Just a few things I've been working on.

It's been a very long time since I did any updating on my blog...my apologies for not doing more chatting here and adding pics sooner. But I am making up for it now, and will share with you a few of the finishes I have managed to accomplish in the last several months.

Exchanges are so much fun, and I have been in two this year. Great fun! One was for the Sampler House Exchange, the theme was 'Ladies'. I decided to stitch a huswife with several parts to it. Mine had a pincushion/needleroll that was attached to the center so the whole thing could be laid over an armchair. The needleroll was removable -- anchored with some ribbons in a coordinating color, which were tied to a 'bar' I created with some skirtex that was wrapped iwth fabric. The ribbons were actually sewn to the back of the strip. so that they are permanently anchored to hte huswife. The needleroll is tied nicely to the whole thing and looks prettier with the ribbon bows . It has one pocket for 'whatevers'. But I also made a scissors case that fits into that pocket, and is removable, so it can be used anywhere, and the scissors are nicely protected. The other side of the huswife has some bone rings that I stitched over with some linen thread that was overdyed. It was the first time I had used anything like that, and it was a very nice effect. These rings are sewn into the fabric and are used for holding your flosses, or ribbons. When I stitched and mailed this off to the recipient, I added several kinds of ribbons and flosses to the rings. The outer portion of the design was fun to put together, along witht he different fabrics I chose to complete the project. All in all a great stitch and here are pics of the same.... This one is a close up of the Ladie that I stitched over one. I added a bow with ribbon that I cut so it would work with the design. It's very hard to tie a bow that small .
Right below to the right is a picture of the pocket I made for holding the Scissors case. And next to it is a picture of the needleroll that is attached to the center of the huswife. Below you can see the full Huswife opened up with the pocket on one end, the floss rings on the other and the center needleroll. I used Perle cotton from Caron, in 3 different colors to make the cording ties that are on each end. This way you can pick up the whole huswife to carry it, and all your things will be stored inside. Here is a picture of the scissors case opened up.

I'm hoping to stitch another Huswife just for myself, using some of the same fabrics. I'm not sure as yet if I will use the same patterns or not. It will be fun working on a second one now that the first one has been sewn. My sewing machine broke down about the time I was starting to put this together. It is now working again and I will enjoy completing another one of these needlework huswifes to keep for myself -- it will also be easier to do it the second time around. I'll post the pics of what I received in this exchange in my next post. So be looking for it in he next day or so.

Happy stitching!
Cathy