Sinister Craftiness

Here’s another finish from the Crazy January Challenge:  the thimble purse by C.A. Wells.  The first side of the purse features the initials of the Historic Needlework Guild (for which this design was originally created) while the other two sides are customized with the stitcher’s initials and the date.

This was my first time stitching Hedebo buttonhole edging.  The instructions in the chart were very easy to understand, so I was able to learn it and stitch up the edges in no time.

I’m picking away at the other CJC projects, trying to get most of them up to the half done mark.  I’ve also been doing a little work on the Peacock Mandala, and it’s encouraging to see that taking shape.

Thanks for visiting, and have a great weekend!

Rodeo by Emily Peacock Tapestry
Tapestry canvas (10 hpi)
Stitched with Appletons crewel wools

I love Emily Peacock’s bright, cheerful designs (which can be seen on her web site and in her Etsy shop) and bought this kit to commemorate our Southwest family vacation from two years ago.

Speaking of ups and downs, I got nowhere near as much stitched on yesterday’s thimble purse as I had hoped to do.  A late start, followed by frogging the border twice (counting was not my strong suit that day), meant that by bedtime I hadn’t quite finished even one of the panels.

Nevertheless, I finally got the borders for all the panels stitched, and once I was able to start working on the design, I enjoyed the specialty stitches.  Hopefully the other panels will proceed more smoothly.

Thimble Purse by C.A. Wells
Swan White Legacy linen (30 count)
Stitched with Soie Cristale and Silk ‘N Colors

I’ve admired this dainty thimble purse on other blogs, and now it’s time to try making one for myself.

Here’s a look at the progress I made on yesterday’s Blackbird Designs pincushion:

Not too bad!  The lower right-hand leaf needs to be stitched, as does the border.  After the challenge is done, another day should finish this project up nicely.

Silk Rosebud scissors keeper by C.A. Wells
Soft white Northern Cross linen (35 count)
Stitched with Soie Cristale

I spent most of September working on a few different Hardanger projects:  the doily I made last year; a small table runner from an issue of Burda Hardanger, and another small Burda Hardanger doily.  The doilies are still in progress, so there’s nothing to show off yet.  Unfortunately I wasn’t too fond of the table runner pattern to begin with (but it looked like it would go quickly, so I chose it anyway) and then I didn’t like the variegated thread I chose; it’s much too bright for me.  I hoped the runner would grow on me as it progressed, but no.  I don’t think it’s nice enough to give away as a gift either, so I’ve put it aside for now.

Another Hardanger gift is in the queue; I love the design and hopefully the variegated thread I’ve chosen for it will work well with the pattern.  The skein is on order from my LNS and I’m eager to get started once it shows up.  Meanwhile, I needed a break from the dozens of eyelets on the pink doily and weaving the lacy edge on the other doily (which may be another disaster, or not … will find out soon), and this dainty little three-sided scissor fob was a perfect fit:  stitched and finished in one day.