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Another piece, a pillow by Homespun Elegance, stitched by me in 1995. Finally getting around to posting it. Just tying to keep all my needlework in one place on the web. It might be still available from Homespun Elegance. It is stitched on a pre-made pillow on with the stitching area made of Heatherfield. Homespun Elegance has been one of my favorite designers for many years and I still love their designs. A good design is a good design, regardless of when it was created.
I finished stitching Dogs' Day Out by Crossed Wing Collection this week. I loved the pattern. and loved stitching the dogs and sort of just put up with stitching the trees. I loved how Crossed Wing Collection has a hand-dyed special fabric for this piece. It is 28 count permin linen in Whispering Pine/April.
I love the effect of the Weeks Dye Works subtle variation in color.
The design has a number of half stitches. And some back-stitching but the amount is not overwhelming.
It did take me a bit longer to stitch this piece than I anticipated, but that is probably due to me, rather than the pattern.
This little flower pincushion required a minimum of stitching. Just a little gathering to make the petals curl upwards. One of my stitching club members taught us one night and we did it as a group project. It was the first time that we all did the same project together. The fabrics we used were different.
In October, I attended a finishing class at The Counted Needle in Bloomington, IL. The project was to make an easel for needlework so you can make items to be displayed on a fireplace, dresser or other flat surface. In my case, that is a great solution to being out of wall space. Also saves the cost of framing. The class was taught by Sue Hillis and was a lot of fun.
Today, I picked up my framed stitching piece, Heirloom Stitching Sampler, designed by Victoria Sampler. I just love their patterns. They are so much fun to do. Reading their patterns takes patience, but usually they are not difficult. One thing that I love about them is that they are perfect for introducing a person to specialty stitching without being overwhelming. I wish that I could get a picture without the reflection of me in it, but don't know how to do that. I suppose leaving glass off would have worked for that, but I want it protected by the museum glass. Kelly Rippy, owner of The Counted Needle did an awesome job of framing it. Now I am faced with the dilemma of what to do next because I am out of wall space in my house.
I actually stitched The Toy Gatherer way back in 1995. I had Sue, the shopowner, who was located in the old Illinois Soldiers Sailors Home campus to frame it for me. When I got it back it was framed on the literal center, rather than taking into consideration the breakouts which would have given it a more centered appearance. When I got it home and unwrapped it, I was so disappointed to find out that the visual center method had not been used. But I didn't warn Sue about it in advance. After all, she was a professional, and I didn't feel I should be telling he how to do her job. When I had picked it up at the shop, she told me that she was retiring and the shop was for sale. She had cancer and would be having some heavy rounds of chemo. Anyway, even though it was off center, I hung it in a prominent place in my family room and every time I headed up the steps, I would say to myself, that really doesn't look right. What stopped me from getting it taken care of right then? I just felt bad that she had cancer and I also didn't know exactly where to take it at that time in Bloomington-Normal, IL to find someone who was really experienced at framing needlework and more definitively, allowing for breakouts. I have since heard that Sue actually passed away. Finally, 21 years later, I decided that I really needed to do something about it I had my friend Kelly Rippy, the owner of The Counted Needle in Bloomington, IL, re-frame it for me and she did a fabulous job. And yes, it took me another year to post it on my blog. My bad.
As far as I know, the pattern is still available. It was a wait for them to make the custom mat and a little pricey, but worth it.
I have also revised my thoughts about things. If you know that what you want might take a little extra treatment, for example, adjustments for breakouts, say so in advance. It might prevent disappointment. If the framer acts uncooperative, just find someone else. Also, another thing I do when getting all pictures and needlework framed is ask for hinged D-rings and a wire rather than a sawtooth treatment, regardless of the size. No one has refused to do this treatment for me and I really appreciate it. It makes it easier to keep the piece level.
