Can't wait for next Thursday!

I'm so excited. I couldn't wait to tell you. I have been invited to participate in a wonderful showcase hosted by Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch

Every Thursday very talented ladies put together inspiring tabletop vignettes showcasing new and vintage dinner and serving ware with linens and accents creating very imaginative themes in sometimes very unique staging areas. One participant used her diving board and pool as a tabletop party for two. Susan's blog is no less inspiring as her own tabletops...you just need to pop over. And, don't forget to come back by on Thursday I should have my tabletop finished by then...if I start tonight....Jim'll have to get up the cupboards.........

It's Show-off Monday at Etsy Cottage

First I'd like to thank Marcella for hosting this get-together. I can't wait to see others projects and ideas! This is a great way to start off an otherwise mundane Monday.

I thought to kick off this Monday with a bit of a change of pace. You usually see my flowery stitches and fiber art, but today I'd like to show you what we create on a day to day basis at our floral design studio. As some of you know, and for those who don't, in every day life I am a Master Floral Designer. My family has owned A&J's Floral Boutique(R) in Cincinnati, Ohio since 1972. Over the years we have received national awards for our designs, service and quality in competitions and from wire services. We have also received numerous medals at the Cincinnati Flower Show, the only US flower show affiliated with the Royal Horticultural Society (Chelsea Flower Show) in England. We are very proud of achieving the Cincinnati Horticultural Society Gold Medal of Excellence for quality and design. At our shop we try to give clients more than they expect, whether it be in service or in designs. We have always mixed flowers with the unexpected to create one-of-a-kind designs. Be it for an everyday design or something special. We have filled bedpans for hospital designs, baby shoes for first grandchildren, we even used a whole switchboard system with flowers and foliages to create a permanent divider to be used on a half wall in a home for a retirement gift. Some of my Brown Gingham Creations are incorporated into our floral designs also. The totes I design are filled with hand-tied bouquets instead of being wrapped in just plain tissue. And, I also create custom wedding pillows for some of our brides using vintage textiles and flowers. One Monday I'll have to show those.
This is one of our exclusive designs, The A&J's Memories Box(C).
We use assorted botanicals....every day flowers to exotics..... design them in unique keepsake boxes and add accents that have meaning to the recipient. This particular order was a Sympathy Tribute for a Mother from her Son. She always had Hershey Kisses(R) in bowls in her nursing home room, which everyone would stop in for, and she loved pink roses. So, we took a satin floral motif shell, pearl, and sequin, mirrored keepsake box and filled it with fragrant pink long stem roses, snapdragons, and french carnations. We had to complete the design with babies breath for a lacy look, and, of course lots of Kisses paved at the bottom around the design.








We just loved the iridescent pinks of the shells and sequins that were brought out by the pink flowers.



This is a close-up of the paved french carnations and cluster of roses that are reflected in the mirror giving the almost 3' design even more dimension.















Each Memories Box and flower combo are different. No two are quite the same, and, they are done for any occasion. We even create them using the clients own vintage keepsakes like photos, teddy bears, figurines, hankies, jewelry,etc. Anything that has memories can go into the box and create tabletop or shelf vignettes. We use permanent botanicals, foliages, and dried flower as accents for those. They are our 'Treasures of the Past' Collection(C).

Well I hope you enjoyed seeing what I do in real life. I can truly say I love my work. Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you stop by again soon.
Melody

Hi! Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you enjoyed my last post about my treasures. Be sure to stop back tomorrow. Marcella at Etsy Cottage Style is hosting 'Show-Off Monday' and there are always some really wonderful designs and ideas from some extremely talented people. My newest item will be posted later tonite for tomorrows theme. Chat with you tomorrow!

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........

Seen What's Cookin' at Brown Gingham?

Have you seen what's been cookin' at Brown Gingham? As you probably already know I love vintage aprons. All types, colors, and motifs. I have begun collecting them to add to my line of designs.

I hand-embroider and embellish them

On this one I embroidered the cart and embellished with rhinestone studs and a 1940's button that looked like a wheelhub.With all the flowers, if you look closely I accented with butterfly appliques.

This fun find was tucked in some baskets on a shelf in a ladies storage area.

Its a 1940's souvenir apron from the Ohio State Fair. Its was a wonderful chiffon with a flocked design. I added little buttons where the ties and apron body come together for reinforcement. It still had the sale tag on it!!

I'm even getting ready for Christmas with holiday motif aprons. This was in good condition, but the flocking was worn..a few simple embroidery stitches and it's like new!

I was really excited by my newest find........

This Child's apron of spring green gingham was accented by matching cross stitch. Add some daisy appliques and utensil charms and it's a little cook's best accessory. I even found this to accompany it....

Doesn't it make a cute gift set?

All my apron creations come with a little vintage cook book...I think it looks so forlorn or incomplete without one. Truly I don't know which is more fun creating the apron or looking for the vintage cook books? And, Ive been warned about bringing in new cookbooks to my collection...we'll start to see some new Nascar collectibles and sports memorabilia if I don't' thin it out!!!!

