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.

Sweet Surprise thimble pod & scissor fob by Betsy Morgan (Inspirations #61)
Flax Belfast linen (32 ct)
Stitched with Gloriana silk floss

One of my stitching goals this year is to improve my finishing skills (in my case, complete and embarassing lack of skills).  Therefore, from stitching over one thread to assembling the three-sided pod, this project was a challenge.  But the soft, antique color scheme and design were lovely, and the little thimble holder so cute,  I couldn’t resist giving it a try.  I purchased the kit from Country Bumpkin and am pleased (and relieved) to report that the kit includes plenty of Gloriana silk floss to cover any mistakes that need unpicking.  (Ask how I know this.)  The kit also includes enough perle cotton, silk, interfacing, linen, and template plastic to cover finishing mistakes.  Those sorts of errors are usually my specialty, but not this time.

Happily, this project wasn’t as difficult as I had feared it would be!  It also didn’t hurt to have a supply of chocolate mini-eggs (aka Stitcher’s Little Helper:  Seasonal Variety) for fuel and photos.  In fact, this was such a fun little finish I’d enjoy making more of these … but I’ve probably overdosed on chocolate eggs for the year.