Some Finishes in the Sewing Room

I am taking a break or maybe you could say putting off finishing up some much needed tasks.

I finally fully finished a piece I stitched ages ago. I actually had it framed and hated it, then pulled it out and it sat for months. I just am not too good at the the Priscilla style finishing even though I think some it is real cute. I am kind of a "plain Jane."

I spent only about $2. for the piece of wood. That was my first real issue. After I pulled it out of the frame, I spent a long time looking for a "just right" something or other to mount it on. Nothing suited my fancy. I was in Tuesday Morning one day when I saw this piece of wood. It was unfinished and a tray but the right size. I took the handles off and stained it with some stain I had in the garage. I have seen these for way more than I paid for it at Joann's even with a coupon. That was a win. Then I couldn't decide how to embellish it. That would be classic me. I spent way too much time thinking about it. I decided I wanted some rick rack, but I couldn't find the burgundy anywhere. I finally ordered this from Amazon. I thought it was wider, so that didn't work out like I wanted. I worked with it anyway. That was done. Then it sat again for a very long time while I pondered what it needed.

This is where I am just not a Priscilla. No matter what I did it looked awful and took away from the stitch. I finally went to my ribbon stash where I had the color ---win! and made a bow, added a button, and decided to quit. I am happy with my plainer look. You just can't change your stripes.

I am happy with it not being framed. It is just in my sewing room and makes me happy. You may remember I changed the bird to a redbird because sometimes I have a cardinal outside my sewing room window. He has been elusive lately.

I was in AC Moore here the other day and they mentioned they have a new framer who specializes in stitching. She laces and all. When I finish my space shuttle after the new year I will give her a try.

Now, for my other finish.

Lots of information before I share the picture...No scrolling people.

I made a lot of mistakes. He is a bit crooked, but I am happy with him. "Why?", you ask when he is crooked. I learned so much from doing this one.

Nothing ventured - nothing gained - right?!

I have hesitated to try one of these flat fold ornaments for several reasons.
I really really like the pillows.
I can never get the corners straight enough for my liking.

I decided that I was going to give it whirl. If I don't try things I will never get better. I can always restitch something that small and so, I played with it.

I laced it which I really loved doing even though I got it crooked. It was so much easier for ME than gluing. I could have probably put a dab of glue on the back to keep it straighter. I think this gave me much better corners.

I also had a whole piece of mat board downstairs in a closet. In all my listening to Vonna tutorials I picked up on that uses that. I really must say I liked the thinness of it. IT made the flat fold not so thick. I have a bunch of it from a project long ago, so I should be able to do projects for a while with it.

I felt better about the cording this time. I think I have it down how to make it now. I am just not good at figuring how to finish it off, but you know I am going to figure that out too with practice.

I am sharing it even though I haven't finished that yet. I think I will add an embellishment, but I am kind of tired for today.

Oh, and the other thing I didn't like was that I left too much margin.

I am not going to redo this one. I am just going to finish off the bottom and keep on learning. He was fun to stitch and will look fine on the tree.

I still have one other Santa stitched. I haven't decided if I will do him to match this one or do a pillow, but I am done crafting today. Now, I just need to get some energy to go and clean up my mess!

Sandy