My favorite creation with a cookin' theme has to have been the one that took me the longest to find all the components.

I began with the 1940's doll in her original tattered satin dress with plain apron. I reworked the dress, embroidered the apron with little daisies and added vintage hand-crocheted edging that matched the faded satin. Her maid bonnet missing, I replaced it with a new crocheted and beaded 'tam'. Her eyelet wings began as 1960's ruffles. The cutting board and wooded spoon were easy. The vintage recipe box was tricky to locate. I needed to find one to compliment the dolls color combo....voile'. A wonderful 1960's metal Stylcraft recipe box in a colonial motif fit nicely! It even still has the sale tag glued to the bottom with the Pogue's name and price! For those not from the Cincy area, this was a fashionable Department Store into the late 70's until after a couple of sales is now Macy's It even contained the original recipe cards that the previous owner collected. I tied it together with bits of the edging and eyelet. Weeks later I found this wonderful baking cookbook.........

It's 1940 Hostess Book of Baking Recipes distributed by the General Foods Corp. advertising the Swan's Down Cake Flour and Calumet Baking Powder. What makes it sooooo unusual is the vintage 1940's doll motif in the photo shots.

You all know how I love vintage cook book's so this was really hard to part with since it's so different! But, it really completed this design. I thought it'd be great on a kitchen counter..or remove the book and close the lid..it becomes a nice centerpiece for the kitchen or dining room table.

What do ya think?

My last little view is of a creation yet to be finished...didn't realize how much stitching would go into this!! but it'll be worth it....

The top picture is a 1930-40 apron that I will have to hand-embroider and embellish . Aren't those little flower carts too cute? The next pic is a wonderful 1940's card table cloth with napkins that matches the apron..won't that be a ....fun set? This is what I started on first...wow are there a lot of little stitches in this, but I will get it done..............before my next craft show......

I hope.........it'll definitely be on my Etsy site.(sigh)

Have you started a new project or found something wonderfully vintage you didn't expect to find? I'd love to hear about it!

This summer has been a vintage jackpot so far!

This Summer seems to to be flitting by so quickly! I haven't been able to get out to my Sunday destinations for antique hunting so far, but I have been able to get to some of my local haunts. It seems I have been finding some of the most wonderful things...and at great prices too! Guess St Anthony (patron saint of finding things) has been looking out for me. He must know I need some unique things created for the upcoming Autumn/Christmas shows coming up in Sept. and Nov. I've been invited to participate in. As things finalize for show dates I'll list them.

Has anyone done craft shows lately? Any advice?

Does anyone have any suggestions how to get more people to stop in my booth? Any one found a great find they'd like to show us? Leave a comment with your website or blog address.

Hope to hear from ya soon!

Melody

Happy 4th of July!!!!

Hope you all have a fun and safe 4th.

...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........

Thanks for joining me for my 6 Month Blogiversary

I'm so happy you all could join me on my porch, for the Etsy Cottage Style Blog Party, and for entering my giveaway.

The drawing will be tonight and I'll post the winner tomorrow.

Best wishes...hope the winner is you!

Melody

......friends stitched together by embroidery threads......

Hello Etsy Cottage Style Friends!

What a wonderful Blog party theme Marcella has come up with this week! I'm so excited cause not only is it a blog party, but I'm also celebrating my 6 Month Blogiversary...soooo, don't leave without checking out the end of this post!
What a wonderful Blog Party theme Marcella has come up with this week!
"You're Never Too Old To Play With.........."
This is an easy theme for me. It's Dolls!!
I love to search for old 1930-60's discarded dolls and dress them up or reinvent their look.







This 1950 plastic doll came completely undone..no hair, no clothes,....I coiffed the hair and designed and hand-embroidered and painted her lampshade dress. I even got to use my floral design skills and create a matching wreath for the base. This was my first nightlight design.






This was my greatest vintage find. A 1930's Composite Doll.
I cleaned her up, embroidered her christening dress and even added a 1930's Tam for her wings. It took a while to complete, but well worth it.








This is Frenchie. When I found her in a box of broken dolls and parts I was thrilled. Her hair was all dishevelled. Her once beautiful satin dress faded and torn, but she was still a beauty. I found a 1940's hankie that accented the side dress panel on her original dress that covers the faded satin and hand-embroidered the pattern. I had to redo her do and create a new feathered felt hat. Her lace umbrella was tattered so I stitched it up and added some beads on the handle. Voile' A Fancy Frenchie.












These are just a few of my doll creations. Please go to past posts and see my other vintage finds and creations. You can also visit my website at http://www.brownginghamcreations.com/ for other one-of-a-kind vintage designs.
Oh, don't forget to read my post from June 13th. I'm having a giveaway to celebrate my 6 month Blogiversary! Just leave a comment and you're entered.
Thanks for stopping and I hope you win!
Melody
........friends stitched together by embroidery thread.......
P.S. Stop by the Etsy Cottage Style group...Textile Artists..and post some pics of how your decorate your outdoor rooms..porch, patio, deck, etc....on my discussion page "It's Getting Warmer. How Do You Decorate Your Outdoor Room?"