Some more eBay wins.

Look at this exquisite old centrepiece - what perfect work in both embroidery and crocheted edging. What a treasure!
I have a supper cloth with a similar design to this, as well as another doiley, but what caught my attention again with this centrepiece was the beautiful crocheted edge. That's not to say I am any less impressed by the detailed stitching of the Scottish piper!

Update on Assisi Mint Leaf

Here is where I am up to with my EGV project - a mint leaf in Assisi work. It's not taking long! Just as well, because I want to get going on the other two projects with timelines this year: Anniversary sampler for mid year, and 50th birthday sampler for November. Both have been started, but have a long way to go!

Two new additions to the Collection.

I was delighted to spot this doiley on eBay, because I have a UFO in the same design! Now I'll know which colours to use when finishing off the UFO :-) I am so lucky to have TWO friends who work in opportunity shops! This doiley came from my friend Pam in Hobart:

New stuff for the collection ex eBay.

Would you believe I bought all this for the paltry sum of $15 plus $8 postage?? Maybe it was because less people are checking eBay over the Christmas period. This first cloth is a stunning whitework on linen with gorgeous crocheted edge.
This item is unusual for me to keep, but I suspect it is very old, and the stitching on the net is exquisite. I would never attempt this kind of embroidery, but going by my reference books, it was something quite common way back when.
Cutwork is something else I don't keep a lot of, but this is such a nice example, I think I will keep this one.
Finally, yet another cloth in one of my favourite embroidery styles. I have about eight of these now - all different colours and patterns - lovely!

Request for help with an old Myart or Semco design.

I have received an email from a fellow-embroiderer, asking for some help with a project she is working on. Rather than me re-type it all, I am reproducing her email here, with one of the photos she attached, and if anybody reading this can offer suggestions, please do, by leaving a comment in the usual way. I am aware that many people who read blogs, cannot always respond by commenting, so if you are in that group, just email me direct, and I'll post your words here.
Hello Gina, I came across Patra's Place whilst looking for traced linen resources on the net. In Sydney there used to be a shop in George St that sold traced linens and threads. The lines were Semco, DMC and Myart. I bought a heap of them, runners and doilies and a few tablecloths. I've got all the charts (eg colours and stitch methods) for them all - except one of the tablecloths, which I've started... and now want to finish!!! This particular tablecloth is not pure linen - it must be some sort of poly/cotton mix because it doesn't crease and feels light and soft. I'm writing to you in case you or others of your stitching pals might know what this particular pattern is supposed to look like. For example, the blue daisies are inside a frame, and I don't know what colour this is supposed to be nor what stitch it should be done in. I've enclosed a coupla pictures of it in case you or your pals can help me!! I'd love to finish it!! If you'd like any pictures of other kits (Myart) that I've got just let me know!! Myart seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth, as does the embroidery shop in George St Sydney!
Many thanks in advance for any help you can give.
Deb