The Peacock's Feather

A Tiny Fob!

Here is part of the gift I have been working on for my friend's birthday.  She received the package, so it is safe to share.  This is a tiny little fob, which is part of the accessory set by Beardie Designs, "Tulip Accesories".   I changed the color of the cording.  It called for ecru, but I thought the pink stood out better. 

Here is the back--just initials.  I do like this design a lot, and I know my friend likes Beardie Design's charts, so I hope she likes what I made so far.  I like fobs, and I really do need to make more of them, I think.  I had to buy some scissors to go with it, of course.  Ginghers are my very favorites.  These are stork scissors--I should have taken them out of the sheath.  I only wish the store had the gold ones instead of silver.  But scissors are scissors, and they can always be switched to another fob that matches better!

Here are the charts I sent along from her wish list.   I love both designs, so it was hard to part with them.  I especially like "Quaker Legacy"!  I am still working on a companion piece that was meant to go with these gifts.  It may not be much of a surprise, but I am working on the needlebook.  I think I am dragging my feet so badly because I am afraid of the finishing.  I had some instructions, but now I can't find them (Sandra--I think you might have sent me some?).  So if anyone has any simple instructions, I would be happy to get a little help...I am about halfway finished with the stitching.  The needlebook also has lots of smyrnas, so I need to get those done, and the rest of the stitching should go fast.  It was a huge relief to at least get this in the mail!  Happy Belated Birthday, Jodi!!

Another Garden Glove

For lack of anything more exciting to share with you today, I am going to cheat and post this photo of a gift I made.  I mailed this out over two weeks ago to a friend in Canada, but as far as I know it has not yet arrived.  The design is from the "Garden Gloves" chart by Prairie Schooler.  I love bees and beehives, so I loved stitching and finishing this!  I have tried to wait to share, but I can't hold off any longer--LOL.  I am not sure if any of the ladies from the Yahoo Group I belong to (where I am part of a birthday exchange) visit my blog, so I will take the chance she won't see it.  I was quite pleased with how this one turned out and I want to stitch it for myself eventually as well!

My Needlcase Collection

Although I have not been able to work on my Beardie Designs "Elegant Accesories" this week, I have still been thinking about how I will be finishing the individual accessories.  I shouldn't have any problems with the fob or pincushion.  I have never finished a needlecase, however.  I have finished a scissor case, but not in the same way as this design calls for, so that will be another challenge!  I am fortunate to have several different needlecases, which I received as gifts or as part of an exchange.  There are two redwork designs, one finished without using any matte board (the beeskep) and done entirely by hand, and one finished using cartonnage.  They are all slightly different, and I hope I will be able to use them as examples when I go to finish my own needlecase!

I have been working on my gifts all week (I have biscornus coming out of my ears lately).  It was too late to stitch last night by the time I was able to sit down and relax, but I did get in a few stitches this morning.  Tonight there will be some serious stitching here at my house, I hope!  Have a nice weekend everyone!

A Little Display

I finally took the time to hang my little display rack.  First I have to say I am mortified that you can see the stains on the wall behind it.  When we originally moved into our house, it had previously been rental property.  To begin with it is an old house (built in the 1870s), and it had a lot of odd things done to it (oh the stories I could tell you!).  I did not see this stain when we walked through prior to buying the house as everything had been freshly carpeted, painted and all new curtains had been hung.  Well, as time has gone by, the stain is showing through the paint more and more.  I am guessing it must have been some sort of greasy stain--someone must have been quite mad and thrown something against the wall.  I hate it, and I want to paint the room this summer, and hang new curtains.  The carpet is not my favorite (an off white with brown and black specks--actually not as awful as I am making it sound).  I am thinking I would like maybe a pale, pale blue or maybe even some sort of pale terra cotta color.  It helps to hang things on the wall as the stain is not so noticeable to me (and I hate looking at it), but it is showing up quite clearly in the photo--and I apologize for that! 

Here is the corner of my computer room, where I have hung the rack.  It is to the right of the Prairie Schooler sampler.  I wish I had hung it just a tad higher, but if I do get it painted this summer I can place things better.   It is easier to hang things when you have a grouping rather than as you go--I will be able to space everything out in a more pleasing manner.  Everything that I have displayed on my rack has been stitched by friends and most were birthday gifts.  It is a start anyway--eventually I will get the room to my liking (or maybe we will move to a nicer house and I can have my own stitching room--rather than the catch-all room this is--and tiny as well!).

One Last Surprise!

