Note to self: never again!

I have a new-found respect for those of you who stitch the same design multiple times.  I finished up my four little boxes last week, and can I just say....NEVER doing that again!

Here they are, from the top:

The second shot shows the paper I attached to the inside with Modge Podge and then covered with a clear varnish.

And here are the insides.  The fabrics weren't all exact matches, but they were as close as I could get!  And what doesn't show in the any of the pictures very well is the felt I put on the bottom of each box.  Again, coordinating with the cording/bird/inside fabric.

I think my husband's grandmother would be pleased...the bird beads were from her jewelry stash!  I've recycled them into more than a few projects over the years.  The little boxes are for my stitchy friends, and will be delivered this weekend.

Box (x4)

I'm posting this month's small and hoping that none of the intended recipients read my blog...

This is a little design from JBW Designs' "Heart Song" pamphlet, with a few changes made.  I didn't have any of the buttons called for!  There is supposed to be a birdhouse button in the lower right, and I stitched the initials of my stitchy friends there instead.  And I repurposed yet another one of the bird beads from DH's grandmother's jewelry for the center!  I used 36-ct. linen to make it fit the box top - the boxes were $.99 finds at Michael's.  I stained them (I believe the stain was "Golden Pecan"), used Modge-Podge to line the inside with scrapbook paper, and made a little padded bottom.  The top is padded as well, and edged with twisted cording.

Now I just have 3 more of these to make....  (and each one will have different color bird in the center - this one is pink, and I also have blue, purple, and green)

A pillow by the sea

A quickie pillow finish for JBW Design's "Journey to the Sea" piece, stitched last year....The sailboat fabric was included in the grab bag I bought on Etsy, and just seemed perfect for this design! There wasn't enough for the back, so I used a dark blue denim (the same as what is bordering the top of the stitching).

One month to go!

Well, with a due date of March 11, there isn't much time left before our Wee One arrives! The nursery is mostly done - I'm still waiting for my mom's seamstress friend to finish the curtains - and if someone were to arrive unexpectedly, we'd at least have a bed and clothes for her. Of course, since we just moved in late December, I still feel like a lot of our things are still in boxes....and they may stay that way for months to come! Also, I got a lovely surprise package from Kathy last week - she made several adorable bibs and burp cloths, plus sent a cute little lovey blanket. Thank you so much, Kathy -- you are too sweet!!

Believe it or not, I *have* been stitching. Some evenings it is the only thing that keeps me from obsessing over the twitchy-crawly feelings in my legs... So last night I finished a small project from JBW Designs, called "To The Sea." It is stitched on 28-ct. "Drifting Sands" lugana from Kiwi Illusions, using most (but not all) of the hand-dyed flosses. And I did break down and purchase the Mill Hill glass treasure lighthouse, on the right-hand side. Yowza, that little doo-dad was expensive! I'm debating whether to have this framed (some day) or to finish it as a pillow/something else small that I can do myself.