Feb 7, 2012

Sew A Mystery

What do you get when you combine this:


and these?

A well deserved HAPPY DANCE is what!

I took part in a mystery SAL last year. It was my first SAL, and Carol at iStitch did a wonderful job designing and monitoring the projects.

My project was fraught with high drama (I might be slightly exaggerating...). As I’ve said in previous posts, I had misgivings about the variegated floss color I chose. Even so, I forged forward and finished the stitching.

For the past couple months, I’ve been trying to finish-finish it. Finding a coordinating fabric that I could tolerate liked was interesting to say the least. JoAnn Fabrics doesn’t offer much of a variety in the way of small print fabrics.

Next, I started out staining the box a nice maple color. The cheap @ss cute little box wouldn’t stain evenly no matter what I tried. Finally, I decided to paint it Expresso ~ the same color I used on the frame for my LK ABC Lessons. Ahhhh... mucho better!

Then, I sewed together the pin pillow. I inadvertently stitched it on a piece of linen slightly smaller than I should have. When I “installed” it into the box, there were gaping trenches around the entire thing. Gawd! What to do, what to do? Cover it up, that’s what! Cover it up, I did.

As an afterthought, I went back to Carol’s tutorial that she so graciously put together. Ack! She said not to overstuff the pillow. Guess what I did? Yep, I overstuffed. Since I’d already glued the thing in the box, there was nothing to be done to resolve the case of the chubby pillow.

I’m glad I stuck with this project because I really do like how it turned out. Behold...

Designer: Carol at iStitch
Fabric: 22ct Zweigert Linen
Fiber: Anchor 1315
Embellishments: Ribbon Trim

Despite the trials and tribulations, an awesome finish emerged!

Until next time,

74 comments:

Chris said...

Beautiful finish Meari!!

OctoberLace said...

What a lovely project! Theresa

lesli said...

Absolutely gorgeous!!

Anonymous said...

OH Meari- What a very lovely finish !

Joan

Vicky L said...

Oh wow! Your box finish is very breath taking. You are very talented.

Emily in NC said...

It is really nice, like the idea of putting it on a box, that will be another new technique that I will have to learn.

*-* said...

WOW! No wonder you are happy dancing Meari. What a beautiful piece.
K.

gypsymagic said...

that came out beautiful! nice job!

Anonymous said...

That box is SUPER awesome! Good job!

Tina

Faith... said...

Wow that is beautiful Meari!

Anonymous said...

Nice job Meari and I love the color!

Debbie

Nancy in IL said...

OMG, Meari!!! It turned out beautifully! I Love, Love, Love the variegated thread you used despite your misgivings, and the paint on your box is the perfect background for it! The cheap @@s thing, LOL!

Berly said...

It's beautiful!

Ranae said...

ohh!! I like
It looks perfect to me

Pam in IL said...

WOW! That really turned out great! The dark colored wood is really nice with the variegated floss on that linen and the print fabric. I can't tell you had any problems with the finishing.

How long did it take to put that all together and where did you find the box?

Carolyn NC said...

What a wonderful job - it's beautiful!

Anonymous said...

You did a great job and love the way you finished it.

Marl

Anonymous said...

The box looks great finished, Meari. It's a well-deserved happy dance!

Sandy in NM

Cindy L said...

Fantastic finish. Love the fabric you chose to finish it with. Everything looks like it belongs together and was made to go together!
You amaze me with your finishes =)

Deborah said...

I love the piece. The floss you chose was perfect. The finishing of the box is beautiful.

Mary Ivancicts said...

Beautiful Work!!! Looks perfect!

CJ in OK ;-) said...

Love your finish Meari. Hard work is most often rewarded. CJ in OK ;-)

Kathy A. said...

Absolutely beautiful finish. Congratulations on such a wonderful box.

Cleejoow said...

great finish! really pretty finish!

Mouse said...

yeahhhhhhh you did it ... it looks fantastic girl .... love the fabric you found and the colour of the box is just perfect :)
sooo are you going to do another one ???? love mouse xxxxx

Denise SA said...

All I can say is beautiful.

cucki said...

aww it is so beautiful xxx

Wolfie said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I wish I could get you to help me with perfecting my finishes...I don't know how you do it. Keep up your wonderful work:)

Linda J. said...

That is beautiful ! You did a fantastic job on it ! hugs..Linda J.

Bette said...

That's a lovely project!

Anonymous said...

Meari - a wonderful SAL - love the finished box!

Tara

connie said...

nice job Meari..very pretty

Anonymous said...

