A finish and some stash

(I know, probably not what you were expecting so soon after yesterday's post, eh?!?)

First, my Snowflakes in the Pines wedding sampler is finished.

This is for my sister.  The verse is an excerpt from (I believe) the poem that was read at President Obama's first inauguration, and something that is meaningful to both her and her husband.  I'd like to get it framed before I give it to her, so it may be a while before she sees it!

And then there was the unexpected stash.

The "All Creatures" book is by Lori Markovic of La-D-Da, and I stumbled across it Friday night at Jo-Ann Fabrics.  (The Wee One asked if we could go to the "quilt store" after daycare...who was I to say no?!?!?  LOL)  Cutesy primitives aren't always my style, but I find some of Lori's rather endearing.  I found the Irish Blessings charts and the Leisure Arts book today at the thrift store - I think I paid less than $2 for them total.  I'm not crazy about any of the Irish sayings in particular, but I did see some useful elements that I could pull out and use for my own creations.  And the Leisure Arts book is not something I'd normally bring home...until I opened it and saw this.

Purple?  Violets?  And a fairy?  Oh, why not.  (As if I don't have gobs of other fairy patterns in my stash...)

Wedding Sampler Update

Just a fly-by weekend posting with an update on the Snowflakes in the Pines wedding sampler...

(Their last names ARE there, just edited for privacy.)  The band between the pines and their names is an upright cross with 2 strands of brown topped with 2 elongated crosses in a single strand of green.  The bottom band is Algerian eyelets in white alternating with white beads.  Now I'm on to the top portion, which is another row of the brown and green layered stitches, then a verse of a poem the bride and groom both like, then more white Algerian eyelets.  I'm pleased with how this is turning out!

Shepherd's Bush ornie received!

Janet has received her ornament, so now I can share...

This little Santa is from the Angel Sampler in the "Angel Pie" booklet.  I stitched him on some mystery evenweave - maybe it is antique white? - and he fit perfectly on the 3-inch round ornament form that I had.  The swirly star fabric is the backing, and I made the cording with the green used in the pattern.  There is also green in the backing fabric, so I think that ties it together pretty well!  I'm so glad you liked it, Janet.

And an update on Snowflakes in the Pines -

I realized after this picture was taken that the pine boughs on the lower left were off by one stitch - somewhere.  Grrr.  I did finally find  the stitch, but of course it was in the middle....so I frogged the whole thing out.  Argh!  But you can see the divider band I decided on.  It is an upright cross done with 2 strands of brown, and then 2 elongated crosses over the top done with one strand of green.  I thought about topping that with a cross in white, but when I tried it, it looked too busy.  So just the green and brown, I think.  I am thinking of trying some beads, either between the stitches or maybe below.  We'll see!  I also need to decide what color to do the text in.  The green might show up best....but brown was the dominant color in my sister's wedding.  I'm pretty sure I will have it framed with brown mats, so that will help.  Guess I'll just have to try both and see what strikes my fancy!

Busy busy busy

Still sticking to my list of 2013 goals, over the past week I've been working on the first of two wedding samplers.

This will be the center, and it is The Sweetheart Tree's "Snowflakes in the Pines" Teenie Tweenie.  I like it, but all that backstitching is kind of maddening!  I know it will look nice in the end, though.  I've substituted HDF silks for the DMC used in the pattern.  Above and below this center will be rows of specialty stitches - initially I thought I'd use triangular satin stitches like I did in the one I made for my brother-in-law and his wife, but I'm not liking the effect this time.  Maybe a layered stitch of some kind, with brown on the bottom, then green, and topped with white -- so it evokes looking down on a snow-covered forest?  Hmmm.  Then there is a verse above, the wedding information below, and bands of snowflakes at the very top and bottom.

I've also finished and mailed my Shepherd's Bush ornament for Hooked on Exchanging - hopefully I can share a pic of that soon!

SBQ, 6/14/2007 - Storage

How do you store your WIPs and other projects that you have kitted up?

I use Ziploc bags, mostly. I also like those little zippered plastic pouches that sheets and curtains come in! Basically, it has to be clear, so I know at a glance what is in there. Once something is on the scroll frames, I keep the flosses and other doo-dads either in a baggie or a small floss box or tin. The pattern - if it is a big one, like a Mira - will be folded neatly in my little chair-side stitching bin. If I'm going to set something on the frame aside for a while, I'll often cover it in a white pillowcase to protect it from dust and pet hair. I don't do much "kitting up" ahead of time!

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Today I finished up the wedding sampler for my BIL and his fiancee. I'm absolutely loving this one - it is soooo sparkly and (IMHO) perfect! I made MANY changes, but I'm very very happy with the finished product.

(All names covered to protect the innocent! LOL) The most obvious of my changes involved swapping out all of the beads, with the exception of the center heart and the sequin-like "paillettes" that were included with the pattern. I used a much darker blue than the pattern called for, and changed one of the silvers to white to match the top and bottom bands. Of course the sparklies don't show very well in the picture.....grrrr....and the colors aren't exactly right - the center heart is more blue than aqua. Just trust me when I say that it is lovely in person.....

Finished finish, better picture!

After an afternoon spent cleaning out the garage (ick), I decided to reward myself by spending the evening in my craft corner. I asked DH whether I should scrapbook or sew, and he said "sew." And for once I decided to take his input! hehehe

I know I asked for suggestions other than pillowifying, but this just seemed to suit it so well. It is about 5 inches square, and not a big puffy pillow - perfect as a door hanger.

I also broke out yet another little project - a kit from Twisted Threads that I picked up on our anniversary trip 2 years ago. It says "Share Love", is done in 3 colors of Silk Mori, and has a little heart charm for the center.....and I didn't realize when I bought it that it is to be done OVER ONE!!! On 32-ct. linen!!! Ack!!! And the way the charm is designed, I can't "cheat" and go over 2. It is coming along ok, but I can guarantee you this is one I won't stitch again....at least not as charted.....