A Birthday Finish

I wanted to share a special finish that I had a while ago, but couldn't share until the birthday girl received her parcel. I didn't have a lot to go on except that she likes scissors, the colors purple and pink and smalls. HMMM, whatever shall I stitch her? Okay, smalls it is.

I chose a design by Indigo Rose, her Victoria's 2 pence Scissor Fob. I enlarged it, changed it around, added to it, and came up with this set: a scissor fob, needlebook and biscornu. I also used her Rhodes Heart to decorate a scissor sheath. I used R and R's linen in Breast Cancer Pink and Belle Soie silk in Empress purple. I added beads to the edges of all pieces except the sheath.

I loved working on this. Loved changing it, making it bigger by adding an extra row of rice stitches, and loved doing the finishing on it. I think its taking a blank piece of fabric, a soft piece of silk and making something lovely out of it. Something three dimensional out of it. Something that can be used. And don't we all love using pretty things? And because the birthday girl works giving Mammograms, I added the pink ribbon scissors. I think it made a sweet set. What do you think? Oh, it might help if I add a picture of the set?

The beaded counter was made by my son Chad to match the set I stitched. Isn't it pretty?

I have other finishes to share but the camera batteries need a recharge. I'll be back soon with an update and some pictures that I've just finished framing and a couple of tin necklace finishes. Until then, happy stitching!

Beth's Fob

When I made my last post, I thought I had posted a picture of the fob I made for Beth, the Purple Three Penny Scissor Fob by Indigo Rose. NOT! So, here it is. The different shades of purple, the white beads to match the handles of the scissors--I think it turned out quite nicely. This was part of her birthday gift. I was going to try and post these pictures in my last post, but I just can't seem to add pictures where I want them to go. If I don't add them at the beginning and then write my blip, the pictures always end up at the top. If someone can tell me how to put pictures where I want them, I'm all ears.

Happy Stitching everyone.

A little this, a little that

I can not believe it's been over a month since I last posted. Seems that life has kept me very busy. We finally have a new shower and it only took a week to install. We are having a problem with the caulk curing, so might have to remove it all and re-caulk with a different brand. You'd think that after two days, it would be dry and stay dry. Nope, it gets tacky whenever it gets wet, and seems to wash away. Really annoying.

Summer is nearly over. Isn't that the best thing you've heard in ages? Autumn, with its lovely colors, and cooler temperatures, is just around the corner. Last night, I turned off the a/c and opened a window--was to get down to 45 degrees. Must have because I was very comfortable--and I like being cold when I sleep. Really cold. Don't believe me? I once slept in the truck, parked on the top of a hill in Northern Illinois in the middle of January--and the temps were below zero. (and the truck was not running!) I had no trouble sleeping. And why on earth would I do that? We were visiting my husband's parents and as they are getting on in age, they like to keep the house REALLY warm, like 85 degrees. So, I'm very happy to see the end of summer. The grandkids are back in school and it should be reported that they all like their new teachers. And all they can talk about is Halloween coming. Oh, and birthdays--three of them have birthdays this month.

So, in amongst all the busy-ness of life, I did get a bit of stitching done. First up, Little House Needleworks Reading. I do not know why the fabric is showing up blue because it was stitched on Antique white Belfast, with Crescent Colours. I really enjoyed stitching this one. When these charts were previewed, I decided then and there I was only going to stitch the Quilting one. I am a reader, but the Quilting piece was the only one that really interested me. Guess I changed my mind. Looks like I'll be stitching all four in the series. Am I a sucker for LHN designs, or what?

Here is my stitched piece, Little Women Reading by Little House Needleworks. It was a fairly quick stitch, and has been done for days. (Just kept forgetting that the batteries for my camera needed to be recharged.)
Next up, Indigo Rose's Three Penny Scissor fob. For my birthday, my friend Beth gave me a pair of scissors. She bought the same pair for herself. For her birthday, I stitched her this very same fob, in a purple over-dyed silk, Empress Belle Soie by Crescent Colours. Since the scissors matched, I made myself the same fob, but in my favorite color of blue, Blue Lagoon Belle Soie by Crescent Colors. (side note, if you've not stitched with Belle Soie yet, give it a try. You'll fall in love with this lovely silk floss.)

I did change the chart somewhat. I enlarged the design size from 4 stitches by 4 stitches (woven) to 8 stitches by 8 stitches. On the front, I left an area in the middle unworked to have a place to stitch an initial, this time, mine. The back was worked as Indigo Rose designed it, just a bit larger. You can't see the lovely sheen of the beads--here they appear white but they are the exact color of the darker part of the silk floss. The cording is made of the same silk floss. It's filled with plastic pellets for weight.

