What next? Is there life after an Indian?

There certainly is - a cupboard full! Two close friends of many years are turning 60 - one next month, and one this time next year. I have two cross stitch kits in a blue cups and teapots theme, slightly different from each other, but about the same size. I've got one on a frame and ready to go, but if I don't finish it by my friend's birthday (Xmas Eve), she won't know anything because I haven't told her about it. So it will keep for the other friend next year, for whom I have promised to stitch something. But if I do get it finished in time, I still have the other one to do next year.
Ken's Mum has given me several unfinished embroidered items over the years, and one is a Semco suppercloth, which I would love to finish off while she is still with us. It has roses and rosebuds scattered over it, and I have completed one rose, which took me two weeks. It is an intricate design, and I didn't want to hurry, because embroidery looks awful if it is rushed, doesn't it. So I may retrieve that one next year. I'd like to do a few Christmas cards for some good friends, but if I start the teacups project in earnest, I won't have time for the cards! Ahhh..decisions, decisions. But it is nice to be free of that Indian at last. And if I remain unemployed for another month or so, I may get some cards as well as the 60th gift done! (don't hold your breath)

Indian Chief front and back.

This is the front, finished ready to frame. If you go close up, you may notice the difference in the beads. These are closer to the real turquoise colour. The first ones I had were just blue glass.
And this is his behind..er..back.

A few Indian hiccups.

I took two more photos when I'd completed my Indian, and am going to go back on my word and publish them here shortly. But in the meantime, I have two little stories to finish off the saga of the Indian. I always hand wash my finished stitching projects in luke warm water, with a little wool-wash liquid added. I've never had any problem until now...this time, the colour ran from one of the red threads used in the design. Fortunately there are only a couple of small areas where this particular red was used, so the damage was not extensive. About 1 cm of very pale pink can just be seen on the aida, at the edge of the design. I'm not worried about it. If it was to be judged in a competition, I guess it would be important, but anyone else who sees it wouldn't be so RUDE as to point it out....would they? (Ken did, lol)
The other thing that happened as I was tidying up my craft room (polite word for the mess I make when working on half a dozen things at once!), was that I picked up the jar of beads I had been using, and dropped it. It would have been fine if the lid had been screwed on tightly but....no. So thousands of tiny turquoise beads were scattered all over the carpet... ugh...I had to pick them all up because I didn't want the cat to come and lick any up. So I called on Ken to help me and he did, with a suggestion that we use sticky tape or Blue Tak to pick up a number of beads at once. Great idea! I cut two lengths of wide sticky tape and we both set to...until we started peeling the beads from the tape into the jar and realised the colour was being left behind on the tape - EEEEKKK!!!! OMG, what about the Indian? I've just washed it...beads and all! I raced into the bathroom where it was laid out on a towel to dry, and examined the beads. Phew - they still had their colour!
It is with the framer now, and he has promised it will be ready in time for Ken's birthday, a week before Christmas. Please God, don't let anything else go wrong!

Final update on my Indian Chief.

You read it right the first time - FINAL update. I have 168 more stitches to go (about three hours work) where the needle and cotton is hanging down in the photos. Apart from replacing the beads with some better ones I found last week, I will have FINISHED THE INDIAN! Here is where he is at tonight (Thursday 22nd November). Next time you see this old man, he will be mounted and framed (I mean that in the nicest way).
An interesting sideline about this project. The title on the kit is simply 'Indian Chief'. I emailed a friend who I met through a Native American website some years ago, and asked her if she could identify which tribe this design might be from. She responded immediately - here is her reply:
Whoever designed this artwork did a poor job of following traditions of just one tribe. The head dress has ermine skins hanging down on the side which was traditional of Blackfoot and Nez Perce. However, then he is wearing a necklace of turquoise which is entirely a Southwest tribe adornment usually. The pattern on the headband is so often used by many tribes that it cannot safely identify which Nation this would be. Hate to tell your friend, but this is simply a "generic" Chief. hugs to you, Wahela Bluejay
When I read this out to Ken, he was a tad disappointed, and wanted to know if there were any embroidery or cross stitch patterns of 'real' Indians. I have no doubt there are, but if he thinks I'm going to spend another 20 year stitching Indians, he's got another 'think' coming!!

I have a new apron!

If you want to check it out, you will have to go here.

Jesurum Lace from Venice.

