Tag: hobbies

Uncategorized

Teal-y Scroll-y

Christine

This is the fourth set of pillowcases I’ve embroidered. That means I’m halfway done with pillowcases as Christmas presents.

These are the Filigree Scroll Pillowcases from Dimensions.

The thread is from my vintage stash, DMC variegated 123, in a heavier weight than I usually use, the cotton perle #8.I have some amazingly beautiful variegated color embroidery floss (from what was my mom’s stash), and this design seemed to lend itself to a variegated thread. It was a little difficult trying to match the second side to the first side, so they would mirror each other. And then to match the second pillowcase to the first pillowcase. I got the hang of it by the time I was finishing up the second pillowcase, of course.

My friend Jessica was eyeing these up, so if I can get through a ninth set of pillowcases before Christmas, I won’t put this set in the basket, I’ll set them aside for her. There is also a matching dresser scarf, but I’m not going to buy that just yet. I’m not sure Jess uses dresser scarves.

Uncategorized

Pretty Blue Cornflower Pyramids

Christine


This is the third set of pillowcases I’ve embroidered for Christmas gifts.
They are the Blue Cornflower Pillowcases from Dimensions.

As usual, I did not follow the recommended colors, instead I used:
DMC blue 793
DMC yellow 676
DMC green… um, oops, I forgot to write that one down…

Uncategorized

Hydrangeas in Antique Colors

Christine

This is the second set of pillowcases I’ve embroidered. Hydrangeas, by Dimensions. Of course, I couldn’t use the colors recomended on the package, no siree. I had to choose my own, you know. Actually, now that they are done, I’m not sure hydrangea flowers really come in these colors, but they have that nice, soft, old fashioned feel that I wasn’t getting from the more, shall we say, vibrant colors on the package.

I used:
DMC pink 223
DMC purple 3740
DMC green 3364
DMC yellow 437

And, since there is a matching dresser scarf, you know I had to buy that for a future project. I guess I’d better keep a close eye on who selects which set of pillowcases from my basket this Christmas, so I know who to give the matching pieces to next year.

Uncategorized

Hearts and Flowers

Christine

I think I showed you this before, when it was still in progress. I’m so pleased with the way this design turned out. Now, I’m not usually a hearts and flowers kind of gal, but these are so pretty, I want to keep them for myself. For now, they will go into the stack for Christmas presents, but if I get enough other sets done, I have every intention of keeping this pair. Kit: Rose Hearts pillowcases from Dimensions.
Thread used: DMC variegated pink 99 and DMC variegated green 92.

Because the pillowcases turned out so well, I bought the Rose Hearts quilt blocks for a way in the future project.

Uncategorized

Granny Hobbies

Christine

Did I tell you? I’ve taken up embroidery. Now I can add this to my other granny hobbies: reading, gardening, genealogy… It’s no wonder my friend Marc calls me Tupperware-Party-fun.

How can you resist all those fabulous colors of thread?

I’m pretty pleased with my first project, a towel for Lewis’ guest bathroom. I matched the thread to the towels exactly. Unfortunately, when I finished I tossed it in with a delicate load of wash. With something red. Oops. So I’ve just kept washing it, in nearly every load since, and now the pink has almost completely faded.

This was my next project. It is a baby bunny, from the book Doodle Stitching by Aimee Ray. I’m not overly impressed with my stitches, but I’ve got to keep in mind that I’m still learning the basic stitches. It might help if I would iron these things.

Then I picked up this little cross stitch project, which is meant to be framed. I’ll get around to framing it someday. It is also for Lewis. I have to tell you, I’m really good at the cross and half-cross stitch now, but I don’t think I’ll be doing another one of these for a long time. I just don’t have the patience. I wanted it to be finished before I was even halfway through. I’m gonna blame some of that on the label on the package claiming this was a weekend project. They just didn’t say how many weekends!

Now, I’m working on a set of pillowcases. I think I’m going to keep these for myself, because I’m learning the lazy-daisy and stem stitch here. It isn’t looking too bad so far. The pillowcases are actually white, I just couldn’t get a better shot with my camera. I think it needs fresh batteries. The finished project should look something like this, only I’ve used variegated color thread.