One more finish...

Hi friends!

One more finish... I had the frame in my stash, and found a piece this morning that would fit.  So, add one more to the finished pile!!  I couldn't be more pleased to get these done.

Another flat fold finish

Hello,

I did another flat fold finish this afternoon.  I am happier with this one.  I took the time to sew the trim on rather than gluing (thanks for the idea sis!) and I was much happier with the result.  

This is the piece I stitched by Cross Eyed Cricket from the retreat we attended at The Silver Needle.

This is a photo so you can see the fabric I used.

I just bought this fabric, with this piece in mind.  I really didn't have any Halloween themed fabrics in my stash.  But a trip to the quilt store in LeClaire, Iowa took care of that...

It took nearly all of the fat quarter of the orange polka dot fabric for the flat fold.  But I will have some other choices on hand for another time.  Needless to say, I've been able to leave my finishing materials out on the dining room table for a few days.  It helps when you don't have to take the time to round up all the supplies.  

I should keep my momentum going and continue on with more finishing...but this will probably be it for this weekend.  Mike will be home Sunday and Monday, plus I think the kids are coming over Sunday, so that means my mess will be put away for awhile.  I will most likely be putting my dining room table to use for feeding the herd!  

Happy Stitching, friends!

Finally some finish work!

Hello Stitching Friends!

I finally have three pieces in the finished pile!

To be totally truthful, this piece still needs eye screws and wire on the back.  Mike will have to do this for me.  The oak in this frame is incredibly hard.  But, I'm very happy to use a frame I had, that was just gathering dust....

Once I had this one mounted I moved on.

I had this frame in my stash as well.  I was thinking of a pillow finish for this guy, but since it's such a standard size, it's easy to find a frame for him.  I probably never would have chosen this ornate gold frame for this piece, but after mounting it, I kind of like it.  

Then, feeling pretty good about things I moved onto one more piece yesterday.

A flat fold finish.  I was pretty rusty in doing a flat fold as you can probably tell.  I had issues with my glue not wanting to come out and a very dull box cutter knife blade, that I stopped to change.  I have the stitched piece mounted to my satisfaction, I'm just not real pleased with the trim and how I connected the back to the front.  I may tear it apart and redo it... 

The fabric I chose for the backing was perfect, but I only had enough to cover two of the boards.  So, I had some plain black to do the remaining board.  That looks fine tho.  Also, I should have glued the connecting easel strip behind the trim.  But, I fastened the trim to the board behind the front, instead of gluing it around my stitched piece.

I need to tackle another one of these while I am remembering the finer points.  Like I said, pretty rusty!  I was wishing my sister had been here to assist...things often turn out much better with her help. :-)

Well, hope you are planning to enjoy your Labor Day weekend!  Who know, I may keep my finishing mess out and try again!  I will keep you posted.

Next project?

Hello Stitching Friends!

Well, I am having a dilemma trying to decide what moves me to start next....  We all know that inspiration has to hit.

Since my last post, the Star piece is finished, and believe it or not a frame from my stash will actually work!   I love it when that happens!  I need to find the time to mount the piece on some backing and frame it!  I admit that is not my favorite part, but, oh it feels good to have it done.

I hope to get it mounted and put in the frame soon.  

Then after that, I wanted to do something small.  So, last night I put the finishing stitches in the new 2014 Prairie Schooler Santa.  I really thought he was a cute one this year.  I haven't decided if I will put him in a small frame, or do a pillow finish.  

But as I was ready to sit down to relax tonight, I had no stitching all ready to go...  So sad!  I spent most of the evening contemplating charts.  Then the kids stopped over to talk, and that chart perusal stopped as well.  You have probably noticed I like stitching things that are seasonal.  I have been thinking of Autumn at Hawks Run Hollow for months, but don't know if I'm ready to dive into that huge project right now.  

I didn't get this draft published yet, so I can let you know, I chose a small Halloween piece to do.

So, here is my progress to date.  I'm a little bored with all the dmc 3371, but it will be a cute Halloween piece when it's done.  

How many of you have purchased the new gingher scissors, Eve?

 I caved and purchased two pair, one for myself and the other will be a Christmas gift.  I don't think she reads my blog, so I don't think I have to worry about spoiling a surprise.  I thought they would be a great gift for the newest stitcher in our family, Lauren.  

I haven't updated you on what she is working on...she completed another of the smallish pieces she bought, and has moved onto a large peacock!  She bought a kit at Hobby Lobby.  I will have to shoot a progress picture next time we are together.  

We have been keeping busy around here.  Mike and I recovered our ottoman.  It didn't turn out bad. I'm actually pretty happy with it.  I found material that matched the tan and cream fabric in the chair we use the ottoman with.

 

I am looking forward to a long weekend for the Labor Day holiday.  I added two days to the weekend with a couple vacation days.  I don't think we have any big plans for the weekend, but it will be great to have some extra time!  

Annie appreciates the ottoman!  You can see Joplin made the photo as well as Harry!

I have been reading some good books lately as well.  However, the one I've been looking forward to for months is this one....

If you enjoy a good mystery series, I heartily recommend these books by Louise Penny.  But, start with the first one in the series, Still Life.  Her characters and setting are great!  

I just finished The Girls of August by Anne Rivers Siddons last night.  So, it's time to start The Long Way Home!  

I hope you will have time to enjoy some quality stitching time!  

August is here...

Hello stitching friends!

I am still working on my Star patriotic piece from last month.  I hope to have it finished before too long. I am at that stage where I am bored with it, but don't want to abandon it.  I try my best not to have too many unfinished pieces sitting around.  As you can see by the picture, just the R remains.  I stitched the spangled banner words last evening as I just wanted the R to be filled in around it.

I am sorry for the sideways photo, but it's a closer view of the words.  

August is here already!  Before too long the kids will be headed back to school.  They start around the 18th or so I think.  It hasn't been that hot this summer, but I am sure the worst heat is yet to arrive.  July was one of the coolest ones I can remember in some time.  A refreshing change!  

There hasn't been much going on around here, just the usual work, with errands and housework thrown in.  I am not complaining.  Hubby and I did take a small trip to Memphis, TN last weekend.  We did some sight-seeing.  It was a fun time, and great to get out of town.  So, this weekend we worked around here getting caught up on some chores.  We have a large yard, and neither one of us are overly fond of gardening.  So, we tried to get some semblance of control this weekend with some pruning, weeding, and hedge trimming.  

We are expecting company next weekend, and are planning a family birthday party for our two adult children on Sunday.  So, it was timely to try to get some of this yard mess cleaned up.  My sister and brother-in-law are coming down for his high school class reunion.  So, next weekend should be a busy one!  

I was lucky enough to have my name drawn on Barbara's blog to be the lucky recipient of one of her lovely mini totes!

It is so cute!  I love bags and purses.  I always have....  So I was quite thrilled.

I will close with a picture of the famous ducks that live in the fountain lobby at the Peabody Hotel.

They do quite the production twice a day to bring the ducks down to the fountain from their enclosure on the roof of the hotel.  Then at 5pm they reverse the process by escorting them down the red carpet back up the elevator to their enclosure.  My husband was amazed by the crowds that fill the lobby for this ritual.  The hotel staff have made it quite the production, and have capitalized on the duck image as their hotel logo.  It is a beautiful old hotel, if you find yourself visiting Memphis, you will have to stop and visit the famous Peabody ducks!

I hope you are all finding time for some quality stitching time, and enjoying your summer!

Fondly, Melody