Seems like quite a few stitchers have been trying canvas work. Beth has been working on canvas for about 6 months and she is thrilled with it. Nicole has done a few and her's have turned out so pretty--her's look like mini quilts and that always makes my mouth water--so I thought I'd give it a try. This is Two Cabins by From Nancy's Needle. I'm enjoying the work, the learning something new but it will never replace my cross stitching.

If you notice the pine green on the outside border, I've finished up with that green tonight, and the last snowflake has been done. It's very small, only 4 inches by 8 inches but there is a lot of detail in that small piece. And can you believe it? I've had trouble doing the counting. Do I count the threads or the holes? I am finding it hard to understand how I can count wrong so often, when I don't do it very often in my stitching. A lot of frogging went on to get this far.

So, what is next? I'm thinking it's time for another LHN design, and I've chosen Heart and Home Sampler. It's charted for DMC but I think I'll try and find some Crescent Colours overdyed cottons to stitch it in.

Two More Finishes

As the title reads, I have two more finishes to share with you. The first is Frappuccino, by Little House Needleworks. Its the last of their coffee series of kitlets, all done on Vintage Examplar by Lakeside Linens, with Belle Soie silk floss. I think these three are adorable and I plan to frame them the same and hang them in the kitchen. One might even look good framed in a Sudberry House tray. Might just have to do one of them over again. I really liked how Diane changed the colors of the borders for each one.

My other finish is one I've been talking about for a month, the box for my daughter in law. I stitched Four Little Ladybugs by Indigo Rose. Had to stitch the design twice, side by side, to fit into the top opening. I think it turned out well. I lined the top inside, and padded the bottom inside with suede cloth, and added a hasp so she can lock little fingers out. I think I have a tiny padlock too, for luggage that would work well with this. Oh, and I stitched the design on fabric I call Summer sky (because I dyed it myself) with 'Creamsicle' silk by Threadgatherer and Soie d'alger by Kreinik. I'm considering also doing a biscornu to match, as I have enough of the fabric left.

So, what's up next? I'm thinking either My Needle's Work by LHN, or Soft Spring by Shepherd's Bush. It just depends on if I have all the Belle Soie needed for the LHN project.

Thanks for stopping by and for all the comments you leave. I've been very encouraged by those comments during this, our times of trial. And let me tell you, I've about had it with these trials. It does look as though we've weathered the worst. Only time will tell.

Twilight Biscornu

Our Yahoo group has been doing a Round Robin, a very unusual one. Everyone stitches up something to be used as a "small" but not the finishing. This time around, Laura stitched me Twilight by Indigo Rose. This was something I had stitched and made into a Biscornu for my daughter in law but had not had the time to stitch one for myself. It's a gorgeous pattern and stitches up so pretty. Laura chose some very interesting colors, and even sent along floss to finish it up. She used: Barrier Reef by Dinky Dyes (the spot in the middle), Twilight by Gloriana, and Red Plum by GAST. She sent a button that I used for the bottom. I used a bead for the top and filled it with pellets for weight. Didn't it turn out great? She did a perfect job with the stitching, and I love the colors she used.

I'm in the middle of stitching Frappuccino by LHN and will post a picture when I've gotten it finished. I also have the stitching done on my daughter in law's boxtop but haven't had the time to get it finished up with Easter. Will try to remember to take a picture before I give it to her.

Hope everyone had a happy Easter and that you didn't get too much snow or rain. Our Easter started out really nice, but cold. Nice and sunny, until mid-afternoon when we got an inch of snow which is already melted. YES! No shoveling this time.

A Little House Finish

Finally I can show a finish for 2008 that I actually started in 2008. Cappuccino by Little House Needleworks. I have all three of LHN's coffee quickies and plan to do them all, frame them alike and use to decorate my kitchen. It really needs decorating. I finished this one tonight as I tried, in vain, to find something to watch on TV. I have to give credit to Nicole (Carolina Dreaming) for hooking me on Little House and this project. I watched her progress with great enthusiasm and finally had to give in and get it started. Its worked on Vintage Examplar by Lakeside Linens with Belle Soie Silk floss, which are a dream to stitch with.

I did have other finishes for 2008 but both were for exchanges for a Yahoo group and I couldn't show them. Of course, I also forgot to take pictures so it really doesn't matter. I did a Shepherd's Bush needleroll and slanted it towards Valentine's Day, and then I stitched a Victoria Sampler house which turned out really cute. It was from Cottage Garden Sampler. I love that house, and it was the third time I'd stitched it.

