Monday, February 27, 2012

Count 'em....two finishes!


I'm happy I will end February with
two Crazy Challenge finishes.

 BOAF "Bloom"
Stitched on 32ct PTP Doubloon
w/DMC

BOAF "Kindness Sampler"
Stitched on 32ct PTP Doubloon
w/DMC

So glad to finally have these stitched.  
I did make the decision to use DMC.  I wasn't
too happy with the colorations of the
recommended hand-dyed thread I had
I guess the dye lots have changed somewhat
since the designs are a little older and
they didn't favor the picture at all. 
 
Don't you just hate it when that happens?  
 I did a little "research" and found a couple
of finishes using the DMC and I liked
them so I off I went. I am very happy with the
finishes and think I am falling in love
with DMC again....weird!!!

The second thing about these two I really like
is the PTP fabric I used.  I have some in my stash
for awhile and am using it a lot for my
Challenge pieces.    I love the way it stitches....
better start making my list & saving my pennies 
for their annual sale this summer!

~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~

I've noticed that several bloggers have
picked up a bug lately....

"the clean & organize my craft room" bug.

If you have it, please send it over this way!  
I definitely need something to get mine under control.

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I'm glad so many of you found the Fabric Tac
tip helpful.  I do warn you....if you haven't used it,
you may wish to start on something simple. 
Hate to think you ruined a future family
heirloom because of me!

Well....I now get to start another snowman!
Happy stitching....

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Finishing tips....

Thanks for all of your comments regarding
my little fat men.   If you are even
thinking about stitching them, go ahead
because they are aquick and fun stitch. 
I hope LK does another series!

I've had several people ask how I attach
my ric rac and thought I would share
my best stitch for finishing trim....

a liquid stitch!

My sewing skills, when it comes to detail,
are limited (which means I'm just lazy!)

Another stitcher recommended this to me one
time and I have to say I'm hooked.   It is very easy
to use, dries quickly but still allows you to adjust
your trim before it is set.  It doesn't take too much
either so my little bottle has lasted me for over
a year now.  I have used it with chenille trim
also without a hitch.   I know there several
brands available and expect you would 
get similar results.  


Someone else asked about the look of the ric rac
so I thought I would show a pic from the side. 

The backing fabric I chose is more for form
than fashion.   The fabric is actually an outdoor
canvas and I used it for its stiffness.  Once
stuffed, the little pillow holds its shape better.

~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~

I picked these beauties up today from my framer
and thought I would share.   By this time
tomorrow, all will be gracing my wall.

CHS "Americana"

I {love} this frame molding.

BOAF "Bitter Flower Sampler"

The darker frame really changed the look of this sampler.

BBD "Their Song"
 
I used the same molding for this one because of the
little hint of gold detail.

~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~

Well...I hope to have another Challenge finish
this weekend so I am off to stitch! 

Happy stitching....

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

My Phat Men....


I just love these little fat guys and
can't stop stitching them.

LK "Snow People"
28ct khaki evenweave w/DMC

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

LK "Snow Fun"
28ct khaki evenweave w/DMC

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *  *  *

Well...it looks like this is the closest I
will get to snow this year!

On a ric rac roll! 

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Thanks for visiting. 

Now...back to my Crazy Challenge stitching
and finish something so I can stitch
another one of these guys!

happy stitching....

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Dusting off the sewing machine....


I finally got my gumption up to
do some finishing today.


La D Da "In the Sweet"

This design stitched in DMC resulted in
some "funky" colors but I had the perfect
olive ric rac from Victorian Motto
to trim this little pillow.


Scarlett House "Jingle All The Way"

I also had the perfect ric rac for this
one but it was too small to sew in
the seam.  Tacked around the edge
worked out perfectly and I have
to say I  *love* this one.

(Pssst Tanya....I need a complementary design to stitch on
red and one to stitch on ivory to keep this one company.)

~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~   *   ~

Well...I've been spending time with
another Fat Man this week.  With temps in
the 70'sstitching one of these guys is
about as close to winter as I can get. 
Sure hope this doesn't mean we
are in for a hot summer.

Hopefully my sewing machine will get
another work out tomorrow and I can get
some of these Fat Men properly dressed.

happy stitching...