Another fabulous finish from Claire using red this time.

I’d like to share some pics Claire has sent me of some gifts she recently stitched.  The bobbin & fob set uses one of the bands from a sampler in the TGOS – “Gather ye Rosebuds”.  I think the wooden bobbin is so sweet and I can definitely see stitching one for myself in the near future.

Bobbin & fob set

Claire stitched the thread cushion & fob set using the “Tudor Garden Trivet” design - my very first design for the blackwork column in The Gift of Stitching.  How time does fly – that was two years ago this January!

Thread cushion & Fob

I love the little scissors charm dangling from the fob!

Maria adapted her Elizabethan Biscornu into a lovely scissors case and it turned out wonderful.  I love that she took the acorn motif and stitched it in the inside of the top flap.   I visited her blog as well and I was really taken with the beaded flowers she posted.  They are just the sweetest little things. 

Claire has out done herself again with another wonderful color combination using DMC floss.  I really like the purple splashes of color against the traditional use of black.  

Claire's Rose Trellis Pinkeep

Claire just sent me a pic of some coasters she had made using the Daisy Ring design from this month’s issue of The Gift of Stitching.  She used variegated threads that really gave the design a whole different dimension.  The one thing that I really like about blackwork is how versatile it is and Claire’s stitching is a great example of that.  Thanks so much for sharing Claire!

Claire's Daisy Ring Coasters

Visit Claire’s blog at  http://claire93.wordpress.com/.  She has recently posted a great finishing technique for matting your stitching!

I received a wonderful surprise in my mailbox today – Maria sent me a pic of her Sweet Heart Satchel and it’s quite stunning.  She finished hers with a Madiera variegated cotton (2413) on a black Linda fabric.  The colors of the thread really “pop” on the dark background and I think it really gives a lot to the design.   I enjoyed visiting  her blog at http://enchanted-stitches.blogspot.com/ she has some really lovely blackwork finishes.  Thanks Maria! 

Detail on Maria's satchel

I ran across this finish on Kirsten’s blog and just wanted to share it.  I love the way Anne Marie finished the fob not to mention I think the picture itself is really neat.  I’m trying to get ahold of Anne Marie to ask her if I could post the pic here but in the mean time here’s the link.

http://giftofstitching.blogspot.com/2010/10/impressive-finishes.html#comments

Not only did Maria adapt the Elizabethan Biscournu to create this wonderful piece, but she introduced the word “zigougou” to me – another name for a pagoda!  

It’s stitched on 14ct aida using DMC 938 for the blackwork.  She used bronze and creme seedbeads along with some paillettes and wooden beads and then finished it off with a gold metallic tassel. I love how Maria took the design and made it her very own. 

I absolutely love what Connie did with the Rose Trellis Pinkeep.  The ribbon ruching is just gorgeous.  Another one of those “I wish I would have thought of that” moments!

Connie Walasek - Rose Trellis Pinkeep

I can’t begin to explain how flattered I  feel when someone finishes one of my designs and posts it on the net. Every once in awhile I will come across one and think “Wow”! 

 I like to see how others put their personal touch to a design whether using different threads or adding an embellishment.  More times than not  I think to myself, “Why didn’t I think of that”.   There is such creativity out there!

If you have finished one of my designs, I’d be honored to post a pic in my Stitcher’s Gallery to share with others.  Email pics to me at npederson1@wi.rr.com.