Tag Archives: handkerchiefs

A Month of Celebrations {birthdays, weddings, and dads}

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Hello my friends!

There I went and disappeared again. Sigh! I hope you all have managed to keep cool through all of this heat! Teddy Roosevelt and I have been hanging in the shade and working on our presents for our favorite people. My dear friend Kristina was the first of the June birthdays, and I was very excited to stitch up this embroidered vintage hanky for her. She and her fiance are moving back to California very soon and I hope this little accessory will remind her of those who’ll miss her greatly in the District. Until then, we’re having a blast planning her bridal events and watching as many Jane Austen and the Bronte adaptations we can find (okay, and some Bravo).

personalized vintage hanky

Aside from other wonderful friends (the two J’s-ahem), my most favorite nephew, and my best sister, my Dad has his birthday mere days before the celebration of all of our dads.  For what I gather has been his entire adult life, my Dad has carried a handkerchief in his back pocket.  It seemed more than fitting to get some less lacy hankies and stitch some personalized ones for him.  So now he can show off not only ones with his monogram, but also a Pittsburgh Steelers hanky and a bright golf one.  Silly me forgot to take the pictures before giving them to him, so I’ll have to depend on Mom to send them asap.  I really am *so* thrilled with out my satin stitch has improved!  Yay for practice!

Another birthday worth noting is that of my Grandma Kirchner (Cassie), who has the same birthday as my sister.  If she were still living, Grandma would have turned 108 on June 12th!  As it is, she lived a very healthy life up until she was 95.  So happy birthday Grandma!

Oh, and just for Denise, I *have* to mention that is was her that came up with the name for the store.  I initially suggested Cassie and Joanna’s, but it didn’t flow as well.  Denise came up with the great change to Cassie Quinlan.  Sorry for not giving proper credit sooner, sis!

xo

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Not Only For The Royals {Weddings and Special Orders}

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As I mentioned yesterday, my recent virtual silence was due in large part to some very special custom orders (and a few gifts).

Now that I am in my late 20′s, I find myself invited to more and more friends’ weddings.  I’m thrilled with this progression, as it generally includes multiple fun parties with wonderful people (as those are the only kind with which I associate).  Recently, my first “grownup” friend to become engaged, K., had her bridal shower and bachelorette.  As the bride is quite a foodie, the kitchen themed shower came as no surprise.  Knowing her lovely taste well and that she is a sewer herself, I figured she and her fiance would appreciate a set of placemats for their new home.  I fell in love with this gorgeous fabric and knew it would be perfect for the two.

sweet nectar

Okay, seriously, don’t you love this sweet hummingbird and his pals? Don’t worry, I *loaded* up on this fabric and will have some bits to share with you soon.  - ^

I don’t think I can properly express how tickled I’ve been by the warm reception to my shoppe, not only from family and friends, but fellow crafters and artists.  The support my fellow crafters offer one another on these internets we love is truly special.  While I started this project as an outlet for myself, I now have gotten much more unexpected pleasures in the way of community.  Each day I find myself browsing and commenting on the discussions amongst the “English Geeks of Etsy,” or sharing tips and ideas with crafters from near and far.  Just the other day, I noted to David the change in my most visited sites according to our friend, Chrome (hint: Anthro has been replaced).

This brings me to a bit on a wonderfully kind customer and amazing photographer, alittlebitsarah.  By some twist of fate, this well published and basically famous (!) artist found my little store and requested a custom handkerchief for her pending nuptials. From the start I did not have the type of base handkerchief she was looking for, yet we worked together to get a wonderful result.  Ms. Elizabeth Sarah was gracious enough to allow me much creative license (I created the design based on multiple drawings she and I’d researched), despite this being for a very important day.  And even when we hit a snag (literally!), she was patient and so appreciative of my work.  After a multitude of messages to one another on the design, colors, and our admiration of each other’s work, my favorite piece of embroidery I’ve done yet was born.

for a special day

something old or new?And didn’t she find the loveliest vintage hanky?  I must insist you visit Elizabeth Sarah’s flickr account and blog now.  Really, aside from being a lovely person, she is an uber-talented photographer.  I have to admit, I am more than a bit tickled that she said such nice things about my work!

I’m off to do some more embroidery.  Speaking of, has anyone else entered this contest?  I just started my entry!

<3

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Lovely Lace {Vintage Hankies}

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In between a few Mother’s Day and bridal orders, I stitched up a few more vintage handkerchiefs last week.  About five years ago, I was lucky to receive most of my Grandma Kirchner’s (Cassie) old handkerchiefs from my mom.  I adore each one’s unique pattern and story.  I think my favorite of that collection is the one my dad got her on a TDY trip to Paris years ago.  It is made up like a little box chart with each restaurant of the Champs D’Elysees represented by a drawing and its name.   I often wonder if they are still there and vow on my next trip to Paris, whenever that may be, I will hunt them down.  Since I’ve received my Grandmother’s collection, I’ve added more hankies from various antique shops and even a few friends have made me.  One can never go wrong with a hanky in his or her pocket.

vintage hanky tri-flower

First, I made this dainty floral design for this lovely antique lace hanky.  French knots are by far my favorite embroidery stitch, and I did my best to blend two colors in the two outer flowers to create colorful centers (or stigmas, if you’re picky).  Really, I am loving how this one turned out.

Vintage Hanky Flower Close Up

Then I was able to use of my favorite Sublime Stitching patterns, Darling Dachshunds for this cute green 1950s hanky.  Jenny Hart is one of my very favorite ladies who stitch and has inspired so many of my projects.  It is so fortunate she allows some of us to license her patterns!  Now if only she’ll make a Pomeranian set so Theodore Roosevelt (our dog) can be represented.   Or maybe I’ll work on one myself??

Vintage Hanky Green 3

After much machine sewing, it was comforting to get out the needle and floss for a little hand work.  I always feel very accomplished after finishing hand embroidery.  I’m sure we all have projects that give us this feeling, no?

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