Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Mostly cross stitch

As usual it's been quite a while since my last post. I've done some sewing but nothing much that I can show for now. What I do have are some cross stitch finishes.
The first of which is a pillow I made using one of the JBW designs.
This is Belle Fleurs stitched on unknown linen with one strand of Vikki Clayton Enchanter Rose silk thread.




the pillow is backed with some lovely toile fabric that friend Angela (no blog) sent me one time



I also stitched and finished a pinkeep using one of Carol R's iStitch charts

It is stitched on 40 ct Flax linen again using Vikki Clayton Enchanter Rose silk thread



and because I adore the toile fabric so much I used it again on the back of this pinkeep




Another little pillow. This one is from Blackbird Designs Reward of Merit series
I stitched it on 34ct linen using Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Chester Blue





and still with Blackbird Designs I stitched this heart from the Joyeaux Noel book.
I used mostly the called for GAST threads but had to substitue with a couple of DMC as well



I finished it off with some grosgrain ribbon and a button to make a hanging loop.



I've recently received a couple of wonderful surprises in the mail from France. The first was a little package from Valie who has the most delightful blog with such elegant finishes.
Valie told me in her note that she had read on my blog how much I loved mermaids. She saw this mermaid charm and decided to make this gorgeous beaded fob for me.



I have to say this is one of the prettiest mermaid charms I've seen. Just to give you some idea how dainty this fob is the scissors are just three and a half inches long. The little fob is so sweet and very, very special to me. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness Valie :)


Yesterday I received another envelope from France this time from my lovely friend Francoise. Francoise does the most incredible stitching on impossibly high count fabric and many times over just one thread!
Just look at this dainty little fob



it really is quite beautiful. Another gift that will be much treasured by me.

I received quite a few craft books at Christmas and one of them was Remembering Adelia by Kathleen Tracy.


The book is inspired by the journal of a 19 yr old girl which recorded events of daily life during the American Civil War. In addition to the beautiful projects there are period photos and exerpts from the diary.
One of the patterns in the book is a huswife needle case which I decided to make for a friend for her birthday.



This is the needle case open complete with Kelmscott owl scissors.



I think that's about it for now so it just remains to say thanks as always for visiting my blog and for your lovely comments.

Margaret

60 comments:

Diana said...

All of your finishing is very nice. The needle case with the owl scissors to match is really cute! Another favorite is the BBD heart. Thanks for sharing pictures.

Melissa said...

What a lot of beautiful finishes! The fobs you received are wonderful.

Pat said...

Another lovely post Margaret.

Theresa said...

I'm glad you've updated, I love seeing what you've made. Gorgeous stitching and all beautiful finishes. I like the iStitch charts as well, I've got a couple waiting to be stitched and more on the wish list to be bought.

Faby said...

Very pretty indeed ! You must be very pleased with all these.
All the best XX

Dorothy said...

Margaret, you always finish your stitchery projects so elegantly.

The scissors fobs you received are wonderful!

Deb said...

All your finishing is beautiful. And I love the pieces that you stitched too. Very nice pictures of everything!

Susan said...

What wonderful friends you have!

And your stitching! Don't you just love BBD things?

Happy Stitching!
from the sandlot

Margaret said...

What beautiful finishes! And lovely presents too! Wow, lots of eye candy!

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

Your stitching is beautiful as always. You are very good at choosing fabrics to match your stitchery. The scissor fobs are beautiful.

Sherry said...

Beautiful finishes and the toile is the perfect touch for them! The needle case and BBD are great too

angelasweby said...

Wow Margaret,
What a treat it is visiting your blog and finding such lovely pictures. Your Belle Fleurs pillow is just breathtaking -so delicate. I love that pink thread AND what can I say about Carol's pretty Sew Pink pinkeep..................that's me speechless...haha!
Margaret your stitching and finishing never fails to delight. Thank goodness your pictures enlarge, I can scrutinize every nip and tuck :>)
The mermaid fob and the tiny pink flower basket fob are exquisite. What lovely and very talented friends you have.
Last and by no means least is the gorgeous owl needle That is amazing. Your friend will be thrilled.
Angela xx

Anna Zont said...

Beautiful finishes!! And so many!!
Congrats!

Sally said...

Oh wow Margaret all your finishes are simply divine! I love the BBD heart.

Adriana Ortiz said...

Margaret,Ilove each piece you made!!
I love the present you made for your friend.

Regards,
Adriana

Daffycat said...

Margaret! I missed you!

Love your finishes. Especially the housewife needlebook. That owl fabric is a riot!

Stina Blomgren said...

Ohhh Margaret...lots of lovely finishes ..I just love your pink pillow.. adorable..:o)
And I love that book to... have it and want to make everything in it!!! :o)

Irene said...

They are all lovely finishes ! The fobs are very nice.

Katherine said...

Another posting that was truly worth the wait - loved them all; thanks so much for sharing.

Julia said...

I love the pillow and the pinkeep -they are very pretty. And the pretty pink toile fabric really adds a special touch.

Love the BBD heart too!!:0)

From the Attic said...

Margaret, your blog is always a delight to read and to look at and I just love all your new treasures especially the Joyeaux Heart - so lovely.

Chrissie

Lynn B said...

Oooo Margaret, I just loooove it all! The pink pillow is devine and the pinkeep is exquisite, particularly with such gorgeous fabric. The gifts are very pretty too.

Kind regards
Lynn

Anonymous said...

