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Blue Willow
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NEW THIS WEEK - February 21st,
2007:
Legendary
Blue Willow |
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Cherished by generations,
Blue Willow tableware sets have graced
dining tables for more than two
centuries. And, the Chinese legend
depicted in the familiar blue and white
designs is more than 2,000 years old.
The charm of this
timeless china pattern inspires the
designs this week. Excellent for
embroidering exquisite dining room
decor, the intricate storied scenes,
borders, and individual designs will
also be dashing on garments, quilts, and
other accessories as well.
Plain white dishes will be so enchanting set off by the
cobalt Blue Willow scenes on placemats, napkins, and tablecloths.
Designs in shapely ovals, circles, square, rectangle, sprays and borders
are superb on table linens, chair-back covers, seat cushions, pillows,
and more.
Enjoy a new look at a legendary design! |
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The First Blue Willow
The Willow pattern was
designed by Thomas Minton in 1770 for
the Coalport Pottery Works in
Staffordshire, England. European
artisans, influenced by imports of
Eastern art, were busy creating many
oriental designs for home decoration.
Minton's popular blue and white patterns
inspired many copies. Variations are oft
in the details, like the number of
apples, figures on the bridge, and
fencing.
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Blue Willow Oval
The apple tree, bridge, and Chinese boat, all elements of
the ancient stories,
are beautifully captured in this delicate oval border with its artful
horizontal orientation. |
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Available in two sizes:
8.14"X5.85"
and
6.73"X4.85" |
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Blue Willow
Rhyme
Ever fascinated by the intricate designs on each piece of their popular
dinnerware,
generations of British children have sung this familiar rhyme, passed
down to them
from grandparents and parents, as they helped set the family dinner
table together.
Two birds flying high, a Chinese vessel, sailing by.
A bridge with three men, sometimes four, a willow tree, hanging o'er.
A Chinese temple, there it stands, built upon the river sands,
An apple tree, with apples on, a crooked fence to end
my song.
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Blue Willow Story
Oval |
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Available in two sizes:
5.85"X8.22"
and
4.86"X6.85" |
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Willow in Cobalt Blue
Willow patterns of old can be found in other colors -- shades of
lighter blue, or even brown -- but
the most popular, down through the ages, remained the same -- an
exquisite cobalt blue.
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Blue Willow Circle
A dashing border of flowers and leaves encircle the
symbolic willow, apple tree, temple, and
doves in flight. Perfect for a trivet or dining table accessory. |
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Available in four sizes:
7.80"X7.79"
and
5.90"X5.90"
and
4.90"X4.90" and
3.89"X3.90" |
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Blue Willow Rectangle
A tranquil scene, perhaps reflective of an island
get-away,
where life is at its simplest, in the very best sense of the word.
The rectangular shape of this design will lend itself to table runners,
framed
pieces, and even totes. |
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Available in four sizes:
9.41"X4.72"
and
7.81"X3.90"
and
6.82"X3.41" and
3.86"X1.95" |
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Blue Willow Square
Doves from the legend,
symbols of eternal love, are framed together in flight.
A shapely square for table linens, chair back covers, decorator pillow,
or quilt block. |
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Available in four sizes:
7.80"X7.79"
and
5.90"X5.90"
and
4.90"X4.90" and
3.90"X3.90" |
The Ancient Legend
According to the Spode Museum Trust of the United Kingdom,
the story behind the Blue Willow
pattern is 2,000 years old. Knoon-shee, a lovely Chinese maiden, was in love with her
father's
secretary, Chang, but she was commanded by her parents
to wed a wealthy suitor. When she
refused to comply, her father
locked her in a little house near the temple by the apple
orchard.
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Blue Willow Temple |
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Available in three sizes:
5.85"X8.63"
and
5.26"X7.80"
and
4.63"X6.85" |
The Chase
Knoon-shee is able to get a message to Chang, and they meet
in the apple orchard,
but are soon discovered together. Beneath the willow tree, they
find a bridge
and
escape across it, pursued by her outraged father.
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Blue Willow Bridge and Willow Tree
The willow from which the original pottery pattern takes
its name, bends over the river by the bridge. |
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Available in three sizes:
7.80"X7.39"
and
6.21"X5.87"
and
5.10"X4.83" |
The Escape
The lovers escape in a "little ship sailing by," which
takes them to land on an island.
