Monday, January 24, 2011

First Finish for 2011!

I am so excited to share with you my first finish for 2011! It's also one of my 15 Crazy January projects. I am so pleased with how it turned out; I was just "giddy" when I went to bed last night.

Without further ado, here is Peacock Pinkeep from Blackbird Designs:


Blackbird Designs Peacock Pinkeep
Loose Feathers #35
28 ct. WDW Straw/Grey Gingham Linen
Belle Soie Tortoise Shell
Belle Soie Rose of Sharon



It's a rather large pinkeep, about 6 inches in diameter. I followed the intructions provided for assembly and made only one minor modification. Rather than mounting the top to a piece of cardboard (like the bottom), I used a stiff piece of interfacing (kind of like skirtex). I want to be able to insert pins in the top too, not just in the sides. If I were to assemble one of these again, I would put the side together first and then measure for the top and bottom pieces to ensure a good fit (I assembled top and bottom first and then re-did them because they were just a tad bit too large.)



You might wonder about the fabric on the bottom - this is from one of the Blackbird Designs fabric lines - Harvest Home, I think. Joan gifted me with this fabric at Christmas time.

I just love it! Now on to another crazy challenge project...

50 comments:

KarenV said...

Beautiful finish Cathy, congratulations.

Karen said...

gorgeous! i have this in my stash to stitch and really want to get it out and stitch it now. beautiful!!

Patty C. said...

This one is on my list too
I am now inspired by your work !!!!
I can do this :)

Diana said...

Your Peacock Pinkeep looks great! Thanks for the tips on putting it together.

Margaret said...

What a gorgeous finish! I love it! And that fabric on the bottom! It's wonderful! I like your tips on the finishing. If I ever get around to it, hopefully I'll remember to follow your advice.

robindefender said...

What a beautiful finish. I love the colors on your pinkeep. And now I REALLY want to find some of that fabric that you used for the bottom! Thanks for sharing.

Giovanna said...

Congratulations, it's absolutely beautiful!

Anonymous said...

That is stunning!! Wow!

Lelia said...

WOOT! CathyB, it looks fantastic in the pictures : )

Teresa S. said...

Great finish! Thanks for the tips-where did you get the chenille trim and did you tea-dye it?

Unknown said...

Wow! You not only finished stitching you finished finishing it!! Great job. When I saw how you were stitching the alphabet, I couldn't figure out how that was going to be a pinkeep - now I know!

Laura said...

How beautiful!!!! This is such an amazing piece and it looks just gorgeous! Congratulations! That is an heirloom for sure!!!!

Bertie said...

Oh it's beautiful, the backing is gorgeous too.
Thanks for the tip's, will keep that in mind when I have finished my wip's.

Deb said...

Congratulations on your finish!! It came out so great. Love, love that fabric you used for the bottom too!

natalysneedle said...

Love it, Love it, Love it. I stitched mine using Blue Lagoon and Collard greens silks but I haven't put it together yet. Thanks for the tip!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Congrats on your first finish of 2011. Your Peacock pincushion is beautiful.

Katrina said...

Just lovely Cathy :)

Julianne said...

Wonderful! Enjoy it :)

Theresa said...

Wow!! This is gorgeous!!!!!!

jean said...

Absolutely wonderful. One of my favourite patterns which I have started so thanks for the tip.

Kathy said...

Oh I love it!! Your finish and stitching are perfect!

Mama Joan said...

I love it. Now I will know where to go when I need to put mine together. Great job:)

valerie said...

Beautiful finish!

cathymk said...

Beautiful finish! Just gorgeous! Love the fabby on the bottom!

Tammy said...

I am so impressed with your finishing!! What a wonderful pin cushion, congratulations.

Sonda said...

It's lovely, Cathy! I've admired this design for awhile...Love all of your crazy starts for the year.

barbara said...

Wowie, Cathy, it is magnificent! You must be so pleased with yourself! (And rightly so!)

Meadows08 said...

It's gorgeous Cathy! What a wonderful finish to have.

Sue said...

Wow, that is just stunning. Nice work!!

staci said...

Oh Cathy, your first finish of the year is a stunner! Gorgeous stitching and finishing...and I love that fabric, it couldn't be more perfect :)

Linen Stitcher said...

I'd be giddy, too, if I had just finished that lovely project! You did a fantastic job!!

Delusional Knitter said...

That came out beautiful and the fabric on the bottom is the perfect compliment!

Blu said...

Awesome finish! It looks wonderful.

Sharon said...

It's beautiful!

Sandra said...

This is just gorgeous, well done. Please can you tell me if you bought your chenille trim on line as I cannot buy it here in the UK.

Karoline said...

It's gorgeous Cathy, congratulations

Myrna said...

OMG! That turned out beautiful! You are so talented.

Congratulations on a wonderful finish!

Gabi said...

What a gorgeous pinkeep. Congrats!!!
Love the bottom too. That fabric fits the rest. And your stitching is of course as beautiful as always.

Katrina said...

Wow, it's so pretty!!!! Congrats on the finish :-).

Lynn said...

Gorgoues finish!! It's a great way to start your stitching year.

Lisa said...

What a gorgeous finish Cathy, well done, it is perfect.

Bekca said...

Wow, what a gorgeous finish :) Congrats!

Ellen said...

How gorgeous and your fabric on the bottom is great!

The cheerful colors have me definitely longing for spring.

Nicole said...

Beautiful finish Cathy!! You finished it perfectly and I LOVE that fabric on the bottom!!!

Karen said...

What a wonderful first finish! The finishing and stitching are perfect....I can understand why you were giddy!

diamondc said...

Cathy: This is one of my most favorite patterns what a beautiful job on finishing you did.
Congratulations
Catherine

CJ said...

Wow!! That is beautifully done.
COngrats on the finish.

CJ

Andrea said...

A gorgeous finish.

Anonymous said...

beautiful finish congrats on finishing up so nicely, something I couldn't do

Phyllis said...

I was just googling for help on assembling this pinkeep. The instructions with the chart are very confusing to me. Did you "coil the wool"? I don't understand what that means...I would love to have some more advice on this. Would you finish mine for me? :))