 

I thought my birthday was long past, when alas, I received one more gift in the mail today.  This is from another stitcher, Rachel, in my Yahoo group.  And I think this will be the last package of goodies for me for a while!  The ladies in this group are so generous--I really only expected a small stitched fob perhaps, but they have all sent such lovely things!  Rachel made a gorgeous needlebook--stitched all in red and the right hand side (I laid it open so you can see the front and back sides) is stitched over one!!  I just love needlebooks, and I need to get up the courage to make one myself!  She also sent needles (love needles!), two skeins of Waterlilies (Antique Brass and Crystal Bay), Delica beads (white luster), and Sugar Maple hand dyed fabric (Douglas Fir), which I think is a beautiful shade of green.  Everyone seems to know how much I love to read as I have gotten another cool bookmark--this one with charms on both ends (I have quite a lovely collection now!), as well as my weakness for chocolates--she sent some yummy looking confections made in Utah!  The needlebook came in one of those zipper bags (like Bent Creek uses) which are always useful.  And to top it all off she even made the birthday card!  I feel totally overwhelmed by all the generosity of the ladies in this group (and of course my other stitching friends, too!).  I will have to think very hard when I am making my gifts to send to everyone else on the list!!  Many thanks Rachel!!!

More Bee Work

I am all signed up for the next Bee class at Elegant Stitch, which is designed by Jackie du Plessis of It's Fine-ally Finished.  I am not sure if I was crazy to to do this since I didn't complete My Beekeeper yet.  But I was afraid that if I didn't take advantage of this class now, I would miss out on getting the companion pieces.  Of course seeing Romy's *gorgeous* finished beekeeper should really be enough impetus for me to get mine out and work on it!  Now the question is whether to go back and work on My Beekeeper and get those pinwheels finished or to just move on and get the pre-stitching for this one finished?  Is anyone else signed up for this?  Since I received my materials yesterday, that was enough to make me not pull out any other new project last night.  Instead I worked on "Winter in the Square".  It is not terribly large, and I really should be able to finish it before starting something new.  I also have pulled out my "Houses of Haw Run Hollows".  Becky mentioned the SAL she is participating in--perhaps I should join them and see what progress I can make.

Here is a little update on "February" by Prairie Schooler.  I really had hoped to complete the stitching on this at least by the end of this weekend.  Really there is not much to stitch, but I just didn't get it done.  There are still a couple of days left this month, and I am sure I will get in a few more stitches.  March is a long month.  February always seems to just fly by!  I need to pull out my linen bin and at least think about what linen to use for March.  I also need to cut my linen for the next exchange I am signed up for and two gifts.  I have two designs chosen, but I am still contemplating what to stitch for a birthday gift I need to have ready by mid-April.  For once I am trying to plan ahead!

Finally...there was another surprise in the mail for me.  I think this is the last gift from my Yahoo group birthday exchange.  This came all the way from Australia from Jackie!  She stitched a lovely heart ornament for me.  I really love heart designs, and maybe I will start a nice collection like KarenV recently showed on her blog! Jackie also sent a lovely chart by Australian designer, The Cat's Whiskers.  It is called Elegant Initials and shows how to make a sewing boxtop and needlecase.  Both are gorgeous.  Many thanks to Jackie!  This was a wonderful birthday--I received so many lovely gifts and happy wishes!  They are most appreciated!

Two More Surprises

 

I received two more birthday surprises in the mail this week.  They both came a couple of days ago, but I have company staying at the moment, so I decided to wait and open them today.  This is from Juli in Canada.  We are in the Yahoo group I have mentioned that is having a birthday exchange.  I have seen this French freebie around and I was just thinking I should really stitch it sometime.  I don't have to now---isn't it lovely?  Her finishing is gorgeous and I want to learn how she made this! She also sent four skeins of overdyed floss and a cool heart rubber stamp (to add to my little collection!).  My husband bought a woooden hanger (the type that expands out with ten knobs to hang things off) that I need to nail to the wall.  I plan on hanging this one as well as the other lovely gifts I received for my birthday. 

Patti also sent me a lovely surprise!  She knits as well as stitches, so she made me a gorgeous purple scarf.  It has blues and greens running through it as well, and it has a lovely silky feel to it!  I personally always wear scarves, so this is really perfect.  I suspect we will still have plenty of cold days left here in Nebraska, so I should be able to use it for a while still!  She also sent me a beaded bookmark made in Maine where she lives.  I had never seen them before, and now I have two!  They are both lovely!  Since I love to read, they will come in handy!  Aside from being practical, I just think they are pretty to display!

