Monday, February 10, 2014

Playing with Red

It's a rainy day out today although there was a sprinkle of snow last night.  Having a bit of rain is good for the flowers and it means it has warmed up a bit! I hope it continues to get warmer. Last night, I had a finishing frenzy and finished three pillows! Two are Christmas pillows and the other a BBD design. It all started with me reorganizing my sewing box and finding my fabrics.  I noticed I had a lot of great red fabrics, so I began to play.  It took me over 4 hours to complete but I am happy with the results.  

First up is Jingle Jingle, by Plum Street Samplers.  I won the chart from Pat, the Southpaw Stitcher last year and finally got it completed.  The jingle bells took an age to attach. Not sure why it takes me so long as I'm sure there's an easier way than the way I did it!

Stitched on fabric that came in kit with GAST threads
I used some cute striped ribbon that my dear friend used to wrap up some Christmas gifts she sent to me.  I think it works perfectly with the bells.  I used the pretty red with with star fabric on the right for the back.  It'll be a great door hanger for Christmas!
Next, I finally put together LHN's Baked Goods.  It has been over a year since I stitched it.  About time it was finished.  Unfortunately, when turning out the pillow and using a dull pencil end to poke out the corners, one of the corners actually poked out! So I used some ribbon and buttons to cover the hole...sigh.
Stitched on 40 ct. Creme Brulee with GAST and DMC

This will be a sweet ornament for our tree!

Continuing with my red obsession, I pulled out the "Bluebird" turned into a Redbird by BBD I stitched awhile back.  Originally, I bought a box to put it on, forgot about that plan and sewed on a black ribbon. I didn't like the black ribbon so I ripped it out last night.  I'm liking this finish much better than what I had.

Stitched on 32 ct. Platinum with CC's Cupid finished with little buttons from Mouse


I finished a little RAK for someone too on Friday night but can't show it yet.  I like the design so much I might just stitch one for myself too...hehee!!

Wonderful red finishes aren't they?! Funny how none of them are Valentine themed when it's Valentine's this Friday!! 

....wonder if my hubby will get me anything....hmm.

Friday night SAL with Maggee I spent frogging, yet again.  I was gabbing away to my hubby plus watching Treme when I started stitching Magic Garden's little bird with two threads instead of one thread.  I felt the stitches becoming harder to do and I couldn't figure out why until I was about halfway done! Out it came and there went an hour wasted.  So I stitched the bird and the little snail. I'll forgive the bird since he's so cute!


No other progress to report.  My granny afghan is getting larger but I think showing it will be boring.  I'll wait until it gets significantly larger and more interesting!

Hubby news.  He's on prednisone which is helping the inflammation although giving him a terrible tummy ache.  We are hoping this will help get rid of the pain for good.  We both want to say good bye to the pain for good!  Speaking of tummy aches, I ate some eggs this morning and spent the better part of the day feeling like I was punched in the stomach.  Too bad I'm allergic to eggs...I love them so much!

We took a walk last week by the river in an industrial area and found some interesting things along the river bank. Then I took another walk on Saturday and kicked myself for not bringing my camera since my cell phone is horrible for zooming in.  The heron was by the river and looking beautiful in the sunlight.  I got some grainy photos that aren't worth sharing.  But I got a few great shots of the ice blocks in the river that appeared to be moving backwards! It was very trippy to watch the river flowing backwards...strange I tell you!

1930's warehouse

old rope on a tree

Heart!!
Old Cola can my hubby found and was SOOO excited about!




That's all for now. 

Thank you all for taking the time to visit and comment.  I appreciate all the support and encouragement from you all!!

Hugs

Anne...and snoring Titus

47 comments:

Cindy's Stitching said...

They are all so pretty Anne. Love the bells on jingle, jingle. Sorry you are allergic to eggs, i love them to. The pictures are nice. The old barn is so cool. Hope hubby feels better soon. Happy valentines day.

Margaret said...

Beautiful finishing! I need to practice my finishing skills. Hope the meds help your DH and the pain goes away for him. Bummer about the egg allergy! Lovely pics from your walk too!

