The Peacock's Feather

Rose of Hope by Indigo Rose

My first finish of 2012!  A little sad that it has taken me all the way until April to complete something, but I'm pleased with how my "Rose of Hope" scissor case by Indigo Rose turned out.

I finished the stitching a while ago, but I've not had much time this year to do much stitching and I am a slow 'finisher', so I knew better than to start this when I wouldn't have an afternoon (or in this case--afternoon and part of an evening) to finish it.

The finishing was a little more challenging than I anticipated.  It seemed fairly straightforward, but the case has a wool lining that made it a bit bulky to work with.  Also, the instructions weren't explicit about the seam allowance and what to do with it.  I had to go back and rip things apart when I saw how it was all going to lay out.

I do like finishing with backstitches and then whipstitching the sides together, but there were a lot of layers to work with.  It was very slow going.

But here it is.  It always amazes me a little how clunky it can appear during the finishing process, but once you tuck away all the unseemly edges and bits that were starting to fray, it ends up looking quite nice.

I decided to stitch my initials the the year over one on the back, but otherwise it is pretty plain.

I love making Spider Web stitches!

Aside from the corners, which are always a little tricky, the stitching looks fairly even.  So it was all worth the effort and moments of frustration.  I've completed several from this series of smalls that Elegant Stitch sold several years back.  I will have to share my finishes thus far sometime soon.

Although I want to keep working on these projects (though small doesn't always mean fast!), I am looking forward to getting back to one of my larger projects now.  Hopefully I can start making time for my needlework again.  A finis always gives me a little burst of energy!

Miscellaneous Items

The stitching is done and now I am working on the backstitching.  I was too tired to finish last night and found myself counting and counting but too afraid to make a mistake so set it aside.  Now that is tonight's job.  I'm thinking of stitching my initials and the date on the back as well.  Almost there.

Is anyone else out there on Postcrossing?  I joined a couple of weeks ago and am finding it awfully addicting.  In case you aren't familiar, people from all over the world are part of Postcrossing.  You send out five postcards and as each one is received you are entitled to get a postcard from someone else in the mail.  It's all random, so you don't know where your card will come from.  I've sent out a total of eight cards now.  Three have been received, five are still traveling.  And just this weekend I received my first two cards in the mail.  Such excitement.  I never get real mail these days, which I miss.  I used to love writing letters when I was young, but this is nice as it is a quick message, and then you get something special in the mail in return.  I've even created an online album to log my postcards.  You can see it here if you are curious.  And if anyone is interested in swapping postcards with me, so drop me an email ([email protected]).

Now, not sure if anyone else is as addicted to Downton Abbey as I am, but I am off to watch the finale to season two.  Something else that I have found very addictive.  I try and stitch as I watch, but I find I am usually glued to the TV to get much work done!

What I've Been Working on and New Stash

It's been far too quiet here lately, but I have actually been working on a new project.  I am actually finished stitching this and am working this weekend on doing the backstitching in anticipation of finishing it very soon!  This is an Elegant Stitch Breast Cancer Charity piece that I was on automatic years ago.  I have a pile of these projects--some are done and others (like this) just waiting to be worked on.  This particular design is by Indigo Rose called "Rose of Hope".

And I took advantage of the Super Bowl Sale over at The Silver Needle a few weeks back and got everything on my wishlist.  I love the little fobs by Drawn Thread, Peace" and "Love" and had to have my birth month, "February".

More February designs.  I don't generally go for mushy sorts of charts, but when you're born in the month with Valentine's Day it's hard to get around all the hearts and gushy stuff.  "A Little Love" by Lizzie Kate is another instant gratification project.  It's small and I think it will be another pincushion.  "February Wordplay" by Brenda Gervais will be another to add to my collection and will likely finish this as a mattress pincushion.

I have wanted "Pink Hill Manor" for ages, though.  I love designs with houses on them.  And I am a pushover for just about anything Prairie Schooler comes up with and "A Farmer's Almanac" was no different.  And I promise...the next needlework post I share will be about something I have finished.  I still have snow to fill in on my PS "February" Sampler.  I vowed to complete it by the end of the month, which is now quickly approaching!  Of course I have itchy fingers to start one of these new designs, but I don't have anything kitted up and had better stay focused on my 'almost finished' projects anyway.

I've Been RAK'd

I've received a couple of lovely things in the mail recently that were sent to me by other stitchers, so I guess you could say I've been RAK'd!  The first is a gorgeous little Blackbird Designs chart called "Bluebird", which I am looking forward to stitching--sooner than later as a matter of fact.  I thought I'd stitch it on Lambswool as I don't have the called for linen, but I think the blue will work nicely with it.  The floss is by Vikki Clayton, which I have not used before, but the color is gorgeous.  It is much nicer than you see in the photo--a nice variegation.  As it's silk I'm wondering whether to use one or two plies?  As the linen is 32 count, I'm guessing two would be better even though it is silk floss?

 

My other set of goodies are some hand-made pins, which I can't wait to use.  I've never had anything this fancy, so will be looking for a project to use them on.  It's nice to get surprises in the mail when I'm used to mostly just getting bills and junk mail!

Many thanks to both stitchers who kindly sent me these gifts.  I love them!

Sorry I've not been around--either here or visiting other blogs.  I feel like it is always the same refrain--busy with work, busy with housework, and too tired!  I do hope to get in some stitching this weekend, though, so will perhaps have a little update to share soon.  Also I am having my "No Work No Honey, No Bees No Mone" design framed.  It's actually finished, so I just need to go and pick it up.  I can't wait to see it and will, of course, share it here!

