Surprisingly easy finish

Hello people.  Thanks for all the great comments on Overshot Heart.   It sure didn't look this small when I was stitching so I'm glad I used the 28 count for that reason also.  The linen shows through the floss just enough to resemble a woven fabric and I'd like to do another in black and a lighter mustard.  I can't believe I didn't have more trouble with finishing since heart shapes usually make my hair curl.    Here's what I did - which is probably the same that you do!

First of all, I had to extend the design to make a rounded top.  You can see this on the left side compared to the right.

I decided on Craft Fuse and I gotta tell ya, I am so glad I'm storing the interfacings in these folders.  They were always mixed up along with the wrong directions.  The last one I used was dry iron - no movement, and this one was circular motion and steam.  Go figure.  The craft fuse really gives a stiff look and feel and is quite heavy.  After fusing the linen and the backing, I ran my finger nail along the stitched edge and it created a line for my machine to follow since I wanted no linen showing.

I stitched around the entire heart and made the point square by one stitch instead of a sharp angle.  Then I slit the back open!   I couldn't use the envelope method with this shape and for more primitive pieces I some times would slit the back and use a muslin patch.  The heavy fused facing prevented the fabric from tearing open even more when trying to turn it right side out.  Before doing that, I pinked the seams instead of clipping/notching, and I cut a piece of quilt batting to fit inside the stitches, and then cut the edges on an angle to bevel the bulk.

Once turned right side out, I inserted the batting and used a few more pieces where needed, made a patch, and used the double fusible (Trans-Web) to glue it.   

You can see that it's not very puffy, but enough, and I steamed it when completed.  So where do I put it now?  I still may attach a hemp cord and hang it but started playing around to see where I'd like it. 

Why I did this, I don't know.  But if you have some beautiful smalls you want displayed, this may not be a bad idea.  Fill a glass cylinder with the pieces and something pretty in the center to hold them.  Those large glass beads used in floral arrangements?  Wood somethings for rustic?  Honeysuckle vines and pussy willows?    Too bad I like beat up dirty looking primitives cause I'm picturing some beautiful displays!

I'm working on Santa now, stuck on Lucy, and will pick another sampler.  I saw a few must haves that just came out and Threadwork Primitive's Chelsea's Pinkeep is certainly one.

I'll leave you with the two little devils sticking their heads out of their cat condo.   The baby has a white spot on his mouth that I always thought was a piece of the styrofoam box they live in.  It's not.  He's an odd little guy.  I never saw round eyes on a cat before.  One more thing - Bath&Body Works' candle sale is today.  I got my Aromatherapy Orange Ginger - amazing fragrance. 

 Have a great week - a big thank you to all who participated in the drawings - and for taking the time to visit with me.  I will have a few of the small oval sets for sale probably the end of week and will let you know.  Thank you again! 

The last winner - for a while!

Hi everyone.  Just a quick post - my internet is going in and out.  It started right after I used the Random generator and before I could print the results, I lost the service.  Sooooo.  The winner was #39 and the generated random list gave that number to Rugs and Pugs.  To Rugs and Pugs - I will try to email but if it doesn't go through, please email me with your address. Thanks to everyone once again for participating!

I want to quickly show you my finished heart - I just love it.  The rest I will post tomorrow - right now I have company but wanted to get the winner posted between the service interruptions.  

Thanks for visiting - be back tomorrow!!

El Cheapo went shopping

Hi everyone.  I haven't decided if I want to use one of Vonna's finishing methods or to just sew the Overshot Heart into a flat pillow.  I did find the fabric for the back but will I use it?  Or linen?  When I was in JoAnn's complaining that I can't find nice fabrics, she suggested a quilt shop.  ????  Are you kidding me?  I can't believe how brain dead I am sometimes.  Just because I don't quilt is no reason to not realize they have great fabrics that I could use.   While I was looking for fabric in New Wilmington, I decided to continue into Volant to James Creek.  My husband was driving and I am white knuckled whether behind the wheel or a passenger because of neck concerns.  This time, someone pulled out and we had to slam the brakes.  Not really that hard, but enough for the head to whip and my arms immediately went numb for a few minutes.  Scares this old lady.  I recouped!  Here's my purchases. 

