Finishes and so on

This past weekend was our local EGA chapters biennial show. I entered 15 pieces - 8 of which needed finishing first, 1 was framed, the rest I did. I only just scraped in on time - I misjudged how much time I'd have to finish things while our international exchange visitors were here and so ended up with 6 things to finish in 3 days. But I did it. And the judges were impressed enough with two of my (framed) pieces that I got two merit awards.

So without further ado - what you've all been waiting for - photos:

The two ribbons (sorry - I did take my camera to the show, but completely forgot to take actual photos of the ribbons on the pieces and them all on display). They were awarded for An Open Heart and Linda's Celtic Heart.

An Open Heart

Knotwork Garden Box

Tree of Stitches

Bug Collector (I actually found a cool fabric with ants on a gingham background that would have been great if I hadn't already had the fabric I wanted to use, and if it hadn't been red and white and just plain didn't go with pink)

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Birds of a Feather (love the backing fabric on this one, so you get a picture of the back too)

Winter Welcome (I think I need to learn how to make points better lol)

Tempest (and just cos I feel like it, the back on this one too)

Other pieces I entered were Lindas Celtic Heart, Christmas Elf Fairy, African Animals Needlebook, Southwest Amulet bag, Christmas Humbug, Smarties Bookmarker and the Art Deco beaded Ornament. The only requirement was that pieces hadn't been entered into one of their shows before - so that meant that I could choose anything I had that was finished, or I could finish before the show. So I tried to choose a selection of interesting pieces that would hopefully interest people and make them want to stitch.

Speaking of humbugs and other biscornu type finishing shapes - this weekend I'm teaching a construction class for the diamond drop ornaments, 15 sided biscornu (in both the round and horned versions), and the humbug (we're calling the class biscornu variations). I also tacked on the end of the instructions the basic fold the corners of the square in to get a diamond shape just for good measure. I'm just starting to stitch a sample or two, so I'll have to show those to you later (if I remember to take photos as I'm planning for it to also be my donation to the groups seminar basket so I won't be bringing it home).

In other news - I've finished the back of the jumper I'm knitting for DD:

Tomorrow is beading group and we're working on bracelets from February's Bead and Button magazine. Somehow I managed to buy materials not only for the bracelet we'll be doing tomorrow, but for another one from the mag too. Course these may not get completed tomorrow but I'm sure there will be something I can photograph. I did have great fun at the shop choosing the supplies and decided that one of the bracelets will probably be for DD - in pink and purple of course.

And a picture of a recent visitor:

I was looking for something for a birthday present recently and found this (Shalom right at the bottom) - that I love, but unfortunately think it's slightly out of my price range. DH is convinced I can design my own - I'm not so sure, but I'll give it a go :)

Winter Welcome

Winter Welcome is finished. Not ironed yet (won't be washed because of the thread):

Winter Welcome

Almost finished :)

Only need to put in another few swirly bits and it's done. Oh and then finish finish it, but still, it's nearly done.

Winter Welcome

I have almost finished this. I only have the 4 snowflakes and curly-wurly bits down the sides to go. Unfortunately I still can't show you a picture so you're just going to have to take my word for it.

I had done most of the first snowflake by going up and down the arms and then I decided that looked silly so now I'm ripping it out and I'm going to try going round and round in circles from the centre out - see if that will help the colour variation. The thread goes from quite light to quite dark, so it's quite obvious the direction of stitching and where the changes are. I'm trying to get something that will look smooth and flow nicely and not have such large colour jumps between stitches. I'll see how the circle method goes.

Winter Welcome

It's about time I updated you on this piece. I finished the word welcome ages ago and then it got put away while I concentrated on the bookmarks and ornaments for Christmas. So here is a picture of it:

Winter Welcome

And also progress on Winter Welcome.

Winter Welcome

And my latest progress on this one.

Winter Welcome

Here's my latest new start - Winter Welcome by Brittercup Designs - I'm stitching this one mostly at homegroup and while watching the children swim as it's an easy carry project. I'm stitching it on an odd cut of fabric from Sparklies. I do like her fabric :)