Search This Blog

Friday, September 28, 2007

Quaker Alphabet Exchange pictures

Well, as I promised, this is the Quaker Alphabet exchange that I made for Amy (Amy Stitches). I pinched the photos from her blog... I hope she doesn't mind cause the camera is fritzing.

I used the Simple Harvest Alphabet from Blackbird Designs, Needle & Thread. I stitched this side over one thread on 32 ct. Lugana with Vicki Clayton's Garnet silk.



On this side, I stitched an Ackworth Urn pattern from Ackworth Pattern Book by Jacqueline Holdsworth over 2 threads with one strand of silk.

The tassles are made with the silk too. I hate to make tassles, or should I say, I hate ATTACHING the tassles to the piece because they just look messy. If anyone has tips on stitching the tassles on invisibly and close to the little pillow, please let me know.

I love stitching for exchanges but I really obsess over the finishing. I have a finishing phobia because I see all the beautiful pieces you make and I don't feel my skills are on par.

Silly, I know.

Amy likes the little pillow, she sent me the nicest note too! So, that's fab! ENJOY!

Cari also made me the bestest scissor fob for this exchange. The fob is stitched over one on the teeniest count of fabric with the coolest overdyed thread in a luscious Autumn color. I put it under my magnifier and I thought to myself, I wouldn't be able to stitch this over 2 on this fabric, let alone full cross stitches over one. I LOVE IT and I've been using it with the prettiest autumn colored Gingher scissors that she included. Plus, she sent me a book thong with a little horse charm....too cool! It's holding my place in my bible.

I apologize to her because I have not posted a picture of it. Partially because I haven't had a chance to breath, I am working so many hours recently because of a big Customer audit in a few weeks and by the time I get home, there is no light to take decent pictures. And the point and shoot digital camera has decided to fritz out when it feels like it, intermittently.

And news! I sent my love, John Foster, to the framers...woo! I can't wait to get him home! I know I shouldn't have indulged but he is so lovely (swoon) that he doesn't deserve to be tucked in a drawer until we have a blue moon, the cow's come home or hell freezes over, in that order. (Is anyone else out there so in love with a design that it makes your heart just sing? Or am I the only weirdo stitcher on the planet....)

The Cadet just came home too, so we are off to dinner at Uno's.

Thanks for hanging in there with me and thanks for stopping by!

10 comments:

Katrina said...

What a gorgeous exchange. And I love how you did the tassels, I've never seen them done like that.

Von said...

Oh, Joanie, I'm right there with you going crazy with the finishing phobia! Looks great tho! :)

Enjoy your time with the Cadet!

samplerlover said...

Joanie, your tassels look great. I have the same phobia when I do something for someone else. Have a lovely time while the cadet is at home.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I think it is gorgeous :) I'm jealous that Amy has such a pretty wee pillow...LOVELY!

Jeanne said...

Very cute Joanie and your finishing looks darn good to me! I too hate attaching tassels because I never know if I'm doing it "right" or not. I hope someone answers with some tips on that. :)

Sherry said...

This is wonderful and I love your tassels!

Mindi said...

I have a finishing phobia too! Every so often I get brave enough to try something, and then I get over the phobia for that particular type of finishing.

Your exchange was fabulous, and the tassles look wonderful.

Aussie Stitcher said...

You did a great job with the finishing, and the tassels look great also. The only finishing I have ever attempted is a pillow. I have to get rid of my phobia or else all of my finishes will just hang out together in a container some where.

Casa Pearl said...

Looks great Joanie! I like how you did those tassles.

Anne S said...

Hi Joanie - I just noticed a request by one of the commenters on the Focus on Finishing blog that they'd love to see a tutorial on how to make these scrummy tassels of yours. Just wondering if it would be possible for you to do a tutorial for us? If not, that's no biggie :) There would be issue with a timeframe - just basically any time during 2008 would be great ;) Thanks heaps for considering it. Anne S