I'm done!

I'm done, I'm done, I'm done, I'm done, I'm DONE! Yay!

My First Finish!

So far, I've framed some pieces, made some coasters, done some plastic canvas and made a LOT of pre-finished bibs. But, until today, I've never done an actual "finish". Here's my very first! I used a great No Sew Wallhanging tutorial from Focus on Finishing and substituted craft dowels in place of cording. I'm tickled pink with how this came out!

I haven't made a whole lot of progress on little Nemo, considering how long it has been since my last update. I let a couple of messy stitches slip by and seeing them was so disheartening that I couldn't make myself work on the piece for a while. Plus, we've had a busy weekend hosting two different barbecues. But, I plan to pick it back up tonight. I've got the fabric to finish it already, so I'm pumped to get it done and shipped out!

I have a bunch of stash headed my way and I can't wait to get it! I'll post pics as soon as it gets here. Also, I'm planning on setting some goals for this month, which I'll try to post in the next little bit.

Re-Finishes

I've been itching to stitch little Nemo today, but I wanted to bear down and bead, bead, bead. I added the beads to the Mary Engelbreit kit, which is now an official finish. Now, I just have to find a frame that will fit well.

I also added the beads to the initials and now I'm all set to pick out some fabrics! I found a quilter who will piece and quilt for me for a really reasonable price, so I can't wait to get this rolling.

Stick a fork in it!

I knew I should have just held out until I finished. :P Oh well, now I'm finished. When I started Baby A's initials, I decided to leave out the knots, because I didn't think they would hold up well in the washing machine. It turns out that was a good idea since I can't quite seem to perfect knots, anyhow. But, now that I've discovered beads, I think they should be ok. So, I need to pick up a few shades of beads and then I'll repost all three initials.

Then, I get to pick out fabric for the quilt! Yay!

No More Monkey Business!

Doing the happy dance on this one! Monsieur Monkey is all finished and ready to ship out. Since I had the beads around (for the last piece), I decided to use some beads for his eyes.

The poor hubbin is not particularly interested in cross stitching but I couldn't stop hassling him on this one. Do you think beads for eyes would be creepy? (still contemplating the idea) Does this look creepy? (holding the beads next to the piece) Does *this* look creepy? (basting the beads in) Are you sure this doesn't look creepy? I don't want to anchor this if they look creepy... LOL He was very helpful.

Knot Good

So, apparently I suck at knots. French knots, colonial knots...I don't discriminate. After some practice, I finally got a string of decent knots on my scrap cloth. But, when I tried to do some on my piece, they looked like crap. So, I decided to cut my losses and leave out the rest of the knots. :( Which is frustrating, but it does mean I'm done, so...yay?

Any tips on knots, ladies?

I finally joined the 21st century and bought a scanner. So, this is my first piece that I actually scanned instead of taking a picture of it!

Another One Bites The Dust!

I got a burst of motivation and polished this bib off last night. Yay! The design originally had 2 flowers, but I decided to stop with one and make Baby's name bigger. Aesthetically, I just like it this way a little better. Besides, it was going to be a while before I finished a second flower at this pace.



Next up is a cute little kit that my friend Alicia sent me. I've carded the floss and will probably get started tonight. Is it just me or is this an awful lot of thread - and a lot of colors! - for a 5" piece?

Hook, line and sinker!

Well, I refused to post anymore on this stubborn fish until I was finally finished. So, it's been a few days. :) I actually finished the stitching yesterday afternoon, but haven't mounted him on his velcro yet. I have been deciding whether to wrap him over a piece of plastic canvas first, or not. I think I'm going with not. Now, I just need that illusive backpack...

I've also gotten a small start on the next project. My cousin asked me to stitch a baby bib for a friend of ours who just had her second baby. Baby's name is Sabine Magnolia (isn't that pretty?), so I'm stitching magnolia flowers.

The Reveal!

Well, the Double Secret Super Classified Oh So Mysterious Project recipient opened her present 4 days early (the cheater!), so I get to share it a little ahead of schedule!

My dear mom is a bit of a coaster fanatic. (Sorry, mom, it's true. :P) So, I stitched a coaster/trivet set for her for Mother's Day. This character is a family name, and I was so thrilled with this design that included it! The coasters are stitched one over one on 32 ct fabric (my eyes are only just now recovering :P) and the trivet is stitched on 18 ct aida.

Here's a close up of the stitching.

Dunzo!

Well, I've decided that I'm done. The pattern calls for some french knots, but I don't think those will hold up well on a quilt. So, I'm leaving them out.

Next up, some patches for Little Man's backpack!

One Letter Down!

I've finished the Big Bad Letter A! Doesn't seem like I get two finishes, two days in a row very often. Or ever! So, I am one happy camper today.

The original design has a pink A, but it didn't mesh well with the M and N. I'm really happy with the substitute color I picked out. I agonized over the backstitch color choice and think it came out pretty well! Does DMC have a color wheel or anything that helps you find compatible colors?

Now, I just need to backstitch the N and start (and finish) the M. Guess I need to get cracking on the next step, as I'm skeptical these will just jump into a quilt all by themselves. Unfortunately.

Another Day, Another Bib

I finished this a month or so ago, and can share now that the birthday boy has had his day. This was for my nephew and his sports themed room. I *had* to get Boynton for this bib because Boynton for Brayden's bib just makes me happy. I ♥ alliteration. :)

I am also happy to report that the Double Secret Super Classified Oh So Mysterious project is officially a *finish*! I've snapped the pics, wrapped it up and will send it out tomorrow. I'm not 100% thrilled about the quality of my stitching, but it's not half bad for a first attempt at one over on 32 ct fabric ifIdosaysomyself.

Jungle Love

The latest projects, leaving the house today. (Hopefully.) These were made for a friend who recently had her second baby and whose first baby will be two next week.

I designed this as a nameplate for a bedroom door, but it could - of course - be hung wherever Howard's little heart desires.

The lion of backstitching fame and the bear who wears him.