Monday, March 2, 2015

Block 3 - Vintage Kitchen BOM!

 


It's March, and time to share the third block in my Vintage Kitchen BOM!


 This month we're stitching kitchen scales...

When I was a child and living with Nana & Pop in the poorest side of town, the grocer and the baker would stop by with their wares each day in horse-drawn carts. 
The baker had wooden crates loaded high with double-domed loaves of bread and when you broke the loaf in half one side would have a cave, but the other would have a hill of extra bread. I always crossed my fingers that we'd get the hilly half of the loaf because Nana would let me have it for morning tea with lashings of butter and a generous smear of Vegemite.
The grocer's cart had a large set of scales perched on the edge of his wagon to weigh the beans and peas and potatoes which regularly appeared on Nana's menu. When I was given the task of shelling peas for dinner more ended up in my belly that in the colander, but Nana never let on she knew I'd eaten more than were left for the pot.
As I was stitching this block those beautiful memories came flooding back as though it were yesterday. 
Life really was simpler in routine back then, and the rhythm of days did not rush Nana as it tends to rush me now.


These little Vintage Kitchen stitcheries are useful for many home-themed projects. Last week I used the 'Scales' block as the feature on a new teatowel...

Using variegated blue and pink threads and a piece of white linen cut from an old shirt, this little block was stitched in no time...

I then trimmed the block and layered it with two contrast fabrics before sewing it onto the tea towel. Simple, but pretty I think...

Download this free block HERE.
Blocks 1 & 2 are still available in the shop as free downloads if you're starting this BOM late.

 Let's plan to enjoy this week, ok?
Choosing to be happy is often an open door to wonderful things!

hugs


24 comments:

Christine M said...

Thanks for the new block Jenny. I love your tea towel.

Scrapatches said...

Thank you, Jenny! These blocks are sew cute ... :) Pat

Tammy said...

Thank you for block 3 jenny. I'm a little behind...Still got to do block 2...It traced out but not stitched.

Baa. xxx said...

Such a cute switcher! I love it in the variegated threads as well. Thank you.

Sparky said...

and she looks like a weighed project done in some pleasant style....

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Adorable block again! Thank you!!

Ondrea said...

Thanks for another cute little block. I love what you have done with it, especially the pinked edges. Reminds me of some even older scales I have with weights.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jen love this block it looks fantastic on the tea towel xx

Allie said...

How absolutely adorable - and I love the memories you shared!!! But oh Jenny, Vegemite??? ugh....

selina said...

what a lovely story! i vaguely remember the milk cart in crowsnest sydney, the horse would trot ahead with the milkman running back & forth picking up empties & dropping off the deliveries. i was very young & just loved watching the old draught horse plodding along.
am loving these vintage blocks, not sure when i'll get around to doing them though
thanx for sharing

Rosie said...

Very pretty and I love the colours.

Sherry said...

I love the block and I love the creative way you used it on the tea towel. I always enjoy reading your stories, thanks for sharing.

Jenny S said...

I havent been to your blog for such a long time because well - life. Receiving the email of the week is just not the same.
Mondays I now work from home so decided to have a little break and a browse. Thank you so much for the Vintage Kitchen blocks Jen - once again they are gorgeous and have reinspiried me!

Tiny Toadstool Cottage said...

Love the block! I really need to start as now I am three blocks behind!
Love your comment at the end of the post. I did a blog post recently on how happiness is a choice. We often seem to forget that and think that we are unhappy because of circumstances, other people, etc, and forget that we can choose our attitude and actions.
Have a blessed week! And thanks for adding me to the apron swap - I have already 'met' my partner. Such fun!

cucki said...

So pretty..again xx

Thoeria said...

Your tea towl looks lovely Jenny!
Lovely childhood story :) I remember when we had the milk delivered to our door by the milkman....and fresh fish in horse drawn carts! You've reminded me of that one!! :) It was a simpler life back then

Little Quiltsong said...

Loved your story with this beautiful block. Looks beautiful on your tea towel with those layered fabric swatches. Thank you for the free download of it Jenny!

Catherine p said...

the tea towel's adorable.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your memories - it started quite a few of my own. =) I have often thought how much more time I'd have if my computer died completely - but then I wouldn't have friends like you and Wendy! This is a great little scale. It really looks very nice on your tea towel.

Kathleen said...

Who could resist popping fresh shelled peas in their mouth? I know I wouldn't be able to . . . they're like eating little pieces of candy!

TerriSue said...

Just beautiful, the memories and the new block.

Nanette said...

Jenny,
I do so love your stories associated with your patterns. They really come with feelings and I think of that when I stich them. Your tea towel is very cute...such a great idea!
Thank you for the patterns, and I enjoy the Stitchery club patterns as well...

Anonymous said...

I love your Vintage Kitchen BOM. I always see your great projects and want to do one but haven't. This one made me run out and buy everything I needed to do this, I just love it. I have finished the first 2 and traced the 3rd, can't wait to get to the finished project. Thank you so much for this darling freebie.
Carol O

zenuwpees said...

Très beau belle couleurs Marie-Claire