Kelli at There’s No Place Like Home hosts “Show and Tell Friday” asking “Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, an antique find. Your show and tell can be old or new. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there’s a story behind your special something, that’s even better! If you would like to join in, all you have to do is post your “Show and Tell” on your blog, copy the post link, come over here and add it to Mr. Linky. Guidelines are here.
I mentioned before that Paula Vaughn is one of my favorite artists. I first became aware of her books maybe 20 or more years ago when I first saw her cross stitch patterns. I bough several, but with beginning a young family I didn’t have time to do them then. However, my sister made a couple for me which I have shown before:
Then somehow I discovered that her cross stitch patterns were based on her water color paintings. When we moved to a new home several years ago, we had a separate family room and living room, which was new to us — we had just had a living room before. So we had a whole new room to furnish. In the course of looking for ways to decorate it, I discovered some Paula Vaughn prints in a local shop, but I felt they were too expensive. But my next birthday my dear husband bought them for me.
Unfortunately, that’s not the greatest picture. Trying to get adequate lighting while not reflecting off the glass was a problem. Here is a close-up of the middle one:
Then over the last few years my family has given me a couple of Paula Vaughn books as gifts. One is The Best of Paula Vaughn. I don’t know if it is in print any more: I didn’t find it on Amazon.
It’s mainly pictures of her cross stitch designs with the patterns and a little background information.
The other, The Romance of Paula Vaughn, has cross stitch projects but also several other kinds of projects. Here are a few samples from the book:
I love her style (obviously!) Though I hope to eventually make a few projects from the book, even if I never do, I love perusing the books when I need a boost of inspiration. There is something about beautiful art and handiwork that just does something for my soul. I used to struggle with that: I used to think maybe I should just be functional. But then I was reminded that God could have made the world just functional, but He also made it beautiful. Beauty and creativity are a part of His character, and it’s ok if we reflect and enjoy those traits within the means and time He has given us at different seasons of life.
I finally did start a Paula Vaughn cross stitch project of my own! I’ve had the pattern for a while, though it is newer than some of the ones I bought when my kids were small. I started it a couple of weeks ago, and the pattern seemed really complicated to me, but it is coming together more quickly and easily than I would have thought. Here is what I have so far:
I hope you have enjoyed looking through Paula’s art as much as I have enjoyed sharing it with you! You can find more Show and Tells or join in on the fun at Kelli’s.
Stray Thoughts 
They are all so beautiful! Lovely book, too.
Kathy
Hi that book looks wonderful. Your cross stitch pieces your sister made are beautiful.
I have always loved Paula Vaughn paintings. They are so beautiful. Have fun with your needlework! Thanks for visiting my blog. Come again sometime!!
Paula Vaugh’s work is very appealing. I am sure it adds a lovely touch to your decor.
I have, I HAVE enjoyed your Show n Tell Barbara. The work your sister gave you is awesome and I truly LOVE the prints. They look so pretty, and against the wallpaper of yours they look so ‘into place’. And the books? Well, you know me and books. I love ’em – all of ’em.
My Show N Tell is posted, I hope you can stop by sometime today for a visit. Happy Friday!!!
Hi Barbara, lovely items there. Thanks for sharing them!
On photo exposures, you could try adjusting them using photo editing software, such as Microsoft Office Picture Manager and Picasa, or the more sophisticated PhotoShop.
Good Morning Barbara :),
Thank you for sharing Paula’s work, she is an amazing artist. I hope you do find time to work some of her cross stitch patterns and share them with us, they are so beautiful.
Have a Fantastic Friday!
Kathi 🙂
Very pretty! The Paula Vaughn work is just lovely. I love the cross stitch you are working on too.
I love her work. I like the groupings in the paintings. Beautiful book, too.
I’m back! And this time with an award for you, Barbara! 🙂
They are beautiful! In my “country” days I would have loved these in my home too! I LOVE that one of the porch swing!!! I bet you’ll find time to do some of this in a few more years.
I’m not familiar with the name, but I can definitely see why she is one of your favorites! I love this style so much…I’m going to have to keep my eye out for her work in the future!
What artwork! Not just artwork-but handcrafted art! Lovely-Carla
Beautiful artwork. I used to cross stitch but haven’t for awhile. One of these days I’ll get back into it. Brandee 🙂
I can’t wait to see your finished piece.
Beautiful collection, Barbara.
Nice progress on the cross-stitch!!! Keep up the good work – I can’t wait to see the finished work. But no pressure from me. I am working at snail pace on mine… I understand how daunting big cross-stitch project can be. 🙂
Blessings.
Hi,
Before today, I didn’t know who Paula Vaughn was! Now I know! I love her style too!
I enjoyed your show and tell!
diane
You and I have very different tastes but I have enjoyed reading about your love for this artist! And it’s obvious how carefully you fix up your home with the things you love–you really do a good job.
I didn’t know about Paula Vaughn either, but I love her style! Very old fashioned and sweet. Your pictures are beautiful and I’m looking forward to seeing your finished cross-stitch!
~Kelli
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Hello,
I’m searching through Paula Vaughn’s cross-stitching prints, I’ve made a lot of her pictures and lost them all to a house fire 2 1/2 weeks ago and have to do an insurance list for inventory. Makes me so sad to see all the hard work and hours I’ve spent and they’re all just gone.
Thank You for posting…
Hugs
I Love Paula Vaughn Cross stitch also. I have a collection I did for my Daughter “A Bride’s Prayer”, “Through A Mother’s Eyes” and “Through a Father’s Eyes” They were so much fun to do and beautiful too.