I'm in a Finishing Mood.........

I usually have to be "in the mood" for finishing and have a long period of free time at my disposal. I've always liked to start early in the day and be able to work uninterrupted into the afternoon. That rarely happens, so I'm having to adjust and work in smaller segments of time between business calls and in the evening. Just a mind set change..but I have to do it if I want to get my finishing done! I managed to get two  projects finished recently. One, I had stitched back in 2008 so I am very happy to get it put together, and the other from 2012. Here we go:

Up first is Williamsburg Sewing Case from Merry Cox. I took this class back in 2008 in Cincinnati at Squirrels Nest Getaway along with The French Bon Bon Box and A Beautiful Day in Williamsburg. I now have 2 out of 3 finished!!!

Front of case and fob

back of case and fob

inside of case  with scissor holder

I'm not sure how, but I somehow have lost the ribbon to do the ruching around the pincushion. So, I substituted some cording instead. I actually had some (already made) left over from another project that was the right length and color--lucky me!!!

Next up is a Betsy Morgan class I took with the Loudoun Sampler Guild. This is such a beautiful and unique piece. It is called This One's for Betty, An Elizabethan Spot Motif Etui. Betsy dedicated it to Betty Fleming, who was instrumental in founding the Loudoun Sampler Guild and a huge proponent of the needle arts. The etui was put together similar to a biscornu and all the little smalls fit into it. Lots of pieces--hope you enjoy!

overall collection

side of etui--I just love the whitework--my favorite part of the whole piece--just love the added texture

other side of etui

bottm of etui

sweet bag front

sweet bag back

button bag front

button bag back

scissor fob front

scissor fob back

one side needlebook

other side needlebook

opened needlebook showing ribbon joining

waxer pocket

other side waxer pocket

bottom waxer pocket

top pin cushion (this was the pre-stitch piece)

bottom pin cushion

That's all folks! Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi

And now.......presenting The Blue Ribbon Box

It's hard to believe it's been a month since I last posted. I know it's cliche', but exactly where does the time go???? The summer is going by way too fast, which weather wise I don't mind; I can't wait for the cooler days, nights and colors of autumn. Then.....on the other hand, September can wait forever!!! My grandson will be starting kindergarten the day after Labor Day and I don't think I'm really ready for that yet. Can't we keep him small and innocent for a bit longer???? I wish!!!! Enough musings....on to my stitching!

I have finished The Blue Ribbon Box, a class I took back in April from Sherri Jones at Salty Yarns. I absolutely LOVE how it turned out, the colors, the delicate design, the wonderfully crafted triangular box--it just makes a perfect package! I dedicated this piece to my Mom and put her name and the words" Mom..a blue ribbon winner" on the bottom of the pincushion. Otherwise, I stitched/finished it as called for. I have to admit two things: one, I messed up the pink silk ( too much handling and it started to shred) strawberry scissor fob and am on the hunt for something to substitute; two, I had glued the side pieces a little too low and the box wouldn't shut. I was able to GENTLY pull those pieces off and re-glue---I am one lucky girl!!! I did splurge on the scrims for this piece--just don't think it would have been as stunning without them. Okay, any excuse to get the scrims!!! Here you go with some photos:

Outside of box with scrimsahw piece

Box opened with pincushion in place

Box opened showing scissors and scrim ruler
Don't you love the scissors? I found them at Hobby Lobby right before I put this all together and they were perfect!

front side of pincushion, pin keep and needle book

back side of pincushion, pin keep and needle book

I also managed to get two more side panels for my Tall Year Square stitched, Autumn and Winter.  I am so enjoying the stitching on this project. Lots of small sections that make it go fast--I'm on to the box top now.

On the non- stitching front, I did a little fun "craftiness" by making a summer wreath for my front door. I had seen this idea awhile ago and filed it somewhere in the back of my post menopausal brain, where it lay dormant, until I saw flip-flops on sale at Michael's recently and it came flooding back to me. Here is the outcome:

This just makes me smile!!!!

