Fun With Finishing

Hi Everyone!

I didn't get much model stitching done this weekend because I spent some time organizing and then pulled out my sewing machine.  Despite the fact that I've been stitching for almost 30 years, I have not had good experiences with my machine and last time I saw it was when I shoved it into the box about... oh... almost six years ago? :)  I figured now was as good a time as any to try it again. 

With some help from one of my sisters via "Face Time" on an ipod, I was able to get past the fear of threading the machine correctly, and practiced on a few pieces of scrap material.  Then I took a deep breath... and came up with the first small ornament seen below.  I was very nervous-- all I kept thinking was that I spent time stitching it up and one false move with the machine and I'd have to toss it into the trash.  "Bloom" by Lizzie*Kate which is a quick freebie still up on their site today if you want to grab it for yourself.  I used a small butterfly charm I'd recently purchased since I didn't have one of the Lizzie*Kate's on hand.

Here's the back view.  I give myself an A- on this one -- next time I'll make sure to use a ladder stitch to keep the bottom seam neater (check bottom left on this photo) so you won't be able to tell where I put the stuffing in at the end.

Then I pulled out that same design in a different color and made this tuck pillow style wall hanging with "Away In A Manger" from Lizzie*Kate as well.  I also give myself an A- on this one since the top right is a little crooked.  I need to keep that in mind and make sure to keep the machine sewing straight.  So much to keep an eye on at one time vs. just my needle and making sure I don't stab myself! ;)

 

Like I said, not perfect, but definitely a good learning experience and branching out of my comfort zone which is always good.  And anyway, practice makes perfect, right?  I'll keep you updated on my progress and would love it if you would to the same also! 

I have to clean up the sewing area aka the kitchen table and then try to get some progress done on the model piece so I'm going to sign off for now.  Have a great week and keep your eye out for a giveaway to start on Friday -- remember to just keep stitching! ~Nicole

Old Favorites

If you're like me, you give away a lot of what you stitch or craft over the course of the year.  I also used to do several craft shows in the area and I'd feverishly stitch, stitch, stitch each summer night to make ornaments and other items for when the Fall/Winter fairs rolled around.  Each year though, there would be something that would catch my eye or someone else's in the house so we couldn't part with and it made it onto the family Christmas tree.  Below is a photo of some of those which I yanked off our tree this morning to take this photo and then had to remember where I pulled them off from...and it's early and I don't have coffee in my system yet... :)

The mini pillows are on 14 ct. aida and are stuffed with fiberfill and sewn around edges--on the reindeer I used running stitch and the "sisters" as I like to call them was done with full cross stitches around the edges.  It takes a little longer and you just have to make sure you line up the holes each time the needle goes in and out to keep it straight.  It helps if you start off with the front and the back being the same size fabric.  Then you just pull out the threads in one direction only up to where the stitching border is to make fringe. Those are at least 10 years old and I believe I got the designs from an Alma Lynne book (anyone know?).

The Noel heart was done using a basic baking soda dough and baking them like sugar cookies, then painted with various acrylic paints and sprayed with a clear acrylic to seal it.  This one is from 1994 and has held up really well.  I made a TON of those for various craft fairs that year and wanted to make sure I kept at least one for myself since at the end I think I was seeing them in my sleep I'd done so many!  The recipe for these can be found here:  http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Craft-Dough-For-Ornaments-Recipezaar if you'd like to make some of your own.  (One tip: although they're very easy, you want to remember two things.  1: make sure to make them a little on the thick side so when they air dry they dont crack and break and 2: make sure they're completely dry and free of any moisture on the inside before you paint them.

The cinnamon heart is also along the same lines as the baking soda ones and whipped up really quick.  The finishing is just the tip of a toothpick or a pen to score the lines before baking and then a glued a simple bow on the top.  I have a daughter who is allergic to cinnamon so I won't be making these until she heads off to college but you can find the recipe here:  http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Other/Cinnamon-Ornaments.aspx if you'd like to take a stab at it.

Feel free to comment with any ideas for ornaments you've used through the years that are part of your family's Christmas traditions!

Speaking of college, Katie has a vocal audition at a music college later this morning so I need to sign of for now---have a great Saturday everyone!  ~Nicole