This darling little wall box (I have a thing for wall boxes and cupboards), which holds 3 x 5 cards perfectly and will probably end up hanging over a desk.  The sconce (I also have a thing for sconces) can hold dried berries and such in the bottom, and I bought the grungy candle to go with it.  I have them, can't find them, bought another to avoid a scene.

And here are my fabrics.  Love them all.  I'm starting to make pincushions for the top of my boxes.  I found a few more quilt shops that I want to visit and my husband just rolled his eyes.  Am I the only one that doesn't quilt but has a thing for fabrics?

Today we went to Jimmy's Italian Store in Ohio for our weekly visit and stopped at the Apple Basket.  I had a coupon!!!   My purchases there included a lamp (25% off) and another sconce that will hold dried berries.

Those "rags" you see are the Bliss and Hinckley samplers I finished not long ago and haven't framed yet.

And finally, this basket which is a Linda Searcy design and copyrighted.  The basket's material is the type I find in shops, sprayed with something that makes it very stiff and obviously mass produced.    

A battery operated candle looks great inside  which I will eventually purchase.    Everything still has its tags - part of my Queen of Returns habit.

I'm sure everyone is drooling over some of the new needlework designs and I found several I will be stitching.

That's it.  I'll be drawing a name tomorrow night and will post then.   Have a great Sunday.  Thank you for visiting!

Winner and final offer!

Hello all.   I want to thank everyone for participating in this anniversary offer.  The Santa charts offer is finished, and the second part ended last night.  The winner of the gift certificate is Penny from Larkspur Lane.  The last and current offer is for the set of three little boxes, celebrating new followers and reaching 250.  Seems like I've been doing offers for quite a while!  This will be the last one for now.  Some of you have already left an entry in the prior post and I moved those to the offer folder.  Any one wanting a chance for the boxes, please leave a comment on this post, stating you want to be included.  Please make sure all anonymous messages have a first name.  I think this one will end on Sunday, Feb.26 at 8 p.m. EST.  I will post the box photo at the bottom of this post.  Good luck!  And again, thanks to all for participating.

I've been spending a lot of time at the computer resizing all the labels and creating a few new ones for this small size so I didn't get the heart finished.    And as I post this photo, I see an error.  I plan on using a stiff facing and quilt batting for an even low loft.  The heart peak and bottom point will be too distorted with pouf.

Look at this darling old wood ironing board I found at the mall.  I plan on turning it into a little shelf, or maybe a sconce.  I never saw one this small in wood and the ironing side isn't in bad shape. 

This really beat up large one will be cut into a horizontal whale or goose silhouette, or maybe paint it to look like a large old sign.

The nightly news had a lead story of another dog found.  I turned it off right away before I heard details.  In other news, I got a haircut.  I told her to cut it a little shorter this time.  I need weight to hold down the wildness and this cut is way too short on top and thin on the bottom.  I look like a poisonous mushroom.

Here's the winner and the boxes.

Sunday, February 26, 8 p.m. EST

Penny, let me know which shop you prefer.

Thank you all again, so much, for welcoming me into the stitching blog world.  I am finding so many more to read through the offers and my gaming score is pretty good.  You know, the new verification game.  I've got 20 in a row right!  There better be a prize.

Have a wonderful day - thank you for taking the time to visit!

If you hear a small child say "mommy that lady's head looks like a mushroom",  stop and say hello.

Please make sure to specify you are entering the giveaway!

There's a fabric sale - and another offer!

Hiya.  Just a quick post to let you know about a linen sale I just discovered on Wyndham's site.    Check it out HERE, and see if there is something you could use at the sale price.  There are several pages so make sure you click "next" at the page bottom.  Click on Specials in the left column to see charts on sale also.

