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.

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

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....

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....

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....

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's, stitching 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...