Pair of pillowcases.

Yet another pair of fabulous pillowcases arrived from the USA today! I'm always wondering why it is that most of the embroidered peacock linens originate over there? There are one or two items now and then, that surface in Australia. I'm not including the beautiful embroideries that are done in China, Japan, India, etc. because as much as I admire them, I have to draw the line somewhere in my collecting, so I tend to specialise in what might be termed 'English-style' embroidery. Just as long as you realise I'm not being a racist when it comes to my collection!!

eBay win - lovely table runner.

This magnificent table runner has the same design at each end. The first photo shows the complete design at one end, the second pic is slightly closer to show the stitching. Notice the silver thread used in the urn.

Satsuma Peacock vase

This stunning vase was a birthday gift from a generous friend - isn't it gorgeous!

A different kind of Peacock for my collection.

I have had this lovely ornament since last year - LeeAnn gave it to me the last time we visited, before Christmas. I have it in my display cabinet, and suddenly wondered the other day why I had not photographed it for my Peacock blog! So here it is in all its glory - thank you again darling LeeAnn and Rob!

Peacock and flowers on a blue background.

I sometimes wonder why people choose to embroider on a strong colour like this blue; don't you think it would look much nicer on white or ecru? The stitching is nicely done, so I was happy to win this little item from the USA on eBay, regardless of the blue cloth!

First one for 2007!

Nice table runner from the USA. Similar to others I have in my collection; so many artists portray peacocks standing by stone fences and urns!

I bought these two cards at last week's swap card club meeting. Unusual addition to my peacock swap cards!

Hand towel.

If you are going to stitch a peacock in cross stitch, you should be a lot more careful than the person who did this! (hope she's not reading this). It may have been done by a young girl who hasn't been taught properly, or perhaps someone whose eyesight isn't the best, and they haven't noticed that half the stitches are in the opposite direction to the rest. Sorry if you think I sound too critical, but if you are building a collection of items, naturally you only want good stuff in your collection. I'll keep it, but it won't be on show when I'm out and about!

Table runner.

This is one end of a large table runner, and I have two of them, from the USA via eBay. The stitching is colourful, but it has been done using six strands of floss, which means the end result isn't as fine as it would have been if two or three strands had been used.

Pillowcase

This is one of a pair of pillowcases. The stitching is complete, but the ends of the pillowslip haven't been finished off.

This panel is one of a pair of identical cross stitch panels I bought on eBay from the USA recently. It is only the second example that have of a peacock in cross stitch, and I am impressed!
Posted by Picasa

Some more Peacock swap/playing cards that I picked up last week. The one on the left is a bit hard to see clearly; it is green and gold on the black background. The other two are so unusual, I nearly missed them on my hunt for peacock themed cards!
Posted by Picasa

This is part of a table runner (or scarf as the Americans call them). The design is unfortunately too big for my scanner, but I wanted to include at least part of it here. The stitching is absolutely incredible. I think it is called Swedish Weaving - on a material similar to Huckabuck, and the stitches don't show in full on the reverse.
Posted by Picasa

The larger doiley in a pair that I received from the USA today. I think the stitching on these two is particularly good.
Posted by Picasa

....and the matching smaller doiley.
Posted by Picasa

Peacock in cross stitch - my first! This is one corner of a suppercloth that I discovered in an opshop today, for $6!! I hardly ever go in this shop because it is in a 'trendy' area and usually too expensive for my liking. But this cloth must have missed the eagle eye of the lady who does the pricing!
Posted by Picasa

Posted by Picasa
A pillowcase with a difference: the flowers are painted on, not stitched! The eBay seller mentioned this on her auction, and wondered if it was meant to be like that, or if it was actually unfinished. I have looked closely at it, and cannot see any transfer marks under the stitching or the painted area, so perhaps the whole design was printed on the material in colour originally, and someone just decided to embellish the peacock!
Posted by Picasa
posted by Gina E. at 10:13 PM

1 Comments:
Maggie Ann said...
You can't tell the flowers are painted...I remember when that was quite popular here though. Painting...many ladies enjoyed it and I could see why. Quicker, for one thing.

.
Posted by Picasa
This is one end of a pillowcase from the USA. It was accompanied by a matching table runner - the same design stitched on each end. Bit hard to see here, but the stitching is really lovely - the pink flowers being done in Lazy Daisy and French Knots.
Posted by Picasa
posted by Gina E. at 10:09 PM

1 Comments:
Maggie Ann said...
Yes, this is very pretty...I love the proportions of the peacock and fence with garlands on it. I just thought to myself last night...why am I not making and embroidering my own pillowcases??? Victoria catalog has such pretty ones for sale at a pretty penny you can be sure and the edges are just a sewn scallop and very lovely.

One of four peacocks on a full size tablecloth.
Posted by Picasa
Maggie Ann said...
What a find for your collection! I'm definitly a crinoline lady fan over peacocks but I know they are very special too! In fact, I don't think I've ever one in person...embroidered, that is...grin.

Toaster/appliance cover, matching tablecloth above.
Posted by Picasa
Maggie Ann said...
Oh, now we're cookin...I love toaster covers..