Friday, April 04, 2008

Rainy Fridays...crafting time...and some good hints....

Happy rainy Friday from the state of Indiana! Well Fridays usually mean a day I kick up my heels a bit by shopping for crafting "necessities"....and folding the underwear and PJ's from Wednesday's laundry day....uh oh...the cat's out of the bag now!....people know I'm not Suzy homemaker.... :))))

Well my crafting expedition resulted in me finally finishing my Fair and Square friendship squares. Here's what I did:



Friendship Squares from Laura made into a cube

This is the second cube I've made - the first one I made for a client in my finishing service. These are really quick to do and look cute.....I think this is a new favorite finish of mine. Do ya'll know how to make them? Want a tutorial? (let me know if you would like one...I'll make one with my next set of squares if there is interest....)

Next up: Yep....thanks to all the enabling on the wide-world of blogs I ran out and got my own set of Emma Gingher's...I don't know anybody named Emma, but it was going to be Jacob's name if he was a girl in my twin set...it was going to be Ian and Emma, instead we got a Ian and Jacob, and I'm glad for that ;) SO here's my Emma, displayed with Sylvie's lovely robin fob she made me for the Seasonal Exchange. (lookie Sylvie...perfect, eh?!)


Thanks to Jill I had the Emma dressmaking shears in my basket...I was going to get it because Joann's has a fabulous sale going on today (maybe the entire weekend?) on gingher's (40% off without a coupon)...anyway...I had those babies in the basket and was going to get them until my Catholic Guilt started in...then I put them up. LOL! I'm happy with my 4" Emma's and I didn't need those shears anyway....

Next up some helpful hints:

I've been lucky enough to have been RAK'd by two lovely ladies in the past see HERE and HERE
anyways...those lovely ladies fobs had weight to them and they just sit so nicely on the arm of my stitching chair. I kept feeling Cathy's last year thinking it was rice...so the fobs I made - I filled with rice. But then when I got Myrna's I could feel that they were round not elongated...so I e-mailed both of the sweet, dear ladies and found out that they used POLYPELLETS which are weighted filler for dolls and crafts....I LOVE THIS STUFF!!! You can see it in the bag below. I got mine at Michael's today for $6.99 and there is surely enough there to fill 100 fobs. What a bargain!


Now the other pictured items are styrofoam squares that are PERFECT for the cube finish and they are the PERFECT size for the Fair and Square sizes...so head's up members if you want to do a cube finish...viola...here's the answer.
Alrighty that does it for me today...work this weekend so I'll be behind in my blog reading - sorry! And next week...well it's my twin's First Communion on April 13...that means MAJOR cleaning all next week and MAJOR cooking for the onslaught of family coming to celebrate! So if I'm not on much next week...don't worry, I'm just making myself a nervous wreck for the weekend! :) SO until we meet again my friends "stitch with joy!"
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55 comments:

  1. Very cute finishing, I especially like the ribbons and bow!

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  2. Beautiful stitching -- and, I sent the e-mail to you BEFORE I read your post : )

    The scissors are beautiful!

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  3. Hey, you're my kind of suzy homemaker, LOL!!! Love your finishing...and PRETTY PLEASE do a cube tutorial!!!

    Well, still no Emma's for me~~I'm home alone and don't really feel like driving 30 min to a Joann's ;) And thanks for the info for the fob filling, gotta get some of that!

    Good luck to your sons!!!

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  4. Yes Yes please a tutorial.

    Jan

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  5. Wow you are just the finishing goddess aren't you!? I love that cube finish and while a tutorial would be nice, I think I will just send you my finishes once I have them stitched!
    Keep up the great work!
    Petra

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  6. You stitchers in the US are so lucky with all the extra supplies you can get in hobby stores... no polypellets here and I am keeping (and asking family and friens for, if I see they have any) every piece of styrofoam I think could be used in the future :) Otherwise I don't like the result one gets when cutting styrofoam at home - the borders are messy :)
    Love your cube, the colors are perfect!

