
Blackbird Designs
From the Needle & Thread Book
Weeks on 28ct Jamaica Sunset by Silkweaver
Embellished with Mother of Pearl Thread Rings from Kelmscott Designs
and Mill Hill Antique Glass Beads #03046 on the Needleminder
Finished 4/15/08
A long time ago, in a blog far far away…
Barbara won my 250th Blog Post Giveaway! The prize for the giveaway was something stitched by me, made especially for the winner. When I emailed Barbara to find out her likes and dislikes, she indicated that she loves birds. So, what could be more appropriate than something by Blackbird Designs?! I decided to make a stitching/sewing set for Barbara. I used two designs from the Needle & Thread book – My Pink House and Bluebird’s Needles & Pins.

I stitched My Pink House for the needlebook/thread holder. I love how this turned out. I changed a couple of the colors – I substituted Whiskey for Curry on the Pink House piece (so that both the needlebook and the pincushion would match). I also replaced the Dolphin with Sky, because I wanted a brighter, less gray blue. I also used Aztec Red on the pincushion instead of Raspberry so that it would match the needlebook. This was my first time adding thread rings or a pocket to a needlebook, and I love it! I will have to make one for myself now!

For the pincushion, I used the Bluebird’s Needles & Pins design and filled it with the crushed walnut shells that BBD often calls for in their finishing. The walnut shells were sent to me by the very sweet Sharon, who offered some up on her blog. Thanks, Sharon, for helping me out on my secret project!

