Saturday, January 28, 2012

Three little finishes and an abundance of birthday gifts.

Hi everyone,
Since the beginning of January I've been beavering away on an old UFO so I don't have any recent cross stitch to share.
However, I was in the mood for a bit of finishing so I pulled three small pieces from last year out of the box and I now have three little pillows to add to my collection.
The first is a design called Remember Me by The Cricket Collection.



It is stitched on 40 ct linen using the recommended DMC threads. The pillow is backed with the same fabric you can see in the background and trimmed with chenille yarn which I doubled to make it a bit thicker.

Next up is a design by Tralala called Duo Bouquets Anciens. I don't remember the fabric details but it is stitched with the recommended DMC threads.



I'm tired of losing my scissors. They seem to disappear even when I have a large scissor fob attached so I did a pocket finish on the pillow using Moda Essential Dots fabric trimmed with a bit of lace. I intend keeping this pillow right by me when stitching!



Finally, Fancy a Jane Day by The Sampler Girl. I'm afraid I don't remember any details about fabric or thread but I used a piece of pink silk Duponi for the finishing.
When I showed my husband this pillow he just looked puzzled and wanted to know what a Jane day is and, to be honest, I couldn't really tell him LOL.
Maybe one of you can explain :)



Friend Sheila came for the day recently and showered me with belated birthday gifts.
Sheila has just started sewing in the past couple of years and so I was blown away by this bunting she'd made for my craft room.
I have a Cath Kidston theme going on in my craft room and the bunting is all CK fabrics.
I wish I could get a better picture but the room doesn't get the sun so the light is never very good. You should be able to click on the picture to enlarge it if you wish.



But wait, there is more.........
just look at this fabulous teapot and how about this gorgeous round pincushion and tiny house tape measure both made up in Cath Kidston fabrics.


Another pincushion with a Union Jack look to it


There was more but I will save them for another time. Thank you Sheila I love my gifts!

So that's it for this time. I notice I am almost up to 200 followers so my next post will be a giveaway.
I hope you are all having a lovely weekend! As always thanks for visiting and for your kind comments.
Margaret

44 comments:

Sheila said...

I feel like a famous celebrity being mentioned in your blog :)
I am just so glad you liked everything...see you soon :)

Mouse said...

ooooo well done on the finishes .. love the little scissor pocket too and way to go on all the goodies from Sheila.... one day I will have a go at some bunting :) love mouse xxxx

Melissa said...

I love the pieces that you did. I have to go and see if I can still find "Remember Me" - that's just such a cute 'small'.

The gifts from Sheila are fantastic. Nice to have a friend who knows your tastes!

Pat said...

Three great finishes Margaret. Love them all. Some beautiful gifts from Sheila. Lucky you!

Margaret said...

Great finishes! And I love your birthday gifts! Love Cath Kidston. :D

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

You finishes are lovely. I wish I could say I have accomplished as much. Love the gifts.

Lesleyanne said...

Your three finishes are gorgeous. Lovely Cath Kitson gifts received.

Caz said...

Brilliant bunting and brilliant finishes,, as usual!!! Nearly 200 followers,,, WOW!

Nancy said...

Hola Margaret! What beautiful finishes, but that is no surprise. I also have that leaflet by The Cricket Collection and want to stitch both the little pillow and the sampler some day. You did a lovely job with everything. Such wonderful gifts Sheila showered you with, and the bunting is just gorgeous!

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Margaret. So nice to see your lovely stitching again. Your Bunting is great. You received some very pretty gifts. VBG Congratulation on your many followers. I have been one forever. VBG Hugs Judy from snowy Michigan.

Elisa said...

Some beautiful goodies to look at today...especially Cath Kidston goodies...my favourite...Fancy A Jane Day is Jane Austen, Tanya at The Sampler Girl is a Jane Austen fan like myself
:0)....hope this helps

Abby and Stephanie said...

Cath Kidston Heaven! I especially love the teapot. :o) Your work is always so neat and pretty. I love your scissor keeper.

Theresa said...

Gorgeous finishes, I love the Tra La La and what a bounty of Cath Kidston gifts - belated Happy Birthday to you.

angelasweby said...

Oooh Margaret,
Your posts are like a breath of fresh air blowing the cobwebs of dark dull overcast days away :-)
What lovely treats you have to show us. I love the Cricket Collection pillow and have stitched it too. It's a nice vintage design. Your backing fabric is gorgeous. I also adore all those wonderful Cath Kidston goodies Sheila made. She really is talented. The little tape measure is so clever and I adore the bunting.
What a good idea finishing off the Tralala design as a little a scissor keeper. Such a pretty way to keep your scissors handy.
Well, I have Jane days all the time, Margaret and I can tell you, immersing yourself in an orgy of Jane Austen DVD's whilst reading a favourite JA novel and stitching on a delicious Jane Austen chart is what makes a Jane day for me. I love the finish on your little pillow and how you've tucked it in your dainty stitching box.
Hugs Angela xx

Michelle said...

