I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

Sharing a common thread with those who love the art of hand embroidery

Thursday, March 25, 2010

The Door To My Shop Is Open!

That's right! I took all of your advice dear blogging friends and opened my Etsy shop!There is not a whole lot listed yet............it takes time to get every thing embroidered, but at least I got the shop up and going! I also made a" Blog Shop"...........not to sell the things, but to view and to visit different pages to see the items and read the descriptions more and then a link to click to go to my Etsy shop.
Thanks for all of your helpful advice and information on this journey. Here is the link to Yesteryear Embroideries Shop blog to view pages..........
and here is my Etsy shop link...........
I hope you enjoy visiting!

Friday, March 19, 2010

A Free Design For You!

The Most Precious Thing One Can Make............Is A Friend


I am still lost in a world of stitches along with outside planting as Spring is upon us. I ran across the above phrase the other day and thought it was such a wonderful thought to leave to you, my blogging friends. Also for your stitching pleasure I have posted a vintage design that you can print off. Just right click on the design and then you can print it! Have a blessed week!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

In Between The Stitches.........

I am still in the middle of finishing the pillowcases and dozens of other "UFO'S" . I think, from reading all of your blogs.........you all know what I mean? {:
So in the meantime..........as I am still stitching away..........I wanted to share with you a little history about those wonderful newspaper patterns back in the "30's" in which every housewife would look forward to getting the next new quilting block to complete a quilt. Do any of you remember these? I came across some of the patterns years ago and after researching them, fell in love with them. I want to share the history of Ruby Short McKim and her wonderful patterns.It is women like this that has made the quilting era what it is today...........thank goodness for them! The above photo shows all of the State Flower quilt block patterns as to how they would look put all together for a quilt.
Here is just a look at one of the patterns. Along with the patterns, there is a wonderful story about the flower itself. These were used for hand embroidery. I have the State Flower patterns and I also have the patterns for a "The Flower Garden Quilt" which has flowers and then a white picket fence appliqued around the flowers. So pretty! I plan on using the patterns in different projects instead of for a quilt. Below the next photo, there is a biography about Ruby Short McKim, written by her eldest granddaughter. So I hope you enjoy reading and have a wonderful weekend!






Ruby Short McKim, 1891-1976, was the prototype for today's modern woman. Artist, author, businesswoman, wife and mother - she excelled in all areas. A graduate of the Parsons School of Design in New York City, Ruby returned to Independence to become the Art Supervisor for the Kansas City Public Schools. After her marriage to Arthur McKim, she began her work as an advisor to Child Life Magazine and created a continuity strip that was one of the first in syndication. This feature in the Chicago Daily News ran for many years. As a couple, the McKims opened a mail-order outlet, McKim Studios, which specialized in needlecraft items and in antique and foreign dolls. At this same time, Ruby was Art Needlework Editor for Better Homes and Gardens.

It was while working in the public schools that Ruby first designed animal quilt blocks for fifth graders. Later designs came as a result of her newspaper syndication and were constructed so that a quilter could complete a block each week. McKim Studios not only sold the quilt patterns but would also sell pre-cut material to those who wished to save some steps. Ruby always had one quilt in each pattern made up; some she did herself as she and her husband sat in their bedroom sitting room; he would read a current novel out-loud, Ruby would listen and quietly do her needlework. This ritual, carried out for 30 minutes after breakfast, an hour after lunch, and for about a half-hour before bed was a daily routine seldom broken, even on vacations. Visiting grandchildren could sit quietly and listen, and if so inclined, could pick up a needle and be taught how to make tiny, even stitches.

The publishing of One Hundred and One Patchwork Patterns was a natural outgrowth of Ruby's artistic expression and the demand for her creative designs. Some quilts in the book were rearrangements of older designs, several were originals. All had detailed directions that even a novice could follow and all were charming! In 2002, she was posthumously inducted into the Quilters Hall of Fame.

In addition to the quilt designs, Ruby was an accomplished artist. Her charming watercolors and oils are among the family's prized possessions as they depict vacations and events within their lives. Her art talents also found good use in the family business, Kimport Dolls, with the publication of a bi-monthly magazine, Doll Talk. This publication was a catalog for customers world-wide.

Because of her work with dolls and quilts, Ruby had the honor of being included in the first edition of Who's Who Among American Women. To her children and grandchildren she was an example of how a person, man or woman, can set and achieve goals. She believed in living life to the fullest, taking time to enjoy the beauty nature has to offer. She shared that beauty with family, friends and all who came to know her work. She was a woman ahead of her time, and one that will be remembered by many for a long time to come.
— Christina Fullerton Jones
Eldest Granddaughter of Ruby Short McKim

Thursday, March 4, 2010

The Finished Piece

I finished the piece I had shown you in the previous post.Some of you guessed just right...........it's a pillow case.
I have had this transfer design for many years and have always wanted to stitch it up.
I placed a simple cloth border on this pillowcase and then added some "free hand" embroidery............or that is what I call this.

I also placed the design in the middle this time, rather than at the end of the pillowcase. Whenever I am embroidering a large design, I have found it looks really pretty in the center of the pillow..............a little more decorative. How about you? Do you prefer designs in the middle or along the bottom part of the pillowcase? I would love to hear!



Monday, March 1, 2010

Computer Woes

Hi, everyone......thank you for all of your sweet comments. Just want you to know that I will be absent for a bit..........my computer has died..........the funeral will be quick and swift, but the recovery will be slow.........so until a new computer enters my life and fulfills my blogging destiny.......I will be thinking of all of you...................maybe by then, I will have more to talk about than embroidery, cooking, chickens, gardening and Sophie...........but of course, they will still be the topic bouncing around. So happy blogging days ahead to all of you and I can't wait to be back here again! blessings,Kathleen