Pumpkin Keeper...Finish!

Design:  Pumpkin Keeper Freebie

Designer:  The Drawn Thread

Fabric: 36 ct. Summer Khaki

Floss:  Random over-dyed.  Stitched one over two

Started:  6/2/11

Finished: 8/2/11

This one was my lunch hour work project.  Stitching at lunch is a stress reliever for me.   It was a quick stitch even though the dates above don't reflect that.  Obviously, I didn't get to work on it everyday but it still came with me anyway.

I'm still on the fence as to how I'll do the finishing.  I'm leaning toward a pincushion instead of the called for fob finish.  I'm not in a particular hurry.  I've got some other stitchy things that need my attention more right now.

I've even got my next lunch time project picked out and kitted.  Do you start thinking about your next project before you finish your current one?  I imagine I'm not the only one that does this.

The Inspired Stitcher

All day stitch-in

Since I mentioned the stitch-in the other day I thought you might like to see some of the beautiful things I saw.  Mind you, I'm not going to put the stitcher's names to the pieces to protect the innocent!  So be warned, this is a picture heavy post.  Enjoy!

Show and Tell

I'm pretty sure the same person made all of these above.

A different person made all these pincushions/fobs and the box.  She's been really productive lately!

You'll recognize some of these as mine.

I liked the two flags side by side.  It was fun to see the different layout choices.

I watched this one grow.  I've got it on my "to do" list.

A completed Mystery Sampler.

I also watched this one grow too.  Isn't it great?

This one blew my hair back.  I'll let you go visit her blog to hear more about it and see a better picture.

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Of course, when you go to a stitch-in you have to walk around the room and check out everyone's stuff.  The common phrase heard was "what are you working on?"  Here are a couple that caught my eye.

This one is by the same person who did the goldwork lion above.

Here's another one I've enjoyed watching progress.

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I love smalls.  Here are some of my favorites.

I am totally in love with this one.  I want to stitch it so bad I can't stand it.  I was told it is a Lizzie Kate kit.  I looked on the Lizzie Kate website and it's called "K24 - Acorn Scissor Case Kit."  [The fob was by a different designer.]

If anyone knows where I could find one please let me know!  I'm afraid I've once again fallen in love with the impossible to find.  I'm going to keep my fingers crossed.

I hope you enjoyed seeing what I saw at the stitch-in.  We really do have some amazingly talented stitchers in our guild.  Many of them are my peeps too!

The Inspired Stitcher

Baltimore Market Wishlist Additions

A little enabeler I know sent me some links today.  Now I have some new things added to my ever growing wish list!  What did she send me to look at you may ask?  Check these out!

 

Puffin & Co. Magnetic Needle Nannys
Acorn

Puffin & Co. Magnetic Scissor Pal
Acorn

Seriously, are these not the cuest acorns?  She knows me all too well. 

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She didn't send me a link to this but I already knew about it from reading the Blackbird Designs blog.  

New BBD book!

History and stitching, what's not to like about that?! Oh yes, and the purchase helps out a museum. Well, count me in sister!

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So then I got curious and started mousing and clicking and found this.

Jardin Prive' - Carre d'abeilles

 I love those pink flowers and those bees are just too dang cute to resist!

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I'll leave you with this quote that is now running through my head:

“God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind that I will never die.”

 - Bill Watterson

I think that applies to stitching stash don't you?

The Inspired Stitcher

Hedgerow Birds Project Bag...DONE!

Side 1

Side 2

Design: "Hedgerow Birds Project Bag"

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric: 20 ct. Straw by Weeks Dye Works

Floss:  Called for Crescent Colors and Gentle Art

Started: 4/21/11

Finished: 7/31/11

Finishing Completed: 8/7/11

I am thrilled to show you my completed BBD project bag!  I got the rick rack and lining attached at the guild stitch-in on Saturday.  I did the button holes and buttons last night.  I was a bit nervous cutting those button holes I cannot lie.

This was the first time I've used such a large count fabric and the first time I've dyed rick rack.  Overall, I'm really pleased with this finish!

The Inspired Stitcher

Tutorial: Dyeing rick rack

I thought you all might be interested to see how I dyed the rick rack for the BBD project bag.  I used the Barb and Alma's instructions included with the chart.

Also, please don't pay attention to my craptastic 1970s kitchen counter and backsplash.  I live in an old house and the kitchen hasn't been high on the remodel list.  It's functional...nuf, said.

So let's get on with it shall we?

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Cast of Characters

• Rick Rack  (Mine was 100% polyester from JoAnn's)
• Tan Rit Liquid Dye (I found mine at Wal-mart)
• Old clear glass jar with tight fitting lid.  (I used a pint canning jar)
• Metal Tablespoon  (Unless you don't mind custom colored plastic)
• Measuring cup - 1 cup size
• An apron or clothes you don't mind getting dye on.   (I opted for the apron.)
• A couple wet paper towels to wipe up any spills.  (Unless you don't mind a spotty countertop.)

Place 1 cup of water in the jar.

Microwave the water for 45 seconds on High.

Add two tablespoons dye to the warm water.

Make sure to screw the lid on tight and shake to well to mix.

  It will get a little foamy.  Don't worry it's okay.

Wet the rick rack with warm water.

Add the wet rick rack to the dye mixture.

Replace the lid tightly and shake well.

Let sit until the rick rack is the color you want.

I let mine sit about 15 minutes.

If you use 100% cotton it might not take this long.  Just keep an eye on it.

Remove the rick rack when you are happy with the color.

As you can see I used tongs.  I really didn't want to walk around with brown fingers.  You might be okay with that look.  Just sayin'.

Rinse the rick rack.

Some of the dye rinsed out so it's not so dark.  It will also dry lighter too.

Keep this in mind if you want yours darker.

Allow it to air dry.

I figured over the sink was the best place to do this.

You may want to iron yours.  Especially if you use cotton.

I didn't need to do that with mine.

Here are the end results close up.

Ta Da!!!

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I hope this tutorial inspired you to give dyeing a try.  It really was pretty easy.  I'm still amazed that 100% polyester took the dye like it did.  I would definitely do this again!

Special thanks go out to the Blackbird Designs girls for excellent written instructions.  Worked like a charm!

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

An update...

From a fortune cookie on my bulletin board

Firstly, I want to start out by saying thank you to all who have offered encouragement and support these past few days.  It means more to me than words can describe.

I wanted to let everyone know we came out on the other side and our family member is now back at home.  DH and I can now breathe a sigh of relief.  It's hard to see the ones you love go through a health scare.  We are blessed and thankful.

The stitching posts will resume shortly.  Thank you so much for stopping by!

The Inspired Stitcher

When life gets in the way...

Have you ever stood at the end of a tunnel wondering what's on the other side?  That's where I've been these past few days.  A very dear family member was admitted to the hospital over the weekend.  Needless to say my mind has been a bit distracted.  So if my posts are few this week you will know why.

On a more positive note, I am pleased to report that I have finished stitching both the BBD project bag and the Pumpkin Keeper.  Now if only I had a few spare moments to do the finishing.  Maybe later this week when things settle down.

In the mean time, hug the ones you love and know I really appreciate your stopping by for a visit.


The Inspired Stitcher