What a lovely surprise to see you have updated your blog, it really is a delight to see all your new projects I like them all, especially the husewife. The mermaid charm is so cute.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Love Hazel (UK)

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

What a wonderful group of exquisite finishes! Every single one is beautiful!

Love to Applique said...

Hello Margaret,your finishing is absolutely beautiful, I love everything. Hugs, Debbie

Roberta said...

Hi Margaret, just love the little pillow and the pinkeep. The toile fabric is beautiful as is your stitching.

The little mermaid charm is 'charming' how nice it looks as a scissor fob.

Karen said...

Beautiful finishes...I love the pink toile fabric. Your pink finishes are so soft and dainty..love them.

Great job on all of them.

Sheila said...

Beautiful finishes - as always - and beautiful photos too. I missed seeing that owl huswife "in real life" - too bad - it looks wonderful :)

Nancy said...

What lovely finishes Margaret, but then everything you do always is!

I love the gifts from Valie and Francoise. If it's from France it's going to be beautiful!

A very enjoyable blog update!

Jeanne said...

I love all your finishes - I'm a big fan of anything pink and adore that beautiful toile fabric! Lovely pictures - thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous finishes!!!
and Your belle Fleurs pillow is merveillous the fabric is so beautifull
like always so lovely
thanks Margaret for this post
hugs
françoise

Sandra said...

Oh what a lovely post Margaret, with lots of gorgeous finishes to see, you have been busy and everything, as always, is just beautifully stitched and finished. Love the pink toile.

Catherine de l'Atelier des dix doigts said...

I have done also he first one, but I didn't know Carol's Designs. Thank you for the address !
All is beautiful and look a little antique, which I like very much.
Have a nice week-end

MOMENTS Designs said...

Margaret, I was wondering where oyu were hiding...now i know...creating beautiful pink items for me ...LOL
I love the pillow & PC & Pinkeep...I love them all!!
The pink toile fabric is to die for ...can you tell me the name of it (if you haven't cut it all up?)
Hugs,Liz
P.S.I will be looking forward to my package...ROFLOL

Brigitte said...

Oh Margaret, what a post! Your stitching is fantastic, and who couldn't tell your favourite colour after looking at all these beauties? Lol. My favourite would be the BBD heart, but only if I had to choose a favourite.
Both your new fobs look so fine and delicate. Wonderful gifts!
I love the little owl huswife, just perfect for the owl scissors.

Carol R said...

Wonderful finishes Margaret! I love the Blackbird Designs pillow and adore what you did with Sew Pink!

Valie makes pretty scissor fobs - she is so talented!

Andrea said...

Gorgeous finishes.

Khris said...

I am soooo jealous of your lucky friend...pout, pout...hugs Khris

Marjorie said...

I just discovered your blog. Your stitching and finishing is so lovely! I will look forward to future posts.

Sharon said...

Gorgeous finishes and finishing!

Carolien said...

Hello Margaret,

Thank you very much for sharing these prettyprettypretty things with us! A joy to see!!!

Have a nice weekend & hugs,
Carolien

Teri said...

Wow! What lovely finishes. I've not visited your blog before, but I'll be back!

Marsha said...

I love the fobs, how lucky you are. The stitching and finishing you do are wonderful too. Love that color pink and it matches so well with the toille fabric. So pretty.

Anna Zont said...

Please visit my blog for an award Margaret :)

Carol said...

Hi Margaret. Please visit my blog, I have an award there waiting for you. :o)

Bertie said...

Oh I love the toile you incorporated in your stitching, gorgeous.
The ornaments are all beautiful and the finishes are stunning, must be so nice to stitch in the sun.

AMIT said...

Yes your work is really nice.

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Michelle said...

Everything it so beautiful and so perfectly finished - love it!

Sherri said...

You do such beautiful work. Congratulations on your wonderful finishes!

Raven/Missy said...

Your stitching and finishing techniques are beautiful!

Cath Ăś said...

As usual Margaret everything is gorgeous.. well done..

Cath's Blog

Cath Ăś

Olga said...

You've been busy! All your finishes are just perfect. The gifts your received are lovely too.

Unknown said...

Margaret, I just discovered your post and have had such fun looking at all your beautiful work and the wonderful pictures of Spain.

I love mermaids as well, there's just something about them that grab my interest. I wonder if you can tell me the name of the chart for your little mermaid pinkeep - it is just exquisite.

Your JBW pillow is truly exquisite - your finishing is fabulous!

Enjoy your day.

Detexo tejidos artesanales- Karina Sala said...

Precioso. Realmente es un arte maravilloso lo que hĂ ces.
Muy, muy bonito y sumamente prolijo.
Felicitaciones por tus bordados.
Abrazo desde Argentina BsAs
Karina
Detexo♥

Detexo tejidos artesanales- Karina Sala said...

Precioso. Realmente es un arte maravilloso lo que hĂ ces.
Muy, muy bonito y sumamente prolijo.
Felicitaciones por tus bordados.
Abrazo desde Argentina BsAs
Karina
Detexo♥

Carin said...

I just came across your blog and love the things you have made. Beautiful !

The Redhead Riter said...

Oh, I love the little cushion on the scissors! So dainty!

Denise said...

I love your work! Beautiful stitching and finishes! I just ordered some Vicki Clayton Silks and wonder how much you enjoy stitching with them. I look forward to seeing more of your posts in the future.

Silke Scheller said...

Dear Margaret,
I love your Charm Party Totes!
Greatings from Silke

MysteryKnitter said...

The pink and blue pillows and that flat thing with pink background...You can stitch! I could never make anything that pretty!