Monday, December 17, 2012

Recent Finishes

I'm proud to say I've had some finishes, somehow snuck in around exchange stitching.  The biggest is my 2012 BAP Challenge piece, Blackbird Designs Christmas Garden.



Mom, Dad and my initials are stitched in red.  The friends that always spend Christmas with us are done in gold.  Mary Lou and Jim are family to me.  Katrina was kind enough to share details with me about stitching the alphabet at the bottom instead of the charted Christmas Garden phrase.  The colors are still Christmasy, but this at least gives it the option of being displayed year-round.  I decided after taking the pictures I needed to add one more set of initials.  I'm going to put a green SB up in the top right empty spot for Shepherd's Bush.  This project was a gift from them to me last Christmas, and all of them signed the inside of my chart.  Lots of things I could say, but I'll just keep it simple and say they're all special to me.

All of my other finishes are small compared to this.  First up was the tote bag which was one of the projects from the retreat.  I it in Arizona while we were motorhome camping.  Perfect project for imperfect stitching conditions.  Each of the designers at the retreat supplied a motif (or 2).  The stitchers could pick and chose which motifs to put on their bags.


Shepherd's Bush 2012 Retreat welcome project

Next up is a piece designed by Nancy from the Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe.  It was originally started for an exchange, but then I decided it was too Christmas-y, then I fell in love with it paired with the red velvet.

Victorian Motto Christmas Reindeer, stitched on 38 ct linen
with Hand Dyed Fibers silk in Garnet

Another project that was started for an exchange, but didn't make the final cut was this Homespun Elegance piece.  I decided there wasn't enough actual stitching and didn't want the recipient to feel like they got the short end of the stick.


Homespun Elegance Christmas Won't Be Christmas, stitched on
30 count R&R linen with various overdyed cottons
Next up is a Shepherd's Bush design from a few years ago.  I've had this mostly stitched for a while, it just needed the last few stitches put in and the finishing done.  Carol recently did a tutorial on hemstitching, so this was my first attempt.  I'll definitely be doing more hemstitching in my future.  Its a bit tedious and time consuming, but you get into a rhythm and it looks fabulous.  I'd love to finish a sampler with hemstitching.
Shepherd's Bush Merry pin cushion.

Last, but not least, a pair of Primitive Hare finishes.  The larger one was kitted up at the SB retreat and is stitched on 30 count linen, the smaller I changed to read Merry White Christmas, and is stitched on 40 count linen.

Primitive Hare freebie

22 comments:

Catherine said...

Love all of your projects!

Katrina said...

So pretty congrats on the BBD finish. Love all the other pieces too!!!!!

Barb said...

Your finishes are wonderful! Your Christmas Garden looks amazing. Great stitching!!!!

Margaret said...

Fantastic finishes! I love them all! Sorry, have to ask -- that instrument in the last picture. What is it? It's sooooo cool!

Theresa said...

Beautiful finishes!!!!!!

Annette-California said...

WOW! Your BBD Christmas Garden is fantastic! Love the way you stitched the initials. I especially love the red present pillow - Gorgeous. I've enjoyed seeing all your finishes. You do lovely finishing:)
Happy Christmas - love Annette

Nicola said...

What gorgeous finishes you have had in 2012. Looking forward to seeing your 2013 projects.

Gabi said...

Beautiful finishes. Love all of them Especially your Christmas Garden.

cucki said...

Beautiful finishes ..I love all of them so much x

Siobhán said...

Wow!! What a ton of beautiful finishes! I love your Christmas Garden, and all of your other finishes and the way you've done them are beautiful. I especially like the Homespun Elegance piece being made into a tag on the pillow.

Chris said...

So many beautiful finishes Mindi!Christmas Garden is just beautiful!
Glad to know that you have been stitching. When you weren't posting I was worried :)
I think your finishing is perfect too.

Giovanna said...

Gorgeous finishes, congrats!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Congrats on finishing your BAP too! It turned out great. I love all your finishes expecially the pillows. I'm thinking of lining my tote bag. I found some of the special fabric they used when I was in Shipshewanna, IN last month!

Vickie said...

Well, my goodness, you have been busy. Such pretty designs you have stitched.

La Brodeuse brode said...

Beautiful finishing. I enjoy looking at your work. I have chosen you for the Liebster Award.
Valerie

llknbillburg said...

Beautiful finish on your Christmas Garden! I just finished mine too and can't wait to get it framed! Nice arrangement of the initials. Really makes it an heirloom piece.

♥ Sari ♥ said...

They are all so pretty!

Sharon said...

You have some amazing finishes here and they are gorgeous. Congrats!

Carol said...

What a great post, Mindi--your CG is just stunning. And I love how you've personalized it :)

valerie said...

Wow, so many fantastic finishes! Merry Christmas!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Your BBD is really beautiful, and that's how I plan to stitch mine one of these days! All your finishes are lovely, too.

Lynn said...

Your finishes are all wonderful! The BBD Christmas Garden is stunning! Did you use the charted colours? I love the red which you used.