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  7. You bet I want a tutorial - I wouldn't be surprised if a cube finish shows up on the Monthly Finishing Challenge. Speaking of which, how's your needleroll coming? Remember we are going to help each other along. My design is fairly close to being stitched, then the fun really starts. Congratulations on your twins having their First Communion.

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  8. Another gorgeous finishing job. You're awesome ;)

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  9. I just love how you finished the f&S squares! Gorgeous!

    I'm planning a trip to my local crafty store today - I hope I find as much treasure as you (I know I won't be coming home with Emma's though!)

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  10. Man-oh-days, Vonna! You sure have a knack for picking excellent fabrics for your finishes. Love, love, love the cocoa colored fabric!

    Great job all around.

    Wow. First Communions. I remember those days! Seeing my son in his first suit made me very sentimental. I hope you and your family have a lovely celebrations.

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  11. Great cube finish! I LOVE doing them. i have a whole bunch of them around for each holiday and just in general. I can do a no-sew craft any day of the week. LOL I made one for Michele in WA that was coffee themed that turned out pretty cool. Where did you find your Emma scissors? my Joann's doesn't have them yet. :(

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  12. I love the cube and yes to a tutorial. Thanks for the comment on my ornie. It was my first. I learn a lot reading your blog.

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  13. Beautiful cube Vonna. I would love to see a tutorial (I'm finishing-challenged and can only make fobs and biscornus, so would love to expand my knowledge!). Thanks in advance. :-)

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  14. Your cube finish is perfect Vonna - it looks great.
    Those Emma scissors are also perfect with the fob that Sylvie made for you - it looks like they were meant for each other.
    Do you have an Gingher shears? 40% off, guilt, the cornerstone of Catholicism... Go back and get the shears Vonna, you deserve them and you will love them. (see why my friends like to come shopping with me!!!)

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  15. Vonna you do some great finishing!!! I'd love for you to do a tutorial! I always reference your flat-fold tutorial when I make one and once I get the courage up I'll try a basket :-)

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  16. Your cube is beautiful.You have a great eye for color and pick the perfect matches. Have a great weekend and try not to stress too much. No Emma's for me yet - I'm trying but they have every Gingher but these

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  17. Awesome cube finish .. and yes I'd love a tutorial :)

    ohhh Emma's .. I gotta go see if my Joanne's has them this weekend.

    Congrats to Ian and Jacob .. First Communion is a very big deal :)

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  18. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, AND PRETTY PLEASE WITH A CHERRY ON THE TOP.

    Lol yes you guessed Vonna I would love you to do a tutorial. I have only recently started to "finish" pieces of my work so any advice on something new is very welcome.

    I just love the block you did in its sophisticated coffee shades, and the wee bird fob is just so cute.

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  19. Beautiful cube finish and love those Emmas. Wish we had Michaels and Joann's here in the UK!

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  20. Very nice finish! I like the idea of using the styrofoam square instead of foam core board. I always have trouble cutting the foam core pieces so that they are all the same size...and as a result, I ususally put off doing the finishing. I will definitely have to try the styrofoam next time!

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  21. Very beautiful cube finish!
    This is absolutely classic!!
    I love the colour matches very much!

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  22. Beautiful stitching! Love the fob, so cute!

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  23. I want to do a cube! That is just too cute..

    Michelle

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  24. I love the cube, a very nice finish indeed.
    I have my Emma's too and love 'em.

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  25. amazing, another pattern I must have

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  26. Vonna, your cube is just beautiful. I would love a tutorial for it please. :)

    Thank you,
    Anne

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  27. Your cube finish is beautiful Vonna. It is so perfect.

    Love the little fob on your new scissors:)

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  28. Your cube finish is beautifull and yes I would love a tutorial.

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  29. Congrats on the boy's First Holy Communion. I remember when my guys had their's. I would like a tutorial class on the cube. It looks great!
    Donna

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  30. Vonna, the cube is beautifully finished and of course would love a tutorial, they are always so wonderful and clear to follow! Thanks, Angela

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  31. What a great finish. The fabric and bow you found set it off wonderfully, and the cube finish is such a cute idea.
    Sue

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  32. Very Cute finishing. I love the cube it and the fabric. If the craft poly pellet is only 2 lb, Hobby Lobby is only $4.50. Walmart used to carry it and it only cost $2.50 for 2 lb bag.I love the pellet too and use them often.

