More framing done

Another thing this moved showed me was just how MANY frames and finishing ideas I had stashed away in various bins and boxes.  It was a little horrifying, really...and overwhelming.  I was at a point where organizing and using any of it felt downright oppressive.  So now I'm working through things, finishing items and stitching designs that I know I bought finishing materials for.  (Currently I have another half doll on my work table!)  And this little guy - the frame actually wasn't from my stash, it was one that was left in the house by the previous owners.  It had a little piece of mass-produced calligraphy in it - a quote about good neighbors - so I disassembled it and repurposed the frame.  I even left the glass!  I cut tiny strips of mat board that fit between the glass and the stitching, but are not visible from the the front, to keep the stitching from touching the glass.

This was a Sudberry House clock design that I modified a few years ago.  I didn't want to stitch the clock face, so I added the Quaker pattern and the Rhodes heart at the top.

Quarantine = Crafty Productivity

As the quarantine began, and we are still getting settled in our new home, I resolved to work through some of my smaller patterns.  I hoped I'd get the satisfaction of both some finishes AND some things cleared out of my overflowing stash storage!  (It will still take me several decades to get through ALL the stash, and I know I'll still buy more.  It is the nature of the beast, after all.)

Here is my first finished product - "A Child's Dream (Moonshadow Mini)" by Full Circle Designs.  It is all done with DMC, so it was easy to kit up.  I still made a substitution or 2, though -- the stars are stitched in silver Kreinik, because I just could do them with black as charted.  Black stars?  Nope!

I framed it myself, too.  The frame is from Olde Colonial Designs, and I think I picked it up at Celebration of Needlework last year with another project in mind.  But it was perfect for this one, and since I don't remember exactly what else I was planning to use it for...

Too Hot to....Stitch?

Is that possible?

Yes.  Yes it is.

"It's Hot!" poem by Shel Silverstein

Especially this past weekend...100+ degrees Fahrenheit (that makes it about 38 Celsius), humid, and absolutely gross.  Also, our living room AC unit - an old wall installation, not central air - died last week, and I just got on the contractor's schedule to have central air installed.  Of course, that didn't help at all over the weekend!  (It will be a bit pricey, but I think it will be worth it.  Even if we move, it will be a nice selling point.)

I DID stitch something - I fished a small kit from Celebrations of Needlework out of my stash.  Here is "Into the Deep Blue" by the Primitive Hare.

There were some buttons to attach as "bubbles," but I thought it made everything look a bit crowded, so I left them off.  Obviously the handful of beads is just scattered there for photographic purposes!  I did add the little bead in her hand - I liked the idea that she had a bit of treasure in her grasp.  I also already have a finishing idea, but just need to sit down and assemble it.

Back in early July I dropped off a piece with a new-to-me framer.  The price wasn't terrible, and I think he did at least as good a job as the chain craft stores...plus he seemed quite knowledgeable about what to do and what not to do with needlework.  The frame selection wasn't huge, so I don't know how often I'll use him, but it was a nice experience overall.  Here's the finished product - 

This is Dragon Fire Designs' "Once Upon a Time" pattern, from the April 2005 issue of Just Cross Stitch.  I'm amazed that I actually STITCHED it (and finished it!) in April of 2005, too!  LOL  The fabric is Sugar Maple Fabrics "Jewels" linen.  I remember thinking that when this was done, it looked like Hogwarts at sunset.  I let my daughter paw through the Bin of Unfinished Finishes to pick the piece we'd have framed, and I wasn't surprised when she settled on this one.  I also was not surprised when she zeroed in on the purple frame.  :)

One final find to share - I was at the thrift shop on my monthly poke-about, hunting for interesting frames and other doo-dads to re-purpose for finishing, when I found this.

