An Embroidered Surprise

 

The other day, I heard the doorbell ring.  Rarely happens here, so I wondered who was dropping in.  Turns out it was the mailman with two boxes.  One was from my sister and the other did not have a sender named anywhere on it.  A mystery.  I do so love a mystery!  I will post my sister's package in a few days, but for today, let's talk about the mystery.  You can see it above...but WHO is it from?

 

 

 Naturally, I couldn't wait to get the box opened and when I did, I found myself momentarily at a loss as to where this lovely gift came from.  So, I stood there a minute and thought...."now who would do this?" Sometimes my brain just doesn't quite function...why, I don't know....maybe too many things going on for efficiency of the thought process.  Well, that sounds like a pretty good reason, doesn't it?

And, then, it hit me!  Who do I know doing this kind of work?  Oh, YEAH!!!!  This has to be from my new old friend, Brian!!!!  Isn't this embroidery just gorgeous?  YES, it sure is!  This little envelope bag is so wonderful....what was in it...you'll see a few photos down.  LOVELY!

 

 Also there were these three hearts.  You KNOW how I love hearts....guess Brian does too.  Am I lucky or what?  Brian is known for his crazy quilting...more on that further down this post too.  These hearts are just wonderful.  All the pieces are made from a wonderful felt....and hand stitched, as Brian is known to do, with crochet thread and/or perle cotton.  Spider Web roses abound...beautifully designed and stitched by Brian himself. 

 

 So, here are the hearts one at a time.  Well, I'll begin with the one on the envelope bag.  So much detail in a small area.....Brian is a stitcher after my own heart, as they say.  Love the various sized French Knots.

 

And the first individual heart.  So pretty.

 

 And, now, the second heart.  I like the addition of that curve of French Knots on the upper right...adds such a special touch and detail to this heart.  Again...just beautiful!

 

And, the third heart....the smallest with the biggest roses...definitely special.

 

A closer look.....

 

 Another close look....

 

 And, now a look at what was in the envelope bag.....a wonderful vintage photo...oh, how I love these!  And, this one has been specially glorified with some of Brian's drawings...the drawing would be beautiful stitched on something special!  Hmmm....just maybe I'll do that!  Then, a lovely beautifully sentimental inscription specially for me.  LOVE IT! (Yeah, I'm just a sucker for sentimentality too!)

 

And, when I turned it over....GUESS WHO!!!  By then, I already knew, but what a fun thing anyway!!

   

If you've read my blog over a period of time, you have seen Brian's work here before.  He has two books in publication and you can find them at Brian's blog,  The Creative World of Brian Haggard.

If you wish, they can also be found at amazon.com.

 

Now, here is the back of both books....and you will love every page!  Brian, will there be book number three?  They are delightful to look at and really showcase his talents.

Now, I have to tell you this....Brian will be teaching here in Arkansas in just a week or two...at Quilt Arkansas!   Also, I just learned by visiting Brian's blog today...he will be hosting and teaching at The International Quilt Festival of Ireland, June 3-12, 2014.  A ten day trip and wonderful opportunity to meet and learn from Brian and also feast your eyes on the beautiful sights of Ireland! You might want to go along on this trip...check it out at his blog and make your plans NOW. 

So...a lovely surprise for me....and great news for you who may want to travel to Ireland along with Brian!! 

Thank you, my dear new old friend...for sharing you beautiful work with me...I'm so happy to now own something from your heart and hands! Well, including your beautiful books, of course!!  And, for you readers out there...as always, take care.  pat

 

  

A Gift of Baskets

One day, not long ago, I emailed my dear friend, Jim with a request.  Sometimes I ask him questions he'd rather not deal with, such as - "Would you draw some basket patterns for me?"  You know....like he has nothing else to do.  And, sometimes he will say 'not on your life.'  Other times, he will just say..."we'll see."  A few days after I asked him to draw the basket patterns for me, an envelope arrived in my mailbox.  Actually, I wasn't expecting it to be patterns, as I knew he was really busy.  I thought it might be a paper snowflake...he's always drawing those.  Or, maybe something to make me laugh.

He does that too.  I took the envelope into my backyard studio, opened it and was surprised to find that he really had drawn some basket patterns for me.  Now, that is a good friend!!!  There are eight of them!  And, to top it off, he said I could post them on my blog and share them with YOU.  Yes, he said to be sure and tell you that you are welcome to use them in some of your work.  He didn't ask, but I will....if you do use them, kindly give him credit for the patterns...as you already know, it is the right thing to do.  So, here they are....all eight.  The largest was copied on an 8" x 10" sheet of paper to give you an idea of the size.  I have taken the liberty of reducing them down four times....the smallest is about 1 1/2" by 2" or so.  You could make them any size you wish.

#1....if you see a gap in the drawings anywhere, as in the handle on this pattern...he left spaces for leaves, roses, or whatever you wish to add here and there....this one is my favorite as I can SEE those ribbon roses spilling out of this basket already and haven't made a stitch!

 #2...Love this one too.  Can you see Baby Ric-Rac for the handle?  You can use these in a zillion different ways.

#3...Fill this one to the brim with pretty flowers......and remember, you can interpret  the basket stitching in many different ways too.

#4...This one looks like a crystal basket to me.....might want to stitch it in a shimmering thread on a dark background.

#5....How do you see this one?  Any ideas?  If you use it (or any of them)...please let us see your work.... it would be fun.  I see it couched in a heavy thread.

#6...How many things can we do with this basket?  You could also complete the handle and use silk ribbon to make a three dimensional bow....

#7....I'm not sure I could repeat this one easily....but did think I could use a bit of Battenburg Lace for the basket...or make it look like that kind of lace....Hmmm....

 

#8....What could we do with this one?  I think a metallic thread would be interesting.  Oh, the possibilities!!!

 

Here are all the patterns in the tiniest size....very cute, don't you think?

Then, of course, the basket on the front of the envelope.  I have ideas of what to do with it NOW!  I love getting mail from Jim....the contents are wonderful and the envelopes are always FUN!  So....okay....have some fun with this gift from Jim to me and YOU.  And, if you want to see what else he is up to, visit his blog HERE.  He really is a good friend....and a talented guy.  THANKS, JIM!!! 

Oh, and before this day is over.....I hope you have had a beautiful Mother's Day!  Take care out there, pat