tiny happy

making journal

Embroidery 1

Embroidery 2

Embroidery 3

Jasmine

I was sent some vintage embroidery books by Ellen, thank you! They are from Holland, and date from the 1970's. I love looking through them and dreaming of having my own cross-stitched tea-cosy. The designs are really beautiful and intricate- geometric but with feeling, if that makes sense. I love them. I'm thinking that one of these European cross-stitch patterns will be a great project over the summer holiday.

I noticed that quite a few of the cross-stitched designs were worked in blue and white- and inspired by this, I tried embroidering some jasmine from the garden onto blue linen- I realised that I almost always stick to the same old colour palette of green and natural. But I like the white on blue. 

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21 responses to “old-school cross-stitch”

  1. annri Avatar

    what treasures!

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  2. Denise | Chez Danisse Avatar

    I like the white on blue too. The bird design is lovely.

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  3. louana Avatar

    I love your embroidery, those books look like amazing treasure.

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  4. Lyallii.blogspot.com Avatar

    Very classic, there is something special about referencing traditional or older styles of craft work.

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  5. Lovely World Avatar

    Oh yes, vintage embroidery patterns. Why are they always so pleasing to look at? Lovely color choice for your piece as well – always nice to step out of our usual routine.

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  6. elmtree Avatar

    I am so pleased you like them and have already been inspired by them. I just knew they would be your cup of tea, it seemed a shame to bypass you when I was uncluttering my bookshelves, and restocking my local opshop.
    Hugs!

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  7. julie whitmore Avatar

    your needlework has so much feeling, I know you will do wonerful things with those designs. What a thoughtful friend!
    julie

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  8. Jess Avatar

    oh!! I love these patterns, cross stitch just makes me so happy! I love the little birds, I might have to copy that design!
    and your jasmine is beautiful – I love that blue color. Happy stitching!

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  9. Hadley Avatar

    I love how this post goes with the one that precedes it! ❤

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  10. beck Avatar

    Oh my! I love the birds in embroidery3 photo. Is there any chance of a larger scan of that one? 😉

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  11. tinyhappy Avatar

    just for you 🙂
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/8832675@N06/5180983788/
    (you might want to view it in original size)

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  12. gracia Avatar

    White on blue is beautiful. Looks so petal light. Lovely.

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  13. beck Avatar

    THANK YOU SO MUCH! That was so thoughtful of you (and fast!).
    xoxo

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  14. Buff Avatar
    Buff

    Not about embroidery: That green plate in the first shot? I have the same one (sadly only one) in brown here in southern Ontario Canada. And it was free!

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  15. samantha hall Avatar

    I’m glad someone asked for the bird, it is so pretty.

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  16. Yvette Avatar

    I am dating myself – I had a dinner set in a very, very similar shape as that plate. If you spent so many dollars at the super market, you got a plate free.
    I made a bell pull with a repeat pattern in the Spanish style – black on green the same color as the plate. Those birds would be lovely on a bell pull. You sure brought back some memories … thanks for sharing!

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  17. Lililila Avatar

    Your jasmine flowers are beautifull !

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  18. Eyecatchers & Wind In The Willow Avatar

    Just love the Scandi Design(s) ~ they have a real homely feel about them!

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  19. www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawn_wQ8DSe02Gw2CW9Vp66YSDwTmymetXJo Avatar

    I love cross stitch especially the type that reminds me of my youth when I did cross stitch with my grandma!Ariadne from Greece!

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  20. Vivika Avatar

    Hi – I have those same embroidery patterns and many MANY more. They are from the Danish Handcrafters Guild and are absolutely stunning. My mother and grandmother made many of them in the 1970’s, and I’ve treasured them all. Love to see your work…

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  21. vera Avatar

    ahhh always dreamy things to look at in your blog 🙂

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