Monday, June 23, 2008

Suddenly it's Summer!

I don't know where the times goes - one minute it was Christmas and now, suddenly it's Summer!
I recently took part in a Good Ole Summertime exchange with one of my Yahoo stitching groups.
My partner has received her package so now I can share what I made for her.
I always associate Summer with strawberries. The Wimbledon tennis championships = strawberries and cream! Happy hours spent in the strawberry fields picking pound after pound of strawberries and eating as many as went into the basket :)
I decided to go with a strawberry theme so here's what I made........



I had some very pretty strawberry print fabric in my stash (incidentally my partner gifted me this fabric one time LOL) so I made a thread tidy bag. For the pincushion part I took an element of the design from LHN Milady's Strawberries as it went so well with the fabric.




I also made a little scissor fob using a design by the Prairie Schooler. Just a reminder here that you can click on any of the pictures for a better view.



On to other things I can't remember the last time I made something for myself so I took one one of my older finishes and turned it into a pinkeep just for me.
The design is from Heart in Hand but I stitched it so long ago I don't remember much more than that it was a set of four seasonal designs. Here's the pinkeep front



and here's the back



Finally. I want to share a picture of the prettiest little pinkeep I received from my friend Angela. A few of the girls in our stitching group had a get together in Holland earlier this year. I had planned to go but some major renovations to our apartment took every spare penny and I decided against it.
Angela had stitched one of these little pinkeeps for each stitcher at the gathering and even though I wasn't there I was lucky enough to still get one along with some other goodies.
I have to tell you I didn't take this picture. I'm using it here with Angela's permission. I fell in love with the little bunnies and asked if there was a pattern as I would just love to make one but, sadly, they were purchased at a nursery garden gift shop.
So here's the front of the pinkeep.



and here's a view of the back. Isn't the little tulip print fabric pretty? I just love this pinkeep.



As always I would like to thank everyone who visits my blog for taking the time and for the lovely comments you leave here. Wishing you all a very happy Summer!

Until next time.

41 comments:

Roberta said...

Good Morning Margaret, just love your "summer exchange" gift you made. The recipient will be so thrilled.

Roberta

~Bren~ said...

The strawberry thread catcher and scissor fob are GORGEOUS!!!!
Your pinkeep is beautiful too. I love those heart shaped scissors!
You have such a way with presentation.

Sandra said...

I just love the strawberry projects Margaret, anything with strawberries or acorns does it for me!! The pinkeep is pretty too, you have been a busy girl.

Yuko said...

Hi Margaret!
This strawberry bag is so sweet!
Yes, as you say the fabric and the stitched piece are perfect match!!
And also your pinkeep by heart in hand is beautiful as well, I love the backing fabric which you have chosen for this!

I have seen Angela's pinkeep as she has shown me some photos of it!
It's truly lovely pinkeep!!
I LOVE IT, too!!
You are very lucky one, Margaret!
I love the backing fabric, too!

Odette said...

Hola Todo lo que he visto me ha parecido muy hermoso , muchas felicidades, que tengas un buena semana.
Un abrazo cariñoso Odette

Nancy said...

Happy Summer Margaret! More gorgeous stitches and finishes from you! I also associate summer with strawberries, and this gift is just beautiful! The strawberry pattern and fabric are just perfect for each other.

The pinkeeps are both very pretty. Your summer themed one is so sweet, and Angela's is beautiful!

Unknown said...

Love it, just love it Margaret, so summery and soft at the same time. I'm sure the receiver will be thrilled. Your summer pinkeep is lovely. You have been a busy girl.

Sally said...

Oh, Margaret, everything here si just so pretty:)

staci said...

Everything you make is so lovely and inspiring! Gorgeous finishes!

Nancy said...

Hi Margaret:
I heard about this gift so now I am happy to have seen it also. I know your partner well, and I know she is very happy with her gift.
I love my pin keep Angela made for us, she worked very hard on them.
You pin keep for yourself is very cute. Wonderful stitching all around.
Nancy V

Kim said...

You silly girl! You made a gorgeous pincushion for the exchange. Always presented so prettily in your post. Lucky is the recipient!

Heidi said...

Well as THE recipient...I am thrilled with it Margaret! Thank you so much. I love it and it will be proudly used while thinking of you. Did you make the cord yourself? I almost used a strawberry theme too as it is one of the first things I think of when I think of summer.

I love the pinkeep you finished for yourself. Are you putting yours in a basket too?

I am so pleased that you got a tulip pinkeep from Angela. I still have mine sitting in my entrance hall as I just love it. Tulip time is past but I still have all my wonderful memories of time spent with Angela, Hazel and Joni so I will keep it out for a little while longer.

