Thursday, August 07, 2008

Starts and Finishes ...

Hope everyone is having a great week. It's been pretty crazy at work and at home .. I'm thinking the plants are a bit out of alignment? Owell, as they say, this too shall pass .. quickly I hope! I have been stitching, but mostly on exchanges I can't show you yet but I do have a couple of pictures of stitching to share. This is my first pictures of Joyful Summer by CCN. I changed the fabric to a neutral brown (can't remember the name of it). I already have a couple of pieces stitched on the light blue and just wanted sometime new. I really like the colors on this fabric. It's a very fun stitch .. the birds make me smile! I'm leaving all the french knots to do after it's all stitched .. poor birdy doesn't have any eye yet :(





Earlier this year I posted pictures of my finished Christmas Drawers by Shepherd's Bush. This piece has meant a great deal to me .. all the challenges with new speciality stitches, the number of retreats it attended and just the fact that after about 7 years I really finished it. The bad thing, I waited to long to order the frame that SB had used. I was talking to Lois at Elegant Stitch about it and she suggested I have Jill Rensel do the matting and framing. I loved the idea and decided I was worth the splurge. Well it arrived home on Saturday and all I can say is I'm so glad I decided to splurge .. it turned out better than I ever expected. And DH was still impressed with the framing after seeing the bill *grin* Here it is ...


A close up .. yes, there is a bead missing on the top drawer :( I didn't noticed I had left it off .. until after it was framed! owell .. makes it mine, right? along with a few other "mistakes" ...


Don't you love the mats! So danity and a bit whimsical too :)

I don't know what I love more .. the frame or the mats .. but check this close up .. this is a lovely frame ...


I know I won't spend this kind of money on everything I have framed, but I am very glad I have Jill do the framing and now I know what to do with that "special" piece in the future.

Before I close, I would like to ask you all for positive thoughts and prayers for a couple of my dear friends. One is dealing with some major health issues concerning her 19 year old daughter. The other is my good friend and neighbor who had surgery today, they were taking a biopsy for possible lung cancer.

I'd like to say hi to a couple of new readers of my blog .. it's always nice to get comments from new readers (and old ones too! lol) .. check out Jade and Dawn's blogs. I'm really enjoying getting to know them.


I'm grateful for Karen and Joan ...

24 comments:

Veronica said...

Michele, that indeed is beautiful framing. Everytime I see one of Jill's work, I'm impressed.

Joyful Summer is coming along nicely too. Look forward to more updates.

Melissa said...

Your Christmas Drawers looks amazing!! I'm definitely going to have to get Jill to frame something for me at some point. Her work is just too beautiful not to. :-)

Jane said...

Joyful Summer certainly lives up to it's name.

Framing makes all the difference to a piece. This looks lovely

Nic said...

The framing is fantastic, it really makes a statement!

I hope your friends get some good news soon.

mainely stitching said...

Wow, that's some gorgeous stitching and framing. Nothing like being really happy with the finished product, is there?

I have to laugh at your opening line about the "plants" being out of alignment. Mine are just under-watered. LOL. ;)

Becky K in OK said...

Your framed piece is incredible. I love it.

Joyful Summer is coming right along. Congrats on both pieces!

So sorry to hear about your friends.

Sally said...

Wow, Michele, your SB piece looks stunning! It is so beautifully framed.

Joyful Summer is looking gorgeous.

Keeping your friends in my thoughts and prayers {{{{hugs}}}}

Petra said...

Beautiful framing, I just love that mat and frame...your WIP is too cute, I agree the fabric is nice with the design...sometimes too much is stitched on blue! LOL! Best wishes to your friends.
Have a nice weekend
Petra

Karen said...

i love the framing on christmas drawers! i have that one stitched as well, but i did it on a piece of banding and just need to finish it up into a bell pull. oy! Joyful Summer is looking great too!
Thank you for the prayers and good positive thoughts, you made me cry sitting here reading. Just so happy to have such a wonderful friend!!!!! love ya girl!

Carla said...

wow! Christmas Drawers looks wonderful all framed!!!
Nice progress on Joyful Summer!

Kim said...

WoW Great progress on you Joyful Summer! Congrats on your finishes too.

~Kim~

Anna van Schurman said...

Four mats! Wow. But it does look great!

Shelleen said...

I love the frame and mat, they look great.

Michelle said...

Hi Michele,

I'll keep your friends in my prayers..

Your stitching looks great! Have a great weekend.

Michelle

Ruth said...

Beautiful, Monika! Absolutely beautiful. We'd never know about the bead if you didn't tell! lol
Hope all those issues that are pestering you work themselves out.

hugs!

And thanks for thinking me worthy of the Kreativ Blogger award!

Mary Ann said...

OHHH, your newly framed SB piece is beautiful!! And Joyful Summer is looking lovely!

Sharon said...

Your SB piece is gorgeous and the framing and mats all just add to it. I don't think I have ever noticed that particular pattern before. Joyful summer is pretty too.

Angela said...

Your framed piece is just perfect! I love the way it looks together.

Tracy M. said...

Love the colors on the bird and flowers. Beautiful mat and framing!

stitcherw said...

The framing turned out wonderful, and Joyful Summer is looking great. That is such a fun stitch, I'm totally enjoying mine. Sorry to hear a couple of your friends are having such difficulties, I'll keep them in my thoughts.
Sue

Nancy said...

Hi Michele,

I love the fabric you chose for Joyful Summer. It looks beautiful! Can't wait to see your finish on this one. And, your Christmas Drawers? Wow! It looks gorgeous framed. Happy stitches!

Jean said...

Lovely work - the framing is beautiful and the extras on the mat are just too adorable. Some people have such a knack for the whimsy and artsy stuff! I know what you mean about not spending so much on all your pieces - one could go broke. It's great to splurge every once in a while. I wish I had a "Jill" to frame some of my stuff.

I work nights and miss most of the Olympics. I love gymnastics but feel they don't show enough of the competition itself and no enough representation of other countries which I would enjoy. Even though I'm missing the Olympics, I'm making a bit of headway on a piece if you want to take a peek!

Kathy A. said...

I agree - your Christmas Drawers is stunning. The framing is perfect. I love your two F&S blocks. I agree - these exchanges have been the best fun!
Love your start on Joyful Summer and look forward to your progress.

Zelda said...

Your work is amazing as I have stated before... I really look forward to seeing the finished "Joyful Summer" Should you find yourself in need of reading glasses or magnifiers to help you see the beautiful pieces you continue to turn out check out
http://www.debspecs.com/FathersDay a site I myself love. Keep stitching!!!