Thursday 31 January 2008

Hannah and Her Friends

Today was the last day of May Britt's WISP challenge. I managed to turn Hannah and her Friends into a cushion edged with prairie points. Surprise, surprise! I really have become addicted to them! Kept it simple and just sewed borders around the stitchery panel. I also quilted 1/4 inch from the edge with embroidery thread. Finished about 7.30 pm tonight while watching Eastenders then raced outside for a photo before the light faded too much. Our evenings are quite long here this time of year. Last night we were on the beach til after 9 o'clock and it was still light.



Earlier today I framed three more cross-stitch pieces. These have been sitting in a box for years so it's good to have them finished. Some of them will be good to use as gifts.

Here are before and after shots of Anna's Quilt - an Amish design from Told in a Garden.





These little bear cross-stitches were done very early on in my stitching life, way before I discovered quilting. They are done on aida cloth - these days I mainly stitch on linen - but are still quite cute.





I used store bought frames for all these projects - mostly found in sales and discount stores. If you look at the right time it's possible to pick up quite nice frames. I just backed each piece with thick iron-on batting and trimmed them to fit. When you add the backing board the batting makes the piece sit up slightly in the centre. I like this look and the best bit is you don't have to lace the piece! I only do this for small projects - big things still get professionally framed. Eventually!





Now that the WISP challenge is finished I'll have to spend more time doing riveting stuff like housework. I start school again on Feb 11th so will have to start preparing next week. With four choirs to run,and 15 music classes to teach each week, there is lots of preparation. Oh and I also do Flying Start which is literacy for Preppies (5 year olds) four mornings a week - heaps of fun. I am gradually catching up on my blog reading. Subscribing to feeds is saving a lot of time - I don't like to miss anyone's.

19 comments:

  1. The cushion looks lovely. I love the fabrics and the Prairie points! Very sweet!!

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  2. My gosh, you’ve finished sooo many WISP’s! Your stitcheries and embroideries look so fine!

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  3. So many finished WISP's you must have been working so hard, well done and they all look so beautiful

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  4. Wow, what a fabulous month of finishes! Those quilt inspired cross stitches are making my fingers itchy...but I don't think that would be a good idea at present!
    Almost School time for you, we started yesterday, you will be busy, the preps would be fun..I used to be a prep teacher in another life! Tracey

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  5. Congrats on finishing so many WISPS....great job on the cushion.

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  6. Hi Christoine: Your recent pictures are so inspiring!!! Lovely work, and so much of it, too.
    Janet

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  7. It amazes me how many WISP's you have completed this month. Where do you find the time? Love the cushion with prairie points.

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  8. first of all, many thanks for your very first comment on my blog

    to celebrate this, can you please contact me by mail, there's a surprise wating for you, ;o)))

    Lil who can understand your love for prairie points, the cussion is beautiful

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  9. Christine you have had a fab month for finishing off your UFO's they are all so lovely, the frames are great...you do have a big work load don't you...but is sounds like it may be very rewarding.

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  10. Hei Christine.
    There is a award for at my blogg. It is always very nice to visit your blogg and se all the great things you are making.
    I Love your new pillow, the stitchery is beautiful.
    Have fun

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  11. Oh my gosh! You are a whirlwind of activity! So many darling stitcheries! You really got inspired!

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  12. I just love prairie points !!! You are sure moving through those projects.

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  13. Wow Christine you have been so busy. I love the cushion and you have chosen the frames so well they really compliment the cross stitches.

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  14. I didn't think there could possibly be anything new today but the pillow is gorgeous and the little cross stitch pieces are lovely also.
    You are a turbo stitcher and finisher!

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  15. I love your little redwork angel! What pattern is that? It's so cute?

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  16. The cusion looks fabulous! Love the way you have set the stitchery, and the prairie points are a lovely finish! Well done! -on all your projects :o)

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  17. What a lovely cushion! I adore all your stitcheries. You are amazing!

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  18. Your cushion is absolutely lovey :-)
    Congratulations on all your WISP finishes.

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Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate your thoughts.

Christine