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  33. As I set out reading your Blog I thought, "I must email Vonna to see what is inside the cube" LOL Well, leave it to you to have such detail in your posting! Thanks for that.
    Yes, I would love a tutorial on cubes...I have never made one.

    Love your new scissors.
    Have a great week ahead my friend!

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  34. Wonderful finish Vonna!

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  35. Great finish for the F&S pieces! Your finishing is so imaginative and creative, Vonna! I'm looking forwards to another great tutorial, please!!

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  36. What a cute cube! Thanks for the tip. And I would love a tutorial!

    First Communion! How exciting!!

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  37. Oh what a lovely finish! I love your tutorials please any more tips would be appreciated! I have not tried poly pellets, only dried peas but I might need to pick some up! Thanks!!

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  38. Vonna, do you know how to make a humbug fob? I saw a picture of one & cannot figure out how it is put together. [was on the largest collection of smalls blog]

    just curious!

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  39. Great creative finishing and I adore that birdie!!!

    Tanya

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  40. WOW whata beautiful cube!!!! love it!

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  41. Love that cube, Vonna!! Great to catch up on your blog, too! I've missed seeing your things.
    Hugs and love, Deb

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  42. Vonna - my emails to you are bouncing back - are you having problems?

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  43. Your cube is really cute and wow the ideas for stitching things here are awesome! Thank you for sharing with all of us! Debby :)

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  44. I really like your cube finish! Makes me wonder if thats what I shold do with mine, lol. Yes, I would like a tutorial so i can try one. And I'm your next partner so does that mean the tutorial will be used with the squares I send you? :)

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  45. Great post, Vonna! I've never seen polypellets, but I will keep my eye out for them. Your cube finishes are so great - congratulations!

    And I am just so relieved that I'm not the only person who doesn't fold my laundry the nanosecond (or day) that it's dry! LOL!

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  46. Your cube finish is adorable! I'd love to see a tutorial. Although I've already tried one of these, I find your instructions are so much easier to follow. All your recent exchanges are great and you did a fantastic job on Home of a Needleworker.

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  47. I do think that cubits are a great finish. I have been doing them for awhile. I like the idea of pre-cut foam ,haven't seen it here yet.
    Your colours are sensational.
    Congrats on the great UFO which is now finished it is lovely!

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  48. *sniff* I went to Joann this weekend and they didn't have ANY of the designer Ginghers. Someday I'll get them.

    Good luck with this weekend!

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  49. Most Joann's that I visit don't haev any of the designer Ginghers. I'm so disappointed, because I have some 50% off coupons for the coming two weekends, and if I had the chance, I'd pick up some designer Ginghers. As it is, I think I'm going to use one of the coupons for 50% off a new Rowenta iron. I know it's not cross-stitch, but I love those irons, and if I can get one at 50% off, I love them even more!

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  50. Congrats on your Emmas. They were quite the topic of conversation at SP today and I know will be showing up next week.

    Your cube finish is lovely. I would love to see a tutorial on it as it is time I got at finishing my lovely fair squares and showing them off.

    Don't work too hard this coming week Vonna and have a wonderful celebration for the boys' first Communion.

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  51. Good luck with all your preparations for this weekend's festivities!! You must be so pleased and proud of your boys. :)

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  52. Love your finishing! I like the polypellets, too. The weight is wonderful. Hope you aren't stressing out too much - relax and have fun this weekend!

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  53. Your cube turned out beautiful!!!

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  54. Thats a lovely cube. I can't find them anywhere in the UK. The ginghers are lovely. xx

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  55. I love your cube finish! The ribbon is perfect for that design! Thanks for the tips on the polypellets and the styrofoam cubes!

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Well now it's time to say goodbye to Stitcher and her kin.

But they would like to thank you folks 'fer kindly droppin' in.

You're all invited back again to this locality,
To have a heapin' helpin' of their hospitality.

The Twisted Stitcher that is...sit a spell, take your shoes off, have questions? Leave your e-mail!

Ya'll come back now, ya, hear?

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