Potpourri of Smalls

Stitching Lotus

Oh yeah! Back online at last, the cable company finally came through.

Now for my stitching news. Four finished for the last of September.

Baked Goods

Ornament of the Month 2011 No.7 

Little House Needleworks

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Christmas Cookies (2014)

Country Cottage Needleworks

The September theme for the Christmas Ornie SAL 2016 was Christmas Food. Diane and Nikki's ornaments fit the bill perfectly.

*****

Fibers: perle cotton, floss, Krenik cord, beads

Most of my stitching is counted cross stitch, however I do on occasion try my hand at needlepoint and a few other creative techniques. In August a few members of my guild took a trip to a needlepoint for a class on choosing stitches/fibers for a canvas. Of course while we were there some took the opportunity to pick up some projects. On of the canvases I bought was the above. I'm really excited to get it done.

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Last on the list, I completed the first of 3 pincushions. This is another canvas piece. Each pincushion is  stitched on 18 ct canvas, using perle cotton, using several stitches.  Designer Alice Okon published the Dainty Daisy Pincushions in Cross Stitch & Needlework magazine, September 2013 issue. This was a birthday present from my friend CarolB.

Dainty Daisy Pincushion 1

Cross-Stitch & Needlework 

(September 2013)

Thanks for stopping by,

Gwen

Back to Stitching

Just a small chink in the wall. I have finally got back to needle and thread and have something to share.  My latest finish is the stitching for a pincushion. This is a bonus project from a class I took in June at A Stitcher's Gathering.

Cora's Rose Tea Spoon Pincushion

Finished!

edited to add finished pincudhion

Gwen

First Trial Fitting

I stitched up the skirt , made a muslin cover and stuffed it, then  did a trial fitting this weekend. Now to make the silk underskirt and attach the doll. 

My Christmas Doll

Measi's Musings

Stitching Smalls SAL

The last stitch was been taken and the beads added. My Christmas Pincushion Doll skirt is now stitched! Yeah!! I added the final bead on Tuesday just in time for The 2015 Smalls SAL and WIPocalypse check-in for July. The doll in the model is wearing a burgundy under skirt, but I plan on using the blue fabric in the background for my doll. Blue is my favorite color and the color of the ribbon in my dol'ls hair.
Now for the courage and skill to do a good job with the finishing.

A Christmas Doll Pincushion and Thimble Purse

by Giulia Manfredini

The Gift of Stitching Magazine, November, 2007 

It may be hard to see but there is a hint of blue in the Fir Waterlillies (Caron Collection) used.

Thanks for stopping by,

Gwen

Happy Fourth!

Happy Fourth!

Double Duty

Smalls SAL 2015

My Smalls Check-In is late. I've shown my first finish the tuck-away pillow earlier, 

My second finish is a hedgehog pincushion. This pincushion is from a class I took at A Stitcher's Gathering over the weekend. The other parts of the set is a needle book and a gaming purse.

WIPocalypse 2015

Since I shared these pictures I've started on the needle case cover. I haven't gotten very far so I haven't taken any pictures yet. Hopefully by next check-in I will have more to show.

And my final update. The apron for my pincushion doll is growing.

Thanks for stopping by,

Gwen

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May 2015: WIPocalypse Check-in

A few changes to my WIPocalypse list. I can't seem to get going on Josephine:Porcelain Doll Pincushion. I think it's because of the over one. I stitch mostly after work and it's sometimes a chore to stay focused, so working over one becomes very tedious. I would like to get at least one doll finished so, I have added A Christmas Doll Pincushion and Thimble Purse by Giulia Manfredini to my WIPocalypse list. The stitching is over 2 and all color changes are from the overdyed fibers. Gorgeous colors, very little mental challenge after a long day at work.

A Christmas Doll Pincushion

Fabric:35ct off white linen 

Waterlillies: Cherry, Fir

I have found 2 FB groups that focus on half dolls. One is  Pincushion Doll SAL: working on pincushion dolls, from various designers and the other a group of half doll enthusiasts, Hall Doll Connections: displaying their collections and offering advise on origins, starting, adding to a collection, etc. While both groups are listed as closed (to prevent spammers), a request to join is welcomed by the moderators Robin and Reen. If you are on FB check them out.

Part 2 of The Finely Finished Folio has been released; this portion has a pinkeep and needle minder. I received my kit last week and started the pinkeep. Here is my progress so far.

