Feb 20, 2012

Marvelous Monday Update 2/20/2011

GIVEAWAY
Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe is hosting another giveaway! Click on over to see what it's all about.

STITCHY STUFF
Coming up with the perfect frame is a fun challenge! I scour thrift shops searching for the right size and "look". More often than not, the frames I find are solid wood and can be refinished to look gorgeous! Remember the frame for ABC Lessons?

I saw this frame and had an inkling it would be perfect for Purple Garden. If you look close, you can still see traces of the gold finish. I didn't work too hard to get it all off since it will be primed anyway.

Now comes the fun part! I've decided PG will hang in my bedroom since it won't fit into the decor of my living room. A trip to (where else?) Menards yielded a purchase of Aubergine paint that matches one of the two purple colors on my comforter. I painted this frame with the Aubergine (for another project).

Or, I could use the Expresso paint like I did for ABC Lessons:

Aubergine... Expresso... Aubergine... Expresso. Which shall it be?

The is stitching done for Blossom Splendor. Woo Hoo!! I was diligently working the Kreinik pattern on the obi when guess what?!? I used the entire spool. I ran out of Kreinik!! Wahhhhh. Here's a close up of the "shinies":

The photos don't do the embellishments justice,
but they're clickable for a larger view.


STITCHY GADGETS


For beading of Blossom Splendor, I used the bead nabber. I like that it holds 5-10 beads on my finger tip while I have my threaded needle in my other hand.


A while back, Rachel from What Looks Like Crazy posted about how JoAnn Fabrics resurected "Jammers" cases from yesteryear. It seems JoAnn's is already sold out on them. While I was shopping at Hobby Lobby this past weekend, look what I found:

Creative Options
Double-Sided Thread Organizer
by Plano Molding Co

They are exactly the same ones sold by Walmart years ago for less than $6. I know, because I've been storing my DMC in them.

The price is considerably higher now at $12.99. Back then, they were used to store 1/24 scale Matchbox/Hot Wheels cars and found in the toy department. Now they're purported to be used to store spools of sewing thread and found in the sewing department. With the HL 40% off coupon they're much more reasonable.

You can also find them at:
Hobby Lobby Online
Walmart Online
Connecting Threads
Plumbers Surplus

31 comments:

cucki said...

Wow such a sweet finish,, it is looking so lovely..I love it so much,,
Have a lovely day xxx

Berly said...

I think I like the Expresso frame better. Great find at HL!

Denise SA said...

Dear Meari Blossom splendor looks so good in the photos I expect she is even better in real life.

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see what color frame you choose for your Purple Garden. Blossom is gorgeous. Great find with the "Jammer" case. Haven't seen that in the stores here. Will have to take a look. I like to use a tacky bob when I bead. It holds a lot of beads & I don't have to worry about the beads rolling all over the place.
Betty in AZ (ILCS)

Emily in NC said...

Congrats on finishing Blossom, can't wait to see what you do with her. I'm going for the Aubergine for PG. Thanks for the info on the thread organizer, I may have to get one.

OctoberLace said...

Lovely finish, and I looke forward to seeing your framing finished. On the double-sided case, how many bobbins does it hold? It would seem that this is great for holding a large collection of bobbins rather than a set for a single project. Theresa

Katie said...

I personally like the Aubergine but either one is beautiful. Congrats on the almost finished Blossom Splendor. It's beautiful indeed. That Kreinik is a pain to work with but gorgeous once in.

Leave it to the stores to figure out we liked the Jammers and bring them back but more expensive haha. I have 3 right now. I found one at a garage sale and grabbed it right away for $4.

Sarah said...

Love the aubergine frame (although the other is lovely too). Interesting stitchy gadgets!

Christina G said...

Your stitching is just DIVINE!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Meari! Blossom Spendor is simply gorgeous!!! I love your up close pictures! Hope you get your Krienik soon so you can finish her! Can't wait to see the whole thing finished!!!

Happy Trails,
Pam K. :o)

Anonymous said...

I like the expresso color. Great job on your finish.

Marl

Shelley said...

I love the Aubergine!! I think it PG will look gorgeous no matter which color you choose though.

Ran out of Krienik. I don't think I have ever used a full spool yet, lol!! BS is beautiful :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful work! Love that Bead nabber. I want one!

Lynette

Kay said...

I like the bead nabber, I will have to look into that. Your stitching is so beautiful!

Mylene said...

Such a lovely finish, Meari!!

Anonymous said...

Everything looks great, Meari! I like the Espresso for Purple Garden. :)

Karin in CA

Vickie said...

Beautiful finish! Blossom splendor looks wonderful!

Patty C. said...

Your frame looks great ;)

Anonymous said...

Meari

I love your Purple Garden. It looks gorgeous in those frames, great work.

Cant wait to see your " Geishas " finished picture
It looks lovely

Tinna

MaryT said...

Meari love the frames and your stitching. I am going to check out the thread organiser I need something that is more compact.

Mary Louise in IN

Carol said...

As amazing as Blossom Splendor looks now, I can't even imagine how she'll look all beaded up, Meari--what an incredible finish!!

Love either frame--guess I like the Aubergine just because I like the sound of that word :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on finishing Blossom Splendor, Meari! She is gorgeous, and the Kreinik and sparklies were worth it.

Happy stitching and God bless--
Patricia Cecilia (aka Dr. P in NC)

Deb said...

Blossom Splendor is absolutely gorgeous!!! I also love your Purple Garden finish....and I like the aubergine frame. I bought one of those Creative Option boxes this past Thursday - love it!!

Lynette said...

Personally, I like th aubergine frame best but either will look great I'm sure. Can't wait to see your finished geisha!
Love the thread box - I haven't seen anything like it here in the UK.

Anonymous said...

Purple Garden is beautiful, and will look wonderful framed up. Thanks for the reminder that frames can be bought for cheap and turned into something different for projects. I'll have to remember that when I'm ready to frame some of my pieces.


Sandy in NM

Nancy M said...

Way to go on Splendor! Anything with Kreiniks and such NEVER photograph well. They always look so much better in real life. I love the purple frame.I guess we'll find out next update.I've been repainting several things in my craft room to coordinate!What's up with the 2 word verification?? ugh

Vicky L said...

Blossom looks so pretty. I love to see Aubergine for the frame. It will look great. Thank you for the link for the Jammers. I will be buying a couple in a couple weeks.

Veronica said...

Ow... Don't you just hate it when you run out of threads. Especially when you're on the brink on a finish too. Hope you get them soon. The bead nabber sounds like an interesting device. Me, I've been using Tacky Bob while beading for some time now. I'm so glad you found the thread organizer box. I'm guessing a whole set of DMCs fit into it?

Hugs,
Veronica.

too_busy_to_stitch said...

Amazing detail - oh, I really dislike working with Kreinik though - have avoided it now for years!

Mary said...

I've been reading your blog posts via Google Reader and haven't had time to post a comment... Wow, I have missed your blog template change.. I love it. :)

Where did you get your bead catcher? I am not yet at the point in my various UFO/WIP's that I am ready to add the beads but it looks really useful. How long does it stay sticky?

I love Purple Garden. I like the darker color for the frame. At least online it really makes the piece pop out more.

Great job on Blossom Splendor.

I hope to post to my blog soon. Hopefully sooner than later.

Hugs!
Mary

glenda said...

I vote for the auber..aubor..aubur...damn it..the red!

BS is stunning.