Sunday, September 12, 2010

What to do when you can't sleep....Sew of course!!

Too tired to even sleep last night......Does that ever happen to you???? So, I knew what would relax me....Sewing seams, adding buttons, tying ribbons and the like for my fall themed tree.... Here is what I have to show for last nights little insomnia project...

I found this cute pattern I printed LLOONNNGGG ago from The Floss Box blog and had just never stitched it. So, last month I played with colors and this is what I came up with.....Put it into a "stitchers companion" using Gloriana silks on 40 ct flax linen.......

Front-closed


And here it is opened..... I used Moda fabrics with trim and rings I had on hand.... Added some handmade pins and overdyed threads.....

Inside



I couldn't resist the little charm that says "grow".....Just the extra touch I was looking for in my button box...

Up close front



I also put together a couple pillows....Here is one I had stitched earlier this year and just not fabricated....Shakepeare's Peddler's "Count your blessings" sounded so fitting for my fall theme so I rounded up the fabrics and a round wooden button......



"Count your blessings"
Shakespeare's Peddler
40 ct linen, specified threads


And last but not least....I have had this sunflower stitched up for a while.... Long ago I enjoyed doing samplers by City Stitcher.....This is a portion of one of those samplers....I had gotton so frustrated with stitching it, I had thrown it in my "never want to touch it again" basket.... I had miscounted so terribly on the rest of the sampler, I didn't want to finish it....BUT, I DID want to salvage the finished sunflower portion..........It looks crooked in this picture (oops..) but, I wanted to share it with you also......There is a little satin weaving going on in the center of the flower and lends an interesting texture....

"Into this Garden"
City Stitcher
Natural 28 ct linen, DMC threads




Well, back to finish the last of the cleaning of MIL's condo...turning in the keys today as I am done.....Its been a long 2 months.... But if she were here, I think she would be proud of the work me and my family have put into taking care of her affairs
and getting things finalized... I still miss her so much, but know she is smiling down on me each day!
Make it a wonderful Sunday everyone, Faye

29 comments:

Margaret said...

What beautiful finishes! That must have been a real insomnia bout! Ugh!

BeckySC said...

Oh they are just BEEutiful, Faye! I ESPECIALLY love the sunflower!! Hope this goes through-I have posted it 3 or 4 times now and get Service Unavailable errors :)
Have a LOVELY sunday my friend!
((hugs))

CalamityJr said...

Sorry you couldn't sleep, but you certainly made great use of the time! Beautiful finished. I especially love your stitcher's companion.

Peggy Lee said...

YAY for insomnia, this time anyway. Hope you get a good nap today.
Great save on the sunflower! I would probably not think of salvaging it like you did so beautifully.

Natasha said...

Well you certainly made good use of your lack of sleep. Everything is lovely.Especially love the SP Count your Blessings, The finishing fabric is a great choice.

Clearing out my moms house was a huge project, 30+ years of her life needed to be cleared out in a month.Very tough but also so comforting. I kept finding things she was forever looking for :) Your MIL is for sure smiling down on you and radiating warmth and goodness.
Tkare Care

Anneke said...

I wish my insomnia was so productive! ;-) Love the finishes, especially the stitching companion.

Melanie said...

You certainly couldn't sleep! All of the finishes are lovely, especially your thread holder and all of it's little special touches.

Bonnie said...

wow Faye, you really took advantage of the extra non sleep time. All of them are beautiful. I am going to have to figure out how you did the stitcher's companion and be a KopyKat.

I woke up at 3 am myself and stitched up 1/4 of a biscornu that is way over due.
Have a GREAT day.

Barbi said...

Well you used your insomnia very productively...shall I send you some of my unfinished in case it happens again? LOL

Karen said...

Great finishes!!! Love your new fabrics and the little details you add are so cute. Your stitcher's companion is wonderful...love the fabrics you chose.

I know it has been a long couple of months for you and your family. Sending good thoughts your way. Can't wait to see what else you finish.

Kajsa said...

Beautiful sewing! It's great that you are done with setting your MIL's affairs in order,it's a hard process.

Catherine said...

What beautiful finishes! Love them all, the save, the blessings and mostly I adore the piece with the grow button!! I wish I could be productive like that when I can't sleep! Heck, who am I trying to fool, I can't even finish something like that when I'm all rested!

I'm sure your MIL is smiling down on you as well. She sure sounds like she was a very special lady. Hugs!

Deb said...

I just love all the things that you made Faye. It certainly pays to be productive when you can't sleep!

Nan ~ Threadwork Primitives said...

Great job on your sewing companion. Love the fabrics you chose. It's a beautiful finish and so are the cute little pillows.
Congrats on finishing up the condo. You must be relieved.
~Nan

Deborah said...

Love the pillows! Thre fabrics and the trims are really nice. You do great work in the middle of the night.

Mary said...

Hi Faye, I love your stitchers companion, blessings and the sunflower. The added touches are beautiful and unique to each one!

Isn't it fun "revisiting" unfinished "forgot about that one" projects?? ..(most of the time)
Our creativity takes over when we least expect it and I find my finish far different and better than what I had originally intended

Thankfully we have our stitching and sewing to occupy those sleepless hours.

Whether you're awake or asleep, your special angel is watching over you and grateful for all you have done for her!

Can't wait to see your Fall tree :)
(*HUGS*)

Tommye said...

You are such a busy girl! Love all your finishes. I'm so impressed!

Patricia Lessell said...

Sorry you couldn't sleep but your finishes are just too gorgeous for words.
Love
Patti xxx

PegC said...

So inspiring Faye--could you come to my house when you can't sleep?! I have some things to keep you busy

Myra said...

I know your MIL is smiling down on you too Faye. :o) I love the little stitcher's companion - you are so creative and the pattern is gorgeous. You know I am mad about your autumn pieces too. Great job on all of them.

Denise said...

Hmm, maybe instead of tossing and turning I should stitch! With those results I would never want to sleep again! Impressive! Glad to hear you are almost done with the condo. You need to take a break.
Smiles - Denise

Unknown said...

You are so creative!! Each finish and fabric is just perfect for the stitched piece.

Because of some medicine I am taking, I spend about an hour up in the middle of the night every night. Sometimes I can stitch, but I could never get what you have done accomplised.

Now that your MIL's condo is settled, here's hoping you will be able to sleep better.
You know she would be glad for that.

saras said...

hey! great finishes! Will you email me? I have some questions about getting to MB! :)

Teresa S. said...

If this is the work you do when tired, no wonder I am so impressed with your normal work! Just great!

Meadows08 said...

Beautiful stitching Faye. I love the Stitcher's Companion!

Carol said...

Maybe a bout of insomnia would make me get up and get some of my things finished up, Faye! Yours are as lovely as always--I'm glad you managed to salvage the sunflower portion of your sampler.

You are so very lucky to have had such a special relationship with your mother-in-law. I know she must have been so proud of you...

Jackie's Stitches said...

It looks like you had more than a little bit of insomnia. Great way to save a project you've fallen out of love with.

valerie said...

Lovely finishes! I too wish my insomnia bouts were as productive!

Blu said...

What a productive use! The stitcher's companion is beautiful!

Very cute pillows. That sunflower is so cheerful.