A friend recently sent me this link about Jerurum Lace, which I had never heard of, but now that I've read about it, I want to share it with the readers of this blog. This is the first part, but the link has a lot more, including many photos.
Venice, since 1870 Lace, a precious and coveted ornament from the sea. You cannot describe Jesurum without referring to the history of lace, just as you cannot talk about the history of lace without referring to Jesurum. In the 16th century, Venetian lace was known and appreciated throughout Europe, thanks to astute Venetian merchants, ably assisted by famous artists who willingly provided designs and inspiration for this noble art. Lace originated from the need for suitably trimmed and decorated household linen. According to a popular legend, a sailor returning from a long voyage brought a piece of strange seaweed, Halymedia opuntia, known by seafaring folk as "mermaids' lace", as a gift for his sweetheart. The sailor soon returned to sea and to console herself, the girl copied the beauty of the seaweed in her lace. In Venice, lace had been used since ancient times in clerical vestments and it soon became appreciated as ornamentation for rich medieval and renaissance garments. When it was adopted for use on everyday articles, it rapidly gained popularity and commercial production began to satisfy the numerous orders reaching Venice from all parts of Italy and elsewhere. According to official documents, the monarchs, aristocracy and churchmen of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries spent fabulous sums on fine lace to decorate fans, sheets and curtains, men's and women's garments and even shoes. The lace industry reached its peak of excellence in Venice in the 18th century and was so greatly appreciated that not only working class women and nuns, but also aristocratic ladies devoted themselves to its production.

Chicken Scratch tablecloth.

I already have quite a few gingham cloths and aprons decorated with 'Chicken Scratch' embroidery, but can't resist another good example. Gingham has such a fresh clean look, and this green will look nice on the outdoors setting on a summer's day. I found this in an opshop for $4.50...

Cross stitched cushion.

I found this charming little piece in an opshop recently, with a pricetag of $2. I couldn't leave it there to rot, could I?

"The Love Of Lace" gift book.

A dear friend of mine visited recently and presented me with this little book. She said her hubby had spotted it at a garage sale and thought of me straight away. Isn't that kind? I'm always surprised when this happens to me, although I guess I shouldn't be, as I do the same thing myself - buy odd bits and pieces for people who I know will appreciate them.
It is a charming little book - full of information about the various kinds of lace, and how they have been used down through time. The pictures are that gorgeous olde worlde vintage style - here are some samples.

Update on Kitten doiley.

Remember this little cutie on my blog here a few months ago? I've been diligently stitching away on him every time I've been in hospital and doctors' waiting rooms (and that is a lot of hours in recent months), and I am satisfied with how he is turning out. I had no instruction sheet to go by, so I've just used basic stitches and colours on a whim. I don't stitch this item at home at all - my stitching time at home is focussed on the Indian, which is also coming along nicely. Another photo up soon!

Update on Chief UFO

See? Nearly finished! If you click on the photo, it may bring it close enough to see where I've done back stitching around the face, and also the beads I used to embellish his jade adornments.

Chelle and more stitching time.

My blogging friend Chelle over the Pond in the U.S.A. went raving mad today, posting comments all over my blogs about my latest linen finds! I caught up with her while she was in the middle of posting them, and we hooked up to each other on Instant Messenger. We chatted online for about an hour - 4 to 5 pm here in Melbourne, and 1 to 2 am over there in Illinois! What fun to catch up with blog friends online around the world. It cheered me up no end after a traumatic day jobwise - thanks Chelle!
Which brings me to 'more stitching time'. Anyone reading this who also reads my other blog Patra's Other Place will be aware of the problems I've had with my workplace. I'm not going to go into details here, but the good thing to come out of it is that I've decided to have an extended holiday from work, if not actual retirement (Ken's not happy about that option!). I have been so tired all the time this year and recently under more stress, so I am looking forward to being at home or out with friends from now on, and more importantly, having more time to STITCH! I'm going to get moving fast on Chief Indian UFO, so watch this space for developments!

Close ups of MIL's embroidered treasures.

I love this little treasure! MIL said it might have been to slip napkins in, but I have seen them elsewhere used like this, putting cutlery in the little pocket,
MIL said she remembers enjoying stitching this, until she had to do the border, where the edge had to be folded under twice, then stitched into the spoked edge. She got one and a bit sides done, then gave up!
I was delighted to see this familiar face! I have this tray cloth already embroidered in my collection. It will be fun to stitch this one myself and then perhaps give it to Ken's sister or niece.
These last two look much like the hand embroidered cloths that have been made in Asian countries for years, but MIL said she did these herself. Perhaps they were sold in kit form?

Mum-in-law has been tidying up again...

