When I was at a cross-stitch retreat last year, a lady attended. She had a friend who had passed away. The husband asked that she distribute the cross stitch patterns and supplies to people who might appreciate it. Friends took some items and then there were leftovers. She brought them to the retreat and encouraged us to take a few items.
I ended up taking this…I have no idea of the pattern name or of the designer. I just thought it was cute and my Spring dough bowl, at the time, was sparse.
When I took it, I wondered whether it might be a challenge to finish. There was very little border room around it. I ended up coming with the idea of adding a fabric border.
Ah…much better. Now I had something I could work with. I thought the fabric was a great match.
I put interfacing on both the stitched piece and the backing piece. Then I sewed completely around the piece.
I had made a two piece backing so the hole for stuffing the pillow was in the back.
I used my usual crushed walnut shells and Poly-fil for stuffing.
I used a ladder stitch to close the opening on the back.
Now I needed some type of trim to liven it up. I tried so many. Nothing clicked. I ended up liking this lace. I tied it in a bow and then tacked in place.
Oh my goodness…it ended up so cute.
I went from wondering if I would be able to finish it, as the borders were so narrow, to completely finishing it and loving it.
I hope this honors the original stitcher. I so appreciate her work.
Speaking of which, do you have someone designated to take care of your cross-stitch or crafting goodies when you are no longer here? Your family might appreciate it if you would give some type of designation. My poor daughter Kelli will have to deal with mine. I’m sure the other kids will help, but Kelli knows best as far as the kids go.
I am giving all the fabric and supplies to my guild along with $1000 for storage while they work on sorting and distributing.
What a kind thought to pay for storage for a year! Great idea!
Funny you should mention that. I’m in the middle of doing that. I have a book called “Sorry, it’s your problem now – I’m Dead”. I know it sounds a bit weird but that’s our family for you ;-) lol
Anyway, it’ll have all the instructions for what to do with my crafty stuff. I’m also including people’s emails to make sure they want my stuff before sending it out.
Love what you did with the bird. I know the original maker would have loved it. I bought a cross stitch book years ago and in the back I found a cross stitch Christmas ornament – and finished that for our tree.
Love and prayers
Such a cute finish! And Just in time for Spring too. The stitcher would be pleased, I’m sure!
What an I testing post and comments. And such good timing. My husband and I don’t have children so we’re getting our financial affairs all in order right now. I hadn’t really thought about my craft room … but I certainly will now. You’d think I would have had that on my priority list after one of my crafting gal pals passed away suddenly a few years ago and left me and another gal pal her craft room. It was a monster task sorting, storing, and finding homes for everything and incorporating the things we were keeping into our own stash. So kudos to you and others for thinking about helping the poor person that may be left with it all. It’s now back on my radar and I’ll be putting together an instruction book soon!
Oops -darn auto keypad! It should read … “What an interesting post …”
Love your spring bird finish. Your choice of fabric was perfect and frames the piece perfectly.
Since I’m no longer cross stitching, when I heard that the local state park was looking for floss for a project they were going to do, I donated a lot of my floss that I thought they could use. They were happy. I was happy. It was a win- win!
Our church sewing group has been the beneficiary of several seamstresses who have gone on to the church eternal. Much appreciated!
About 12 years ago I had a major surgery. And before that I told my son who to contact in regards to my studio if I didn’t make it through. He worked briefly at a job with one of the women and was on jury duty with one of the other women so he knows them. When we got together for sewing a couple of weeks ago, it was suggested we would put names and phone numbers on an index card above the light switch in our sewing rooms so it would be readily available for our families. I discussed this idea with my son and with cell numbers so hard to locate we thought it was good idea. He requested I add any special instructions for items like sewing machines to the card. And another nice thing is sometimes my guild members finish nearly completed ufo’s and gift them back to the family. That has always been so touching to me.
I gave my daughter mine and my mom’s floss years ago.
I really like the cute bird spring finish. Again, I’m so amazed at all the perfect pieces of fabric you have to finish pieces and then the right ribbon or such to add the special touch. Great finish!! I am at the age where I think about all my stuff and what should happen with it. I tell my husband just to let my daughters take care of my sewing room.
Wow, what a cute finish!
Jo, the Spring Bird piece turned out to be precious. I’m curious….you use both walnut shells and fiberfill to fill your pillows. How do you use them both? Do you pack the corners with the fiberfill and then pour in the walnut shells……do you mind telling me your process?
Hi Carol. I do exactly what you said. I stuff the corners with Poly-fil. Then I add in crushed walnut shells. In the end I go back to Poly-fil. It works best to have that covering the opening…it’s hard to close the opening with crushed walnuts shells trying to fall out.