Friday, April 19, 2013

Dogwood Farms


I was thrilled when the latest Stacy Nash club kit arrived from Country Sampler.
I couldn't wait to get started! But soon I realized this was not to be, as the small count fabric and these tired eyes would not cooperate. But never fear ~ just time to improvise! I pulled out a larger count linen, gently tea dyed it and started stitching.
 
As I completed the stitching, I realized that on the larger count fabric it would be too large to be the "Dogwood Farms Needle Book" so instead it became a sewing book:
 

 
This allowed the entire lovely design to be seen on the front - oh how I love those muted bluish grays and taupes! Jeanne's team at Country Sampler picked the perfect backing fabric for me.


I added a little wool applique to the back.
 
And here is the inside:
 

 
On the top is a wool appliqued flower for storing needles.
And on the bottom a pin wheel, scissor pouch and the rest of Stacy's lovely design.

 
A silk ribbon and antique bone buttons for tying it safely shut.
 
It has been a trying week both for our nation and locally here in Chicago.
The Boston marathon bombing and the Fertilizer Plant Explosion has caught my thoughts, sympathy and prayers. Here in Chicago there has been terrible flooding with my son's high school closed for two days, major highways closed for a time and travel/commuting being extremely difficult. Luckily we have had only a little water in our basement. And although I drove through some rather high water that I had no business driving through, my father's words kept running through my mind - go slow and don't stop for anything and I made it through! Looking in my rearview mirror I realzed that the water was up to the headlights on the car behind me...
The rain has stopped. But it has been snowing on and off all day today.
Will Spring ever arrive???
 
Thank goodness for handwork and the wonderful peace that it brings to my life.
Wishing you a sunny spring weekend in your corner of the world!
Blessings, Patti 
 
 p.s. I was just noticing that I should have pressed it before photographing :)

20 comments:

marly said...

Oh my goodness Patti it couldn't be any better! Wonderful idea and finishing.

Anonymous said...

So beautiful Patti!

Karen said...

That is so pretty... love the way you finished it! love the colors too....

Sharon said...

Gorgeous finish! Congrats!

WoolenSails said...

That is such a beautiful piece and beautiful stitching, love it.

Debbie

Bev C said...

Hello Patti,

Such a pretty project.

Happy days.
Bev.

Dirty Martini Queen said...

Absolutely gorgeous finish!

Giovanna said...

What a lovely finish, and such pretty colours - congrats!

Patty C. said...

I love it- great pattern & great finish!

cucki said...

Wow it us do pretty xxx

moosecraft said...

Beautiful stitches and your rework into a sewing pouch is amazing!

denise said...

it's beautiful!!!!! denise

Teresa said...

meraviglioso, adoro il blu di questo ricamo.
Teresa

Raymond Homestead said...

I absolutely love it and the colors are perfect!

Roberta said...

Love how your needlework book turned out. The colors are perfect. Glad you made it through the water ok! Scary how fast those situations can arise. ~Roberta

Kathy L. said...

I love this. You did such a nice job improvising. I bet Jeanne and Stacy will agree.

Kathy

Marilyn said...

It looks so pretty, great job.
Marilyn

Danice G said...

Beautiful! It is so old-timey :)

suz said...

Love your sewing pouch - you did a wonderful job! Things were so crazy here in Boston last week, that I'm just realizing everything you all went through with the flooding you had - it didn't register with me at all! I'm glad you were okay driving thru that water - it can be so dangerous. I think we are all going to go from Winter to Summer - no spring this year!

Ranae said...

What a fabulous lpiece , love it and the colors