Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Blackbirding

I have some finishes to show ... finally!

My latest beauty, hot off the needle, and beautiful she is, even if I do say so myself. This is Sweetheart Sampler, a Loose Feather pattern from Blackbird Designs. Its an oldie but a goodie. I stitched this on the recommended fabric, 30 ct Kansas City Blend by R&R Reproductions, but once I started with the large alphabet, it looked far too chunky for me. So I switched to stitching over-1 thread and I was much much happier with it.
Uh, if you note at the bottom, it says Valentine's Day and I'm only just over a month late for this lovely occasion, or even better really, 11 months early for next year!

Next its pincushion-y time!
This is Buttons & Pins, also by Blackbird, finished on 40 ct remnant and finished into a pincushion. I found the crushed walnut shells recommended for filling these (bird cage litter in real life) and I love the weight and substance this filler gives these.

Small Tokens, one of the Nashville releases for Blackbird Designs. This is finished on 32 ct antique white linen with some very sweet crocheted trim. This one made a wee gift.

This Friday I'm going to a Stitching Retreat with ladies from Knowledge & Needles! This is my first weekend retreat and I am so excited. I just have to figure out what to pack. I think its time for a new start or two! My excuse is that I'm not taking my Dazor magnifier, so I will need some larger-for-my-old-eyes fabrics, and since most of what I have on the go lately is 32-and-up, well that's just as good an excuse for a new start as any I can think of.

I'm still offering up my contest (see last post) for a new phrase for finished-finished. The winner will get a lovely little something that has been finished-finished.

Meanwhile I better get back to working on my PhD (Project-half-Done) - a new phrase I learned last night!

29 comments:

Suburban Stitcher said...

Wow! Look at all of your beautiful projects! I love that Sweetheart Sampler. My mom bought the chart this summer...and I'm thinking I might have to "borrow" it because I love it so much :)

staci said...

The Sweetheart Sampler is so pretty and delicate stitched over 1. And your pincushions are beautifully stitched and finished too. I love the crushed walnut shells...I don't think I'll ever go back to polyfil ;)

Siobhán said...

Wow!! What gorgeous projects, Wendy! Your pincushions are stitched & finished so nicely--YGG! I need to do some just so I can use the walnut shell thingies. ;) Your Sweetheart Sampler is gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

I love, love, love, your pin cushion finishes!! Gorgeous!! I've heard so many people raving about these crushed walnuts shells, I must see if I can find these... ;o)

Katrina said...

Everything is so pretty! Love all your finishes.

Unknown said...

Very pretty! I love all your finishes! Greta job!

valerie said...

Wow, wonderful projects! I especially love the Buttons and Pins pillow. I've been eyeing that pattern forever. It looks like you've been very busy. Lovely finishes.

Keep plugging away at that PhD! :)

Michele said...

I am sooo jealous!! What wonderful finishes. I don't know which one I like best .. WTG Wendy!

Have fun at your weekend retreat .. can't wait to see pictures and here all about it!

glamlawlib said...

Oooh I love them all!

Love the new meaning of PhD, think that must make us professors?

Finish-finished...hmmm...according to a welsh dictionary 'gorffenedig' means finished, perfect, complete. It's a bit of a mouthful though!

Natasha said...

I love the BBD This is the first time I have seen this chart. It looks great over 1
Natasha

Melissa said...

Oh Wendy - what a lot of lovely finishes! You have been very busy stitching away!

I will answer your email v soon!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

BOY! You sure have been blackbirding! I love them all and you are stitching them up faster than beating the band! :)
All lovely...I think I have the sweetheart sampler and must do it for my Loove room ;)

Kelly said...

Everything looks great! & I love your new blogger layout -- very pretty!

Kit said...

I love your pincushions! I can't believe I never heard of using the walnut shells, I have to try them.

Margaret said...

Oh my goodness Wendy - these are gorgeous!!

What a great idea to use walnut shells as filling for pincushions. I'm going to have to try that.

Hope you had a wonderful time at your stitching retreat. Looking forward to seeing your new starts.

Mary Ann said...

Very pretty finishes!! I love the Sweetheart Sampler!

Kathy said...

WOW they are all gorgeous, congrats on yru HD's

Hugs xxxx

Françoise said...

lovely!!!
regards
françoise

Kathy A. said...

Very pretty little finishes there girl. Enjoy your weekend with the gang. I AM SO JEALOUS!!!!!!

Annemarie said...

Phd? LOL!

You certainly have been busy finishing things, and gorgeous finishes they are, Wendy! I should definitely try crushed walnut shell, it sounds like the perfect material!
Love the pincushions, esp. the one with the lace trimming. Sweet!

Jeanne said...

Lovely finish Wendy! I have to get the crushed walnut shells - I have used cat litter in the past for stuffing some pincushions (gives the same feel but doesn't sound as nice as crushed walnut shells!) :)

Anonymous said...

Wow! You've done a LOT! And that Sweetheart Sampler is beautiful! Look at all that color; I love it!

CJ in OK ;-) said...

All the finishes are great, congrats. cj(ok)

Carol R said...

Some beautiful finishes Wendy! Must see if I can find crushed walnut shells here in the UK.

Bine said...

You have been very busy lately and the finishes are wonderful. I can't decide on a favourite. They are all beauties.

Sharon said...

Wendy, they are all so gorgeous! Congrats.

Brigitte said...

Wow, you finished some wonderful projects. All BBD and they are so lovely. Congratulations.

Lynn said...

Wow!Your needles have been smoking lately! I adore that Sweetheart Sampler. It's so delicate looking.
Your pincushions look fantastic too!

Display Homes said...

you really have a talent on stitching.. good for you... I wish I also have that kind of skill.