I've been having fun with the little boxes. 

I made another set.

You know what's next don't you?  Giveaway!!!  Yes, I know I had one recently for the 200th  follower, and tomorrow is the drawing for my 1st anniversary, but I reached 250 followers!  Well.  I can't thank you enough.  Really.  I'm surprised, thrilled, and honored.  So as soon as the winner of the gift certificate is announced on Wednesday, I will create a post for the small box set offer.  I was considering drawing two names tomorrow night, but then realized some readers aren't stitchers so they may not participate in a needlework offer.   I think it's more fair to separate the offers. 

I know it's not much - they are little!!!  But I think they are so sweet and I hope you do too.  I was at the craft shop today and came home with a bunch.  They sell out really fast so I grabbed them.  I can always return them.

So could I have your opinions please?  Which box sizes do you prefer?  The small ovals in a set, the small rounds, or the larger sizes in singles or a set?

I need to get the brat pack cats fed and I hope to finish the heart tonight.  Remember, tomorrow is the last day for entering the gift certificate offer.   Good luck.  Will be back Wednesday with the winner and the new offer.   Be safe!!  Thanks for visiting!

El Cheapo

Good Sunday to you all.   I bought a new laptop!  Of course it was the cheapest one that has been collecting dust, probably fell off the shelf a few times, has seen newer versions come by twice, and all its siblings are retired or traded in, but I got it!  I would love a Mac but will not spend that kind of money when a cheaper item gives the same results.  I'm sure there are advantages, but still not worth the extra moolah.  Yes, I am cheap.  For years I've been paying off my sister's maxed cards and helping her son and grandson with cars and such, but when it comes to me - El Cheapo.  Don't misunderstand - I am no where near "well-off" as they say.  Difference is, she needs the help, it's neccessities - not pleasure spending.  She is 73, my brother is 70, and I am 60.   The age difference is because my mother saw her younger sister Helen's new baby and had to have another.  Moi.  Anyway, since I am the Queen of Returns, it's staying in the box for a few days.  It's never buyer's remorse, it's DOLLARS remorse!!   Unless my husband once again says "I think we should start looking for a used car for your sister", then the box will fly open (when it hits him).  On to other topics.

Aren't these sweet?   I didn't think I would like the small version but I love them!  

Maybe this is what stitching on 40 count and up would look like.  The boxes are 4", 5", and 6", standing only 8" tall when stacked.   The second picture gives you a better idea of scale next to the sliding box that measures 7" x 9" tall.

Hmmmm.   What should I do with them?   While I'm thinking, here's a look at the Overshot Heart.

Many of you wouldn't consider using a smaller count linen and I am now understanding the appeal of the higher count with those tight stitches.  But for this design, I like the way the stitches allow the linen to show through the threads and make it appear closer to a woven piece.  Did I just hear someone say yuck?  I'll bet I know who!

While I was thinking, look what showed up.  Another set! 

Hmmmmm.

What to do, what to do.

I'm getting an idea.......

And finally, El Cheapo got a bargain at Hobby Lobby.  We have one about a half hour from here and I don't visit often, but received a 40% off coupon.   Can't pass up a coupon.  Look what I found.  Lambswool 32 count in a half yard - $32.99 less 40%!  The red felt was Michael's with a 50% coupon at the same plaza.  The little felt heart was 50% off at Apple Basket Primitives in Vienna Ohio.  Bargains! 

I have a mess to clean up, coffee to drink, and a heart to stitch, so I will close and in a day or two, let you know what I decided about those little boxes.  Hmmmm.  There's a winner to be drawn on Wednesday.  Entry time will close on Tuesday at midnight, Eastern time.  I'll announce the winner Wednesday morning.  Hmmmm.  I'll be back before then, and until then, be safe, thank you for visiting, and enjoy your Sunday.