2017 Recap - Stitchy Finishes

Sometimes I surprise myself.  With as busy as I was in 2017, I still managed to create ELEVEN finishes.  I know, I know... it's not many, but pretty good considering I don't have a lot of time to stitch.  The job... need I say more?!

Revised:  I realized I'd forgotten one finish. So, I actually had 12 finishes!

Without further adieu, my 11 12 finishes:

FINISH #1:
At the beginning of the year, I participated in the Stitchers Day Exchange with Yahoo group Friendly Stitchers.  I really enjoy this exchange since the theme celebrates STITCHERS!

Stitchers Sampler

Designer: Neustras Miniaturas

Fabric: 28ct linen

Fibers: GAST Burlap Nap Sack

Embellishments: Lace weaved with DMC

There was some controversy surrounding the design and designer when I posted my finish on Facebook.  If you're interested in reading more about it, go HERE.

FINISH #2:

In a mailart group (both on Yahoo and Facebook), I coordinated a Spring themed mail art exchange.  This is another exchange I enjoy doing.  I try to do at least one if not more stitched mailart exchanges each year.

Front Designs:

Balades et Brodies and May Mini Cat

Back Designs:  Spring by Lizzie Kate

More details on this particular exchange can be seen HERE.  If you're interested in how to make a mailart envelope, just look on the left side bar under tutorials.

FINISH #3:

In 2016, I participated in the 12 Days of Christmas exchange coordinated in the Stitchers Circle Yahoo group.  I was ecstatic when I received not one, but two kits in the Victorian Pansies series (I stitched the needlebook and scissor keep in 2007 and 2008).

Victorian Pansies Bookmark by Textile Heritage

FINISH #4:

Even though I don't have many, I do love stitching Patriotic pieces.  I've had this design (now OOP) and the frame for quite a few years.  I finally told myself to "stitch it!"

Design:  Flag 1998

Designer: Bent Creek

Fabric:  28ct Blue Gray Linen

Fibers:  DMC, WDW, GAST

The frame is what was called for in the leaflet.

FINISH #5:

As I mentioned in Finish #3, I received two kits.  This one finishes up the series of four kits in the Victorian Pansies series.  All of them turned out so pretty!

Victorian Pansies Sachet by Textile Heritage

Here they are... all four together:

Aren't they gorgeous?!!

FINISH #6:

No matter how tough, frenzied, or stressful life gets, I always think about how it could be worse.  So, this is a very apt design.  While visiting my "other mom", she was stitching this design.  She gave it to me to stitch.  I switched up the colors.

Design: Abundantly Blessed

Designer: The Trilogy

Fabric: 14ct Brown Aida

Fibers:  DMC and Carries Creations

Remember, whether you think so or not... You really are Abundantly Blessed!

FINISH #7:

Toward the end of the year brings Christmas ornament exchanges.  This one was sent off to a fellow stitcher, Marina who lives in Canada.

Design: Let It Snow

Designer: Casey Buonaugurio

Fabric: 28ct White Cashel Linen

Fibers: DMC

I had envisioned a snowflake finish, so I went in search of something I could use to finish this adorable snowman.  I found a bunch of wood snowflake ornaments at Michaels, and had the mitten button in my stash.  I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but each time I make an ornament for an exchange, I want to keep it for myself!  Marina sent me the sweetest email after receiving it. It warms my heart that she liked it so much.

FINISH #8:

This was supposed to be an ornament (for an exchange) also, but after stitching it, I realized it was too big for an ornament.  What's a girl to do?  I decided to make it into a pillow!

Design: Love and Dreams

Designer: Jan Fate of Angel Stitchin

Fabric: 28ct Linen

Fibers: Carries Creations, GAST

I changed up the colors on this design to suit the tastes of the recipient.  When I saw the fabric, I knew it was perfect for this design.

FINISH #9:

I'm not really one for Halloween designs, but once in a while one will catch my eye.  I finished stitching this one at the Hoosier Retreat which is held in Indiana each year.

Design: Full Moon

Designer: The Drawn Thread

Fabric: 32ct Linen

Fibers: DMC, GAST, WDW

The box is from Cottage Garden.

The tricky part about finishing this piece to fit it in the treasure box was learning the nun stitch and doing it in a circle shape.  It's not exactly perfect, but no one can tell once it's in the box.  The box is well made and I really liked how the entire project turned out.

If you're looking to use a treasure box like this, I recommend shopping around.  I wrote about my experience HERE.

FINISH #10:

As a Christmas gift, I stitched another "ornament" that turned out to be too large.  Again, I made a pillow.  One thing I've learned is that aida works great (compared to linen--I may need heavier interfacing) for this type of finish.

Design: Outside My Window

Designer: Diane Graebner of Lynn's Prints

Fabric: 14ct Baby Blue Aida

Fibers: DMC

Embellishments: Rice Beads and Handmade Cording

This design is from 2005 JCS Christmas Ornament Issue.  One thing to note is that some of the called for embellishments/beads may be difficult to find many, many years later.  I substituted the rice beads because I couldn't find the ones called for by the designer.  The smallest package of rice beads I could find was 4,000.  As you can see, I only needed 8!  Anyone need rice beads?

FINISH #11:

When I saw this design, I thought it would make a wonderful Christmas gift.

However, I didn't care for the color choices of the designer and wanted to make them more to the recipient's liking.  I changed the colors and simplified design to this:

Design: Family Matters

Designer: Hinzeit

Fabric: 28ct Silkweaver Solo Jobelan

Fibers: DMC, WDW, GAST

I started and finished stitching this at the Hoosier Retreat I mentioned earlier.  It was a fun stitch.  I found the frame at a thrift store.  Originally, it was gold and I painted it a gloss white then cut a blue mat to coordinate.  The recipient really liked it.

FINISH #12:

While spending Christmas in Virginia, I started and finished this adorable snowglobe.  It's from the 2017 Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue.

 

Design: Snow Much Fun at the Northpole

Designer: Frosted Pumpkin Sttichery

Fabric: 28ct Sky Blue Linen

Fibers: DMC

The fabric looks gray in the photo, but really it's a light blue. That little penguin is so adorable!!

WIP's:

I'm seeing light at the end of the tunnel for Japanese Garden!  I went to a stitching get-together in September where I put in a few more stitches.  Yes, it's really true... I have proof...

Not only that, I've stitched on it a bit after that day.  Here's what JG looked like at the beginning of 2017:

By the end of 2017, I had to move JG up on the scroll rods.  Here's what it looks like now:

Who knows... Maybe by the end of 2018, I'll be ready to start putting beads on it!

The other project I've been working on is called Swallows by Maia.  Another stitcher asked me to finish it for her.  When I received it in July, it looked like this:

I didn't work on it as much as I'd liked to (Sorry, Debby!), but did make some progress.  Here's what it looked like at the end of 2017:

 

The backstitching makes such a difference!  I think the flowers are so pretty with the vines.

Hopefully, 2018 will allow me to have more stitchy sessions.

Until next time...