Back from Finisher

Good things come to those who wait or something like that. Today I received the finished White Santa stand-up and a Herringbone Eyeglasses case in the mail.  I must admit that sending items off to another state for finishing incited anxiety a few times, but in the end I am delighted I did so.

Marlene's Custom Pillows in San Francisco did a beautiful job on both pieces, used quality materials, were reasonably priced and finished both pieces professionally. Very happy. Even the back side of the stand-up is lovely. For more information on stitches and threads used on White Santa, click here.

Next, another beautiful job on the eyeglasses case. This was the second of these that I stitched from a class I took (way back in 2009) at my local needlepoint chapter. It was laying around waiting to be finished (the first one I finished myself, click here) and I finally admitted that something needed to be done - action should be taken. So off to Marlene's. I totally think it was worth sending out. Again, very pleased.

I've been moving full speed ahead on Christmas Flowers and really have to push as Christmas finishing deadlines are fast approaching! This weekend I'm hosting, "Stitching with my Peeps IV" and have been getting ready for that too and working on the raccoon and the pilot class piece and beginning the season of art fairs and festivals. More on all this in a few. Thank you for stopping by today, hope you have time to come back soon.

On Monday night....

...at my local ANG Chapter meeting, I learned a fabulously fun way to stitch up an eyeglass case. I'm nearly halfway done with it and I feel like I just started. The class leader advised that these would be addictive and lucky for all my friends and family, she was right. Hmmmm, stocking stuffers or Mother's Day for the Godmother. I'm already daydreaming about new color schemes.

I've used two shades of DMC #5 Perle Coton, one Krenik Braid #16 for a touch of sparkle, and the dark turquoise stripe is Vineyard Silk. Yippee no thread stipping! And using a large needle, #20 or #22 makes life very easy. It's stitched on 14 count Interlock so the needle opens up the holes leading the way for the thread to ease through the canvas.

Giving credit where credit is due, the project book, "Herringbone Eyeglass Cases, Scissor Fobs and Bookmarks" [Copyright April 2001, March 2008, October 2008] by BJ Carola with Diane DeNardo is not new. In fact in their Dedication they remarked that the first 14-page instruction booklet was published in 1987. And "By 2002 the booklet had grown to 25 pages and this edition has over 30." It includes several variations of the Herringbone Stitch, mirrored, non-mirrored, etc., and has simple directions on how to construct the actual case.

Let's see, future combinations might be, apple green, black and cream; red, white and blue; monochromatic pale aqua with silver.......

Hope this inspires you to get started on yours; would love to know if you've already made one of these. And if you're looking, they make a great class project for your group. For ordering the booklet email iluvmcega@gmail.com and write Herringbone Booklet in the Subject line.

Thanks for visiting today. Have fun stitching.