a little weekend inspiration

I love looking through the collections at V&A. There is always so much to be seen. I found this little beauty today.

 It is amazing to me the time women used to take on making special garments. Take this smock for example, think of the time each stitch took, how long it took to draw/transfer this design on, and how large this piece might have been. It is amazing to me, just amazing. I wish I could go back in time and get to see the making of something like this. See the techniques they used, see the wheel they spun there thread on, and of course the magnificent event they wore it to. So many things to dream on.  To see more on this smock, including a description...click here.
Well I am off to Colorado for two days, but I will return with a lot of stitching finished, so more projects to share on Tuesday!

Happy Friday!
-Brooke

Busy Stitching....

I have been busy stitching up some samples for the CHA show coming up in Jan. Just thought I would share the finished products!

Hope everyone's week is flying by!!

Happy Stitching,
Brooke

Free Snowflake Ornament Pattern!

Hop on over to our Flickr page and you will find this FREE ornament pattern. 

You can make ornaments for your tree, your kid's teachers, gift tags, put these on a blanket, scarf...the possibilities are endless!! Post some pics to our Flickr group when you get the snowflakes stitched up! 

Happy Holidays from Colonial Patterns! May your holiday be filled with love and joy!

-Brooke

In progress.......

Been stitch'n on a Happy Homemaker tea towel. I just love her. I will post a picture when she is all complete!

Happy Tuesday All!
Brooke

What are you thankful for?

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches we are reminded to think about the things we are thankful for. Today I am thankful for my mother, grandmother, great grandmother and all the women that came before me. We are a very blessed people to have things, like embroidery, quilting, sewing, crochet and cooking passed down to us from our families. We get our interest, creativity and inspiration from these women. Today (like everyday), I am very grateful for all my talents. I cannot imagine life without the joy of creating something with my own two hands and getting to give it away to someone else. So many people's lives are filled with reality television and gossip magazines. I think it is time, now more than ever to create and give gifts. Show the world there is something greater out there than "real life television", actual real life! After all the joy from creating something last a heck of a lot longer than a thirty minute show. It can bring happiness for many, many years to come.
Like my Uncle Tom says, "You get out of life what you put in". Share your talents with someone you love this holiday season. You never know were your talent might end up in 60 or 200 years. Might just be in your great granddaughter's hands.

This image is from the Library of Congress--you can view more images from Pie Town, NM in the forties here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/2178354733/in/set-72157603671370361/

Happy Stitching all!
Brooke

Around the warehouse

Many of you have asked me to post about our daily work here at Colonial Patterns...so here we go!

New projects that I need to get embroidered before the next Trade Show (it is in LA this year in the dead of winter----WAHOO!) I can't wait to post some pics of them in progress--the asian pillowcase is going to be awesome! These are all from our new patterns (with the exception of the colonial girl on the bottom middle--that one is old, but I just LOVE her :)

Oh a messy desk. Don't they say something about a messy desk is the indication of a genius? I think I might qualify :) If you look real close you can see the preview of two new SR patterns (a cooking one and a sewing one--can't wait to get these out to you all!)

Our Trade Show booth-I have been working on adding some excitement-but you gotta have it all set up to do that, so here it is in the back warehouse. There is more to do on it (but I have like a million projects started all at once-also a sign of a genius? or a crazy woman? we'll just have to see :)

This is our main warehouse where our lovely ladies fill orders. There are rows and rows of AM patterns--it was like a dream the first time I walked through....so much crafting and so many hours of joy to come from all those patterns. It just makes my heart happy!

Order fill station for Home Craft orders (people like you who call in and order our patterns direct)

This is our stuffing machine, it takes the patterns and inserts them into the envelopes. It was originally made for stuffing tax papers in envelopes at a local KC government office. It is pretty cool to see it in action and running--it is a very unique machine.

Okay-well I must get back to all my projects, but I wanted to show you a little of what I get to see everyday. It is a great place to work-I am a very lucky woman!

Happy Stitching to you all--many, many projects to come soon!
Brooke

We have a WINNER!

Giddy99!! You get all 7 new patterns! Send me a message (brooke{at}colonialpatterns.com) and I will get you the new set in the mail!

Everyone watch for new patterns in the Stitcher's Revolution line this Spring--I have four new ones in the works already!

Happy Stitching All!
Brooke