I had time for five minutes of therapeutic ironing this morning (see also: therapeutic thrifting, therapeutic weeding, therapeutic button-sorting) so I thought I'd show you this little napkin that came from a box lot of linens. It's so sweet and simple, and recreating it would be really easy: a fabric applique and basic stitches, including what looks to me like therapeutic free-hand cross stitches.
Here's a better view. The lines leading into the cup motif are running stitches in the palest shade of blue that go around all four sides. I think it would be fun to make coffee mug motifs with scraps of vintage fabric that are too tiny to do much with but that need to be saved. And I would make sets of them and tie them with ribbons and keep them on hand for hostess gifts. And I would give them out with abandon whenever I'm invited to teas and showers and leisurely lunches on someone's terrace. OK, that's all for my fantasy world today.
That would be a beautiful world to live in!
Posted by: karla nathan | May 20, 2009 at 09:46 AM
I'd never heard of therapeutic ironing. I guess any mindless activity will do, right? I like to pretend I'm doing a cooking show while I make dinner. Is that too much information?
Posted by: Carol | May 20, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Oh, would you please come for a leisurely lunch on my porch? I'll serve peach iced tea and other goodies!
You know what task is therapeutic? HEDGE TRIMMING! And I'm not talking about the electric type!
Have a wonderful week - glad you had time to stop and smell the iron steam.
Posted by: Tina in Duluth | May 20, 2009 at 11:37 AM
You have plenty of company in that fantasy world. I'm right there with you, enjoying a little tea on the porch, listening to the birds. Darling embroidery - thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Jayme L. | May 20, 2009 at 12:06 PM
I love therapeutic ironing too but not quite the same as my Mum who used to go on ironing binges when she was angry. My household did not have a dog house but my Dad knew what it meant when all his shirts were pressed. My fantasy life is also full of much gracious entertaining so I know that I would be delighted to receive such lovely hostess gifts.
Posted by: Jenifir | May 20, 2009 at 10:42 PM
I did some theraputic stitching like that on my long car trip to North Dakota- it really was relaxing- and then I left it all in ND- not theraputic to search all my bags and not find it...
Posted by: Beth Leintz | May 20, 2009 at 11:25 PM
I like the sound of your fantasy world too. I love to do laundry, and ironing is such a soothing task. We won't mention the pile of dishes in the sink. Do you use any scented water or anything?
Posted by: susan | May 22, 2009 at 11:22 PM
You would fit right in, if you moved to Merryville! LOL!
I like the teacup alot.
Posted by: Lena | May 23, 2009 at 05:43 PM