I'm a first-time Grammy today!

My first grandchild, Max, arrived today and he's a beautiful, perfect, blue-eyed angel. I won't whip out the family album of pictures, but I just had to share the very first photo of this little heart-stopper. Please feel free to oooh and aaah to your hearts content!

Mother, father and baby are all well... and his Mom and Dad are probably the two happiest people in the whole world this evening!!!

Happy Birthday Max!!!

Candlewicking ~ A beautiful Colonial needleart rediscovered!

Candlewicking is a beautiful textural-shadow needleart Embroidery developed by our resourceful Colonial ancestors. Because dyed European yarns and threads were a luxury, women turned to everyday household goods for their decorative stitching needs. One item brought in ample supply from Europe were candlewicks. Candlewicking or "knotting" survived to modern times and was rediscovered in rural Appalachia and the Carolina Low Country. To create traditional pieces, use natural colored 100% cotton candlewicking thread and muslin fabrics. Be imaginative and have fun with this wonderful needle-artform!! Cover your world with candlewicking - including Sachets, Clothing, Napkins, Tablecloths, Pillows, Shaker Box Lids, Quilts, Coverlets, Purses, Table Runners and Framed Pictures. The classic look of "white on white" candlewicking compliments any decor and your creations will endure for generations. But you can also be creative and experiment with colors for different effects... you might surprise yourself!!!

The beautiful pillows shown here are from a 1983 pattern book called "Sculpture-Wicking" by Cross-Stitch Originals. Sculpture-wicking incorporates the techniques of Candlewicking with Trapunto padding to create yet another variation on the use of muslin and cotton yarn for another traditional and ageless look in needlecraft.

Visit Stone Hill Collectibles for more wonderful traditional Candlewicking pattern books.

Blouse, Hiphugger Shorts & Mini-Skirt ~ OOO-la-la Summer!!

Summer is definitely here (it's already hitting the 90's here in central Texas!!). What could be more perfect than an entire mix and match wardrobe in one package??? Fabulous 1968 Simplicity pattern 7646 in size 16, comes with a blouse, hiphugger shorts AND a mini-skirt. Retro 60s casual fashion that's so hot today... and perfect for those hot summer days!!

Visit Stone Hill Collectibles for a great selection of vintage patterns and much more!!

Retro 70s Crocheted Dress

Fabulous crocheted dress pattern. From a small collection of knit and crochet patterns published by Unger in 1970. Sophisticated or casual... take your pick!!

Find this pattern and more at Stone Hill Collectibles.

Fab! Bare-Hug Macrame & Crochet Bib Top with Belly Flap

Find the pattern for this outrageous retro top in vintage Lily Design Book #214. Circa 1960s and the Hippie era!! Book also includes patterns for Rugs, Hats, Scarfs, and more.

Lots of other fabulous retro macrame and crochet pattern books and leaflets at Stone Hill Collectibles.

Vintage 1950s Vera Maxwell Designer Dress Pattern

Sophisticated shirtwaist dress by American Designer Vera Maxwell. Circa 1950s Spadea Mail order dress pattern #1155.... still in the original mailing envelope. Size 14 (Bust 36½, Waist 26½, Hip 37½). As timelessly stylish today as when it was first introduced in the 50s. Click on the picture to check it out!!!

Visit Stone Hill Collectibles for more delicious fashion finds !!!

I'm adding Vintage Sewing Patterns to the store!

Well.... I just couldn't resist the temptation. I recently unearthed an amazing treasure trove of vintage sewing patterns.... boxes and boxes... and BOXES.... of them. My mother (affectionately known as Grammy) has volunteered to count pattern pieces for me... a really time-consuming task (and really frustrating with the older pattern pieces that aren't printed). We're slowly working through them and I've started adding them to the store. For the pattern collector, I've even found some marvelous antique patterns in the boxes... there's a nightshirt like my Grampy wore, a Corset Cover...and more. Come check out the selection and you'll see!

Plus there are lots of the fab retro fashions that are soooooo hot today!!!

I'll pick out a couple of interesting ones to share here. These old patterns are so much fun!! And if you're looking for something in particular that's not in my store yet, just let me know. I'll see what I can find for you in one of those boxes!!