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Blue Willow Boat
A seaworthy boat for a life of adventure. |
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Available in four sizes:
9.29"X5.90"
and
7.80"X4.90" and
6.78"X4.31" and
3.84"X2.42" |
Island Refuge
The pair take refuge in a little wooden house on the island.
But, tragically, their
hiding place is found when her angry father and wealthy suitor
track them down.
The two set fire to the house and the lovers perish together in
the fire.
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Blue Willow Island
The peaceful scene of an island retreat. |
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Available in three sizes:
8.29"X5.89"
and
7.84"X5.52" and
6.86"X4.86"
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Eternal Happiness
The next morning, the spirits of the pair rise, phoenix-like from
the ashes, in the form of two doves.
With outstretched wings, they fly off into other realms to find eternal
happiness together.
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Blue Willow Doves
Captured in flight, the Blue Willow doves are graceful and
serene. |
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Available in three sizes:
7.89"X5.85"
and
6.52"X4.82"
and
3.86"X2.84" |
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Delicate Blue Willow Sprays
A whisper of flowers and vines, mirrored, will
beautifully frame any of the scenes or designs above.
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Blue Willow Floral and
Dove Border
Doves flit among the vines and flowers of this
graceful border.
This border coordinates beautifully with the divinely delicate spray of
vines and flowers above. |
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Available in three sizes:
9.39"X3.30"
and
6.00"X2.21"
and
3.85"X1.34" |
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Bold Blue Willow Sprays
Boldly expressive, these graceful spray designs will
frame a scene or a monogram,
or lay horizontally giving beauty to a hemline, perhaps along the hem of
a tablecloth or placemat.
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Blue Willow Arch and
Border
A bold and expressively regal border, perfect
for tea towel or table runner. |
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Available in three sizes:
9.41"X2.38"
and
6.00"X1.64"
and
3.86"X0.98" |
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Blue Willow Corner
Pristine dove on the branch of apple tree.
Use singly or team it with a mirror image to accent the corners of a
placemat. |
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Available in two sizes:
4.85"X4.81"
and
3.85"X3.82" |
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Blue Willow Accessory Designs
Handy little individual designs echoing the scenes above can be used
to create your own scenes
or
add a little pizzazz to another principal project, such as napkins or
napkin rings to match
a set of Blue Willow placemats or tablecloth.
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Blue Willow Boat accessory
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Blue Willow Palace accessory
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Available in one size:
2.05"X1.66" |
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Available in one size:
2.38"X2.01" |
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Blue Willow Apple Tree accessory
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Blue Willow Bridge accessory
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Available in one size:
3.52"X2.15" |
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Available in one size:
3.87"X2.11" |
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Blue Willow Doves accessory
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Blue Willow Tree and Fence accessory
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Available in one size:
3.85"X3.85" |
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Available in one size:
3.85"X3.08" |
Blues Band --
Dollar Delights
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You've seen the Blue Willow designs -- now enjoy designs perfect
for singing the blues.
Whether your favorite Blues music is boogie
woogie, classic, country, jump, or Chicago,
you'll express it best with the musical instruments of these
fanciful line-art creations.
And, whether you want to embellish a shirt, instrument cover, or
towel, you'll find
fast and frugal sewing, without singing the blues about the
price!
Each design is just $1.00!
Just click on the images or links below and add the designs to
your basket.
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Dollar Delight Drum Kit
- only $1.00 |
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Dollar Delight Piano
- only $1.00 |
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Available in two sizes:
5.23"X4.86"
and
3.86"X3.60" |
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Available in two sizes:
4.85"X4.85"
and
3.85"X3.85" |
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Special Request of the Week
Embroidery Library is always inspired by your design
suggestions, and we thank you for sending
us tons of
terrific ideas, which we regularly incorporate into the weekly design
themes. As a way
to expand on designs for specific quests, this space is dedicated to
the "Request of the Week."
Here is this week's request:
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Autism Awareness
A note from Rose enrolled our assistance for the work she wants to
do for autism awareness.
"Autism is a tragic disease," she said. "My grandson suffers from it,
and it is heartbreaking.
At four he is just walking and is still non-verbal, yet he is so smart."
Rosie asked for a freestanding lace design depicting a
jigsaw puzzle piece, the symbol for this
complex malady that is
affecting so many youngsters today. "I would be able to make them
for the Center of Learning in Colorado," she explained. "They could sell
them to raise money for research."
We are happy to help with both a freestanding lace as
well as a design for garments and accessories.
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