Your stick-to-itiveness sure paid off. You now have a great box to hold all your stitching goodies!

Tobie in So. Cal.

Anonymous said...

Your finish is gorgeous!!!! It would make a great gift.
Betty in AZ (ILCS)

Terri said...

It's gorgeous, Meari! Where did you get the box and supplies? You did a wonderful job!!

Kay said...

Meari, that turned out so wonderful. Very beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful work Meari!

Karin in CA

Patricia Cecilia said...

That's quite lovely and useful too--congratulations! Whenever I read your blog, I think of the unofficial Marine motto: Improvise, Adapt, Overcome!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on a gorgeous finish.

Dottie K

Anne said...

It's gorgeous!! Love that you used the dark brown espresso!! It's perfect! The chubby pillow is cute :D

Anonymous said...

WOW Meari, what a stunning finish.

Hugs
Louise

Katie said...

Gorgeous! The paint job looks perfect.

Anonymous said...

You are right, it turned out awesome! I love it!

Chris G

Scooty said...

Really cool! Now you can host one for those of us 'untalented' stitchers who would love to have one too! It came out really pretty - well done! Judi in Phx

Anonymous said...

Oh that turned out wonderfully Meari!! I love it!!!

Happy Trails,
Pam K. :o)

Carol R said...

Beautiful finish Meari!

Anonymous said...

Meari

Congrats on the major finish!! It looks absolutely beautiful.

Annette

Gillie said...

Such drama, you poor thing, but oh so worth it! And drat it, meant to find a box for mine while I was in the States. Deep sigh. Lovely finish, Meari!

Elena said...

It turned out gorgeous! You did a wonderful job on the finish & stitching.

GoatFarmer's Wife said...

I think you did a great job. If you decide to give it as a gift the new owner will be wowed. If not, it is a prized treasure.

Elena said...

It is gorgeous!!!!! You did a wonderful job on the finish & the stitching.

Anonymous said...

Meari, your needlework box turned out lovely. I like the espresso color, really sets off the floss color. Very smart! Thanks for sharing.

Shirley / KS

Chiloe said...

Amazing ! Congrats !!! :)

Blu said...

What an incredible finish. You've done such a fantastic job with it.

I keep meaning to mention but I always forget: your signature pictures are just gorgeous.

Mary said...

Wow, that came out super awesome!


Happy Valentine's Day.

We made cards at the teen/tween craft hour today. The cards you received are soooo creative. More ideas for when we do card making again.

Anonymous said...

Nice job! Congratulations on the finish :)

glenda

Anonymous said...

It turned out really well and if you hadn't said how much trouble it was, no one would know. that's a very useful way to finish a project.

Cheryl

Carol said...

What a gorgeous finish, Meari--I just love every thing about it! I'm sure it took a lot of time, but it was well worth the effort :)

Katrien said...

and awesome it really is, congrats!

EvalinaMaria said...

You are one amazing woman! Your box looks wonderful, congratulations on a great finish!

Anonymous said...

It looks wonderful, Meari. You must have a lot of patience to overcome all those problems. Maybe I should get inspired to sort out three little boxes I bought at a $ store in Montreal a while back. Now, where did I put the woodstain... .?

Jenny from Derby, UK

Unknown said...

Absolutely fabulous, well done!

Anonymous said...

I love, love, love that little box. What a crafty person you are. Th unfinished wood isle in Michael’s never held much interest for me, but I may have to take a stroll thru there tonight when I go pick up some yarn. And here we go – another project. It is really lovely.

Alicia

Rachel S-H said...

Beautiful! You did a great job on that!

Nancy M said...

It's a beautiful finish despite the trials of making it. I'm sure you learned a lot of new things Not to do....on the next one! LOL Those boxes are so cheap aren't they?? But it doesn't look like it when you are done.

Shelleen said...

That's a gorgeous finish.

Anonymous said...

Very pretty, Meari! You're always so creatively crafty! I love it!

Betty W

Anonymous said...

Glad it is finished and you are dancin' for joy. :) Keep dancin'

CC

Anne Sans Tete said...

I really like that floss color! The entire project looks fabulous!!!

- Lisa N. in Cambodia

Anonymous said...

Meari

I love your Mystery box , looks gorgeous , so lovely work


You made great work with your ribbon too

Tinna

Sarah said...

Meari your finish is absolutely gorgeous!

Shelley said...

Absolutely stunning!!
So how much are you going to charge to make these for your dearest friends...?

too_busy_to_stitch said...

What a beautiful box!

glenda said...

Wow! just...WOW!

the stitching turned out beautifully.