December 18, 2011

Finishing

Today I'm heading to a stitching party. Our instructions were to bring a hand-made gift (not necessarily stitched) to exchange. So I finished up these two designs by Marie Driskell: Rose Marie. You've been looking at one of them in my blog header for the last couple of weeks. Here are the finished designs. Next step is to cut and assemble. Yikes.


I spent some time at G Street fabrics in Rockville, selecting trims. Here I'm auditioning them. I eventually conclude they're all too elaborate and detract from the designs by making the ornaments too busy.


It's been so long since I used the sewing machine that I had to review the directions for threading it.


A little liquid courage: a caramel apple martini. Ingredients: Apple Pucker, caramel liqueur, sprite. With a cherry. I don't know the proportions, but I mean to find out. That will be this year's Christmas Dinner cocktail. It's a very smooth, sweet and tasty drink; we may experience Christmas dinner lying on the floor under the table while sharing a box of crackers.


The rabbits appear to share my anxiety: "Don't screw it up, Mom!"


A finish!



The crowd goes wild. These sheep were part of a large display of tiny antique animals in an antique shop window in Fredericksburg. I wanted to purchase all of them, including the little donkeys, cows, pigs and chickens. What fun to have a huge collection of these little guys on the mantel. Tom rolled his eyes when I pointed them out. "Goody, a new collection," he was heard to mutter.


Here's a photo of some of the animals (the camels are camera-shy):


Happy Week of Preparations ahead! I'll be back next Sunday with a Christmas start.

30 comments:

Unknown said...

Well done!!! You did great - they are beautiful. I am so glad that you still keep your sewing machine instructions handy - I thought I was the only one!

Giovanna said...

Oh those are absolutely gorgeous! Well done!

Margaret said...

Wow, I love how the ornies came out! They're just gorgeous! Congrats. I love those sheep too. Did you get some? Or all? :D

Devon said...

Beautiful,,,love the Rose ornaments,,an as far as the sheep go,,I am right there with you,,I have a collection going on all over my house,

gracie said...

beautiful finishses....love the animal display

Laurie in Iowa said...

Yay... you didn't screw up... the bun buns looked scared. Your ornaments came out beautifully.
I do like all those sheep. So, did any come home with you?

Cari said...

Your ornaments are BEAUTIFUL...good finishing too!! And I love all of the animals too !! I would love to have a collection..I just don't want to dust them !!! LOL

And, I'm with you on the Christmas drinks...sounds yummy...and the crackers would be tasty too!! Have a wonderful week Glenna. Merry Christmas !!

Siobhán said...

Great job on the finishing, Glenna! They look great. Love the trim! Your antique animals remind me of the pieces from my grandfather's manger that I've inherited. I treasure them--love the older stuff more than the stuff they churn out nowadays. I sound like a crochetedy old biddy but there it is. LOL

Karen said...

Oh, Glenna, your ornaments are gorgeous! You did a lovely job on the finishing. Love the animals, too :-)

Shirlee said...

Very pretty rose stitching! Love the animals & agree ... what a great thing to have! My husband would say the same as yours did : ) Blessings, Shirlee

Nancy said...

The roses are beautiful, and I like the way you finished them! Love those animals!

Mouse said...

wooo hoooo :0 they look lovely ... and did you slide under the table after the cocktail ???? love mouse xxxx

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Love your stitchy pieces. Very pretty indeed. Jack loved the pic of Peaches and the Pinkster!

marly said...

My favorite of the two amazing roses is the larger design. How petite and delicate and special. Very nice job - as if we'd expect any less! Excellent finishing for not using a machine often. Merry Christmas to you. Get a cheese ball for those crackers.

Jules said...

Adorable finishes!

I agree, those animals look like they wanted to go home with you, lol!!!

Daffycat said...

Such beautiful exchange finishes! I often find a wee nip loosens my creativity. I can get too uptight about finishing!

Faye said...

The pink ornies are just too cute! Nice job~~~ And, I loved the fact that the martini helped....I may try that next time I need some courage!!! tee hee......

Merry Christmas and I cannot wait to see your new start on Christmas day!

Faye

Carol said...

Oh, those pink beauties are stunning--beautiful work, Glenna!

And the sheep--oh, I want them, too--so, so cute!!

Myra said...

Those are absolutely gorgeous! LOL at your Christmas dinner (not plans).

Sylvia said...

Great finish, Glenna & your stitching is beautiful. Enjoy your get together.

Crafty Green Poet said...

beautiful stitching and the rabbits are looking good too!

Michelle said...

The ornaments are gorgeous! I love how you finished them. I hope you enjoyed your get together. Mmm...that martini sounds delicious!

blue star stitcher said...

Those finished up beautifully, and I like the simplicity without the trim. Good work!

Penny said...

Beautiful job on the ornaments!
I love the animal display, and everyone needs a collection or two or three... :)

Natalia said...

Such cute ornaments, Glenna !!! Beautiful colors.... Love those sheep too !! I would have bought some, did you?

RG said...

Well done - nice collection and dandy bunnies too! We try to keep a little salami or braunswagher on hand for those cracker times ...

The Scarlett House said...

You finished it perfectly, Glenna...sweet and simple. Don't you just love collections like that? I'd love to have a whole bunch of those sheep.
Have a Merry Christmas, my friend!
Have one of those yummy looking cocktail for me!

Karen M said...

Amazing results, especially considering the Martini. It sounds really tasty, but I would have been sewing over my fingers afterward!

Catherine said...

What beautiful stitches and finishes!!! And I love, love sheep!

Catherine said...

What beautiful stitches and finishes!!! And I love, love sheep!