The Return of St. Basil Santa

Finally St. Basil Santa has returned. Actually I've had him for a few weeks but didn't want to post until I gave him to his new owner. I think he looks at home in a more whimsical setting, don't you? Thanks to Marie, the finisher, I think she did a nice job and I especially like the way she pleated the plaid moire fabric on the front of the pillow. What do you think? Much better than before? I think so. Glad this one is behind me.

Here is St. Basil's Mini Sock

This is a case of finishing gone wrong. Now I'm the first person to be empathetic to the risk and difficulty that comes along with finishing needlework. I enjoy my attempts at it and am gentle with myself, taking into consideration that I am self trained. My turn around time (quick) and labor cost (free) are often the driving factors when doing my own finishing work. What was that old adage, penny wise and pound foolish? I admit it, I've been there a few times.

On your left is my St. Basil's mini sock that I stitched last year; a glorious canvas designed by Shelly Tribbey. I enjoyed working on it using a variety of stitches and threads, and the tassel was great fun to create. I didn't have a stitch guide but managed because of the intricity of the painted design. Thank you Ms. Tribbey.

After completing the stitching in July, I decided to send St. Basil off to be finished into it's final form; not as a stocking, but rather as a front design on a box pillow. There was to be a variety of fabrics contrasting in color, texture and pattern, cording, a shirred gusset, tassels and the stocking was to be positioned slightly tilted clockwise with a tassel hanging from the upper left corner. I basically wanted a whimsical feel not unlike the color and pattern variations characteristic of Mackenzie Childs http://www.mackenzie-childs.com/. Between my suggestions and website examples of their work, I felt confident. Often times in life we don't always get what we expect and this was the case here.

So now over a year later, with the pillow hidden from view, I am debating whether I am up for another finishing job or just send it off to the finisher I currently use and am satisfied with. I'm not worried about it being finished for this holiday season, but more afraid that it is beyond my skill level. I toyed with leaving the sock on this pillow and try to embellish it with tassels, added cord, etc. Any recommendations out there?

Say Hi to Lucy, Desi, Laverne, Shirley, Sonny and Cher

This year's Cozy Toe intentions are coming to a close. Close of the toes. I am not sure how their names were chosen, but they are all identified by first name. Five are complete and off the bars, one last sock to whip up! I loved these tiny projects, they work up in a couple of days, a mere weekend and that is for a slow stitcher like yours truly.

I know I thought I'd get all 12 done this year, but I have a clear conscience and can only afford to have 6 finished anyway. Perfect. Excuse me a moment while I add the next 6 to my 2009 queue. Hmmm, getting crowded in there.

These have been a joy to stitch for a number of reasons, first of which is that they were expertly hand painted, the stitches were all tested in advance and appropriate for the space, likewise, the fibers were also well chosen to accommodate the space and design. They all came taped up, individually packaged with threads, instructions, photo of finished piece and stitch diagrams. No wonder they work up in just days. All that arriving monthly from PFOS in Lubbock, TX. They sure know how to do things in Texas and in a big way too. Since the yearly series has closed you can buy them individually.

Now marching off to the finisher, well as soon as I get the last one off the stretchers.