The only thing I like better than starting a new project is
finishing a project that has been lurking in the “started but not yet
completed” basket. Somehow,
someway, the project began with all good intentions, but somehow dropped its status in the queue. Usually, it is some minor detail that
holds the project up…Stitched but not framed, stitched but not bound off, started but
ran out of certain thread, started
but separated from threads somhow, buried in the stitching pile when some new
enthusiastic project came up or a gift for someone needed to be made and took priority.
Whatever the case, there is nothing
like a deadline to spur one on.
The little button tree below sat stitched yet incomplete for a couple of years. Meanwhile, we discovered
a jar of old buttons in an unopened box from my husband's Bob's mother (another Dorothy Widmann) that had been sitting for over 20
years since she passed away. Seeing that sweet old jar filled with mother of pearl buttons coincided with my
rebumping into the incomplete tree stitching . The collision of the two events was just enough for me to go to it, and 30 minutes later, the design was completed, yet still not quite finished. I was quite busy after
that with shop business and so it shuffled along with me in my tote bag waiting to stitch the
ends up to create a hanging.
Months later…the holidays rapidly approaching the incentive to have it up for this year and not miss the
holiday season was just enough to
nudge me to take the mere 30 minutes required to stitch up the ends and braid
linen for the hanger.
I love using
the linen banding which we have in the shop for projects such as this, as it does not require framing and makes for a
simple finishing (when you take the time to actually do it! ) We carry it in several widths and
in natural as well as white, and you can take any design and just center it within
the width of the bands. Some have
the border design woven into it but you can also get it plain with no design.
This was one of several projects I tucked into a zip case for traveling. We are in New Zealand right now, staying with our
friends Greg and Steph Buck.
Greg and Steph are apple growers and have a new apple they are developing called the
Premier Star.
http://www.premierstar.co.nz/
They just have passed certification in the United States, which enables the trees to be grown in the United States, so the fruit will be grown on domestic soil. Hopefully you will be seeing them soon in the States.
They are a bright and beautiful brilliant crisp lipstick red apple, and would be great if you asked for them at your local store as well as friend them on facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Premier-Star-Apple/136923413044862. They are fine folk and could use your support.
Why do I mention this? The final touch for my hanging was what I would use for a hanger... I thought it might be a good idea and a special touch to use a couple of their pruned apple tree trimmings for the hanger, and
so that is how I finished it off and it worked perfectly! I then unraveled some of the
excess linen that had been cut off when folding over the ends and braided it
for the hanger, and my project was completed at last! Hooray!
Finished in time to hang for Christmas!
Having packed my bag with several of these lingering
projects, I also have been able to
complete a nice holly wreath wool appliqué. Once again the looming deadline date of Decemebr 25 nudged me on to steadily work on it in
the midst of traveling. I had
already precut and ironed on the pieces from a Primitive Gathering s Kit at the
shop. I brought along Valdani
handyed pearl cotton in matching colors and only needed needles and scissors and
thread as everything had been started just not stitched.
It was an easy carry along with only a
few Valdani spools and the wool folded up in a little bag. A tidy travel project and now another
finished project to set out for holiday décor. I love the Valdani threads. The subtle variegation just make the final piece a little
more interesting with the varying color change. They seem to be slightly more fragile than DMC, but their
dusky tones are what set them apart.
These wool appliqué projects are easy stitching and with the leftovers I
am making a little wool apple appliqué ornament to give to our friends the
Bucks when we leave. Once I got started I was surprised that I was able to complete all the stitching in just a couple of days, so if you are looking for a quick holiday stitch, these kits are great.
Last, but not least, also in lieu of the impending holiday, is
a gift I had started months, maybe even one year, maybe even OVER a year
ago. I think somehow it just got shoved to
the bottom of the pile as I had only
done a couple of petals of the center flower. I think this is one where the threads got stuck somewhere
apart from the project and it was dead in the water. Anyway, threads and project were reunited and placed in my
project bag and I was back in
business. Once again, holiday close at hand
was just the extra push I needed to
get the needlepunch in gear.
This is another Primitive Gatherings project. It comes prepared with the design printed on the fabric. You simply supply the threads. Once again I chose Valdani, and this
time I chose the handdyed 3 strand balls which are PERFECT for punchneedle
embroidery as they just get threaded from one end. No cutting and rethreading with a color as you just use the
thread until you are done with that section. It is really convenient and smooth and I love the effect of
the hand dyed floss. We
carry these in sets or in individual balls.
They are little more expensive than using the standard DMC but the finished effect of these threads on you final finished project is worth the extra investment.
I do really like punch needle as it is
like coloring with thread.
It
doesn’t take as much focus and concentration as cross stitch, can be done while
visiting and being with company, and the effect of the punch needle finished
project is much like a miniature hooked rug.
All you need is a special gripping hoop, a needlepunch tool,
threads and your design, which we all carry in the shop.
You can design your own or there are
many already designed projects preprinted on the fabric.
It goes pretty fast also as does the
wool appliqué, so if you are looking for a quick hand made something, there is
still time with both these types of projects as they finish up
quickly (once you are actually working
on and finishing them!)
Sometimes they sit for quite a while in the unfinished basket and when I
finally get to them I am AMAZED at how quickly I am able to complete them, and
just how wonderful it feels when they are done.
This piece I will be putting into a mat and frame.
I guess sometimes I just need a little added incentive to put the pressure on and finish up some of these bottom of the pile projects and it
especially helps around the holidays. With just that little nudge, once I get going again, it is hard to stop, as I love the
stitching and I love seeing them finished. Both are so very satisfying.
Here’s hoping you are getting time for holiday crafts and
enjoying finishing up some projects that have been lingering in your project
baskets as well. The results are always worth the extra effort. Nothing like sitting and stitching, but also nothing like those great words... I finished my project!! and off it goes to a friend, on a wall, on a table...to it's final destination...
I love it.
All the best to you
with love
Net Loft Dotty
http://www.premierstar.co.nz/