Many thanks to Juli and Patti!  Sometimes it is nice to wait and have something to look forward to.  This is a nice way to start the weekend. Last night I only got in a tiny bit of stitching, as I was so tired.  Hopefully today will be better!

A Little Birthday Fob

I made this little fob for Rachel in my Yahoo stitching group for her birthday.  The back side has an "H".  The initials are from the Just Nan chart, "Ornamental Letters".  They also fit perfectly in WhimZi frames, but I didn't have one on hand to use, so I just made it into a little fob.  I thought it turned out nicely, but I think I put the cording on the wrong side.  Is there a correct side for the cording?  After I looked around at other stitcher's work, I noticed it seems like it is generally put on the left hand side.  I hope she didn't mind--I guess at least it is unique!  I am trying to decide what to stitch for a "Spring" exchange, as well as a little exchange another stitcher and I are doing on our own.  I have several charts set aside, but I can't quite decide yet which to stitch.  Any favorite small Spring designs??  The hardest part for me is always trying to choose what to stitch!

A Lovely Fob and Bookmark!!

Another wonderful birthday package came in the mail today.  Laura in my stitching group sent a gorgeous fob and bookmark.  The little fob is stitched on very small count fabric (perhaps 40 count?), and on the back is stitched over one (in tent stitch!!): "Flowers of friendship florish in kind heartedness from the stitching basket of LPM to DMT 2006".  Yes--all that over one, and the fob doesn't measure much more than (and maybe even a little less than) 2" wide and across!  The bookmark reads: "Hope is the anchor of the soul".  Another lovely bookmark to add to my collection!  She also sent the February Sampler Accent kit from Periwinkle Promises.  I have a few of these kits now, and I must (must, must!!!) pull one out and work on it soon.  I love those little kits and have seen them stitched up, and they are quite nice all finished!  Many thanks to Laura!!  The ladies in this group stitch such lovely, exquisite things--and I am so pleased to add them to my stitching collection!

I am nearly finished with John Foster!  I know I should have gotten him done ages ago.  I only have a few little leaves, one bird, and about half of one side of the border.  I did not manage my time well at all tonight, so I won't get it completed this evening.  Maybe tomorrow I can share a final photo!  The new designs by Just Nan are up.  I will have to get Spring in the Square!  I really love those little charms that she is using on her smaller pieces.  So much temptation, but I have not yet even ordered anything!  That won't last long, I am sure!  Off to put in a few stitches on JF!

An International Mail Day!!!

Today I received several wonderful packages in the mail from several places around the globe for my birthday (which is on Monday the 20th!).  Two are from the ladies in the Yahoo group I belong to (for our birthday exchange), and the last is from a stitching friend.  Veronica in Canada sent a lovely china teacup with a gorgeous design on it!  I love gardening themes and this one has flowers and ladybugs on it.  She also sent along some coffee and dark chocolate (my favorite) made in Canada!  Thanks very much Veronica!!  And the teacup even arrived in pristine condition!

Patry in Italy, also in my Yahoo Group, sent along very lovely things as well!  She stitched a gorgeous bag for me!  It is lined and finished perfectly!  I believe the design must be by Little House Needleworks, but I will have to check with her.  She also sent along Italian linen in a variety of counts and colors, which will come in very handy as well as silk perle in three different colors.  She must know I love to read as she sent a wonderful little book of quotes called Woolly Wisdom (with lots of photos of cute sheepies), a beautiful silver rose bookmark (to add to my collection!), a lovely wooden Italian pen that has its own box, and finally a chart by A Mon Ami Pierre called Quaker Book Amap 2.  I have nothing by this designer though I have heard of them.  It is a gorgeous Quaker design!! And it all came wrapped in the fabric I have everything laying on.  Grazie Patry!!

And finally, I am sure many of you probably know Vero in France.  She has also sent me a lovely birthday gift.  She made me a wonderful little Hornbook which is designed by Merry Cox.  I have heard so much lately about Hornbooks--I am so excited to have one in my little stitching collection!  She has also sent along a very cool book of alphabets called, Les Marquoirs d'Ecole by Muriel Brunet, a beautiful little French engagement calendar (with little drawings in it) and a sweet little chart called L'R de Rien by Gwen R. Creation.  Perhaps I will stitch this on a piece of my new Italian linen! Merci beaucoup Vero!!

I feel very, very spoiled by all these lovely gifts!  Once again many thanks ladies!!!  Coming home to such wonderful packages almost makes me happy to be having another birthday!  LOL.