Friday, March 27, 2009

My Machine and I

The sewing machine and I have been very busy. Wait. What kind of machine did you think I meant in the title? Oh, you naughty girls! Before I get to the projects, here's a look at that antique tablecloth I found last week. Of course, it's too small for my little dining table, and after looking at it, I know why. Look closely at the picture below, and you'll see some card suits. Yes, I think it's a card tablecloth! How cute is that? It also has little ties on each corner. I have no idea what to do with it, so if anyone out there plays bridge, let me know.

Next up are my new pillow made from an antique French linen dishtowel and that cute little pin cushion I found. There was nothing at all to the pillow ... just seams up each side with an overlap in the back to make it an envelope.


The pin cushion insert had been stuffed extremely tightly with wool. I took that one out and replaced it with my homemade insert that was stuffed with crushed walnut shells. Then I found some pretty lampwork beads to dress it up a little bit. As some of you suggested, I tried and tried to figure out a way to make that S into a D, but no way (dang it). I'll try to be satisfied with the fact that Sharri will really like it. If she doesn't, or if she lets her naughty dog get hold of it, I'm stealing it and bringing it back home.


Finally, here is my first Christmas ornament of the year. I joined the 2009 Christmas Challenge (what was I thinking?) a little late, and I'm not requiring that I do the first two months of ornaments. If anyone else notices, I'll just tell them I've been busy in Eden, right? Anyway, this is a Shepherd's Bush cutie from the 1999 (I think) ornament issue of Just Cross Stitch. It's on a 32-count linen that I've forgotten the name of (hey, it's been a few years since I got the fabric and set it aside to stitch), stitched over two. I made some pretty cord, and I found out something about me that I've suspected for quite some time. I hate to sew on cord! Really. I believe that's the main reason that I hate to finish finish things. Sewing on cord is the pits. If I had a therapist, we'd probably have to discuss it. Since I don't (sigh), I guess I'll just have to get more practice at it.

I worked on something else, too, but it's not ready for viewing. No telling when I'll drag the beast of a sewing machine out to play again. Maybe the next time it snows like crazy, which could be many months away. Oh, well.

I'm off now to take my old man cat, Merlin, to the doc. He seems to be declining lately, and he needs some attention. This is not attention he will enjoy, I'm afraid. We'll try to make it fun (at least that's what I'll be saying to Merlin).

12 comments:

Maggie said...

All your finishes are lovely! Your cording look fine to me but i know what you mean, i always struggle with finishing.

I hope Merlin is ok and not too upset about going to the docs.

Have a good weekend

Patricia Lessell said...

The ties on the tablecloth are to make sure that it stays on the card table correctly. The correct order of suits in a game of bridge is Spades, Hearts, Diamonds and finally Clubs. So if I bid 1 Spade for example the next bid would be 1 No Trump or 2 of any other suit because you can't go higher .... enough. I love your stitching and finishing and I love that little pillow made from the French dishtowel and the cute little pin cushion which is just gorgeous. Lots of Love Patti xxx

Jan said...

Such pretty dainty finishes, Doris!! Love them both!! And I sure hope that Merlin feels better very soon!

Anonymous said...

Looks like you made the most of your snow day. Your new stuff looks great!

Love, mom

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Doris, the finishes are fantastic! I'm still lovin' that little, linen pin cushion - and your SB ornament looks awesome - great job. Believe it or not, I collect card table linens (or at least I used to). I use them whenever we have a gathering and need extra tables and chairs - they're a pretty way to dress up a card table. I've used them at holiday dinners to dress up kids tables and I used a bunch of them one time when I had a baby shower for a friend. I set up about 10 card tables on our deck and had them all dressed in white linens - really pretty! My cloths didn't have ties so I used ribbons to hold them to the legs so they wouldn't blow away. It looked so pretty and crisp. Save yours, even with the card motifs, it may come in handy one day.

Anonymous said...

The pin cushion is so cute.

Diane (di) said...

Oh my, that table linen is just beautiful Doris. Love, love, love the pincushion and those SB ornaments are so cute. I think I've got about four or five of them stitched and trust me, they are sooo addictive. BTW I think your cording looks great. You've gotten a lot done and the finishing looks wonderful. Have a great week-end!!

Brigitte said...

The little pin cushion looks so elegant, it's beautiful. And so is the pillow you made of the French dishtowel linen.
I agree with you on the cord sewing thing. I don't like it either and that's why I sometimes just add a hanger and leave the edges without anything. Well, sometimes.

Siobhán said...

Doris, your finishes and your finds are all so nice! YGG! I love your Christmas ornament--your cording is fab. YGG! Hope Merlin is okay.

Katrina said...

Gorgeous finishes! Love your Christmas ornament :-).

Hope Merlin's appointment goes well.

Deb said...

I like all your finds - the tablecloth is great! You never know when you might have the opportunity to use it! And the finishing on your ornament is perfect, but I hear you on sewing that stuff on - probably why I don't do smaller things myself! Hope that Merlin is okay and didn't ignore you after. My cat used to show her extreme disappointment in me after we had been to the vets by ignoring me for a day or two.

Anonymous said...

Doris, LoHR is absolutely beautiful! and that ornament is so adorable. I don't do cording much either because my ends are always messy. yours turned out really good!!!