It is crewel, not cross stitch, but it is just pretty.  The framing is perfect, and I think it has a wonderful timeless feel to it - especially impressive after I turned it over and saw that someone had written on the back "Christmas - December 25 1978."  (I giggled that they felt the need to clarify that Christmas was on December 25.)  Unfortunately, the stitcher didn't sign it anywhere that is visible.  However, I'm still pretty sure it wasn't a mass-produced thing, in part because of the date info and also because there is a sticker from an old local frame shop on it.  Either way, I like it, and it now hangs in my guest bedroom!  I don't typically feel the need to rescue needlework - I know that tastes change.  Heck, I think I've donated some of the things I've stitched myself, simply because they didn't suit my decor and I didn't want them anymore.  I get a little annoyed when people think that everything that ends up in a resale shop was discarded as trash.  If you find it and love it, great!  Take it home, hang it on the wall, turn it into a pillow, make a scrap quilt of Found Needlework, whatever.  In the end it is all just Stuff, and we can't treasure everything forever...

Fully-Finished Gallery SAL Check-in!

Just in time, I picked this up at the framer's yesterday!

Plum Street Sampler's "Cape Cod Keeps" - stitched as one piece and framed

I love this little piece. I think my framer did a great job with it, too!  I still have hopes of having a mermaid-themed bathroom....although it may be years away at this point.  So for now she hangs on the wall in my craft room, along with a few other mermaid things I've been collecting.

Back from the Framers

(And I'm sorry, Michael's....you did a decent job, but there is no WAY I would have paid 60% more for this.  Your markups are ridiculous, and I know you do it just to have the near-constant "sales.")

Country Cottage Needleworks' "Cowboy Dreams," stitched over-one on 28-ct. natural linen.

Many floss substitutions made, and I turned the rabbit next to the horse into a dog.

This is going to be a gift for my mother-in-law, her husband (my husband's step-dad) was a country veterinarian, and was often referred to as an old cowboy.  And he really was...shoeing horses, caring for livestock and house pets alike.  He is now suffering from Alzheimer's, and it is very sad to watch.  I'm sure this piece will be well received, even if there are a few tears.

To brighten a gloomy day

Yesterday I had to have a pesky cavity filled at my dentist's office...and then my exhaust pipe and muffler fell apart as I pulled out of the parking lot.  So it was quite a joy to be able to pick this up from my framer!

I'm sorry about the glare, but I wasn't in the mood to fuss with it last night.  This is "Dark Sorceress," by Claire Crompton, published in a book titled Magical Cross Stitch.  I finished the stitching last year, and finally got motivated to have it framed.  I LOVE it!!!  The mat and frame combination works perfectly - the gold scrolls in the frame accentuate the metallic flosses in the stitching, and the frame also has a touch of purple to it.  My framer, while he is not cheap, is awesome.

Finished and framed

Picked this up last night from Hobby Lobby (still not a fan of some of their corporate policies, but their framing department is the only local one I trust...).  It is a gift for one of my nieces.

The design is from an older booklet titled "A is for Always," an alphabet collection featuring the drawings of Joan Walsh Anglund.  I remember reading several children's books she illustrated, and both my mother and I thought her characters were rather charming.
The framer kept trying to use a wood/brown frame with this, but I insisted she try the green metal one.  After I left it, I started second-guessing myself, but I'm glad I didn't go back!  I think this works perfectly, and keeps the darker colors from being overpowered by a dark frame.  (Don't mind the plastic - since it has to be shipped, I didn't bother taking it out of the package.)

A Wee Bit of Framing

I picked this up today...it is the Forget-Me-Not Sampler by the Drawn Thread.  I posted it a couple months ago.  The last time I was home I saw this frame, one that my dad picked up at an auction.  The top part had a picture of a World War I-era soldier, and the bottom was a mirror.  Dad had hung it on his "military memorabilia" wall, but since the soldier wasn't anyone we knew and wasn't even identified, I convinced him that he should let me use the frame for some needlework.  :)  As you can see, I replaced the mirror with cork board, and I've hung it in the kitchen next to our garage door.  It only cost me $20 (I had my framer repair the frame a bit and lace the needlework), so I'm quite pleased!  We'll see if Dad notices it tomorrow when he comes out for Thanksgiving dinner...

My Photogenic Labyrinth

Here she is, all framed!