More (Lovely) Thread Keepers!

I have to share these lovely new thread keepers that my friend Jodi's dad, Max Bloom, is now selling on his website Bloom Woodworks.   He is the same man who has designed the thread kepers used in Judy Odell's new design: My Treasure Workstation.  If  you click on "products" and then "needlework products" you will see a link called "painted thread keepers" where you can get all the details.  I think the black ones are very elegant!  Can you imagine being talented enough to paint these?!  I can't even draw or cut straight--LOL.  I believe the lady who paints these is also a stitcher.  Aren't they gorgeous?!

A Little Shameless Promotion...

...and not self-promotion either.  Aren't these wonderful thread keepers?  My friend Jodi's dad made them.  I just got an email from her yesterday, and she mentioned he has been busy making these!   Jodi had given some to her stitching friends, and word has gotten out that he makes these.  So I thought I would share the two I have as well.  Isn't the kitty great?  Also, Jodi mentioned that Judy Odell is designing something that will have one of the thread keepers kitted up with the design.  Sounds intriguing, doesn't it?  I need to find out more details.  I love these little stitching accessories!

Lovely Scissors!

I asked for one pair of scissors for Christmas, and I ended up with three new pairs!  I am becoming rather addicted to embroidery scissors.  I am starting to have a small collection.  The two outer pairs are older limited edition Gingher scissors.  The pair on the left are "Olivia" and the pair on the right are "Cheetah" scissors.  The pair in the middle came as a complete surprise.  My mom found them in a catalog called Uno Alla Volta.  They are French Art Deco scissors, and I just love them!  The description says:

Trapezoidal Art Deco Embroidery Scissors

Century-Old Historical Forgings

Forged in the late 1800s and early 1900s, these scissors can never be made again. Created from matrices no longer in existence, these carbon steel forgings were discovered in unfinished ("brute de forge") condition a decade ago by the widow of one of Nogent's finest scissor makers - an artisan who worked the craft of his father and grandfather for 76 years. Finished as a posthumous tribute to this master, each pair has been polished and sharpened to perfection in the "monte au moiré" tradition. Completed one at a time, the blades are plated with chrome, the handles with pure gold. Each pair bears the "69 Crown Medaille D'Or," a mark in continuous existence since 1693, denoting the highest quality in scissor craftsmanship. Protected by a hand-sewn cordovan leather case. Approximately 200 exist of each.

Now I need to find some nice fobs for my new scissors.  I especially want something nice for the Art Deco pair as they are not inexpensive scissors.  I think they will not be travelling with me when I take my projects to work!  Now I need somewhere nice to display my scissors!

I also have to share this porcelain cup and saucer and spoon that a good friend sent to me.  It it absolutely exquisite.  I will have to rearrange my china cabinet to make a place for this!  The design has dragonflies.  It is from the Franz Collection.  It is so dainty and delicate.  It is really gorgeous!  My photo really doesn't do it justice!  Again, I have been very spoiled!

Another Surprise

Another stitching surprise!  Actually I knew about this ahead of time, but it is completely different when you have it in hand!!  Becky very kindly made this for me!  I had been wanting a needlecase, and then I received the Sampler House needlecase that Tessa made for me.  Now I have another one, which is finished slightly differently.  I really have to finish one of these myself.  It is always so nice to see them up close to understand how they are constructed.

Here is the needlecase opened.  Becky even included lovely embroidery scissors!  I love how it is closed--she used a glass head pin.  I guess there are really a variety of ways you can make these!  This is an accessory I have never tried my hand at--it seems so much more complicated to make than things like fobs!

Finally, here is the back of the case.  I love all my stitching gifts.  I will add this to my shelf to display it, but first I will have to take it to work and show it to a few coworkers who also stitch.  Thanks Becky, this really made my day!!

My Shaker Box

My shaker box arrived yesterday.  I saved the package to open today.  It's lovely, isn't it?  It was handmade by William M. Richardson (Suffolk Shaker Shop) who has been written about in Early American Life.  According to the brochure which was included, he makes historically correct, heirloom quality shaker boxes.  My box has a spalted top, which means--"naturally decayed wood with distinctive markings used for its decorative effect."  Apparently Mr. Richardson also makes a smaller box just the right size for scissors and I wish I had ordered it as well.  I may have to call and see if I can still get one.

I bought this box especially for a SAL that I will be having in my Birthday Buddies group. One of the members is designing something to go with this box that is color coordinated and will be an autumn theme, it is going to be stitched a 40 count linen using Vikki Clayton's silks. The interior band, which will line the box, will be done primarily in blackwork, but the inside bottom of the box will be done with several rich, autumn colors and will incorporate a number of specialty stitches. In addition, she is designing a set of stitching smalls to coordinate with it.  I am so excited, as this is my first box of this type!! 

Yummy Strawberries

This has been a good mail week for me.  I got my French craft/stitching magazines, and now my Hillside Samplings Strawberry class kit!  Isn't it luscious?  I can't wait to start it!  I  have yet to really look through the instructions, but I will this weekend.  I am joining a SAL on the Legacy bulletin board to work on this one.  Hopefully I can keep up.  I am still working on my Indigo Rose pinkeep, but I have been devoting more time to my exchange projects, so I will catch up on that one soon I hope.  The SAL is planned for Sept 1, so I will have time to get other things finished first (I hope)--like the pinkeep!  I have to say that taking classes is quite addictive!!  I just need to fit them in with all the other stitching!!