Thread-A-Day - Tribal Anchor THE FINISH

I have a confession to make....I stitched more than 1 thread-a-day on this piece on the days I did stitch on it.  I know, it's sort of cheating, but I have several gifts I need to have done by the beginning of March, and I wanted to make sure I wasn't running behind.  I started the piece on December 11th and finished it on January 9th.  I also had about a full week in there I wasn't able to stitch on it at all.

I love the look of the piece and all the little motifs that make up the anchor.  This will either be finished into a pillow or a wall hanging, so we'll have to see what Rita does with it.

I also promised I share a picture of my Tribal Shamrock once it was finished.  I've found living in a small 1-bedroom apartment that it's important to have functional finishes, unless I want to take up every inch of wall space (which I don't), so I Rita turned this piece into a basket front for me.  Don't you just love it?!

Today (Sunday) I'll be working on a color conversion for my next thread-a-day and starting it.  Unfortunately it will be a secret thread-a-day, as it's a gift for someone that follows me online and I don't want them seeing it.  I'll take pics of it every two weeks just like I normally would, and then do a start-to-finish post after they've received it.  And the only reason for the color conversion is to match their home decor.

So, with that being said, I believe it's time for me to get off the computer and get down to business with my stitching.

Until the next time...Happy Stitching!

Thread-A-Day - Tribal Shamrock THE FINISH

Ahhh...the great feeling that comes with finishing a project.  :)

Yes, the Tribal Shamrock is DONE!  I started it on October 20th and finished it on December 10th.  I made a couple of slight tweaks to the pattern where I thought it was needed.  This is what the finished piece looks like.

The fabric is looking more blue than green in this photo.  I'll send it off for finishing with my next design model(s) and will anxiously await what she does with it.  My instructions will be simple...pillow or wall hanging of some sort, your choice.

And we all know, as soon as you finish one piece, you MUST start a new one.  Not only did I start a new one, but I have my next 3 thread-a-day pieces picked out, along with the required fabrics and flosses.  So you're probably wondering what my next thread-a-day piece is, huh?  Well, here it is:

 

 

TRIBAL ANCHOR!

I'll do updates on this piece here on my blog, but won't really be discussing it on my FB page.  It's a gift for someone.  That person doesn't follow my stitching stuff, but better safe than sorry.  :)

The fabric I'm using is a 28 count Colonial Blue Lugana I had in my stash (remember, I am supposed to be on a "stash diet").  The fiber is an overdyed thread, which I personally think is the best option when doing a piece like this.  It is Needle Necessities #173, which I had to buy, and WILL account for in my stash diet.  I've done two days of stitching on it and really like how the fiber and fabric look together.

So with that, I think it's about time to get off the computer and get on with a full day of stitching.  I just love lazy Sundays!

Until the next time...Happy Stitching! 

Thread-A-Day - Wings and Things - THE FINISH!

OMG!  Can I just say how excited I am to actually stitch AND finish a piece that isn't one of my design models and is just something I stitched strictly "because I wanted to"?!?!  Now, please don't take that the wrong way that I don't like designing and stitching my models, because I absolutely do, or else I wouldn't be doing it.  In all honesty though, it has been YEARS and YEARS since I've done something just for me.

So, since the title gave it away...drum roll please....

Let me proudly present, my "Wings and Things" finish!!!

Some of you may be looking at it thinking the colors are just all wrong.  Well, again, this piece was for me, and I absolutely love color!  And purple and green together are great Halloween colors, right?

I personally think it turned out to be a great mix of cross stitch companies:

• chart by Ink Circles
• chartreuse floss by Weeks Dye Works
• glow-in-the-dark braid for the web by Kreinik
• spider charm by Lizzie Kate
• fabric by Stitchnmomma

And in case you're reading and saying "what spider charm?", here's a close up of it:

Now, I just need to get it framed and give it a place of honor on my walls.  I'm personally thinking a brushed silver/pewter frame, but we'll see what happens.  We all know how ideas can change.

I'm going to continue with my thread-a-day projects, as it's been so much fun stitching for myself again.  I also feel like it's bringing more joy to stitching my model designs, as those aren't quite feeling so much like "work" the past few weeks.  My next project will be my "Tribal Shamrock" by White Willow Stitching.  That will also be a great mix that will include fabric by Silkweaver Fabrics and floss by The Gentle Arts.  I'll share update #1 on that piece in the next two weeks or so.