I also wanted to make Barbara a needleminder, which I have such fun making. I used the little bluebird motif from My Pink House and stitched it over one. The little fob was also a motif taken from My Pink House and is also stitched over one.
I am so glad that Barbara likes everything I stitched for her. It is so much fun having a giveaway and being able to share the stitching love with those that come and check in on my blog. I’ll be having another giveaway soon I think, I have some things that need a good home.
I appreciate all the comments on my last post. I am still very happy with my stitching, and trust me, I do love my stash…but I think that it’s good for me to refocus on the present and maybe to pare down a little too. I’ll let you know what I come up with – and who knows, you all may reap the benefits of my paring down!
I had another interview this week, and I have another one set up for next week. I think we’re getting close! Keep those positive thoughts coming!!!
I am grateful for knowing I’m worth it!
Michelle,
Beautiful stitching and finishing! What a splendid gift you created for dear Barbara.
Congratulations on your weight loss and best wishes in reaching your goal.
Michelle,
Beautiful stitching and finishing! What a splendid gift you created for dear Barbara.
Congratulations on your weight loss and best wishes in reaching your goal.
I was just admiring your handywork on Barbara’s blog – it’s lovely! Great job.
I was just admiring your handywork on Barbara’s blog – it’s lovely! Great job.
I so what to learn to make a needlebook. Yours is gorgeous!
I so what to learn to make a needlebook. Yours is gorgeous!
What a beautiful gift. Congratulations to Barbara for receiving such a lovely gift!
Natasha
What a beautiful gift. Congratulations to Barbara for receiving such a lovely gift!
Natasha
That is a stunning sewing set and Barbara is not only a lucky recipient, but she is much deserving too 😉 It is just gorgeous Michelle…pat yourself on the back for that one! And I am thinking only positive thoughts for you, your interviews and your hopeful new job offers!
That is a stunning sewing set and Barbara is not only a lucky recipient, but she is much deserving too 😉 It is just gorgeous Michelle…pat yourself on the back for that one! And I am thinking only positive thoughts for you, your interviews and your hopeful new job offers!
How incredibly beautiful everything is. What a wonderful gift you have made. Gorgeous.
How incredibly beautiful everything is. What a wonderful gift you have made. Gorgeous.
Your finish is just gorgeous! What a beautiful give-away!
Your finish is just gorgeous! What a beautiful give-away!
Beautiful set that you did for Barbara. It is obvious that you have put a great deal of thought and care into this project. Good for you. Good luck with your interview. I have my fingers and toes crossed for you.
Beautiful set that you did for Barbara. It is obvious that you have put a great deal of thought and care into this project. Good for you. Good luck with your interview. I have my fingers and toes crossed for you.
What a beautiful gifts!!Gorgeous!!
Pink house and blue bird colors are so lovely!
What a beautiful gifts!!Gorgeous!!
Pink house and blue bird colors are so lovely!
WOOT! Barbara is the lucky stitcher : )
Smashing gifts!!
WOOT! Barbara is the lucky stitcher : )
Smashing gifts!!
What a lovely stitching set you completed for Barbara. I am jealous. Nice choices and stitching.
What a lovely stitching set you completed for Barbara. I am jealous. Nice choices and stitching.
Lucky Barbara to receive your lovely stitching accessories. Your stitching is so nice and the set is quite pretty.
Lucky Barbara to receive your lovely stitching accessories. Your stitching is so nice and the set is quite pretty.
That set is gorgeous! What a wonderful gift to give someone!
That set is gorgeous! What a wonderful gift to give someone!
That’s a lovely set – Barbara is very lucky!
That’s a lovely set – Barbara is very lucky!
You did a beautiful job Michelle with both the stitching and the finishing! It’s a really gorgeous set! 🙂
Good luck with the interviews – keeping my fingers crossed for you 🙂
You did a beautiful job Michelle with both the stitching and the finishing! It’s a really gorgeous set! 🙂
Good luck with the interviews – keeping my fingers crossed for you 🙂
Just beautiful Michele!!
Just beautiful Michele!!
That is a lovely set of smalls!
Good luck with the interviews! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you!
That is a lovely set of smalls!
Good luck with the interviews! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you!
It’s a gorgeous set Michelle, congratulations
It’s a gorgeous set Michelle, congratulations
What a spectacular set! I can imagine that Barbara is absolutely thrilled to receive this set, so lovingly made by you. I can’t pick a favourite piece here, I love them all!
What a spectacular set! I can imagine that Barbara is absolutely thrilled to receive this set, so lovingly made by you. I can’t pick a favourite piece here, I love them all!
Oh, Michelle, the set is absolutely gorgeous! It is so beautifully finished. Barbara is so lucky:)
Wishing you lots of luck for your interview:)
Oh, Michelle, the set is absolutely gorgeous! It is so beautifully finished. Barbara is so lucky:)
Wishing you lots of luck for your interview:)
Fabulous prizes! Good luck with the interviews–I have one too!
Fabulous prizes! Good luck with the interviews–I have one too!
What lovely hand work! It’s stunning! Hum… I’ll have to check to see if I have that book! Lucky receipient! Thanks for sharing!
What lovely hand work! It’s stunning! Hum… I’ll have to check to see if I have that book! Lucky receipient! Thanks for sharing!
Oh wow, Michelle. You outdid yourself on these! I’m sure Barbara adores them; she is such a bird fanatic. 🙂 You did a beautiful job in stitching and finishing them. I’m glad to see that you made her a needleminder since I love mine.
Sending lots of positive energy your way for great results from your interview this week and a great interview next week. *hug*
Oh wow, Michelle. You outdid yourself on these! I’m sure Barbara adores them; she is such a bird fanatic. 🙂 You did a beautiful job in stitching and finishing them. I’m glad to see that you made her a needleminder since I love mine.
Sending lots of positive energy your way for great results from your interview this week and a great interview next week. *hug*
Hi Michelle! So, your gorgeous stitching has been a full day in my home now, and EVERYONE loves everything. Rowen is fascinated by the feel of the crushed walnut shells, and Max is eyeing the needlebook/thread holder most covetously. Niek has mentioned a couple of times how perfectly suited everything is to my taste. You’re amazing!!! 😀
Sending lots of postive thoughts your way regarding the job interview!
Hi Michelle! So, your gorgeous stitching has been a full day in my home now, and EVERYONE loves everything. Rowen is fascinated by the feel of the crushed walnut shells, and Max is eyeing the needlebook/thread holder most covetously. Niek has mentioned a couple of times how perfectly suited everything is to my taste. You’re amazing!!! 😀
Sending lots of postive thoughts your way regarding the job interview!
What a beautiful gift. The stitching and finishing are beautiful!
What a beautiful gift. The stitching and finishing are beautiful!
Saw your lovely handiwork on Barbara’s blog 🙂 It’s such a lovely set~~so beautifully stitched and finished!
Saw your lovely handiwork on Barbara’s blog 🙂 It’s such a lovely set~~so beautifully stitched and finished!
An amazing set Michelle! Lucky Barbara! Keeping my finger’s cross on the interviews! Good luck!
An amazing set Michelle! Lucky Barbara! Keeping my finger’s cross on the interviews! Good luck!
wow! that is lovely stitching and finishing 🙂
Keeping my toes crossed that your interview goes well!
wow! that is lovely stitching and finishing 🙂
Keeping my toes crossed that your interview goes well!
Very belated but wow! What an absolutely gorgeous set of smalls. Congratulations!!
Very belated but wow! What an absolutely gorgeous set of smalls. Congratulations!!
A lovely sewing set. Congratulations.
A lovely sewing set. Congratulations.
Beautifully done!
Michele
Beautifully done!
Michele
I seen these beauties on Barbara’s blog! Beautiful work
I seen these beauties on Barbara’s blog! Beautiful work
What a beautiful set you stitched for Barbara! I’m sure she loved it.
What a beautiful set you stitched for Barbara! I’m sure she loved it.
Wow, what a wonderful give-a-way! Your work is gorgeous, wish I had won! 🙂
Wow, what a wonderful give-a-way! Your work is gorgeous, wish I had won! 🙂
Awesome! Lucky Barbara!
Awesome! Lucky Barbara!
What a great set, Michelle! I love your little needleminders 🙂
What a great set, Michelle! I love your little needleminders 🙂
Oh, this is just yummy! Barbara is most lucky! Very nice work, Michelle!
Oh, this is just yummy! Barbara is most lucky! Very nice work, Michelle!
Now that is a prize, Michelle!! All Barbara’s favorites are featured and the workmanship is so excellent. 😀
Now that is a prize, Michelle!! All Barbara’s favorites are featured and the workmanship is so excellent. 😀