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Friday 25 March 2011

STITCHY RECYCLING


Happy Friday everyone, weekend fast approaching, glorious Spring sunshine and warm temperatures, daffodils and crocus in full bloom ~ just perfect!

My sore paws have now recovered from my stitchy day out with DD last Friday and the stash levels are now fully replenished!  I had casually suggested to DD that I thought as we were visiting the Show on a Friday this year to avoid the masses that normally descend there on a Saturday we might find it a little quieter and easy-going ~ how WRONG can one get it ~ it was full to capacity and hard-going and even though we were there for 4 hours when we got home I discovered from the show guide that we had missed quite a chunk of  stalls ~ Oh dear!  DH did suggest going back on the Sunday ~ I passed on that one!!!
I'll post some pics of the new stash on my next post, this one already has picture overload!

It's amazing what you have hidden away and have completely forgotten about?
I didn't want to pillow-finish my last 2 stitches and as they were awkward sizes I had been hunting around the charity/thrift shops in the hope of finding something suitable to frame them with, no luck but when DH resumed his search in the attic last weekend for my magnifying glass for my daylight lamp, he struck gold! 

Lurking in the far corner of the attic (accompanied by the odd spider or two ~ not my scene!) there's a pile of framed pictures including old cross stitch ones, most are up there because they have a horrible orangey-pine frame to them and that just doesn't go anymore with the oak finish in the house BUT . . . .

this one which is an oak finish had a Bent Creek stitch in it ~ The Weathered Garden

which turned out perfect for . . . .
Springtime Social
To balance up the picture I added a fabric trim to the bottom and added those 4 lovely coral shell buttons I bought recently

Next up in the yucky orangey-pine frame was A Country Kitchen Sampler, a Leisure Arts leaflet, which I stitched an eternity ago and had considered selling but I had personalised it with 'Jane's Kitchen' so didn't feel anyone would want it . . . .


By rubbing down the frame which lightened the wood considerably and having a new cream mount cut it has come up a treat for . . . .
Cup cakes by The Historical Sampler Company and now hanging proudly in the Dining Room!

My charity shop hunting was not a complete waste of time though and I did find this little beauty . . . .

It's actually a Key box and when opened up it has 6 hooks inside.  What appealed to me was the colours, a washed cream with burgundy red highlights around the edge and the roses on the top plus it had an aperture to the front to add a photo cross-stitch!

Now, what to stitch to go inside that aperture . . . .

Of course, a bunny or in this case a white rabbit!  I've stitched this from La-D-Da's chart called Briar Rabbit, it should have the alphabet around it and also a border but I think this is just right as it is!

I've used Gentle Art Sampler threads and have matched the colours to the quilt cover in our bedroom.
The hooks are great for holding small bangles and bracelets and I can stack small earring boxes on the bottom shelf.

On that same shopping spree I also found this little photo cube which holds a photo on the top, 4 around the sides and revolves on a circular block on the bottom . . . .

And I knew exactly what was going in this ~ my little set of Lanarte farm animals and these were stitched even longer ago and have never seen light of day . . . .


The only problem ~ I have six animals but only five spaces!!!

Who can resist a fluffy white Spring-time sheep?

Or the sweet smell of a  little piggy?

The gentle mooing of a black and white cow?


The cute quacks from a little 'Jemima'?


And the provider of our daily eggs?

Sorry. Mr. Horse you missed out this time, I have never been a horsey person but he'll still make a nice pin cushion so won't go to waste!
And finally . . . .


Can never resist a bag of buttons and these are soft cream ones and a mixed bag of pretty purples, mauves and silver ~ 25p, well who couldn't???

Thank you for all your lovely comments on Tilly's springtime fun last post, we thoroughly enjoy reading them and are so grateful to you all for sharing a bit of your day with us.

HAPPY STITCHING
xxx

15 comments:

Teresa said...

Oh what great finds. Love the cream frame you put the bunny in. Would never have thought to put something other than photos in the cube. You are so creative.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches.

Cath said...

Wow ,you have been super busy , and with great success . Everything looks great . x

Lesleyanne said...

Wow Jane everything looks fantastic. Love the attich frames you recycled - they are pefect for the cross stitch you put in them. The key holder is stunning and the rabbit looks as though it was made for it. The cube looks stunning with your projects in it. Look forward to seeing your new stash.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Your framed pieces look wonderful and your key cabinet couldn't be sweeter and your photo cube turned out great as well! Super job!!!

Denise said...

Your recycling came out wonderfully! The key box was inspiring and LOVED the cube. Can't wait to see your stash photos!

Mouse said...

ooo well done on the up-cycling and on your finds too ... your pieces look lovely in their new homes :) just love the rabbit one though and buttons yummmm :) love mouse xxx

Carol said...

What a great group of recycled frames, Jane! I love the way you added the fabric and buttons to that darling bunny riding on the rooster piece--great idea! Guess I should go check my attic fro some possible reusable frames :)

Karen said...

How industrious to reuse your frames! All of your projects are wonderfully finished... great job!

Lisa V said...

Your frames are all soo lovely and your stitching matches in perfectly. I also love your special finds, especially the key box.
LISA V

CalamityJr said...

What a great lesson on recycling, and I love your use of the cube! Thanks for sharing.

Kate said...

Great finish with the fabric and buttons. Love the key box - and great to use it for jewellery. The farm animals look great in their new home too.

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Fantastic Jane! I love everything, especially that white bunny!
Too fun!
xx, shell

Sally said...

What fantastic finds, Jane, and those frames from your attic are perfect!

Lynn said...

I love what you've done with your attic finds. Recycling works for me! Your key box is fantastic! The bunny works really well with it. Your cube is a really unique way to show off your stitching too. I never would have thought of using it.

Lois said...

What great finds in the attic! Both frames perfect for your pieces and I love the added fabric and buttons on Springtime Social. Your cupcakes piece looks wonderful too! Love the key box and your cube. All in all, I love everything!! xox