Thanks so much for going on my little thread-a-day journeys with me.   And until the next time...Happy Stitching!

A gorgeous finish!

I think one of the most important things in life, and especially in business, is to know your strengths and weaknesses. 

When it comes to stitching, I love to create my own designs and stitch them.  However, if you want to sell your patterns & pieces, it has to look nice when you're done.  When it comes to "finishing" an item into something other than a hoop is where I fail.  I don't have the expertise or the time to practice the beautiful finished pieces I'd like to present.  So what does any good business owner do....find someone that has that talent.

The only model I currently had that was waiting to be "finished" was my "Singles Awareness" pattern.   This is a picture of what it looked like before.  Just the plain, stitched piece.

Certainly nothing very exciting about this photo.  It's a clean picture of the stitched pattern so people will know what their finished stitching should look like.  But, I wasn't happy with it being a "professional" looking piece that someone would want to buy.

In steps Rita from Snowberry Needlearts.  I've been a fan of her work for sometime and have seen listings in her Etsy shop where she does custom finishing.  I contacted her, we worked out the details and I sent my stitched piece off to her giving her full creative freedom. This is what she created...

This is like 1,000 times better than anything I could have ever done!!!!  If you can't tell, I'm absolutely thrilled with it!  Here's a pic of the backside...

Gorgeous also!!!

Normally I sell all the models for my patterns, but I'm starting to think I just may need to keep them.  Heck, if I become a famous designer some day (chokes on coffee) I can use them as displays during trunk shows at various needlework shops around the country.

I'm just about finished with the last of my custom stitching orders, and I think it may be time to stop doing those and concentrate on all the patterns I've designed that need stitching just so I can have Rita do more beautiful finishes for them.  I may just even go back and restitch some of my other patterns just so I have a nicer piece to present.  

And with that final thought, I have stitching I must get to....

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not...

Today is that day dreaded by many single people around the world....Valentine's Day.  What used to be a lovely little holiday many, many years ago has turned into a huge commercial holiday I think is secretly designed for the single people in the world to feel like pond scum, and force those that are in some sort of relationship to spend tons of money to "show" their partner/spouse/significan other/etc. just how much they love them (when they should really be doing it every other day of the year...and not just by purchasing gifts).

So in light of that, and the fact I don't really have much positive to say about the "holiday", I thought I'd share with you some of the items currently available in my shop that are for those that both like AND dislike the holiday.

Swirled Heart - The Finish

I have another finish today...yay!!  This time it is the model for my pattern "Swirled Heart".

This piece is a relatively quick stitch as it is done in all one color so it will really pop from the fabric you stitch it on.

I'm currently selling the pattern on a pre-order basis with a 33% discount.  I have to finish tweaking it from changes/corrections I made while stitching the model.  If you're interested in purchasing a copy of the pattern, just click the photo below and you'll go straight to the listing in my Etsy shop.

And as always, I'll also be selling the stitched model of the pattern.  This would make a unique Christmas gift for someone, and at only $15.00 it's a real bargain!  If you're interested in getting the model, which there's only the one of, just click the photo.

Now I'm off the computer again to try and get a 2nd project finished up today.  It is my Thanksgiving themed piece that I'm stitching for the Etsy Needle Arts Team (Etsy NEAT) Challenge.  My reveal date is supposed to be Wednesday, so I'd better get to it.

Happy Stitching!

Some Recent Finishes

Yes, believe it or not I actually do stitch. LOL!  

I figured since I recently showed you some of my WIPs I should probably show you some of my finishes.  

Zen Bamboo Zippered Pouch done in needlepoint

 Garden Gnome
This piece will be going to The Good Goat Gallery.  I haven't decided yet if I will offer it as a "made to order" item in my Etsy shop.  It's not completely finished as it still needs a bow at the top & some ribbon to hang it from.  I wanted to get a pic of it for this post.

Lighthouse Greeting Card

 Mouse Greeting Card

Let the Stress Begin

Stay tuned for a future post with more finishes as I've been busy stitching every day trying to get my shop stocked for the holidays as well as make more items for The Good Goat Gallery.

Tips & Techniques - How to "Jazz Up" Your Hoop Frames

I showed you previously how to "frame" your piece using a wooden hoop.  Today I'm going to show you how you can give it new life besides looking like a plain ole light brown hoop.

There are two techniques I'm going to show you today, and they're both relatively simple.

