Saturday, May 02, 2009

A New Frame and a New Finish

I sure didn't think it had been over two weeks since the last time I posted. I think I wait to have a picture or a finish to share before I post something new.

First up is the new frame for LHN's Sea to Shining Sea. Thank you for all the compliments on the first frame for this piece, and I really did like the style of the frame. But, what you couldn't see was that the corners didn't fit perfectly and I felt like that detracted from the look of this piece. I tried to match the frame color, but used the idea of what Diane used for her piece. I thought about going the blue she did, and I had the paint for it, but after using the stained frame, I thought that just brought out the color of the lettering so nicely that the new one just had to have stain. I would have posted several days earlier but here in northern Indiana, we've had nearly a week of rain, and the humidity caused the drying time to be really slow. So, what do you think of the new frame?



And now, my new finish. I was really inspired by the framing job Miss Jane showed on her blog of her My Needle's Work. It was fabulous so, of course, I had to get started on it. It went so fast, I was amazed! Got into a good rhythm and had it finished, for the most part, in three days. (or three evenings.) When it came time to stitch the picture she is holding, I just couldn't stitch that rooster. It's not that I hate roosters but it just didn't feel right that my needle worker would stitch a rooster and then be so proud to show it off. Now, I have stitched a rooster picture, but that was for my little sister for Christmas one year as she collects and decorates her kitchen with rooster everything. Anyway, I decided that my little needle worker would stitch a LHN design. I used the Traveling Stitcher chart, stitched only part of it, over one thread. I used the left side house, with the fencing with the bird, the fence on the other side of the house and the flower, plus some of the upper border. I didn't use the thread colors used in Traveling Stitcher, but the thread colors used in the My Needle's Work. Let me tell you--it took longer to stitch that tiny piece than it took to stitch the rest of the piece in its entirety. But, I was very pleased with the results. I am not the greatest over one stitcher but I'm getting better.


On the home front, things continue to go wrong. The truck was down again for another repair, we haven't seen a paycheck in three weeks (which makes it really hard to not only pay bills but to get groceries and prescriptions) and would appreciate any prayers that come our way. It's been a real difficult time but we're trying to keep our heads up and keep on keeping on. The truck is running again, and hubby is in Ohio and won't be home this weekend. All of these problems plus the week of gloomy weather and rain has got me down but I turn to my stitching and all of your blogs and can forget the problems. So, thank you, all of you, who write such lovely posts, keep all of us entertained and inspired. Your posts and your comments mean so much to me.


So, what's on board next in my stitching? I was trying to finish up LHN's The Angels Sang, (and it's almost finished) but I'm having a problem with the floss colors. Her dress and wings are nearly the same color, (antique lace and Garden Trellis) so I'm going to frog out her wings, find a nice pale color that will accentuate the piece, and restitch the wings. But first, I'm stitching Acorn Hill by LHN. I needed to stitch with some silks and this piece is charted for Crescent Colours Belle Soie. I love stitching with Belle Soie. It is so soft and it gleams sweetly and covers so well. I was going to show a progress picture but all I got done was the outside border and a start to the house's roof--so just some brown stitches. I'm stitching it on 32 count Vintage Pearled Barley by Lakeside Linens, which was a gift from a special friend--you know who you are and how special you are to me



Okay, dear friends. I'm going back to my stitching, and see if I can find something interesting on television to listen to. Stitch on and show plenty of pictures!

11 comments:

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

I love your StSS and can't wait to get that one done myself. Now.... I LOVE how you did the over one picture on your second LHN design - way cute and I think, better than the original!

I am sending prayers for your family. This economic crisis has hit so many people - I don't remember anything like this, ever. God's blessings.

Peace,
Terri

Bine said...

Congratulations on your newest finish. It is such a fantastic idea to change the rooster over 1 picture to something else! The tiny house looks gorgeous!!!!
I like the new frame for FStSS as much as the old one but if it fits better than it is for sure the better choice :)
We are talking about the economic crisis all the time but (knock on wood) it didn't hit Manitoba in CA yet. Though a lot of provinces are in big trouble already. I sure wish your family all good and hope you will get through all this with not too much trouble...

Brigitte said...

Great stitching and framing!
I love the little house that you stitched over one, it looks so perfect in its little frame. Brilliant idea.
So sorry for your problems. I hope the situation will soon improve for you.

Patricia Lessell said...

I absolutely LOVE your StSS and love how you did the over one picture and changed the Rooster to a House - it works so very well that I might just have to copy you. I also really love you FSTSS and will have to do that sooner or later. I truly hope that things get real better for you sooner rather than later. Lots of Love and good wishes winging their way to you Patti xxx

Siobhán said...

Love the new frame for StSS! I thought it looked great before, too, but you have to be happy with it--and it does look great now, too. Your second LHN piece is just so adorable! What a clever idea to change the picture she was holding, I'd never have thought of that! And then pulled it off so well.

Big hugs over the worries. I always get myself over the panic by saying, "Is there anything I can do about this?" and if I can--I do--but if I can't change it, then I give it up to God and I know He'll sort it out. Thank God for needlework--I would be a basket case w/o it! Hope things get better for you soon.

Deb said...

Wow - what can I say? First off, I love the frame for StSS. I think you're right about the stain pulling the color of the lettering out! And I really like the style too. And your changes on the other LHN design - I think that's got to be one of the most ingenious things I've seen. I love it!

Sending my prayers too for you and your family!

Nicole said...

Beautiful framing finishes Debs! I love the changes you made to "My Needle's Work." That little house is just perfect! It's so sweet! Can't wait to see your next finish! :)

I'm so sorry about the hard times right now Debs - you'll definitely be in my thoughts and prayers! Please take care!!

Love,
Nicole

Coni said...

AAAAAHHHHHH! Why didn't I look at your piece before I stitched that darn rooster?! Then I could have shamlessley copied your idea and done something that I would have actually LIKED! Woo Hoo for you and your fabulous finishes! As for the happy thoughts....they're winging their way to you as I type them.

Von said...

Really nice frames to set off your wonderful stitching!

I hope that good times are right around the corner for you, Deb. Hang in there!

Melissa said...

I really like how you changed the rooster to a house! It looks great. I've stitched mine last year so can't change it now!

All the best wishes to you and your family to get through the hurdles. We've been through similar situation in the past and I have an idea what you are going through. Thank goodness for something like stitching to hang onto!

manu s kram said...

wonderful, it s perfect !great stitching and framing...
hugs manu