Sunday, July 21, 2019

Swan Stitch-a-Long, part 15

Hi everyone -- let's cut to the chase... it's happy dance time!


I finished the stitching on the swans piece I started in September 2018!!!


Here's the even better part ... I made it up into a pillow!


This was a bigger challenge than expected, because I had a hard time finding the fringe. Which was only a problem because I found just enough of the fabric I used to finish the raven, fox, and hare cushions, so I wanted to use the same fringe. The fabric store I bought it at -- over a year ago -- had closed. This local "chain" is down to 3 stores, sadly, but they're all treasure troves! I went to another location hoping to find the same fringe, and discovered all the upholstery trims loaded into shopping carts awaiting transfer to a distant location. I asked it it was okay if I looked through them, and the staffer said, "umm, well, okay...."

And after twenty minutes of digging through 5 shopping carts worth of trims -- I FOUND THE FRINGE!!!


I made up the pillow -- discovering that I had sewn in the invisible zipper inside out, but, hey, it's "invisible" so who cares! And I'm so so so happy with the result!


Completing this stitching and this cushion checks off a whole bunch of things from my 101 Things in 1001 Days project, too:

63. pillows – make up raven, fox, hare, and swan cushions!
70. swan needlepoint, part 1 - wings
71. swan needlepoint, part 2 – necks and heads
72. swan needlepoint, part 3 - bodies
73. swan needlepoint, part 4 - plants
74. swan needlepoint, part 5 - background

Now, I know what you're thinking ... what's next???

I thought I had a project ready to go... I picked up an inexpensive little kit when we were on a road trip so I could have something small and compact to work on when we were traveling. And, well, it was perhaps a little too small:


I did like finding a "My 1st Stitch" kit that wasn't a childish pattern, but something that an adult (okay, maybe a teenager) would want to pick up and try. Still, a bonus happy dance!

So, now, really, what's next?

I have a small "rescue project" -- a partially completed embroidery kit rescued from my local charity shop, but I have decided to wait on that and stitch a small free pattern from DMC: a Lucky Maneki Cat cross stitch:


It's a perfect project for summer: small (4x4), relatively simple (no confetti stitching!), and it will be fun to work on while we get ready for our trip to Japan in September. 

I love this stitch-a-long -- it's a lovely mix of motivation and inspiration! If you fancy joining in, visit Avis's blog (first on the list below) for more info. And if you just want to look and feel inspired by a wonderful range of projects, check out what my fellow stitchers are working on!

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, LindaHeidi, Jackie, Hayley, Megan, CatherineDeborah, Clare, Mary MargaretRenee, Jenny, Carmela, Jocelyn, and Sharon.

See you on August 11th for our next check-in!

23 comments:

  1. Hi Sunny!Well!It's wonderful! Great work and great patience.Sweet even the small "My 1st Stitch".Happy holiday and Happy stitching!
    Carmela

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    1. Thanks Carmela! I'm really pleased with it!

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  2. oh well done! that's a gorgeous set of cushions you have there!
    claire93

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    1. Thank you Claire! I love how they turned out!

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  3. Stitching all four cushions was quite an undertaking. I have to congratulate for keeping going. Finding the fringe was a feat in itself! They're all absolutely gorgeous!!!!

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    1. Thanks Avis! Your stitch-a-long has a lot to do with my continued progress. :)

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  4. Yay, two happy dances! Your swans look so beautiful on their cushion and perfect timing to catch the trim before it was sent off on its way. I love your cat, so perfect for the build up to your exciting trip. x

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    1. Thanks Jenny! We've been planning for Japan for months now, and suddenly it's 5 weeks away!

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  5. Your cushions look beautiful. Well worth the effort of hunting through five shopping carts!

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    1. Thank you Sarah! I think the staff thought I was a little crazy -- but I'm really happy with the result.

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  6. Wow!! Stunning project finish for you! You are so talented!

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    1. Thank you Mary Margaret! This stitch-a-long really motivates and inspires me!

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  7. What a great story about the fringe! I love your cushions, they are just wonderful, and what a great feeling every time you sit down in that room. Your adventure cross stitch suis you perfectly!

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    1. Thank you so much, Kathy! They make me smile every time I see them -- which is every day!

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  8. You have really been busy, stitching on your embroideries! Two Happy dances! That´s great. Your swan pillow is gorgeous!

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  9. Simply gorgeous finish! And the fringe just adds to it too. You are talented!

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  10. Thank you Jocelyn! Finding that fridge feels like a miracle.

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  11. Yessss THE fringe ! Just perfect, congratulations on the happy dance and so much more to look forward to ! I need to make myself one of to 10001 to do list haha.

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    1. Thanks Megan! I have really liked both putting together the 101 in 1001 lists and checking things off!

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  13. Wow! Not only have you completed the stitching on the swans, you made them up into a pillow without delay! You're a better woman than I Sunny-Din! It was worth the dig to find the same fringe too. Was that Pacific Fabrics? They closed the store in Everet, much to our dismay. We have so few options now. Your little intermediate project is wonderful too. Could you make that into a little travel bag?

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  14. Congratulations on a stunning finish! I am going to miss your updates on this one. Beautiful stitching!

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