Jacqueline Morris said...

Oh I love all of your stitching with red... and your finishing touches too.
Your blog is lovely, I especially like the red theme running with the 'love' and butterfly.

Its really lovely to see photos of where you live and visit... the red iron heart is lovely :)

geeky Heather said...

Those finishes are all lovely! I see no imperfections. =)

Barb said...

All your finishes look just great. Red is the perfect color for this time of year. I so enjoyed the pictures from your walk!

Shelly said...

Great finishes! I get into trouble too, trying to stitch and watch TV at the same time! Hope your hubby starts to feel better soon.

Barbi said...

Froggie must have gone a'courtin' on Friday night, cause he was here at my house, as well as another stitcher friend of mine, so he was busy! LOL Love your finishes.

Annette-California said...

All your beautiful stitching is shown perfectly with your beautiful pillows. The reds look great with the sweet mini samplers. Oh I hope this med works for your husband.
Lovely photos, thanks for sharing.
love Annette

Southpaw Stitcher said...

Love all your adorable finished, especially Hare's Christmas! I did Baked Goods for a friend--your post reminds me that I want to stitch it for myself! Your photos of your walk are spectacular. Hope your hubby's pain goes away soon.

Stitching Noni said...

Beautiful finishing which compliments the beautiful stitching!
Love the red theme that you have going one with your finishes this time round... Christmas inspired by Valentine's Day or is it the other way around!!! :o)
Love the photos from your walk!
Good to hear that hubby is sort of feeling a wee bit better but not good news that the meds are causing other issues...
Hugs to you all xx

Annette said...

Hopefully you hobby feels better soon. Lets the mens do there work soon and he Will get strenger.
Allergic to eggs. I Love them to.

You have been busy What a awesome pieces I Love your finish off. Very beautifull

Linda said...

Congratulations on all the great finishes Anne. You did a fantastic job. Glad to hear hubby is a little better. Great pics from your walk.

Linda

Sarah in Stitches said...

Beautiful finishes, Anne! You did a wonderful job. They look so cute! :D

Lesleyanne said...

Beautiful finishes and gorgeous photos from your walk.

Mii Stitch said...

Anne all your finishes are perfect, they all look beautiful! Well done!!

Julie said...

Beautiful collection of finishes, Jingle Jingle is an adorable design and you finished it off so perfectly.
Nice pics from your walk. I hope the new meds help DH and he is soon pain free.

Shirlee said...

Lovely photos my friend ... & beautiful finishes! Sorry about the frogging. I've had to do more than my fair share of that lately : ( I think that little bird really is cute! Prednisone has been like a miracle drug for me! I'm glad to hear it's helping your hubby! As for the tummy ache, has he tried taking it with food? Just a thought : ) Have a wonderful week!

Marilyn said...

Great projects.
Jingle, Jingle turned out aso cute.
Marilyn

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Your finishing is lovely, you really have chosen some great fabrics and trimmings. I feel it is important to have a large stash of haberdashery to choose from!! That's my excuse for hoarding all sorts of bits and pieces.

Lovely photography too, especially the red heart ironwork.

Annie said...

Just a ton of pretty red finishes! Love how you saved the ribbon from gift wrap and put it to good use. And those pesky corners! I've poked many a whole through them during the turning and stuffing process too. Good save though!

Pred is pretty powerful so I hope it works for your DH and that he doesn't have to take it for too long... brutal side effects for many people.

Cool photos from your excursion too!

Kay said...

Congrats on all the finishes, at least you are organised for Christmas! My favourite is Jingle Jingle, the little bells make it extra special.

Angela said...

Lovely finishes :)

butterfly said...

Beautiful, such wonderful finishes .

Sally said...

Beautiful red finishes Anne.

Vickie said...

Wow! That is a lot of finishing. Good for you. Great to have them done and on display. =)
I am praying for DH.♥

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Beautiful finishes--those hand stitched and finished ornaments will make your Christmas tree so special.

Melissa said...

We both had finishing fever! I love your Jingle Jingle. It will look great on your door at Christmas time. We have the same Redbird! Except yours look a lot better as I mucked mine up with the walnut ink! yikes!

