Captivating Cross Stitch Completions

As promised, I am back today to share some more needlework finishing. It's been a productive couple weeks...I have been very focused in my studio working on all sorts of customer projects. This week, I completed all the Blue Ribbon Finishing orders that have been sent my way (just in time for more to be shipped to me!). Most of these are flat-finish ornaments, but there is one bowl filler and one floss tag ring. It was enjoyable selecting all the backing fabrics and trims...plus making all the twisted cord. I managed to snap photos of some of the projects, so I thought I would share an assortment of the beautiful needlework pieces one of my customers trusted me to finish...again, not my stitching and only one is my design, just my finishing work...fronts and backs...

While I wait for the next finishing orders to arrive, I am busy quilting a detailed appliqué wall hanging for a very patient customer (my own design) and a pile of custom project bags...I'll be back to share more creative finishes with you real soon...

Finishing Frenzy

It's been a finishing frenzy in the Blue Ribbon Designs studio the last few weeks. I have been super focused and working round the clock to finish up the projects on my to-do tables, so I can start on some new original creative endeavors...I am ready to work on some of my own designs and ideas (I have a sketchbook full of ideas that I *need to* make reality!). I am down to one last project or at least I was until a moment ago (an expected box of fabric for a custom order arrived while typing this post). I have been working on a variety of creative activities, including: lots of needlework finishing, custom sewing, custom quilting, and freelance designing. Here is a picture album of some needlework finishing I completed earlier in the week (not my designs or stitching, just my finishing)...these were all for the same customer...

La-D-Da - "My Friend"

La-D-Da - "And Rudolph"

Sisters & Best Friends - "Boo!"

Cricket Collection - "Autumn Blooms"

Abby Rose Designs - "Tea for Two"

Prairie Schooler - "Christmas Tree"

After a brutal 6-mile run/walk with weights in 105 degree extreme heat yesterday, my body is recovering...so I will be taking it a bit easy today. For now, I'm off to complete some light chores...then I will be working on a quilted wall hanging later today and a birthday gift...and maybe have time for some cross stitching tonight (I'm working on a new design model and a small gift). I'll be back tomorrow with more customer needlework finishes to share with you! I hope you find a little time to be creative today...

In The Zone

It is another late night post for me...I had the most productive day!  Those finishing orders I was telling you about yesterday are well underway...and oh my goodness, there are some GORGEOUS photos coming in the next few days! I have some very talented clientele and I am honored that they trust me to finish their work. I started with a couple of the most challenging pieces this morning and it took me some time to decide my plan of attack, but once I got started, I was on a roll and the day flew by...and now, it is almost midnight here...

As I mentioned in my previous post, I managed to accomplish quite a bit in my sewing studio over the last few weeks...lots of custom sewing, model stitching, gifts, and new Etsy items...and quite a bit of design work. Here are just a few of my recent sewing/quilting finishes...and I have more creative things in store to show you soon (there are six large projects I can't show you just yet)...

So, there is just a touch of what has been happening in the studio...I'll have a bunch of additional creative inspiration for you soon!

Creative Catch-up

It has been a hot and humid, sunshine-filled summer in Iowa...and in an effort to get back on the blogging track, I thought I would end my day with a quick visit. I have been up early every day, getting in some very hot and sweaty training sessions - I have been lifting weights, then walking/running 5-6 miles daily with a training partner, using a set of 5-pound dumbbells. With all my traveling done for a while, I follow-up my morning workouts by focusing on business - finishing up some HUGE deadlines earlier in the week and now targeting several piles of needlework finishing for customers...I've also had the chance to get quite a few sewing/quilting projects done and a plethora of new items for my Etsy shop. Yep, the creative wheels keep on turning and I am feeling more inspired than ever!

Today, I thought I would share some needlework finishing I recently completed. I have been doing limited custom needlework finishing for clients when my schedule allows...and I am blessed to have wonderful customers (you know who you are!) that send me projects that allow me to be creative and choose the materials and finishing touches with minimal direction (thank you!) - those projects are my favorites! I do all hand and sewing machine finishing and stay away from projects that require glue - even attaching twisted cord (that I make myself) with a needle and thread. Today's projects were all stitched by the same customer and I chose all the materials and embellishments for finishing...I was told the type of finish (these are all flat-finish ornaments), but other than that, I was able to take creative license - this is the type of work I truly enjoy the most! Here are images of the fronts and backs of some beautifully stitched ornaments (not my designs or stitching, just my finishing work):

I will definitely be focused on needlework finishing for the rest of the week, along with completing a long-overdue detailed quilting appliqué project - I have some VERY patient customers that kindly wait until I can fit their pieces into my daily lineup (again, you know who you are - thank you so much for understanding my bizarre schedule)...so I will have some more exquisite cross stitch finishes and a lovely wall hanging to show you very soon! I will also stop back (hopefully tomorrow) to share some of the sewing/quilting projects that have been keeping me busy the last couple months...