Sunday, March 04, 2007

More than one way to finish a project!

I started this design "Catch the Wind" by Butternut Road in 1997. I had always loved this piece since I first saw it, and promised myself that if I ever had three daughters that I would stitch it for myself. Well, our third daughter, Lizzie, was born in 1995, and I no longer had a reason NOT to stitch it! I managed to get it about three fourths done before it made it to the bottom of my UFO (unfinished objects) basket for 10 YEARS!!!! Yep. It sat untouched for 10 years. Lizzie is now 12 years old. I really wanted this design finished, but just couldn't seem to get myself to do it. I decided to ask DD#1, Amy, if she would be interested in finishing the stitching if I paid her for it, and she agreed, and immediately set to work. It took her about a month of stitching here and there, and yesterday my piece came home, finished. I am so pleased! Thank you again, Amy! I need to dig through my frame stash and see if I have one that will work for this before I go and buy one. I am so excited to have it done!!!


This afternoon I stopped at an antique mall, just to browse and found some real treasures. The first thing I found is this little china dish with a cross stitch or needlepoint, design on it. The lady at the mall said it is a regular china pattern, she has some of the larger pieces. I had never seen it before, but I think it is lovely. It cost me $3.50. The little doily underneath came from a different booth, and was only $2.00. Then I found a bag full of embroidered pieces...but only the top piece was showing enough to be able to see...I was amazed at the beautiful bouillion flowers that someone had painstakingly embroidered, so I bought the whole bag for $7.00. Most of the pieces are just embroidery cut out of whatever they were in, some are not in great shape with stains and a few little holes, but others are whole and in good condition. I am very excited about these treasures and I am sure I can use them somewhere. I think I will soak most of them in Oxyclean and see if I can't get some of the stains out. These boullion stitches are just absolutely perfect, not a thread out of place. Mine never look this good!! My hat is off to the person who embroidered this piece!


7 comments:

Von said...

Hurray for Amy! CTW looks great! And what luck you had at the antique store, some gorgeous stuff there. :D

Anonymous said...

Catch The Wind is one of my favorite projects. I think I will stitch it myself one day.
Congrats on your finish, it is beautiful!

Amy Sue said...

You're welcome! :)

Anonymous said...

Cath The Wind has always been a favorite of mine. It came out beautiful, congrat to you and your daughter on a nice job.

Deb said...

What a wonderful thing to have your daughter be a part of finishing your "Catch The Wind!" That is so fabulous. I just bought the chart to do for commemorating my granddaughters. Love it. Also, I'm worried about your Oxycleaning your antique finds. I'm a former textile conservationist..I'd feel much better if you just spot cleaned the ones that need it with q-tips and a solution of clear water and a soft detergent like Dreft or something. When you use Oxyclean, it's caustic and can leave your colors and fibers weakened. http://lavenroseramblings.blogspot.com/

Anne S said...

Yay to Amy for finishing your CTW - and I think it's even more special now knowing you both stitched on it :D

Chelle said...

What treasures you found! Enjoy. I have a cross-stitch patterned plate that I use for displaying some of my smalls. I love the dish you found, it looks to be in great condition.