Its been a really difficult winter for us, and I'm barely hanging on. Having such wonderful friends has made it easier but the hard part is just starting. Check back in a few weeks and I should have more details or perhaps I'll be able to report good news. One can hope.

So, what's next? I'd really like to start another in this collection but have to hold off to get my dil's birthday gift finished. It's only half done--I'm doing Indigo Rose's Four Little Bugs for a box top and biscornu for her, but its a week late already.

Have a great week, everyone and for those in the northern climes, please try to keep warm. It's a toasty 3 degrees right now and it sounds like we are heading into the negative numbers before dawn. Perhaps I should rethink hubby's desire to move to North Carolina. Hmmmm, nope!

Designer Exchange

Let me start by apologizing for being so lax in updating this blog. In my own defense, I signed up for way too many exchanges. This exchange had to be mailed by mid September and the next one has to be mailed tomorrow. So, I've been concentrating on getting it ready for packaging and mailing, but had to wait before sharing this exchange with you all.

This was a designer exchange. All participants expressed the designer they liked the most, and their partner was to stitch that designer for them. My designer was Shepherd's Bush, of course, and my partner's was Indigo Rose. I was thrilled because, as you know, I also love Indigo Rose. I don't have many charts by Indigo Rose but I do have a few charts from the kits I've bought. I chose to make my partner a bourse, and used the charts from "Mary's Pin Pillow" and "Bee Charmer" for the stitching part of it. I think it turned out exceptionally--I changed the colors of the silks to suit my partner--she's into pastels, and used a lovely Silver Lilac silk dupioni for the outside. I was very happy with the way it turned out, and I think she liked it also.

I, in turn, received two SB scissor fobs, "Happy Wishes" and "Snow", I think its called. My partner did a great job with the stitching, and my package from her was very thoughtful. She also made me a really pretty beaded scissor fob with a tiny pair of scissors attached. Here is my package that made me so happy. She also sent me several skeins of Needlepoint silk and two of Vikki Clayton silks. (I really love using Vikki Clayton silks, the colors are so scrumptious.)

As soon as my partner for the Halloween exchange gets her package, I'll post a picture. I really enjoyed stitching the Halloween one--I don't often stitch that theme.

And while I'm thinking about it, on our Yahoo group, we got to talking about scissors, and collecting them. I pulled out all of my scissors, from the rack they hang on, the lamps they hang over, from sewing boxes and stitching bags, and laid them out on the dining room table to photograph them. I surprised myself at having, in excess of 70 pairs of scissors. I counted 72 but then forgot the pair left hanging on the rack with a SB fob, a pair in a stitching project bag and a pair in my big Vera Bradley stitching bag. Looks like I have at least 25 pair that are languishing without fobs--boo, hoo. Guess I need to get busy with stitching up a few more. I think I also need to make another herb drying rack to hang some more--my only problem, I'm not sure where to hang this new rack. My stash room, perhaps? Sorry that there isn't more detail in the picture. I ended up taking four other pictures just to show a few of the pairs in detail.

More Smalls

Now that my pin exchange partner has received her package, I can share the stitching part with you. I stitched her Sea Shells, by Victoria Sampler, and finished it into a needlebook/pin keep. I really enjoyed doing this one, and it was on her wish list. She loves the ocean.

And here are my new finishes. The biscornu on the left is Twilight by Indigo Rose. I changed the colors to suit my daughter in law's taste and tonight, I gave it to her. She seemed to like it a lot. The biscornu on the right is also by Indigo Rose, Pretty In Pink, and its a lot smaller than it looks. It came with its own tiny wooden stand, and was a lot of fun to stitch.

These are both Purple Rosebud by Ewe and Eye and friends.

These two fobs were both from the same kit. Incredibly, there was enough fabric and threads for both. The one on the left is done the way the instructions read, with one strand over two threads. On the right, I used two strands over two threads. It was interesting to see the difference in texture and intensity of color in the two fobs. My daughter in law liked the one on the right the best, so she took that one home. Sooner or later, I'll fill her sewing box with smalls.

Now, on to the next exchange. This one will be a designer exchange, and I think I'm going to finish the piece into a bourse. That will be different for me. But, I think I'll wait until tomorrow to pick the fabric and fibers.

Thank you to all of you who read my posts and a special thanks to those who leave comments. I do appreciate the time you take. Visit any time.