 

 I couldn't decide which pic was best, so I'm giving you all 3.  :)  The frame has a gold tint on the inside bevel that I just couldn't get to show up very well....  Also, the fabric is a tiny bit wavy around the center. After washing and pressing, I knew those bits were not lying flat, and I'd hoped that stretching would fix the rest.  However, as the framer said, it is due in part to the dense stitching in the center followed by the concentric circles -- the flower-like edges of the center create a different stress on the fabric.  Oh well, only a perfectionist (like me) will notice!  And it is going in DH's office at work, so it isn't as if I'll be looking at it all the time and grumbling.  LOL

In other news, I'm embarrassed to admit that I have enhanced my stash a bit this month.  I picked up Just Nan's "3 Santas" on eBay to use for the Just Nan SAL, and also found Shepherd's Bush "Gypsy Hearts" (the entire kit) for a song.  But other than that, I've been doing pretty well at stitching from my stash....pics will be coming soon of "My Fair Ladybug" (now without a ladybug) and more progress on "Dark Sorceress."

Framing, still hopping, and traveling

I picked this up at Hobby Lobby last week...

...and I love it!  I'm a little disappointed that many of the beads "rolled" when the fabric was stretched/put under glass, but really, if you aren't looking closely you won't notice.  (Of course I notice because it is mine!)  My mom paid for the framing, so when I give it to my sister, it will be a wedding gift from both Mom and I.  Fine by me!

I'm still working on the Bunny Sampler.  Here, finally, is a picture not taken with my phone-

I just need to finish up the bunny's head and a little bit of the 2 right-hand carrot bunches, and that will be another finish for my spring basket.

Last but not least, on Monday I made my reservations for Celebration of Needlework!  I will be arriving Friday, taking Elizabeth Talledo's "Zen Rabbit Stitching Purse" class and going to the dinner event Saturday, and then leaving sometime Sunday.  I was verrrry tempted by Lynda Keske's "Memories Under Glass" project, but I've taken one of her classes before (and she is a wonderful teacher, don't get me wrong!), so I figured I'd give another teacher a try.  Also, her class started at 2 on Friday, and since I'll have a 6-hour drive ahead of me after dropping Wee One off at daycare around 8...the chances of me arriving in time and in the right mindset to sit and stitch/concentrate for a couple hours straight off are pretty slim.  So if you will be at Celebration or are just in the area, let me know!!  I love to meet "internet friends."

Another late WIPocalypse post...

But not TOO late -- only a few days!! (Hey, for me that is an improvement.  LOL)

Here is my latest progress on "Labyrinth."  I'm trying, but I keep getting distracted by smalls.....

Like this one -

Does anyone recognize it?  This is a freebie, and I'm guessing many of us have stitched/have it saved somewhere.  (I have no prizes, you just get the privelege of saying that you know way too much about cross stitch designers and freebies!)

 

And finally, my mom brought out the framed LHN "Reading" piece. 

I can't get the color to look quite right on my camera/computer...grrr.  But the mat is a periwinkle purple, kind of like the girl's dress and the text.  I'm not sure if it is exactly right now that I see the whole thing and not just a corner, but oh well.  The frame itself is sweet and perfect!  And as I mentioned before, I don't think I'd use this framer for anything else, after learning he uses sticky board. 

True to my word

I've been working on the Dark Sorceress.  I figure I'll finish out the week with her, then go back to Labyrinth for a bit....or maybe pull out another WIP from the list?  We'll see.

And yesterday I picked up Rosewood Manor's "Happiness Is" from Hobby Lobby.  Overall, I'm pleased....and the price was reasonable.  The only thing I'm not crazy about is the different colored mat cores (the inside one is white and the outside is gray).  I could have sworn the corner samples we used to choose the mats weren't like that....hmmm.  Still, it is lovely, and it feels good to have something else finally framed!

Home! And an SBQ.

The first part of this post title applies to both 1) myself and family, having journeyed to the midwest for a wedding over Labor Day, and 2) Maura's birth sampler, framed by the talented Jill Rensel. The wedding was fun, and traveling with the Wee One wasn't completely miserable, but I'm still glad its over. ;D

And now what you REALLY want to see....the framing!

