Blog anniversaries/birthdays.

I've noticed a few people in our 'community' have been celebrating their first birthday in Blogsville. As so many seemed to have started around the time that I had, I thought I had better check when I started off. April 1st 2005...April Fool's Day, wouldn't you know it??!!

Today's mail brought....

Three lovely wins from eBay. Two supper cloths and an unfinished apron. More detail about them with each photo.

Not rapt in the green colour of this unfinished apron, but I had to have it for the crinoline lady! Any suggestions on what colour I should use to finish off her dress?
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Part of tiger lily design on supper cloth. This one is in EXCELLENT condition; I am absolutely delighted when I add something of this standard to my collection!
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One corner of floral supper cloth. This one is pretty old I think, as the linen is very soft (as it is after frequent washing) and the stitching which was once perfect, is starting to wear.
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Finally, an old unworked cloth - possibly not what you are looking for. I have been longing to make a start on this, but as there were no instructions with it, I have no idea what colours or stitches to use. Any suggestions?
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Again, I'm not sure if this comes under Lagartera. Please advise!
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This doiley/tray cloth may not be Lagartera, strictly speaking, as the stitching is heavier than the other examples. Of course, that may have been the choice of the embroiderer at the time.
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Small doiley matching the tray cloth/doiley of the same design.
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This is one of a set of six. There are matching napkins, which have one of the side motifs only on them. Pulled threadwork in the centre.
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One corner of a suppercloth. I think this cloth has been well used in its time - or badly stored, as some of the stitching is coming adrift. Still very pretty though.
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Attention SharonB - here is my Lagartera.

I went through my collection today, Sharon, and these are what I found that fit the descriptions of Lagartera on your blog...well, I'm no expert, but they look a bit like it anyway! I am keen to hear your opinion.

Who mentioned owls? There has been much interest in owls on several craft blogs in recent weeks, so I decided to add one of mine to the fray!
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This peg bag looks deceptively simple, but take a closer look at the stitching. Some of those petals and leaves are worked in perfect bullion stitches...the likes of which I shall never be expert enough to do! (sigh..) But at least I can admire it in my collection. This bag by the way, is designed so you slip a coat hanger in the top for it to hang on the clothes line. Nifty!
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Tray cloth with the words Breakfast Time, along with a tea set and and a border of daisies. Simple design, but fresh and sunny-looking, just right to start the day! Again, folded to fit on the scanner.
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Beautifully stitched in a variety of blue shades, this tray cloth has "Good Morning" on it, and the cup has an extra layer of material to slip the napkin under. It is too big for the scanner, so as usual I have had to fold it in order to scan as much as possible.
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Doiley from Nicole.
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Back again with some more eye-candy!

Gosh - it's been nearly a week since I posted anything here! Well, if there is nothing to post, so be it. But finally I have some new pretties to show off. Three courtesy of eBay and one from Nicole up north in sunny Queensland. She sent me a parcel of goodies in exchange for some old greeting cards I posted to her a few weeks ago. Her parcel included several lengths of pretty lace, a heap of stranded cottons, a cross stitch pattern, and a few other small surprises, including this exquisitely stitched doiley - not sure if it is organdie or chiffon. Whatever it is called, it is very light, fragile see-through material, and even for an experienced stitcher, it must be hell to stitch on. But in this case the back is as good as the front - just beautiful. Thank you again, Nicole!
The other items are two tray cloths and a peg bag. I have provided more details with each picture.

I did this for one of my home care clients when she was very ill. Despite having moved house twice since then, she still has it on display in her living room. Guess she likes it!
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An interesting perspective on hand made gifts.

Barb over at Woof Nanny posted a story about a quilt she started a few years ago, for a most undeserving boyfriend (who didn't end up with it anyway), and she included some links in her post to other craft blogs. I had to do a bit of blog-hopping to find everything worth reading, but some of it is worth reproducing here.
From Wish Jar Journal:
I’ve been trying to pin down what is driving the increasing popularity of crafting for a while now. This is what I’ve got so far:
1. People get satisfaction for being able to create/craft things because they can see themselves in the objects they make. This is not possible in purchased products.
2. The things that people have made themselves have magic powers. They have hidden meanings that other people can’t see.
3. The things people make they usually want to keep and update. Crafting is not against consumption. It is against throwing things away.
4. People seek recognition for the things they have made. Primarily it comes from their friends and family. This manifests as an economy of gifts.
5. People who believe they are producing genuinely cool things seek broader exposure for their products. This creates opportunities for alternative publishing channels.
6. Work inspires work. Seeing what other people have made generates new ideas and designs.
7. Essential for crafting are tools, which are accessible, portable, and easy to learn.
8. Materials become important. Knowledge of what they are made of and where to get them becomes essential.
9. Recipes become important. The ability to create and distribute interesting recipes becomes valuable.
10. Learning techniques brings people together. This creates online and offline communities of practice.
11. Craft-oriented people seek opportunities to discover interesting things and meet their makers. This creates marketplaces.
12. At the bottom, crafting is a form of play.
Makes you think again about your own handiwork, doesn't it? And another quote, courtesy of Barb:
By Scott Cunningham: "All hand made objects contain a bit of energy. The process that creates these objects is more than a simple repetition of techniques. During the creation process the craftsperson, through concentration and the physical activity involved, moves energy from within the body, through the hands, and into the material being worked". Do you ever wonder if your creations are truly appreciated by those who you give to? I feel quite warm and fuzzy now since reading the above words.