In Stitches: Even More Secret Stitching Revealed!

Willeke let me know that she safely received the second of my PIF Promises last week. Leena inspired me to try a heart-shaped pinkeep, so with the help of her instructions here, I was able to finish this Tournicoton freebie called 'Coeur Printemps' as a heart pinkeep - my very first heart-shaped one! Leena's instructions were excellent, and her tip about the tracing paper was inspired. I painted the pins to match with nail varnish to match the threads, and Willeke tells me she is delighted with it, so I think that can be chalked up as a success! I also stitched Willeke a small biscornu scissor fob, this one a freebie design from Periphaeria Designs. Can you tell that Willeke likes hearts??!

Front view and back view of Willeke's PIF: Tournicoton freebie 'Coeur Printemps' stitched on 36-count Lakeside Vintage Exemplar using Carrie's Creations, DMC and Crescent Colours threads, finished as heart-shaped pinkeep. Periphaeria Designs freebie 'Ring o' Hearts' stitched on 36-count Lakeside Linens Vintage Exemplar using Carrie's Creation thread and finished as a small scissor fob biscornu. Please ignore dusty windowsill!!

Phew - that's now most of my recent secret stitching revealed, only a little more to go...

I also had some time this weekend to devote to Orlaith's stocking, and have even managed to stitch the first 1/3 of it as I had tasked myself to do - hurrah! Next month's 1/3 is the Santa which covers the main part of the sock - I'm looking forward to stitching it, as it means that Christmas is not far off! That said, I was horrified to find selection boxes (translation for non-Europeans - large boxes of chocolate put together by the major chocolate manufacturers and featuring their best selling chocolate bars, only available at Christmas and often decorated (the boxes, not the chocolate) with santas, mistletoe, holly, reindeer, etc) in the shops 10 days ago. The kids have barely gone back to school, and already there is Christmas gear coming into the shops??? At least in Canada (and I presume in America too) you get Hallowe'en and Thanksgiving before you really get stuck into Christmas!

Happy stitching all and thanks for stopping by!

14 comments:

Cheryl said...: I love your pinkeep and scissor fob! Beautiful! What a great pif gift to send.
As much as i love christmas i dont like all the christmas stuff in the shops already!; 24 September 2007 at 20:35
Sharon said...: Gorgeous finishing! I too saw Leena's instructions-they were fabulous. You have made wonderful progress on your stocking.; 25 September 2007 at 04:56
Lennu said...: Oh it's beautiful, you did wonderful job! I'm happy you like the instructions :) I'm sorry I'm a bit behind (again) in reading blogs, it was great to come for a visit here :) I love your Christmas stitching too. And the exchange you received from Marne is great!; 25 September 2007 at 17:07
Nana's Quilts said...: Oh, my dear, these are just georgous. So is it my turn next? Oh, I hope you are still as inspired. :-> Won't I be lucky? I heard an ad on the radio today for a Christmas shopping tour/trip to Germany, Austria and Switzerland in early December. Wouldn't that be fun?
Marne; 26 September 2007 at 04:11
Wendy said...: Your heart pinkeep is fantastic!

Hmm, we have a few Christmas goodies starting to show up already, but the Halloween and Thanksgiving treats are out in full force too.; 26 September 2007 at 12:03
Yuko said...: It's really beautiful and cute!
And I love the backing fabric you used for this heart!
Amazing idea to use nail varnish to colour the pins!; 27 September 2007 at 01:56
Carol said...: Stephanie, your heart pinkeep for Willeke is stunning! Congratulations!; 27 September 2007 at 13:27
Annemarie said...: I think it's appalling that they have started selling Christmas stuff already. In The Netherlands, we celebrate Sinterklaas on December 5th, but in the last couple years Christmas seems to take over, even here.

Love your PIF gift for Willeke, as I'm sure she does too!; 28 September 2007 at 22:43
Hazel said...: You did a great job on the heart! I like the idea of lacing it. Last one I did I just glued it and it was a bit tricky. Lovely gifts. xx; 29 September 2007 at 13:51
Anita said...: this is very pretty. Great job on the heart finishing. It is just perfect.; 30 September 2007 at 02:24
BeckySC said...: OOOH, I agree-your pinkeep is just stunning :) Congratulations :)
Can you email me at steele4@comporium.net
Thanks so much :); 1 October 2007 at 20:34
Mindi said...: I hope everything is going ok with you, haven't heard anything in a while! Give us an update on your rugby matches!; 3 October 2007 at 10:15
Deb said...: Just love your pinkeep! It's darling. I agree about the intrusion of Christmas. I enjoy Halloween and Thanksgiving, so I like to take my time through those before being blindsided by Christmas! Although your little raindeer are so darling!! Hmmmm... This is my fist time visiting your great blog, saw you on one of my other friends' blogs. We have many friends in common. Come visit me sometime! I'll be back...
Hugs,
Deb; 5 October 2007 at 04:06
Cindy said...: Your pinkeep is beautiful. Finishing it to a heart-shaped is a challenge too. Well done, Stephanie :) Love the clever idea of using the nail varnish to colour the pins, how come i have never thought of this great idea before...Thanks for sharing :); 17 October 2007 at 15:49