Saturday, January 16, 2010

A finish finish!

Well...here it is ...my version of Jeannette Douglas' "My Stitching Album"
I am very proud of it!
This has been an ongoing project since September of 2008 and while each page gave me immense satisfaction, you cannot imagine how great it feels to see the whole thing right there before my eyes and knowing that I stitched the whole thing.

I was very uncertain as to how I would finish it. My good friend Sharon was here at Friday stitching last week and brought along some pages she was attaching together in an accordian for the guild. That was it, I knew that was what I wanted to do as well. She had tried to describe the technique to me but until I actually saw it I couldn't visualize my book done that way. But once I saw it on Friday, I got myself in gear...finished my last page, went for backing fabric and timtex , and then spent 2 1/2 hours Tuesday with Sharon and all day Wednesday and voila the book is complete. (Well I am omitting the last "wrought by..." page since my name is inside on the final stitching page)So thank you Sharon for taking so much time to teach me that lacy stitch between the pages and showing me how to attach the backing and make the pages stand up...and thank you to the guild for teaching Sharon the technique in the first place!
And Jeannette...what an undertaking...thanks for designing such a great project...even if I strayed a bit from your suggested colours and book design.


And if I wasn't pleased enough on Thursday and Friday to show off my newly completed masterpiece to the stitchers, look at what Fran made for me to wear when I go to Nashville...you can be sure I won't be waiting that long to get into it. Aren't I just the luckiest person to have so many generous, thoughtful friends??
There are more pictures of me in the sweatshirt on Fran's blog,
as well as some of the Friday stitchers.
I have one last question ... Dani, Beth, others??? How many new starts does my finish finished Stitching Album qualify me for?
Also...next blog...I'll tell you a true story about a local teacher and a project she and her students have tackled and if you are interested in helping out I know she will appreciate it.








16 comments:

Becky K in OK said...

Oh my gosh, it is gorgeous.

Bonnie Brown said...

Awesome stitching album Ann! Can't wait to see it in person!!

jayne@~an eye for threads~ said...

I just love your album. What a beautiful piece of work.
Be always in stitches.

Carolien said...

What a wonderful finish and what a work!!! It's BEAUTIFUL! And your t-shirt is so nice, what a splendid gift.

Have a nice weekend!
Hugs, Carolien

Cindy's Stitching said...

This is really pretty - so much work. Congrats.

Clare said...

WOW - you have done a great job. I'm very impressed.
Clare

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, that is so neat! I love your finishing :)

I like your cute tee, too... maybe I'll see it walking around Nashville :)

Anonymous said...

Ann, that is just amazing! What an accomplishment! In answer to your question -- the rule is one finish, 6 starts. In this case, each page should count as a finish, so that makes 54. Plus 3 for doing your own finishing. Shall I come and help you select your 57 new pieces?

Love,
Beth

Beatrice said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Beatrice said...

ok lets try this again...this is working.
That is an amazing project Congratulations.
The shirt Fran made is fantastic!!!

Wendy said...

Fantastic finish, Ann! I love how you finished it into the accordian style book. And it looks so colourful too. Seeing this definitely spurs me on to get working on mine. Congrats on a gorgeous piece!!

Kathy A. said...

Oh Ann it turned out to be so beautiful. Your stitching is awesome and the finishes project is just remarkable. Wait until Jeannette Douglas gets a view of it! I am looking forward to a personal view as I know that cameras just don't cut it in some cases.
Love your new shirt for Nashville.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Ann your book is amazing and I love how you've done the finishing!

Jennifer said...

WOW!! That is a gorgeous, gorgeous piece. Totally worth the aggrivation of stitching on the black fabric. That is really something to treasure!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, your finished book is DROP DEAD GORGEOUS!!! Seriously, it's awesome and so worth all that time and effort - awesome job, Ann! :D

Marion said...

Absolutely gorgeous!!!!