Monday, December 13, 2010

A Productive Snow Day

Hello Friends,

School was cancelled today due to the weather so I've been finishing a few stitchy projects.

I finally decided to pull out my sewing machine and try a pillow finish.  I love seeing everyone's pillows but had never stitched a piece that I wanted to finish as a pillow. 

I stitched Parson Brown over 1 and it was still too big for an ornament so I decided this was a good piece to try as a pillow.


I loved Parson Brown the moment I laid eyes on the chart.  When I got him home he went right to the top of my "waiting to be stitched" list. 

The instructions called for severe tea staining of the finished piece.  I've tea stained fabric before but have never stitched a piece and then tea stained it.  I was so nervous thinking I wouldn't like it after I stained it and all that time stitching would be wasted. 
Well....here he is and I think he turned out OK.  I still need to find a ribbon or something to go around the pillow but I'm delighted with my first pillow.
The finishing fabric I used was from my friend Faye.  She sent this fabric to me as part of a giveaway I won on her blog. 

Parson Brown
By: Notforgotten Farm
Stitched over 1 on 28 ct white lugana with
suggested threads

Here is Parson before I tea stained the piece.


Here is a little ornament I stitched yesterday. 
This little one is staying here to hang on my tree.

Vonna's finishing inspired me to try to create something similar.  Vonna finished the ornament showcased in the JCS 2010 ornament issue.  I knew I would have to stitch it as soon as I saw the magazine.
Merry And Bright
Country Cottage Needleworks
JCS Ornament Issue 2010
Stitched on 14 ct pink aida using suggested threads

 
Thank you for stopping by to spend a part of your day with me.  I hope you are staying warm today.  It is currently 16 degrees here and there is about 5" of blowing snow.  I think I will go see if I can clear off a spot for my doggy.  He so short that he can't get any "ground clearance". 

Keep on stitchin' on,
Nan

15 comments:

Lesleyanne said...

Both of your finishing are stunning.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Oh, I love Parson Brown too :) I always have since I saw the design...but heaven's to mercy I don't have time to stitch every thing I like...let alone love!! :(

Your ornament is perfect too! We're NOT out of school today, but hey - we will be for 2 whole weeks in 4 days! Have a great week!

Erin said...

I really like Parson Brown tea stained and all. Enjoy your snow day ;)

CalamityJr said...

Your finishes are both great. I haven't seen Parson Brown before, but of course now I want him, too, haha. I had to work this morning but the afternoon was canceled, so here I am! My husband also had to clear an area for man's best friend - what we don't do for these four-legged buddies!

* said...

Nice work, as always.

Karen said...

love that pillow girl! i can see a pretty sheer red ribbon around it. :) and the ornie is really cute too! I have finished a couple for others and now need to stitch it for myself too. sending you some warm weather!!!

Patty C. said...

Your finish turned out beautifully :)

Deborah said...

Both finishes are beautiful!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Oh, wow! It turned out great - see the tea did wonders! And the pink one is adorable, too! It's 16 here now - at 6:30 am. No white stuff, yet. Stay warm!

Nan ~ Threadwork Primitives said...

Hey, thanks for visiting my blog and for your comment. Never met anyone with the same name as mine. Is yours short for Nannette too? Anyway, love your Parson Brown finish. The staining is super and it looks so prim. Great job.
~Nan

Carol said...

Parson Brown is just delightful, Nan! I hadn't seen that one before--the tea-dyeing gives it the perfect look!

Carin said...

Parson Brown is just beautiful and I love how you finished it into a pillow !! Your Merry and Bright also looks very pretty !

Sandy In Montana said...

What a great finish, Nan. It turned out beautifully.

Take Care & Happy Stitchin'
Hugs, Sandy

Fiona said...

I really like Parson Brown after he was tea stained and your pillow turned out great. Your ornament is really pretty and seeing these finishes kind of makes me want to stitch some ornaments so that I get instant gratification. I usually stitch large projects.

FionaScot

Daffycat said...

What an excellent finish, Nan! I really love how the tea-staining turned out. I can only imagine how scary that was!