Thanks for visiting and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi

Quick Post on a Sunday...........

Well I'm coming off a very busy week with visits from both my daughters, son-in-law, grand kids, and parents. The grand kids stayed for almost a week along with their Aunt Jess. We hung out a lot at the house just playing with them, due to the heat, but we did manage to squeeze in a couple visits to a pool, ice cream forays, trampoline jumping at a neighbors house, fireworks and a visit to Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Aquarium. Here's a couple pics to share:

At the Aquarium in front of whale jaw bone

Face painting by Aunt Jess

Now on to some stitching news. I stitched this piece back in 2004 and it has been patiently waiting for me to frame it. I even had found the perfect frame back then, but just never got around to it. I have to admit I hate the mounting part!!! I had a wonderful framer back in Cincinnati, but have yet to "trust" my pieces to some one here in West Virginia. So I finally broke down and got the mounting done, bought some glass and put it all together. Here are the results:

Don't you just love the sunbather?

This was a Birds of the Feather chart, stitched on one of their hand dyed fabrics with Weeks Dye Works fibers. The photos don't do justice to the "boldness" of the fibers. It's a fun piece and I'm so happy to have it ready to hang on the wall!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship! 

Stasi

Happy Fourth of July...in stitches!!!

Some patriotic/Americana stitching that resides in my house..........

My oldest daughter stitched this for me back in 1992 when she was  14

Happy Fourth of July to all.....hoping you're enjoying wonderful picnics with loved ones and gearing up for some spectacular fireworks displays!!! Here's to the red, white and blue!!!!

Two down............

Summer is definitely here with temps in the 90's,  high humidity and an occasional thunderstorm thrown in. I can remember when thunderstorms helped to cool things off; now they only seem to add moisture to the all ready "moist" air! I am very  happy to just stay home, indoors,  in my AC during these hot spells . I'm pulling whatever I can out of the freezer for meals, so I don't have to go out to the grocery store! :) I've never dealt with the heat well. I can remember many days, as a child,  spent on our huge wrap-around porch reading, playing paper dolls or jacks. It was coolest there and most pleasant!

Well, on to some stitching! I've finished the second side of my box, summer, for the Tall Year Square. It was stitched on a beautiful green (my favorite color)  linen and features a tiny frog. I'm kicking myself that I didn't think to make it a blue frog as my hubby always sang the old Peter, Paul and Mary song "I'm in love with a big blue frog". It would have made the piece even more special, but I will not be taking it out as it is over one and would be a real bugger! ( We'll see if this eats at me enough that I do actually "rip-it" out and do it in blue--stay tuned)!
Anyway, here is a pic:

I finished  this piece from Cherrywood Designs awhile ago and forgot to post. I absolutely loved the saying and stitched it on a gingham fabric with my own color palette. I added a few charms and found a frame to fit at Hobby Lobby. You can't see it too well but there is a gold needle through the "S' in stitcher at the bottom.

 Now on to a lovely gift I received from a dear friend. I recently met up Paola at the Betsy Morgan classes at Salty Yarns. We have become friends after first meeting at a Betsy Morgan class over 2 years ago. We quickly realized we were kindred spirits and shared the same passion for stitching. We have been communicating via e-mail ( I always wanted a pen pal) and meeting up when she manages to visit the states. On this visit she gifted me with this beautiful stitched piece which I wanted to share with all of you. It is so lovely and I am touched by her generosity. She is a fabulous stitcher and finisher!!! I will let the photos speak for themselves! Thank you Paola for the lovely gift!

The front--note the beads on the dragonfly and leaves

I love the beaded mattress pincushion  and the beautiful pin at the top

This is a close up of the beautiful ribbon used as the edging. I know Paola told me its name but I can't recall--sorry!

Off to my stitching chair to work on "autumn"!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi