Finally Some Finish Work!

I've accomplished much since last Sunday's post.  For starters I finished stitching Fond Hearts by Blackbird Designs on that very evening.  It is stitched on a piece of 28 count OOPS fabric (meaning the dyer didn't get the color she wanted so didn't write down the formula so this color won't be recreated).  This photo I took at the frame shop when "trying on" frames is the one that really comes closest to the true color of the fabric.

I also changed the colors for this design.  I found the designer choices for the reds ran a bit more purple than I liked and the colors for the stems a bit drab for my taste.  I am very happy with the results. 

      Designer's Choice                                                  Lorrie's Choice

     WDW Palomino                                                     WDW Lucky   

     WDW Red Pear                                                       GA Raspberry Parfait

     WDW Havana                                                         CC Spinach

     WDW Williamsburg Red                                        CC Razzleberry

I will also point out that I moved the words on the right side of the heart down by 4 stitches.  The design did not have the words reading smoothly from the left side of the heart to the right and dropping the words by 4 stitches does make it flow more smoothly when reading.                                    

 I chose the frame from the bottom in the above photo.  It is a perfect match in color to the CC Razzleberry.

Monday night I sat down and in 2 hours stitched part of Give Love by The Little Stitcher.  I stitched it on 28 count 1 over 1.  I did change the called for DMC 355 (the dress) to DMC 498.  I'm really into the reds right now for some reason.  Threads, fabric, cars, clothes, kitchen towels - really into the red.  I've been wanting to make one of those pocket watches with a small stitched piece for it and this is the one I chose.  I wanted to make it as a birthday gift for my friend, Belinda.  I chose to keep the design in the pocket watch simple and just used a couple of my vintage buttons.  Sometimes less is more.

It would also seem that a 6" snow day results in some very productive time at my sewing machine.  I was commissioned by my sister-in-law's sister to make two zippered sofa pillows.  A few weeks ago the three of us sat down to do some fabric and pillow shopping online and she found some gorgeous fabric.  It arrived a couple of weeks ago and as of Wednesday I had not yet found the nerve to cut into her beautiful fabric.  I woke up Wednesday with all that snow and decided THE DAY HAD ARRIVED!  Armed with my iPad which had the video tutorial I had watched at least a dozen times I headed off to my sewing corner and commenced cutting, pressing, sewing, turning and stuffing the pillows. 

This is the finished product and I have to say I'm very proud of my work on them.  I think they look as good as anything I've seen for sell in the stores for a much larger price.  The tutorial was absolutely amazing and the zippers were a cinch breeze delight to do.  I know zippers are NEVER a delight!  I could not believe how fast they were to make from the first cut to the zipping them closed.  I have in mind a way I can apply this technique to making my lined zippered projects bags that will make them look so much more professional and faster to make.  I'm hoping to carve out a bit of time this weekend to give this theory of mine a try.  

 I was so enamored with my new technique that I decided to finish One Soul One Earth and Valentine by Primitive Hare into zippered pillows.  The fabrics are Midwinter Reds by Minnick & Simpson.  Again the reds - I love them!

 This is a Lizzie Kate Winter Fab Fob Limited Edition Kit.  I stitched it up last year and it was hanging on my magnetic project board in my sewing corner waiting for finishing.  It only took a couple of minutes to get it to the "just need to slip stitch it closed" point.  It will be done before the weekend is over.

 I tried a new recipe this week as well and it was a keeper.  This is beef and snow peas - well actually it is snap peas as could not get snow peas here.  I got the original recipe off of Pioneer Woman.  As always, I changed the recipe for a couple of reasons.  One I could not get all the ingredients at my store which is surprising and secondly and most importantly I changed it to suit my family's taste.  I added some mushrooms to my version and used balsamic vinegar (I had it on hand) instead of cooking sherry (I would have had to buy).  I also added a bit more brown sugar to the sauce as it was a bit too tart for my taste.  Served over rice it was just delicious!

 Off to run a few errands and then lunch to celebrate Belinda's birthday!  I'm also going to start a new stitching project tonight!