dresser scarves.........

This dresser scarf is only done on one end. Look at all the tiny stitches...and perfect. The back looks as good as the front. I can still hear her telling me that the back of a piece needed to look as clean as the front. If her pieces didn't have tiny knots on the back, you'd think they were machined.

This next scarf clearly shows the makers stamp, Colonial Maid. I'd never heard of that company. If someone out there has can you let me know?


This kitchy wall piece must've been one she completed when they were redoing the kitchen in the early 70's. The colors match. I wonder why she never finished it? Or, maybe she had done it to give as part of a shower gift?...... I think this treasure will find it's way to my Mom's kitchen as a surprise.

This next tin is much older. Probably from the very early 40's maybe late 30's.


I love the old world look. The bottom has pink and gold coordinating stripes. Pure Shabby Chic for today.

OOHHHH, Grandma's embroidery thread and very utilitarian pincushion. Her oval embroidery hoop and two ready to be embroidered dresser scarves. She never even started them! One even has the original tag on it.
I think these will be finished and used as table runners..for myself.

I'm going to put these back in the treasure boxes and display them in what I hope will be my studio one day. I love finding family treasures.. I know these bits of thread, material, wood, and tin aren't worth a lot, but to me they are priceless stitches of love.

Now, I'm off to do some vintage hunting in my own basement. I have boxes and bags of stuff family and friends have given me over the past few years that they say they're not sure what's in them, but they're sure I can use it. I gladly take them, but then forget where I put them...or rather where Jim has moved them!! Don't you just love a helpful husband........

...and the winner is.......

Okay Ladies,

Last night the drawing was made for the winner of my 6 Month Blogiversary.

To recap.........

The winner will receive a Leisure Arts Craft Leaflet (it's really a whole book) of seed packet iron-on transfers for painting or embroidery.

AND...........................................................................................

as an added surprise I'm including a few copies of vintage transfers from the 1940's from my own collection.

The pink and blue floral bouquet and border is a print of a 1950 Vogart Texture Transfer (it's tissue with a plastic like color transfer).

The swan and flower print is a copy of a popular 1930's-40's transfer motif for pillowcases.

And, lastly, you see a little snippet of paper that starts out..'This is your free surprise gift'....it's an embroidery stitch instruction sheet to complete 6 prints of wildflower transfers. These are also from the 1940's.

These copies can be scanned and used with your embroidery machine...cheaterLOL....or place image on fabric to hand-embroider. You can also do it the old fashioned way and use fabric transfer/carbon paper to trace onto your project. SOOOOOOO..............the winner is....................

Debbi at Marionberry Cottage!!!

Congrats Debbi! I need you to e-mail me at melody@brownginghamcreations.com with your home address so I can get this to you.

Again, I'd like to thank all my blog friends, old and new, for joining me and chatting...in the past 6 months I have been so encouraged, challenged, and inspired. I hope you stop back by soon. I really enjoy our visits.

Melody

.......we're all friends stitched together by embroidery threads........

vintage finds

After my last post I thought I'd show some of my recent vintage finds from my recent travels.














These two pretty vintage hats were in great condition. The one on the bottom is from the late 1930's- early 40's. The haberdashery flowers are a luscious satin and velvet mix of taupes and muaves. The bright, springy piece on the top is from the 1950's-60s and it to contains velvet and silk flowers. I cannot bring myself to tear these apart, so I'll have to think how to repurpose them.

A several days later and a few more excursions I found this cute 1940's doll. Her cheeks are so rosy and lips a little red bow. When her eyes are open they are a deep blue with long painted lashes. I will have to fix her crocheted dress. Her hairdo will definitely need attention too! The over sized hankie is from the 30's, as you can see, has already begun being highlighted with embroidery around the leaves. I think I found my inspiration for this angel. Combine all this with the vintage hat as wings and voile'. It's not a traditional valentine color scheme, very monochromatic, but with the copper hearts and some other embellishments, she'll say 'Love'. I'll post a pic when she's completed.
Alas, the other hat will have to wait. I still have to find an inspiration for it. I'm thinking maybe flower fairyish? Have to cut it for wings...can't bring myself to put a scissor to it. Maybe as a topper of some kind with the doll..( still to be found) ....standing in the center? It's just pipecleaner and net frame..it's wouldn't support much. Getting ahead of myself. I still have to find a vintage doll and fabric to match the hat...I'm off!

Hello!!

Finally my blog is up and running! I still have to get used to inserting photos as you can see, so please bear with me. I had a page at my website for a newsletter, but didn't have any interaction with readers. I'm hoping with a blogspot to hear from new friends soon. My name is Melody Brown-Albers. I'm from Cincinnati, Ohio, in the suburb of Sharonville. I am a Master Floral Designer and Mixed Media/Fiber Artist. Please visit my website at http://www.brownginghamcreations.com/ It is filled with some of the things I love. Flowers, vintage fabric, dolls, painting, embroidery, and clothes. New creations are added frequently. Read the About and In The Design Room sections for more info. If you stop by let me know by signing my Guest Book. I'd love to hear any comments, questions, or suggestions.
In future entries I hope to let you see where my studio is and my family's flower shop, where some of my designs are showcased. Introduce you to my husband Jim and puppyboy Shadow. Invite you along in antiqueing jaunts, share decorating and accent ideas, and let you see some of my other vintage collections. I can't wait to hear from you. Please join me meandering through the garden of my life.