Wednesday 22 September 2010

~ Something Old and Something Even Older ~

Well I finally took the plunge and decided it was time to be brave and attempt to finish   Black Bird Designs Flowers for Sarah  from Thank You, Sarah Tobias This was a SAL I did with Sandra last year and although the stitching part was duly finished, the assembly part  kind of scared me so until a couple of days back it was hidden in the drawer with my other 'finished but not yet assembled 'WIP's.  I was always concerned about the putting together part of this beautiful design as it was stitched on a very long piece of linen, something like 54 inches long, plus it was quite an open weave linen and I could foresee issues in trying to get it all nice and even.  Anyway, here are the results.  I wasn't really happy with the colours either as although I stitched it in the suggested colours, it always looked rather 'wishy-washy' to me and didn't have the aged, vintage look that I was hoping for.  So, after I had put it together, I decided to once again be brave and dunk the whole thing in some coffee!!  Still not quite right so Plan B then came into play and I gave it a  spray with Parisian Essence.  I am now  pleased with the results - not perfect but okay and I am liking the rather crumpled look and don't plan on ironing out the wrinkles as it looks a bit rustic and  lets me dream that  it perhaps is something that has been hiding away in Great Grandma's workbasket for many years. Oh and yes, there is an extra bonus....the coffee makes it smells gorgeous :)

Now onto the 'something really old'....well, kind of really old!  Back in June, I took a trip back to New Zealand to visit my dearest, longtime friend who many years ago taught me to cross stitch and is now really ill. I think the second thing I ever cross stitched was this little picture  - very simple and and nothing special except for the sentiment... Forever Friends.  I know it meant something to my dear friend even though the threads I never tidied at the back showed through.  When I was there, she asked me to take it back home with me.  So this little simple picture, now hangs with pride in my craft room and I thank you my friend for teaching me to stitch - something that has become a real passion for me and over the years has made me lots of 'Forever Friends' just like you.


While surfing some blogs this morning I came across this beautiful quote and thought of you .....


19 comments:

  1. Hi Chrissie
    Sarah Tobias looks lovely - congratulations on finishing it off. How brave you were to dunk it in the coffee after it was finished.
    Your "friends" piece is sweet and what memories it holds. The verse is beautiful.
    Mary

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  2. Sarah Tobias is beautiful! Love the fabric.

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  3. Hi Chrissie:
    Thanks so much for the name of the designer that designed the pear that I just did the finish work on...I knew someone out in blog land would know who design it....I'm glad I found you I love your blog....your Black bird designs cross stitch is beautiful...
    Thanks again,Nancy

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  4. It was great catching up with you, Chrissie! I loved seeing all the gifts that you received for your birthday, and your SAL progress pieces! You did a great job on Sarah Tobias. Good for you!

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  5. Sarah is gorgeous, congratulations

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  6. Sarah is just lovely! Your finishing is great and the backing fabric is perfect for it. I have to admit to being daunted by finishing anything that is larger than a small square or rectangle.

    What a sweet piece you stitched for your friend all those years ago.

    Thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving a comment. It's led me to yours and I look forward to dropping by!

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  7. Siggy would be so pleased to see what you have posted about the picture you gave her and is now, after all these years, back with you. She is a wonderful woman, just like you Mum.
    Love you.
    Your daughter.
    xxx

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  8. Gorgeous finish!!!!! I love BBD pieces :-).

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  9. Beautiful Stitching Chrissie and thanks for the lovely verse! It really is beautiful!

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  10. I'm so pleased you got Flowers for Sarah finally made up, it is quite a daunting task. It will have got you in the mood for Abigail which should be ready for assembly any week now.

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  12. sometimes it's very good to have old memories!

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  13. "Sarah" is just lovely!! I've often thought of distressing my projects after the fact. Haven't had the opportunity yet, but I wonder if I'll be able to work up the courage when the times comes. If I could guarantee an outcome like your "Sarah," well, then I'd be all for it.

    I could really relate to your story about a friend teaching you to stitch. I also was taught by a very dear friend. What an incredible gift she gave me in the process! Looks like your friend did the same for you.

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  14. Hi Chrissie
    This is a lovely post and I feel I've almost known you for a long time, from your bio we've got a lot in common!
    Beautiful stitching and isn't parisian essence great to use - I'ce also added it to chicken gravy for colour too!!!
    The quote for your dear friend is very poignant.
    I've become a follower and thank you so much for leaving a comment on my blog.

    hugs from New Zealand xox

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  15. I bet you held your breath when you gave it a dunking! Lovely peice of work.

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  16. Hi chrissie,
    Thank for leaving a very lovely comment on my blog. Your work is lovely.
    Cheers from Brisbane, Australia.
    Pam x

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  17. I love your blog specialy that's music in the background

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  18. Your finish of Sara Tobias looks gorgeous!!!

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