Hugs ~
Heidi

Pat said...

Margaret, Your summer exchange gift is lovely. The needlekeep with the birdhouse and watering can, I love. It is about time that you keep something for yourself. I have told you before Margaret, if you ever give up stitching you could always go into photography.

Ruth said...

I love the strawberries!!! You've improved my whole day by mentioning strawberries and cream at Wimbeldon. I'd been having a grumpy day and then your post reminded me I get hours and hours and weeks of tennis soon :) Ahhh . Smiling again feels nice.
Thanks!

Love the stitching and the finishing - congrats on all!

angelasweby said...

40 Love as they say during Wimbledon season and Love is the very word i'm looking for -I just love this exquisite strawberry set you have made for Heidi. The LHN motif is beautiful and the fabric ...oooh, it takes my breath away. The little fob is so sweet, too, so - Game, Set and Match I think!!!

Margaret, your pinkeep is adorable. I love that design and have never seen it before. Your finishing really IS fab!!

So glad you like the little tulip pinkeep :>)
Hugs, Angela

Sheila said...

What wonderful goodies, both made by you for other people and the tulip pinkeep from Angela...they are all so summery. And great photos too :)

Daffycat said...

Your strawberry themed stitching is wonderful! The pinkeep you made is so sweet and I love the pinkeep you received. You are right those bunnies are adorable!

Sweet P said...

Fantastic work as always!

Misty said...

Beautiful gifts (for you and others), Margaret! I saw the gift for your exchange partner on her blog and knew I needed to visit yours for more photos. :)

I love strawberries and the strawberry fabric combined with the cross stitch design was a brilliant idea.

I'm glad summer arrived!

Chookyblue...... said...

lots of great stitching here.......how is the weaveline going.......

Carol R said...

Love the Strawberries theme!

Françoise said...

wonderfull!!!!
all is perfect!!!
happy summer Margaret
hugs
françoise

Sue said...

Your Summer Exchange pieces are beautiful. And I love the pinkeep!!

tintocktap said...

Love the strawberry pinkeep - it's beautiful!

Patricia Lessell said...

I just LOVE everything! Your stitching and finishing are just perfect! Hope you have a great summer. Patti x

Anonymous said...

You did a great job on the threadsnip catcher! I love the strawberry fabric and the stitched piece goes well with it.
Very pretty pinkeep too.

patchwitch said...

Happy summer to you too, Margaret!
It is nice to jump in :D
love,
doti

Jeanne said...

Everything is so pretty! I love the scissors with the fob, too. Thank you for sharing.

Sonda said...

Your stitching is beautiful!!

Carolien said...

Hello Margaret,

You made the sweetest gift for Heidi, that's for sure! I already commented on it on her blog. And all the other things are lovely too! And yes, these rabbits are too cute ...

Have a nice week & greetings, Carolien

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Margaret, You are soooooooooooooo vey talented. I love all your creations and your cross stitching is vey beautiful. Boy, does those berries look sooo yummie to me this AM. Hugs Judy

Rhonda said...

What beautiful handwork you do. Love the scissor fob...I am a quilter that rarely uses her hands other than to thread the machine needle....LOL .....but every once in awhile I actually do hand quilting.

Nicola said...

The strawberry thread bag and scissor fob are just gorgeous Margaret, as is everything else.

Gill - That British Woman said...

Those are beautiful things you have created. I don't cross stitch much anymore, since I had my hand operated on for carpal tunnel. I miss it though, and like you I prefer counted cross stitch.

Gill from Canada

Lorraine said...

...fabulous work! your stitching is beautiful...love the little scissor fob....!

Sandra CLARKE said...

Margaret, I love all your cute items you have made. What is a pin keep? Is it different than a pin cushion? Where do you find all these cute patterns? Thanks, Sandra

Dorothy said...

Hi Margaret,
I've just stumbled upon your blog and have enjoyed reading your posts and seeing the beautiful needlework you have been doing. I enjoy needlework too, but quilting is my first love. I try to incorporate the two when I can.

Karen said...

The strawberry thread catcher and scissor fob is wonderful! I have never seen heart shaped scissor handles. What a nice thing to add to your collection.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Good Day Margaret, I have nominated you for the Brillante Weblog Premio award because I think your blog is sooo educational and lovely. Please go to my blog and have a look. Hugs Judy

Anonymous said...

Ooooo!!! the strawberry stuff is so beautiful! great job!
Missy

MysteryKnitter said...

Those strawberry themed things are great! I could never stitch anything that pretty!