Yesterday after I'd been to the Embroiderer's Guild, I stopped off at MIL's house for a cuppa and chat. She said (as she so often does, bless her heart) she had a sudden thought about a box at the bottom of a drawer in a back room. This is the box she handed me: With the ribbon still around it, it looked like it may have once contained biscuits or chocolates, or lingerie perhaps. She didn't remember. But this is what she had been storing in it for the past 50 years:
There is a suppercloth, tray cloths, doilies, crocheted collars made by her grandmother, embroidered handkies, a crocheted sauce bottle cover, and a beaded necklace, which she had made herself when she was in her twenties. She said she'd done a lot of beading, but given most of it away as gifts at the time. I soaked the material items overnight, hung them out to dry this morning, and thanks to strong winds, they are now inside waiting to be ironed.
Finally, she handed me a plastic bag containing these two small tapestries, complete with wool and needles. She'd bought them only a few years ago, but couldn't finish them once arthritis had got its cruel grip on her fingers.

Goodies waiting for me at The Guild!

When I arrived at the Embroiderer's Guild yesterday for my monthly volunteer stint, I was met by the other volunteer I work with on this particular day. She reminded me that I'd missed their Paddy's Market Day, but she'd seen some aprons and other small items she thought I'd like, so she grabbed them for me. Thank you, Wanda! Here are two items; you can find the aprons on my Apron blog. This is a very old Fautleys design. I always wish people would leave the instructions attached to the linen - the staple is still in the material, but the piece of paper has long gone!
Not sure about yellow daffodils and green leaves on this green traycloth...I wonder how it would look if I just stitched the outline in black instead of filling it in with colours?

Latest ebay win.

One of my favourite eBay sellers is in NSW; her linens are consistently of the highest quality - no 'cutters' from this lady! Most of her auctions go for high prices because she is known for her good taste. I was lucky enough to win this supper cloth and matching napkins, stitched in the Assisi style, which I just adore. I have other similar cloths, but can't help adding to my collection, especially when they are in such excellent condition. Close up. Matching napkins

Op shop bargains.

There is a little opshop I visit occasionally. It is tucked out of site behind a church hall, and I only discovered it last year because they had a sandwich board outside on the street. Everything is very cheap; the people that run it for the church are happy to get a few dollars in a day, I think! This is what I found yesterday:
These three doilies were pinned together, with a price tag of 50 cents for all three. This is a closer shot of the best of the three - lovely stitching! This one was on its own with a price tag of 20 cents.... Can you believe it - 20c for such exquisite stitching, not to mention that stunning crochet edge! The lady behind the counter frowned when she saw the price tag. "Is this all they're asking for these?" she said to another worker. I handed her a $2 coin and said "Is that better?" She smiled and thanked me, but I still felt guilty. I would have paid $10 for these if that had been the price - aren't they lovely!

Eye candy comin' up, thank you Pam K!

Everyone I have met in cyberspace on blogs and off them, have been friendly, interesting people. But there is one person in particular who I have forged a friendship with, and I feel very privileged that she continues to keep in touch with me, despite being busy with her work as a well known cross stitch designer and crazy quilter extraordinaire - Pam Kellogg. I hunt for laces and Aussie craft magazines in thrift shops to send to Pam, and in return she sends me the latest issues of two beautiful stitching magazines as they are released in the States.
Pam has an Etsy shop (I believe most crafters here would know about Etsy), where she sells some of her CQ creations. I've long hankered after just one of them, just so I can say I own one of Pam Kellogg's pieces, and now I have one! Pam had a sale on her Etsy site, and I discovered she was selling one of her stunning Peacock cushions at a very reasonable price. So I 'lashed out' with the old credit card, and here is what arrived today: ....a closer look. And here are the magazines that came with it:

My response to your comments on previous post.

This is a new post in response to the comments on the previous one, as there are a number of issues I want to address. Thank you everyone who left a comment - always happy to see you!
Sue: Welcome on your first visit here. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I'll certainly be back to visit you and probably buy some gorgeous item...as if I haven't got enough already!
Diane and Jeanette: yes, those buds on the hand towel are exquisitely stitched.
Judy: What you find on my blogs is a fraction of what I have in my collection overall. It is a long-held ambition of mine to have a book of some kind published about the collection, but I would not have a clue where to start looking for someone who would be interested in doing it! I have several books about similar collections around the world, and I guess one about mine would sell equally as well, but... Huckabuck is the type of material commonly used for hand towels in early and mid 20th century. It is soft and absorbent, so ideally suited to drying of hands. Also great to stitch on!

Huckabuck hand towel.

I won an apron on eBay last week, and it arrived today, along with this little 'extra' gift from the eBay Seller. If you're reading this - thank you Robyn - I love it!! By the way, the apron can be seen here.