This is the final pic Jill sent before shipping it back to me. Isn't it lovely?!?!? I haven't yet decided where to hang it in the nursery, plus I've been toting it about and showing it off. hehehe I couldn't be happier...Jill's style is perfect for this design, and it was soooo affordable. I wish I lived closer to her shop!

As for stitching, I've worked a bit on my neglected Neighborhood RR square, DH's Labyrinth design, and while we were traveling I broke out Victoria Sampler's "Iowa" Hearts of America kit (it seemed appropriate!). The heart is almost done; now I'm looking for some tips on finishing heart shapes. Can anyone help me out? Also, I signed up for a Halloween exchange over at HOE, so I need to start planning/stitching for that as well.

And now for the SBQ, courtesy of Lee:
Is there anything you do while you are stitching that is kind of weird or unusual? A quirky habit maybe? Or anything that you do that makes you think, Hey...I wonder if anyone else does this?
Not really! I do stop every so often and hold whatever I'm working on at arm's length to admire it, but I think we ALL do that. LOL (Although I DO sometimes like to take off my glasses, hold the piece right up to my face, and tilt it so I can see the texture of each individual stitch...I blame my perfectionist/OCD tendencies.) Other than that, I just sit happily in my stitching chair, watch TV, and drink the occasional caffeinated beverage. Yum.

Baaaaaa.

A little baby sampler, stitched and framed by me. This is a gift for one of DH's family members. Bless You by Homespun Elegance, from the Baby Pillows I collection.

I stitched it on 28-ct. Ash Rose lugana, and used a hand-dyed purple floss for the lettering (the pattern called for a shade of brown/beige). I charted the name and date myself, since this is intended for a pillow sham.
I framed it using a frame I picked up at a yard sale earlier this summer....wasn't sure why I bought it at the time, but I was glad I had it! I didn't cut the foam board quite right, so I had to fiddle with some matboard for spacers at the bottom. From straight on it isn't noticeable, but if you look down into the frame, you can kind of tell. Oh well. And yes, there is glass in there (which is why I had matboard for spacers in the first place).

...and more decisions

Two more combinations:
1)2)At first I really liked the first one, with the darker colors. But then I asked DH, and he voted for the second. And the more I look at it, the more it is growing on me. I especially like the weathered white-wash style of the frame -- that is more in line with how I was envisioning it. I know I said I didn't want the piece to look too "babyish," but it IS a baby sampler, after all....

Hmmm. I hate deciding!! (I DO know that I like either of these frame mouldings more than the first one I posted yesterday, at least, regardless of the matting.)

Decisions, decisions

Yesterday I got a mock-up of the baby sampler framing back from Jill. (Wow, super-fast turnaround!)Here's my thoughts. I absolutely love the mat shape and her painting ideas. BUT....I'm not crazy about the yellow-y mats and the frame. I know she used the deep pink mat to highlight the text, and I like that, but those yellows just don't make me happy. And the frame moulding is one that I've used on at least 2 or 3 other pieces, including Butternut Road's "Once Upon a Time." Don't get me wrong, it is a lovely choice, I just already have it hanging on a couple walls.... Hmmm. Any ideas??

How much do I LOVE this?!?!?

After weeks of trying - and failing - to get in touch with Jill Rensel for a special custom framing job, I talked to my coworkers, crossed my fingers, and took my Reading Sampler to a local frame shop.

The result (for whatever reason, I can't get Blogger to make it "clickable" so you can see it clearer....any tips??):Isn't it gorgeous?!?!? I love it. The mat colors, the frame I chose....just perfect, I think. I *do* wish the bottom corners weren't so "mat-heavy," but given the dimensions of the needlework and the picture, there really wasn't any way around that.

I can hardly wait until Christmas to give it to Mom!!!

Stitching, framing and picspicspics

Yesterday I finally made it out to the LNS to pick up the framed wedding piece. We're not going to this wedding, but DH's parents are (I think!), and they'll be in town for DH's graduation next weekend, so I'll just send it with them. Should ensure that it will arrive safely!

I love the frame I chose. The LNS owner and I tried several different mats, but then this moulding jumped off the wall at me. I don't know the bride and groom terribly well, so I didn't want the piece to become a giant attention-grabber...just in case it isn't their style (and that's how I usually deal with gifts, really...unless I know exactly where the recipient wants to put it and such).

