Lookie, Lookie. It’s my second fully finished cross-stitch piece for the year!! It’s just a little piece. I have two more big pieces waiting in the wings for me to get them framed. It will happen. One is waiting on some conservation glass…the other is waiting on me.
This is the finished piece. I just love it…
This wasn’t a quick project at all as many of the things that could go wrong, did.
Here is my finished cross stitch.
The chart is From Brenda Gervais of With Thy Needle and Thread. It’s called Rudolph & Friends.
I stitched mine of a 40-count scrap of linen using the called-for colors. I wanted to keep mine out all Winter so I didn’t stitch the candy cane and I made the deer’s nose black. We had a lot of deer in our area and we see them in the wild year round so having a deer and a snowman on the same piece is a very natural winter scene.
Last week I ended up finishing a piece in a small frame rather than making a pillow and I really liked that so this time around, I ended up deciding to do the same.
That wasn’t an easy decision. I first dug through all my wooden boxes and trims auditioning other ideas but then the frame idea really won out. So I dug through my little frames and nothing was square. Drat. That meant I would have to cut something down.
I ended up finding this old frame…I think I paid $1 for it at the thrift store or a garage sale. I remember Kalissa was with me and she gave me that look…the one a daughter can give a mom that immediately makes you question what you’re doing. It was the “you’re gonna buy THAT!?!” look. Yep. I was going to buy it and I’m so glad I did.
The frame was large and beat up…but the right kind of beat up to look a little primitive…and a little rusty, crusty. That’s just what I wanted.
It ended up being a lot more work than I anticipated. I often can use a frame and can cut it so I can keep the corner intact. This time the frame was so ratty that I couldn’t I had to take the frame completely apart and cut it.
Then I measured wrong and had to do a recut on one side. Then a piece of the frame didn’t make a clean cut and cracked off so another recut. Then I couldn’t remember how to use the corner joiner as I don’t use it regularly. UGH. It was one thing after another.
I finally ended up just gluing the frame together. THIS is the frame clamp that I use.
I ended up using sticky board…that too I had to cut and recut. I put one layer of batting on the sticky board. Then I laced the cross-stitch piece over it.
People have asked why I use batting. It really hides the imperfections on the back. The lumpy, bumps that come on the back from layers of thread piling up where color changes happen loft into the batting and hide them so you can’t see any bumps from the front of the project.
I ended up SUPER happy with my frame choice. The color of it is perfect.
I’ve had people ask me to video how I cut down frames. WOW…that’s a hard one to even think about filming. Nothing ever goes completely right when I cut down a frame. I am always back and forth from the kitchen to the garage and then upstairs to get a piece of batting. It’s a mess. I will keep thinking about that though and try to come up with a plan that will work. My best advice to you is to just try it. If you already have a chop saw, it’s a cheap project to try. A frame can be found for only $2…wood glue, you likely already have…the clamp $13. There isn’t a lot of expense to it.
Be still my heart…I just love that little crusty old frame. I am so pleased that I made it into a framed piece vs a pillow. Even though the thing gave me quite a few fits. My work isn’t perfect but I don’t really care. I think it adds to the prim look of it all.
I’m so happy to have another finish. Hopefully, I can stay on a finishing roll and show you another finish next week!!
Your frame is just right for this piece, Jo. It compliments it perfectly.
I agree, I love it.
It’s beautiful!!!
I really like it. The frame is perfect for the piece. A video of you taking frames and cutting them to size would be a great help. I know I would like to see how you do it.
Hi, Jo. Thank you for so faithfully posting. Your Rudolph and Friends is sweet and I love it framed. Re: resizing frames to use, Contented Needleworker Kim has recently posted a video showing how she does it. Just FYI.
Christine from Ontario
The finish is perfect! You really managed to make the frame to work and it really is a great match for the stitching. I love seeing your beautiful work and finishes.
Looks great! Nice work!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the PERFECT frame! Never going to find those prices here and I can’t recall ever seeing picture frames in our thrift stores. I’m envious of your prices and so glad you have them :-)
Your frame choice complements the piece beautifully. Nice.
Super cute piece for winter. Glad to see it finished.
Your framed piece looks great!
I don’t think you could have bought a frame more perfect for that project! The more pain, the more precious. GREAT finish.
Wonderful finish. You are making me want to cross stitch again. Especially this one. I collect Rudolphs. My husband’s family name. I quit cross stitching in 1993 when my job became computer work 8 to 10 hours a day.
I love how your cross stitch came out, I agree the frame was perfect for that piece!
It looks wonderful in that frame, nice stitchery.