The first one is to simply paint your hoop using a non-toxic acrylic craft paint.  I have 2 examples for you. One I painted a flat black and the other I painted a metallic gold.  Your paint choice is entirely your own personal preference.  I like to go with something that will compliment the stitched piece.

You really only need to paint the top portion of the hoop as the back is typically against the wall.  If you're making smaller ornaments or something that is going to dangle where the back can been seen, you might want to paint the bottom portion of the hoop as well.

 

The second technique is one that's new to me, but I think I'm hooked after only the first time of doing it.  It's ribbon wrapping your hoop.

The instructions I saw in a magazine said to put a small piece of double-sided tape on the inside of your hoop to hold the ribbon in place.  I found the double-sided tape I have didn't want to stick to the wood, so I used a small dot of tacky glue.  Once I started wrapping the ribbon around I put a small binder clip on the hoop/ribbon to hold it in place at the glue spot while it was drying.  You just keep wrapping and overlapping the ribbon until you get to the other end of the hoop.  Again, more tacky glue and a binder clip to hold in place.  I apologize for not taking step-by-step photos, but I didn't think about using it as a tips & techniques post until after I had the piece completely finished.  

The spool of ribbon I used was 5/8" wide and was 6ft. in length for a 5 inch hoop.  I had about 1 foot left over that I used to hang the piece from.  So with that it appears you'll need about 1 foot of ribbon for each inch in diameter of the hoop.  The ribbon really gives the piece more dimension and a texture it wouldn't have had in just a plain wood hoop.

I'll throw in a money saving tip for you also...don't be afraid to put your stitched piece in a bag and take it to your local craft store with you to match a paint color, ribbon choice, etc.  You'll be able to see the colors together and will save money by not having to guess.  Yes I know you can always take it back, but if you get it right the first time around there won't be any valuable wasted crafting/stitching time and/or wear & tear on your car (not to mention $4.00/gallon gas!!).  The "regular" employees at my local JoAnn Fabric & Crafts and Hobby Lobby are used to seeing me in there all the time with various stitching/craft projects trying to get just the right match on something.

I hope you've found this post helpful and I look forward to seeing pics that you want to share!  :)

Note added on 10/9/12 - Now that I've wrapped a couple of other hoops I've learned some additional tips.  A grosgrain ribbon is much easier to use than a velvet, as the velvet was almost too thick to be able to get the fabric in the hoop with it on.  Also, a thinner ribbon in width is also easier to work with, like using a 5/8" width vs. a 7/8" width.  Just a few observations that I hope will help others.

A long overdue finish!

I was so thrilled this week to finally finish a piece I've been stitching off & on for the past 2-1/2 years!!  It's been so long I had to go back on my thumb drive and see when I originally created the pattern (3/15/2010 to be exact for this "smaller" version).  I call it the "Electric Owl" because of all the electric blues in it (DMC #995 and #996).

I'm using this as my entry for the Etsy NEAT (Needle Arts Team) July/August Creative Challenge, which had a theme of "The Forest".  Our deadline was 8/22 and I finished on 8/23, but the blog post hasn't been put up yet for us to reveal our items (as of the time I'm typing this post on Saturday afternoon), so I really should be showing it to you yet, but I'm a very impatient person and just can't wait to show this to everyone!!!  My friend says it was a stretch on the theme, but I told her owls live in the forest so I could use it, LOL!

I stitched the piece on 14 count vinyl aida and am using it as an insert in a mouse pad.   The listing for the mouse pad will be active in my Etsy shop as soon as our team blog post goes up where I can enter it.  Keep your eye on my newsletter and/or shop as I just might release this as a pattern.
 

I first started this piece back in 2008 on 14 count black aida.  It's been sitting in one of my stitching baskets only about 5% done (if even that much) since then.  It was going to be HUGE.  Something like 14" high by 21" wide.  I planned to hang it on my living room wall and I figured it would be one of those pieces that when people saw it they would either love it or hate it, but no in between.  I'll be scrapping stitching it on black as it's too difficult to see all the black & navy blues.  Instead I will stitch it slightly smaller on 18 count white aida and give it to Zach.  He's been waiting years for me to finish it for him.  I figure considering he doesn't have his own place to hang it yet I still have time to go, lol!

Anyways, enough of my rambling.  I'm sure you can tell I'm excited to have it done and thank you so much for letting me share it with you.

Happy Stitching!
Kelly