Finishing Fun

I have, for many years, stockpiled self-finishing items. When I see something that will work for finishing needlepoint, I buy it. Being given stuff has added to the pile. Currently I have a large basiket and a storage bin full of stuff.

I decided that I needed to get moving to finish some things so I could give them as Christmas presents. Instead of stitching I went through my stitched but unfinished box, the current one, and my finishing boxes and got some things completed, including:

• three round shiny & bright ornaments in silver round ornament frames







• change is bad into a 3×5 wide metal frame
• a small 2″ square mini kit (see it on tomorrow’s blog)
• a quilt portrait into a 4×6 frame I decided was far too rustic for its original purpose
• two of last year’s Mindy minis in chalkboard frames I bought at Michael’s

When I’m going to finish lots of stuff. I start with the box of stitched needlepoint. Going through it I find the pieces that are likely to work for the things I have and set them aside. After that I divide these pieces into piles according to the item they might go in.

Next I get each individual item and test fit. If it does not fit I put it back in the box. If it does I set it aside to be finished. Then one by one I pair each item, picking the best match among my candidates. The matches get piled, needlepoint and finishing item together, on a stool. From this pile I work top down to finish.

Because I have done the harder work of finding and matching first the finishing process usually goes pretty quickly. This makes me so happy because I feel as if I have really accomplished something.

The big things on my list to finish are a large square serving tray (I hope I have something already stitched for this) as well as a pillow with space for an insert. Both of these were given to me from the stash of someone who is downsizing.

I’m hopeful because I still have at least 3 more boxes of stitched things & I would love to get more of them out into the world this Christmas. I did fond a box of very old projects, including this one and one group will make great ornaments. I’m going to try to finish them quickly.

As for stitching, I’m starting a baby project today. A dear friend, her husband, and baby daughter will be visiting next month. Although I have another ornament project started, it can’t be finished in time, so I am making a door sign that I can finish myself. Wish me luck, I need to stitch fast!