Finely Finished Folio Part 2

It's Fine-ally Finished/Needle in a Haystack

My latest almost finish is a God Bless America Tuck-A-Way pillow. I just need to stitch down the candle button, then pop it into the pillow in the back of the picture. I bought this at my guild's first Stash-2-Stash sale. I needed to support the guild, I needed some new red, white and blue. Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I have several other good excuses for the other stuff I bought, but we will talk about those later. ;-)

Thanks for stopping by,

Gwen

Gifted Gorgeousness - April 2015

I missed the check-in yesterday because I hadn't taken an updated picture. Today it is raining and will be for the rest of the week and weekend, if the weather man can be believed. So here is my short update and a not so hot picture.  

After my Easter crafting hiatus I am finally back to working on Strawberry Lace. I have had to frog a portion of everything I worked on this past week. I hope the frogs will go away so that I really get back in the stitching groove. I did manage to get the pincushion back stitched. 

Strawberry Lace

pincushion back

Thanks for stopping by,

Gwen

 

Gifted Gorgeousness SAL: March 2015

Hostess: Jo

This is my small progress for March. The top section for the back of the pincushion is done and  the bottom section started.

Strawberry Lace

Hop on over to see what the other stitchers have accomplished. Gifted Gorgeousness.

May is Pinned

Hi All, I haven't got much to show this month. I have been working on pre-stitching for 2 upcoming classes. One will be this weekend, hope to share the in class project with you in my next post. The second class will be next month and I have a long way to go before I have anything worth sharing. I really need to get busy.

What I did manage to complete since my last post was this pincushion. 

It is a freebie from The Primitive Hare. I coffee dyed some fabric from my stash and stitched it with DMC 815. I used some Coats and Clark Button Craft thread for the blanket stitching. 

Thanks for stopping by,

Gwen

Spring and Lavender

Spring is finally here and April is almost over. We have had lots of rain here. Hope everyone had a good Easter.

It's hard to believe that Easter has come and gone. At first it seemed to be so late that I could be so much  Spring/Easter stitching done. The only project I was able to complete was a few tatted crosses. I encluded the in a few Easter cards that I sent out. I wore the small green one to church on Palm Sunday.

 Tatted Cross from Free-tatting.com

sz20 Lizbeth White and sz80 DMC tatting cotton green

I had to tweak the pattern and instructions a bit to match the model but, this was a nice, quick pattern.

My other finish so far this month is another set of smalls, French Lavenders by Jackie du Plessis. This was a gift that I received for Christmas, and I am so excited to have it stitched and assembled.

Thanks for stopping by,

Gwen

Crafty March part 3

Crafty March is almost over and, I still trying to finish the sewing case and accessories.

The instructions for finishing the pin cushion consisted of one  line. "Model has pairs of Bullion Stitches around sides." So how do I proceed? Should I use lining fabric on the back or another piece of linen? When should I stuff? How many wraps for the Bullion Stitches and how far apart should they be? Many questions no answers. I had studied this chart many times, trying to come up with a plan for the finishing. After working on 3 of the 4 pieces I still was not sure how to complete the pin cushion. I am down to 8 days to reach my goal so a decision had to be made.

This is my process to get results that look like the model. I used my magnifier to attempt to count the number of threads in the seam allowance and between each set of Bullion stitches. I folded in a seam allowance, six threads beyond the design. Then I basted the pincushion to another piece of linen along the fold line. The two pieces were sewn together, right sides facing, using the sewing machine. The seam allowances were trimmed and the corners clipped. Then I  turned the design right side out, and pressed. At this point I thought it best to work the Bullion stitches on three sides, before stuffing and closing the fourth side.

I have managed to complete 2-1/2 sets of Bullion stitches. I feel like I am in the home stretch, hopefully I can get the others done this week. 

Thanks for stopping by, 

Gwen

Crafty March part 2

This is my progress for the past two weeks.  I managed to complete two ornaments, that were in my TBA basket, and my first project from my guild's year long  program. I decided to use the ecru for the twisted cord so that my pins would show up better. Using  nail polish to color my pin heads I was able to get a very close match to the blue. Though there was no stitching on this one I am pretty happy with the results.

Swan Sampler Guild 2002 ornament

Ornament JCS magazine

My sewing case is assembled and waiting for the addition of some ribbon, to make the closure. The scissor sheath is next and then I  plan to tackle the needle book. Working my way up to the bullion stitches on the pin cushion.

Seven Pines LHN

This past week I used the finishing ideas and tutorials by Vonna and completed my Seven Pines Ornament.