I think I've mentioned that I have been stitching from the two Pairie Schooler charts "A Pairie Year" I and II. When I started this project in 2006 it was my intention to stitch each month in the year as it happened and finish each design in a different way. That has obviously not happened, but I have recently picked these designs back up and would like to work on them in earnest again. I thought I'd share my progress.
So here is January finished as a pin pillow with tassles on each corner.
February is finished as a 'biscornu'. or an eight-cornered pin cushion. This is one of my very favorite ways to finish a small design. I've made a number of these but I always give them away. This is one I kept! I should really make more of these.
March is a pinkeep. I love pinkeeps but I am terrible at making them. My bows never look good and I am not very good at stretching the linen over the matte board that needs to hold the design taut. The back is covered with cotton fabric. I had intended to stitch the month, year and my initials on each design, but that sort of got lost along the way after this one.
April is a rabbit. I should really try and finish him this month. I had planned on turning him into a little pillow as I have lots of springtime fabric.
I don't really like the May design on either chart, but this is the one I will likely stitch. Not sure how I will finish it. I have a feeling I'll end up finishing it in the same way as one of the other designs. I'm not sure how creative I can get for twelve different projects.
I very much like June, however. Again, not sure how to finish it. Maybe I'll attempt to make cording, which will be attached and made into a scissor fob. I like making cording, but I hate sewing it on--you can always see my stitches!
I stitched July years ago, but I only finished it last year. It is a pin pillow. I forgot to add my initials or the date. Oh well. Too late now.
And here is August! I finished it last night and am very pleased with it. This is my second try at making a 'mattress' pincushion, and while I was happy with my first attempt I am much happier with this second try!
September has a back to school theme. What a thought when the weather hasn't even turned really nice yet for spring!
October has a witch. I will probably finish her as another pin pillow like the July design as I have lots of fun fall fabric.
November will be a cornucopia.
And December is Santa with a little pine tree. These will be my Prairie Schooler year! If I finish them this year, it will only have taken me a mere six years to complete! See how fast I stitch!