Oh, and that Rosewood Manor pattern I fell in love with - the "Good Night" sampler - it followed me home from the shop. ::blush::

After cleaning the bathroom last night, I sat down to stitch like mad on Katrina's neighborhood square. She asked for a "primitive" house and garden design, and here is my finished square! How'd I do??The flower vine and the girl are from Homespun Elegance patterns, the house is from a sampler book by Brenda Keyes, and the sheep (my favorite part!) is part of a freebie by Brooke's Books. The tulips were a last-minute addition last night....I was getting sooooo tired of all that green! And since I have some lovely little tulips blooming in my front garden right now, I took my inspiration from there. (Besides, doesn't the girl in her blue dress look a bit like my profile picture?? LOL) This won't go in the mail right away, since our next mailing date isn't until the 15th, but it does free up some time for me to work on some other little things!

But now I'm off to do some weeding, before my little tulips get choked out by nasty dandelions....

Christmas pictures and an SBQ

I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing Christmas! We drove to Chicago to spend the weekend with my MIL, then headed to my parents' place on Monday. We got home last night, loaded down with gifts and Christmas dinner leftovers!! I had a lovely holiday, and got more gifts than I ever expected. My parents gave us a Dyson (an "animal" one, I can hardly wait to tackle the corners full of pet hair...), and DH got me Guitar Hero II AND III. He finally got me to play one of his video games - Rock Band - and I got addicted to playing the guitar. So he used his credits at the game store to feed MY addiction -- what a guy, eh?!?!? LOL

All this talk of gifts leads to an answer for this week's SBQ:
Did you receive any stitching-related gifts for the holidays?
Not a lot, but I did get a few goodies. My mom gave me the circular ornament finishing forms and the Cinnamon Stick stitcher's lotion from my Nordic Needle wishlist, and she ordered a pair of 4" Ashley Ginghers for me (from Carol and Mike!). She told me she was really impressed with the quick and professional service they provided, too...the scissors arrived lightning-fast! Also, my MIL gave me some cash, and I'm going to use that to pick up a new pattern or 2.

Finally, before we left for Chicago, I flew into my framer's shop to pick up these:

1) my sister's Christmas gift

(framed without glass or a mat, since my sister is USUALLY a pretty clean person, and doesn't smoke)

2) friend's baby gift(in a pre-made frame with glass)

Where HAVE I been?!?!?

Sheesh, it has been more than 2 weeks since my last post! I swear I've been around....but summers get a little crazy around here, especially once I start running away to the medieval faire every weekend. I've also got 2 or 3 stitching projects on the go with deadlines, so I feel a bit "under the gun" to stitch and not waste time blogging!

To start, I got the Barbara Baatz flower fairy framed and delivered to the little birthday girl at the faire. It was soooo wonderful...her eyes got huge, and I think I made her grandmother cry. Awww. Grandma has told me since that the little one wants to show her fairy to everyone who comes over to their house, and she loves to "pet" the frame!! I don't have a picture of the unwrapping or anything, and even if I did I probably shouldn't post it for privacy reasons...but here is a pic of the framed fairy.

(I'm so glad I have a digital camera....I could be sure I had a GOOD pic before I gave my work away forever!) The frame is an orangey-brown wood with a white paint effect in the grooves - it helped bring out the fairy's hair and skin, my framer and I decided. I went without mats, just so it will be more versatile for them to display as she gets older.

My work on the Celtic wedding piece has stalled a bit -- I dove into one more "little" project for my BIL's renaissance wedding. I decided the July Vermillion freebie - "Yellow Tulip Slip" - would be perfect as part of my own costume! So I'm going to make it into either a drawstring pouch for my camera or a shoulder bag. Haven't decided which yet.... I've actually got quite a bit more finished than this pic shows, too. The blues and yellows, on that brown Jazlyn, will be gorgeous against my blue brocade bodice and tan silk skirts!

But here is the Celtic wedding piece, too....would hate for it to feel left out....LOL. I DID make some good progress on it early in the month.