Sunday, March 18, 2012

Two finishes and unfortunately....a birthday

First off I want to welcome my new followers and to say thank you to all of you that sent me well wishes for my baby, Vallie.  She gets her stitches out on Thursday and I'm sure she can't wait.  She hasn't been herself for several days now and I can tell she's super depressed.  Nothing really interests her....not even food.....I'm worried.
I want to say first off that I absolutely loved stitching these two designs.  The first one is from LHN and I stitched it on 28ct. tan Jobelan using the required Crescent Colors floss.  For some reason I just couldn't get the hand of how she finished the rick rack around the outside, so I just attached it without the gathers.  I think it looks fine and lets face it.....nobody has to look at it but me. :o)
 This second design by Shakespeare Peddler I stitched on star sapphire 28ct. Jobelan using the required Crescent Colors floss.  Because I stitched my two designs on 28ct. I was concerned about running out of floss...which I did of the green.  It called for the buttons to be stitched so instead of doing that, I used real mother of pearl buttons.  Personally, I like this much better.
 As you can see, the stitching goes all around the little pillow.  I also didn't finish this the way the designer called for.  I just didn't like how she finished it so instead I sewed a tube of a pretty coordinating fabric with draw strings at each end.  I stuffed the tube and then sewed the cross stitch piece onto it and then attached some of the green rick rack.  
Now about that birthday.  It's tomorrow .... the 19th....and I absolutely hate the fact that I will be 60 years old.  Where or where did the years go?  Also, it's dawned on me that I have very little time to finish all the hundreds of designs I have planned to do.  LOL   I've purchased a Kindle Fire and I'm still getting the hang of it.  The resolution is fantastic on it and it's very quick on the web.  This was my bday gift to myself and so far I'm loving it.  I'll let you know more after I've had it for awhile.
I hope all of you are having a fantastic Sunday and that you've been able to get some stitchie time in.  I'm planning on having a giveaway starting this week so keep watching.  I have to get everything together....and that's all I'm saying for now.  :o)
Blessings as always,
Barbara

27 comments:

basketsnprims said...

Have a lovely and very happy birthday.
pam

Tricia T said...

Barbara, I hope that all is well with Vallie. It's so hard when our babies are hurt. :( Your stitching is so pretty. The colors on both those pieces are lovely. I am pretty sure that I have some of the green fabric you used on the needle roll downstairs in my quilting boxes. :) Have a happy, happy birthday!

BTW, do you usually order your Jobelan or get it from a LNS? I love the different colors that you've stitched on!

Tricia

Sweet Sue said...

Both beautiful finishes, such a speedy stitcher for sixty, you must have bionic peepers ;o) Adore your MOP buttons, such an extra nice touch! Glad you treated yourself to a Kindle, enjoy. Gentle smoochies to Vallie.

marly said...

I think your changes are genius. Super nice finish. I know how you feel about the big 60. It still bothers me, but at this stage of my life, as long as I am still here to bitch, I'm OK with it. Have yourself a wonderful indulgent birthday!

Elizabeth Brotherton said...

The two finishes are lovely! I especially admire the candy roll pillow. You make me wish I had one completed to finish myself!

Happy Birthday!

Brightest Blessings,
Beth B.

Stitching Cat said...

Have a wonderful birthday! I'll be joining you at that age in September and I, too, can't imagine how it is possible. Your finishes are perfection. Love the finish on the needleroll.

carol fun said...

Happy Birthday! The number of years is inconsequential, we need to be happy we get this far (I'll be 60 next year). The last couple of years have shown me all too clearly that we have to enjoy every minute we can. Spend it doing the things that make us happy- like stitching! I love both of your finishes. Very pretty. And I hope your darling companion feels better very soon. The stitches and the cone have to be stressful for Vallie - poor baby! Happy birthday, and many many more!

Catherine said...

Happy Birthday!! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Love your finishes and your changes ~ they both look fantastic!
As for your poor pup, I do hope she gets to feeling better soon! Give her a pat for me.

MoonBeam said...

Two beautiful finishes. Great work.

Happy, Happy Birthday! Don't worry...60 is just a number...trust me! ;-)

Bobbi

Susan At Glen Oaks Primitives said...

Hi, Barb:
Both pieces are fabulous. I like your idea for the finish too.
Don't fret about your birthday, we are supposed to be in the best years of our lives!
Happy Birthday,
Susan

Phyllis said...

I love your finishes!
I do hope Vallie feels better soon. It makes me so sad that she was hurt that way.
I hope you have a very Happy Birthday! 60 isn't so bad...I'll be 65 in Oct. I know what you mean about realizing time is getting shorter and having so much stitching yet to do. I just keep adding more. :))

CalamityJr said...

Love both finishes! Maybe it will help you to know that I turned 60 forty-nine weeks ago and it has been a fantastic year! I'm actually looking forward to 61, as well.

Deborah said...

Poor Vallie. I am sure that she will feel better once the stitches and the collar are gone. Love both of the finishes. The finishing is beautiful. Happy Birthday. I think that 60 is an excellent age. I say that because I will be there very soon. lol

Linda said...

I hope you'll give Vallie gentle hugs for me, Barbara, and have a happy birthday, as well. I learned just how quickly the time goes with this last little "episode" in my life, and I won't waste another minute of it! Don't worry about the years in your life, worry about the life in your years- you're a vibrant, generous, wonderful, caring person, and deserve much love and happiness.

Veronica said...

Beautiful, beautiful stitching and finishing, Barbara.

Happy Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day.

Hugs,
Veronica.

Annette-California said...

singing to you here....Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Barbara, Happy Birthday to YOU! And many more.....Have a most Blessed day. LOVE your sweet pillows. Gorgeous. Now I want to stitch them:)Just like you:)

Krista said...

Happy Birthday, Barbara! Wishing you a fantastic day and wonderful new year ahead! Love the new finish, it is so pretty with the rik rak.
I hope Vallie is doing better. I am sure once she has the stitches out and doesn't need to wear the collar she will be a much happier pup!

Chris said...

Congratulations on your Birthday Barbara!!
Your finishes are lovely and I am glad to hear that Vallie is doing well.
Have a great week!

Vickie said...

Beautiful finishes!! Happy birthday Barbara!

Carol said...

♫♪♫ Happy Birthday, dear Barbara ♫♪♫

I do hope your coming year and your sixties bring you much love, laughter, happiness, and good health... I am dreading my 60th birthday, too--two years and 9 months away!!

These are two of the most exquisite finishes I've ever seen, Barbara--love the real buttons you used and the tube finish is genius!! Congratulations :)

Cath said...

Happy Birthday . Hope you have a lovely day . It's just another number .
Love both of your finishes .X

valerie said...

Beautiful finishes Barbara! I hope you have a nice birthday!

Mouse said...

ohhh happpyyyy birthday :) may you be spoilt rotten :)with lots of stash :)
gorgeous finishes of the nashville .. I'm getting it for my mothers day present yipppeee :)
hope vallie is feeling a wee bit better .. sorry just catching up on posts .... love mouse xxxxx

Tatkis said...

Absolutely adorable heart and lovely pinroll!
Hope your girl is feeling better, and Happy Birthday to you!

Best wishes and hugs,
Tatyana

Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches said...

gorgeous finishes :D

Lynn said...

A very Happy Birthday to you Barbara! I hope it brings you a wealth of health and happiness!!
I also hope that Vallie is much better now.

Your finishes are stunning! I love how you added the mother of pearl buttons to the needleroll and I agree that it looks better than stitching them.

Andrea said...

Gorgeous finishes.

Hope you had a wonderful birthday.