Oh Margaret what a lovely post - Sheila must value your friendship very much - wonderful xx

Chris said...

Wow what super gifts and I love the bunting.. oh for a craft room!LOL

Love the scissor pocket, very pretty lace.

Happy Stitching

Chris x

Christine said...

As always, everything is lovely. I particularly like your scissor pillow and all the Cath Kidston treasures.

Coco Cross Stitcher said...

Your little pillows are just beautiful and you definately received some lovely things from your friend. hope you have a nice weekend
x catherine

Nicola said...

What lovely gifts from Stella. Friendship truly is a work of heart.

Ellen said...

Beautiful finishings, love them!

Wow, you have wonderful gifts!

Hugs,

marly said...

Very nice finishes, especially that scissor pocket pillow. Sweet. Lovely gifts too! Hope you had a nice birthday.

Lynn B said...

Love your finishes Margaret, all are gorgeous as always!
I love what your friend stitched for you, they are very pretty and beautifully stitched.

Sorry I missed your birthday Margaret, happy birthday to you!

Lili said...

So beautiful finishes!! :)
And so pretty gifts!

Hugs xx

MOMENTS Designs said...

Hi Margaret,
As usual...your stuff is beautiful!
I love the little house tape measure!
it would be perfect for my SewAlong...just got figure out how to make it ..LOL
Thanks fo rht eeye candy!
XXX

Anonymous said...

Another love post from you Margaret an some pretty finishes. The bunting Sheila made was nice along with all your presents, Cath Kitson is very popular here and it is nice to see she now has some shops opening up.

Thank you for sharing such delightful things.

Enjoy "A Jane Day" like Angela described.

Love and Hugs
Hazel C (UK)

Carol said...

Lovely finishes, Margaret...It must be the time of year for pulling out old finishes and finally finishing them into something. I've been doing the same thing here this week! It's nice to see your hard work finally on display, isn't it?

What wonderful gifts from Sheila--I love the fun colors. Very cheerful looking. I'm sure your craft room is delightful :)

♫♪♫ Happy Belated Birthday, Margaret ♫♪♫

greenrabbitdesigns said...

I'm always in awe of your stitching Margaret. :)
I love the little cushion for keeping your scissors in, very clever and I think something we all could do with!
Beautiful gifts too, I love the bunting and the pretty pin cushions.
Enjoy what's left of the weekend,
Vivienne x

Jeanne said...

Love all of the cute finishes, but especially the Jane day pincushion!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Fabulous stitching and finishing and awesome birthday gifts! Happy belated birthday wishes!

Giovanna said...

Very cute finishes, well done! And wonderful gifts, good for you.

Peg said...

Beautiful as always Margaret and a pleasure to visit. I haven't forgotten I owe you an email will get to it as soon as I can.

Peg xx

Sally said...

Your finishes are beautiful as always. Love the scissor pocket.

Gorgeous gifts from Sheila.

Michelle said...

All your finishes look absolutely beautiful! I love the scissors pocket - beautiful and useful :)

I must say - I love that teapot - what a treasure!

Siobhán said...

Lovely finishes, Margaret! You do such beautiful work. I loved seeing Sheila's gifts for you--she is so talented! What neat stuff. I love CKidson stuff but have never seen her fabrics other than online. That Union Jack pillow is adorable!

Kaisievic said...

Oh, I adore your teapot - I am full of teapot lustfulless! lol!

hugs, Kaye xoxox

P.S. Gorgeous finishes,too.

Tatkis said...

Such beautiful finishes! And absolutely cute gifts, congratulations!

Hugs,
Tatyana

Bertie said...

Your ornaments are lovely!! I love the Tralala back pocket, gorgeous:)
Nice CK stuff, great looking teapot!!

Kathy Ellen said...

What very special beauties you have created! I especially love Duo Bouquets pincushion with the cute little scissors pocket!

Happy Belated Birthday wishes to you! Love all of the gifts from Sheila. That teapot is so cute and so many wonderful stitching accessories too!

Karoline said...

Gorgeous finishes and you got some great gifts from Sheila.

Tizbertha said...

looooooooooooooovely!!!
t.

Brigitte said...

Those little pillows are so PRETTY: Don't you love all these Tralala designs? They always come up with great new ideas and their pieces are such a fast fun stitch.
Sheila was definitely spoiling you, what wonderful gifts she had for you. Enjoy!

Laura said...

I LOVE your "keep calm" teapot! What a sweet gift!

"Fancy A Jane Day?" for me means having a day (or maybe just a few hours) to myself to stitch and watch Jane Austen adaptations on the DVR with a pot of hot tea brewed (with china cup & saucer to drink from!) and some sweet & savory little treats to keep me company.

Jeanne said...

I always enjoy seeing your posts Margaret - love all the same things you do it seems! I spent a long time waiting to get that Cricket Collection chart on eBay but finally got it last year. I really want to stitch it. Lovely gifts from your friend!!

Brigitte said...

What shall I say? I *love* these little beauties.