Lovely photos! It's nice that we are warming up again. The plants appreciate the water and the warmth!

Kathy Ellen said...

What beautiful finishes, Anne! I especially love the Santa's sleigh pillow with the jingle bells. How creative you are!

Hope that your dear husband begins to feel some relief soon, and that his tummy feels better when he is finished with the medication.

Stay snug and warm inside with all of the icey cold weather. Warmer days are just around the corner!

Blessings!

Dani - tkdchick said...

Wonderful red finishes!

Chris said...

Gorgeous finishing Anne! I am sorry that you had to do some frogging. Prednisone, yuck but hopefully it will help.
Thanks for taking me on a walk with you.

valerie said...

ALL your red finishes are so pretty! You got a lot accomplished! And I love that birdie in your Magic Garden. We'll forgive it for being a pest since it's so cute! Hope you're hubby feels better. Maybe he should eat something before taking it? And you with eggs sounds like me with dairy! I love it so and it's in everything. Love your photos! Hang in there sweetie!

Giovanna said...

Your finishes are just lovely. Hope your DH gets relief from the pain.

woolwoman said...

beautiful "red" finishes Anne - you do a great job. Glad your DH is getting some relief. Hope you do get something for V-Day - Enjoy Mel

♥ Nia said...

Jingle jingle with jingles!!! :D hehehe how cute! Great finish :)
All lovely, congrats sweetie!
Soon everything will be better for you two! best wishes to you and hubby =)

Mmanka said...

I love all of your stitching with red. I love your Jingle Jingle,iIt will look great on your door at Christmas time. I hope the new meds help DH.

Maggee said...

Funny, you mention eggs and I just finished eating some for dinner...I will no doubt be sick tomorrow, tho I hope not (I will be at work!!). I actually stitched a little on our project last night. And I am about to go up and stitch some more, to make up for missing a couple of Fridays. Hugs!

Maggee said...

Dang--I forgot to mention that I love the red finishes. The 'bluebird' one is my most favorite! I think I have that chart... would love to stitch it in Blue AND also in Red!

Carol said...

Your finishing just keeps getting better and better, Anne!! I love what you've done with these (and believe me we've all hidden our "boo-boos" with ribbons or buttons from time to time!). I really like how the Bluebirds look stitched in red. Very, very pretty!

Good to hear that your husband is responding to the prednisone--hope he can get off it soon, though. That is powerful stuff! And how horrid that you're allergic to eggs. Does that mean you can't even eat any baked goods made with eggs?

Lovely photos from your river walk--how nice that your weather is good enough to get outside and enjoy nature this winter!

Valma said...

wonderful post !!!
Stitched pieces and picture ...I love =)
Jingle Jingle is on my to do list, seeing it here in that so sweet version really puts it on top of the list =)
very well done on the 3 pieces ! they are all so lovely
each fabric, ribbon, button...you chose are perfect !
great job sweetie
have a great weekend
xxxxx

Catherine said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Catherine said...

Love, love, love your red finishes! So sweet!
I hope your hubby continues to feel better ~ and hope he doesn't have to be on the prednisone long. My grandfather took that years ago ~ be careful!
Beautiful pictures from your walk ~ looking forward to our weather breaking so I can get some walks in again.

Andrea said...

Beautiful finishes. Love the Jingle Bells finish. Great photos of your walk too.

Brigitte said...

Anne, your finishing is perfect!! I love the little pillows you made, and both are so differently finished, one with these little bells, the other one with the lace and the white burrons. Very creative.

I hope that the therapy will work for your husband, and will work very soon. So bad to be in constant pain.

I love the pictures you took during your walk. So beautiful.

Melanie said...

These finishes are all wonderful!! I really love them. I think the red goes much better than a black ribbon. Great choice to change it. :)

Karoline said...

Gorgeous finishes, congratulations

Melissa said...

Beautiful finishes Anne! Is that green grass I see in the picture with the cola can?!

Makes me jealous ;)

Meari said...

Your finishes are adorable! I like the red theme :)