Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Stitching Update

Popping in today for an update on life.

Last week was putting things in order week. I still have two more areas to go through, but I was busy all day yesterday, and it is looking to shape up the same way today.

I finally did something with something I cross stitched this past November. I barely finished it before Christmas, so it just went to my box of things needing to be dealt with and stayed there until this weekend.



It is one of three pieces in the Shepherd's Bush Christmas trifles. I honestly stitched it on the weirdest piece of green that it was very difficult to match. It is hard to tell, but the linen was English pea green. That is the only thing I can think of to describe it. Absolutely nothing in my stash matched it, so it stumped me for a few days.

I finally matched the burgundy thread in the words to a solid piece. I really wanted a cloth border between it, but again nothing matched, so I just did some x's. 

My plan is to fill this basket with some more Christmas pillows. 


Here is an up-close picture. I am being honest ---I have a LONG way to go with finishing. 



I finished another cottage by Little House Needleworks that Arlene @Nanaland sent me.


I love the way it is finished in the picture, but I have to admit, cording has me. I can't make the ends look good enough to use it yet. I have been reading and will practice with it, but this weekend it made me want to say dirty words.

I may use some sew in kind with small tassels to finish this one or something completely different. Who knows? My creativity has been lacking a little lately.

You may remember my cottage that I stitched and did not want to frame. I really thought gingham would look good behind it, but after looking at it for a week while it sits out on my work table, I am not feeling it.


I have tried two colors...magenta and navy, but I am thinking a blue calico might be a better backing. Back to the stash and more time to think about it.

I have also picked out several more ornaments to stitch for the rest of July, then I have prepared my one of my stitching bags and started some smalls for Fall. They are done up in a coaster. I am not sure if I will make pillows or frame them. Oh and if it is anything like the Christmas thing, it might be for next fall😉



Also in the sewing room, a few wedding gifts rolled out. A set of towels and a set of cloth napkins.


Jeff and I went to see Wonder Woman on Sunday afternoon. I gotta tell you...I loved it. Now, I love super hero movies, so that might color my opinion, but I don't think so. It was genuinely good.

I have also been reading a good book. More about it when I finish it this week.

That's it for me.
Sandy





10 comments:

  1. You are so talented Sandy. I love your pretty towels. I know what you mean about studying over a piece in regards to finishing. I often take my pieces with me to Hobby Lobby to search for a piece of scrap book paper or fabric that will match my project. I think you made the right call on your pea green piece. I like the solid color and the little snow man is precious. I was browsing the Christmas Aisles yesterday to look for small ornaments that might be used in finishing. Now I just want to sit down and stitch but alas, i must clean the master bedroom and bathroom!!

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    1. I am headed to do my Tuesday work at church. I found the little snowman at 123 Stitch. It was part of a bag of little things. I also ordered the linen to do the Happy Christmas from there and the piece they sent me was the suggested piece, but it doesn't look like the picture. That is the hard part of shopping online, but there are no other choices for me really. I actually think the color goes really well with the burgundy, but honestly most of my Christmas pieces and decor are bright red and green, so it will be a bit out of place.

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  2. I think your Christmas pillow is darling. I like the snowman button you added to it. I like your cottage piece. What about smaller gingham or dunking either piece in coffee or tea to tone down the white? What lovely towels and napkins you created!

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    1. Both of those ideas are very good. I really should have done it on something other than white, but smaller gingham might work. I have lots of fabric, because I have been a hoarder. I did a major declutter of it about a year ago, but I still have lots, so I am sure something is in there.

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  3. Sandy, Your Happy Christmas SB pillow came out darling. I love the little charms on it and the tiny x's between the fabric and linen.
    The LHN ornament house is sweet, love the little cardinals on top. What linen did you stich the house on? I love the color.
    I bought a lacis corder and it looked so easy to use at the shop, when I tried it as home it was not so easy, I wasted 2 skeins of dmc before I got one possibly piece to use. I'm determined to master it because I love the look of cording on ornaments. What are you using to make the cording?
    Love the towels!!! Such a great personalized gift. Mary@stitchingfriendsforever

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    1. I think it was on Lambswool Linen 28 count. A Hobby Lobby purchase in a package for sure.
      I didn't use a corder. I just bought some ready made at the local craft shop. I have seen all the girls using the gadget and it looks amazing, but I have been scared to try. Let us all know if you master it and give us tips!!!

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  4. Sandy, I've followed you for quite a while now, but have not commented. Your blog name intrigued me, as I too, majored in Home Economics (when it was actually called that!). Your pillow finish is just as cute as can be. Don't know if you've seen it, but Vonna Pfeiffer, aka The Twisted Stitcher, has a great video on YouTube showing you how to make cording with the cord maker. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hql-qnaL2T0

    Love reading your blog and seeing your stitching. Have a great week!

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    1. Mary, so glad you commented. I loved our major. Wouldn't trade that decision although I saw the handwriting on the wall early and ended up teaching other things.
      I have watched many of Vonna's videos and visit her tutorials, but I think I need an up-close and personal lesson on that cording gadget.

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  5. I really love seeing all of your stitching projects, Sandy! That SB finish is so adorable :) I have a Kreinik corder which I love--I think it is only $15 or so on 123 Stitch. Believe me, homemade cording is SO much easier to work with than storebought! I hope you can watch Vonna's videos again and make sense of it. I can try to help if you want to email me, too! But, no--I won't be doing a video!! Just too shy in front of the camera :)

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    1. I am going to get one and try. I know from everyone's pictures it looks so much better. That is the great thing about blogs...so many wonderful ideas shared.

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I am so glad you stopped by my little blog. Drop in again anytime.
Sincerely,
Sandy