Pretty Wee Finish
Posted by Zeb in Cross Stitch on Jun 20th, 2009 | 10 commentsOne of the things I have been trying to do now that I am back into cross stitching, is to sharpen my finishing skills.
Finishing? As in, once I am done with the stitching, I do it up in some fashion that makes it useful/usable. Whether it’s done up as a simple ornament (as in today’s example) or a needlebook, pincushin or biscornu.
I had initially stitched this design with the idea to do it up as a biscornu, but alas I made some mistakes that, when doing it up as a biscornu, the sides were lopsided. Not wanting to throw away such pretty stitching (well I think it is!) I decided to make it into a simple ornament.
The design was a freebie called Frozen January from the Matrioshka blog. I enlarged the central square a bit, and then took elements from the design to create the back piece; and added Mill Hill beads to give it that final touch.
I wish I could tell you what the silk variegated thread is, but it was part of a kit I bought ages ago that The Embroiderer had made that I probably won’t ever stitch; and I thought it a huge waste to not use that silk! So pretty!
Frozen January Front & Back
I made the tassle using one whole hank of DMC Ecru, and am pretty pleased with it. Once the stitching was all done, I added two gorgeous paua shell buttons I found at The Bead Hold, that I was going to use for the biscornu, and thought complimented the colours.
Frozen January Front
Frozen January Back
All in all, quite pleased with this 
Currently trying to decide what to stitch next. Recently received the fabric I had chosen to do Mirabilia’s Bluebeard’s Princess on. Iris Garden is the name of this fabric by a company called Silkweaver.
I first came across the combo of Bluebeard’s Princess and Iris Garden ages ago on the LiveJournal cross stitcher forum I belong to.
Loved it so much, I shared my desire with some local NZ stitchers (one stitcher ended up stitching Bluebeard’s Princess on Iris Garden too!) Thought I’d give credit though, since the original idea of using the Silkweaver Iris Garden with Bluebeard’s Princess came from Tarnera.
It’s calling my name in a big way, which is a pain because I want to get some Just Nans stitched too!
Ah well, I’ve planned a lazy relaxing weekend, so I have lots of time to decide
10 Responses to “ “Pretty Wee Finish”
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Thats pretty cool
with the buttons do you go right through the middle, putting the buttons on at the same time to make it sink in the middle like that?
You have to start the Mirabilia, I started mine:D
@Mysti
Yup, I knotted the end of the thread (I know, so bad of me lol!) and laced one of the buttons up, then went through the middle, pressing down and coming out in the front, laced the other button on, then down again and through one of the holes on the back button. Repeated this several times and then looped the thread around the back button and fed the needle through the ornament and out at the edge, and snipped the thread close to the fabric so the tail sunk inside.
LOL don’t tempt me! I dread taking out my embroidery frame, thats the only thing stopping me right now!
@Zeb
oh cool, hey I knot my ends too, I hate spending the extra time to put the needle through the fabric again and again and again cause I always pull to far lol.
Do it, do it, do it haha:P
@Mysti
Aahh no for ending and starting new threads when stitching I definitely run under existing stitches if possible. I don’t like knots in this scenario because I always end up with bumps under my stitching which never looks good when I get something framed or finish it. Personal preference though, I know others who knot like you and have no problem!
*groans and resists* I MUST stitch a Just Nan design!
So pretty! And even better in person.
Its lovely Zeb.
This is a super cute ornament! I hope you do start Bluebeard’s Princess, it is such a gorgeous stitch and that Iris Garden fabric is so beautiful that now I want a piece of it.
Very pretty! And I love the choice of Iris Garden for Bluebeard’s Princess.
It’s lovely, Zeb! Great job!
Ok you had me jaw on the floor when you said those magical words: PAUA BUTTONS. Oh dear…those are JUST stunning….Feel free to ship them my way anytime…I’m in love with them. It turned out GREAT, and I love the floss. Great choice for that and a great finish!
Love, love, love this ornament from the buttons to the tassle
) Was the tassle hard to make?