Some Finish-Finishes

I showed you these in recent posts, Cactus and Navajo Blanket. I finish finished them!

I had enough fabric around the stitching to fold around it and sew it together and turn it inside out. After fringing the ends, I had this. It is about 4" x 6" plus 1.5" fringe on each end. I told you about this Fireside Originals project here. 

Next up is the DMC kit - CACTUS, which I showed you here. I made it into a flat fold. The photo below shows the fabric I used for backing and the ribbon used to keep it from laying flat when opened. The ribbon is one sided, so I cut a longer piece than needed and folded it in half and glued it together so it is now double sided.  

Here it is finished as a flat fold. I want to get some perle cotton in one of the greens to make cording to go around it, otherwise it is done.

While I stitch, I use a needle minder on my needlepoint projects but on my cross stitch or projects I work in hand I have a pin cushion nearby to put my needle in while not in use. It is very handy and helps me keep track of my needle. It was a table favor I got at one of my Quilting Bees holiday dinners, not sure which year. 

I sometimes feel guilty when I stick a needle in its snout, however, and I tell it "sorry" as I stick it in!

Sampler Guild of Rockies Meeting Report

Yesterday was the Sampler Guild of The Rockies last meeting for the year. We meet on the second Sunday of the month Sept to May from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Since the second Sunday in May is Mother's Day, we meet on Saturday in May. This is also the time we celebrate the Guild's Birthday and have a Pin Cushion Exchange.

Here is the pin cushion I made. It is from The Prairie Schooler Book No. 115, Pins and Needles (c) 2004. I changed the head of the pins by using beads.

I made this label for the gift bag....

....here is the card I made to go with it. 

Inside I wrote the design information for the recipient and signed my name.

In return I received a lovely Flowers pin cushion (a Lizzie and Kate design) stitched by Nancy P. Didn't she do a great job? I just love it, especially the ribbon edging!!

 She also included this cute little potted flowering plant. It fits right in with my other house plants!

We also had a very fun make and take and most folks were able to finish it during the meeting, me included. 

This button scissor fob, was very fun to and not too difficult. It is based on a necklace the lady who taught us this made and everyone admired. 

As always, everyone received a birthday gift in honor of the Guild's birthday!

 by In the Company of Friends.

I think that is the report for now. 

Happy Stitching!!!!

Sampler Guild of the Rockies

I love my Sampler Guild of The Rockies. Such great ladies, fun projects and tasty food. This month we meet on Saturday, May 10 because our usual Sunday date is Mother's Day. It is also the last meeting until September, so lots of fun things happen at the May meeting.

We usually have a birthday celebration of some sort for the Guild and also a stitched pin cushion exchange. I forgot about the exchange and started late.......

 

But I have made good progress since this photo was taken a day or tow ago, but so as not to spoil the surprise I will only post this photo for now. I will provide the finished photo and a photo of the one I get as an exchange after the meeting!

Candle Mat and Pin Cushion

I while back I purchased a Luminaris Shamrock Candle Mat Kit from one of my local needlework shops. I decided to get it done for St. Patrick’s Day this year and I did!!! It is a 8 ¾” precut kit, so all the pieces were cut and it came with the thread on a cool wooden thread winder.
 

It was very fun to make and I got it done in a couple of hours. It is now sitting on the table near the foyer with the other St. Patrick’s Day décor. I discovered I do not have a lot of March 17 stitching, this item is number three, if you don’t count the table runner I made.

 

Also the project for my Foothills EGA meeting this month was a Petite Project  “Assisi Embroidery Pin Cushion” designed by Janet Salerno.  We learned a little history about this technique and then worked on the project. It does not use the traditional colors, but an overdyed floss. I did not like the stripe affect I got on top very much (but don’t hate it so in it stays), so when I got to similar spaced area at the bottom I did not go all the way across. I stopped in the middle, but staggered the lines. I also cut the floss to give me more blue or tan areas, so as to get less striping. It was fun to experiment on a small piece – it is approximately 4 inches square.

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!!

 

 

 

SGR Pincushion Exchange Part 2

Here is the GREAT pincushion I got as part of the Sampler Guild of the Rockies pin cushion exchange. It was from Sandra one of our newer members. Didn't she do a nice job and I love the added touch of the pearl buttons and the crochet trim!

Keep checking the SGR website for a slide show of all the pincushions as part of the exchange! As of today I have not seen it, but when it is posted it should be a nice show.

Sampler Guild of the Rockies Pin Cushion Exchange

Last Saturday was the final meeting of the year for the Sampler Guild of the Rockies. It is also when the guild has a birthday party and this year it was 18!! Always a fun time with door prizes, gifts for all and special opportunities to buy limited edition items (if you renew your membership by this meeting). We do not meet again until September, but last year the guild had a Retreat in June and will again this year. A fun all day stitching event - to be talked about at a later date.

Today I am posting pictures of the pincushion I made for the exchange. I used the silicone cupcake cups as the base.

I wanted to use a chart and instruction from the booklet I purchased a year or so ago called Cupcakes Galore (I believe) but could not find it in the packed/unpacked/Goodness knows where anything is of my studio. So I "punted". Having made similar things before, I had a good idea on how to proceed. So I put some crushed walnuts in the base for weight. Made a matboard circle and gathered my stitched piece around it while stuffing it with 100% wool. I then tacky glued it in place. Next day it popped off, so I used E6000. Next day it popped off. Now I was starting to get close on time when this was due and a plan "B" was out of the question. And I was REALLY wishing I knew where that cupcake pincushion booklet I bought was!

Then I had an O DUH moment and guessed that the silicone was kind of a non stick thing. Off to google and I discovered it would be best to use a silicone glue (did I say duh already?). So I did and 24hours later IT DID NOT POP OFF!!!

Now, I had planned to glue cording around the base and some cute buttons on the cupcake cup petals, but it would not have 24 hours to dry. So I came up with this:

A quick trip to Archivers and I found the perfect button brads and some fun heart shaped hat pins. The recipient really liked her pincushion and I was happy to hear that.

Next I will post a picture of the great pincushion I received (as soon as I take a picture).

Lavender Pincushion made by Sandra

In continuing with this month's unofficial theme of "the month of Sandra" and following up a bit on the pin ball from yesterday....today I give you a pincushion pillow filled with lavendar and made by Sandra. I features a chocolate lab on front with a dog collar with the name MADDIE in cute bead letter cubes. I keep it in the corner of why work space in my studio. I think it is GREAT!