A Bit of Victoriana

Little did I know 16 years ago when I made the pattern'Lace Trifle' just for me to stitch (pictured here), that it would be so popular with other stitchers.Not having any crossstitch programme at the time, let alone a PC, and wanting to make my own patterns, I had to get the graph paper out to do my own thing.
I have always had a mania for Victorian things, so I decided that I would make a pattern that looked a bit like a victorian calling card. At that time there was nothing in the rectangular space, I added the heart, and the rose and love later.
I have had some lovely comments from the fellow stitchers in the Groups that I belong to, as I have offered this pattern as a freebie to them. My Groups can be found on the side panel of my blog.

For many years now I have wanted my own cross-stitching site, but finances never allowed me to do it, nor did I have the time to keep the site maintained. But the children are older now, so I think it is time I did something about it.However, is this the right time with the economic climate as it is. Only today I heard that my next door neighbour is to be laid off from her job, along with all the rest of her workmates at a well known Mail Order Stitching Company, which is linked to a well known Publishers.There is a lot to be considered.

I would like to show you another picture of a pattern I designed two years prior to the one above. I don't have the pattern anymore, but I do have the piece which I stitched, and have never framed it, which I suppose I should have done. Its just been tucked away in my great big sewing box.

On a cold Februay Sunday.....

Yesterday was so bitterly cold, but we ventured out to a nearby bootsale, as my youngest son adores rooting through other peoples clutter. It was hardly worth going as there were only a handful of poor souls who had decided to sell their wares. However, I was really delighted when I happened upon a beautiful Victorian Cake Plate. I must confess I do have another passion apart from Cross-stitch and sewing etc, and that is pottery and porcelain, especially of the Victorian era. My husband dreads me going to flea markets, and bootsales, as I always end up " saving a piece from the clutches of the great pottery graveyard in the sky"Lol! I have boxes and boxes of beautiful china stored away.

Stashes

Since joining various stitching groups I have come to realize that I am not peculiar, and not alone in hoarding material which I know will be sat for years in some box waiting for the time when I suddenly remember that ' piece' of material is the exact piece that I want to use for some project or other. For years, more than I care to remember I have had a stash, of fabric, lace, beads, patterns etc the list goes on and on. My poor dear husband looks in despair sometimes, at the huge stash that I have collected, particularly when we decide to move a room around, or decorate. I only wish like some ladies have that I had a room specifically for it all.

I suppose I am a confirmed obsessive stash collector!!

Yesterday's Finishes

I have just put together two smalls:- needlebook and ornament by Windy Willows

I also decided that I would try making some covered buttons worked on a natural linen and stitched in crossstitch with a valentine theme.