Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Bronwyn Bear gets a pillow.....

Here is my other finish from last week. I finally finished Silent Sampler. For some reason, I did not enjoy stitching this and that is why it took me so long. It is not a large design and I should have finished it much sooner. BUT...now I love how it has turned out. It is just such a sweet and vintage looking stitch.


I knew I wanted to turn it into a little pillow for my bed. It would look perfect with the patchwork quilt I made. So then it was time for my thinking cap about how I wanted to make the pillow. I had intended to do tiny patchwork around it. The more I dragged out of my stash cupboard, the more I doubted it would be right. In the end, I realized that I needed to keep it simple. This design has a 'hidden' alphabet and using patchwork would distract from seeing that. The advantage to a huge (and I do mean huge) stash cupboard is that you can eventually find that perfect piece of fabric. I used a fabric from Mrs. March's Collection which kept the vintage theme. It reflects the colors used in the stitching too.


I will go back to concentrating on my Beatrix Potter sampler for the time being although I am going to also reward myself for finishing another WIP by starting one of my Ohio samplers. I will share the start when I get it out and organized.

In the meantime, I am going to sit on my rocking chair in my bedroom and enjoy looking at this pillow which Bronwyn Bear is happily holding...


I was given the Brillante Weblog award some time ago from Heidi over at Between Stitches. Thanks for this award Heidi. I am going to pass it along to two bloggers as I have other awards yet to pass out. I am going to pick a stitcher and a quilter for the award...


The award for a stitcher is Annemarie at Orts and Ends. Annemarie started blogging again and I have really enjoyed getting to know her more. She is a wonderful stitcher who fits in the needle and thread between working and raising her cute little boy Pelle.

The award for a quilter is Jo at
Vintage Lane Stitches. I discovered Jo's blog shortly after she started it. I love her quilting style, her sewing room, her adorable dog Charlie and her love of family and home. She has a true quilter's heart.

19 comments:

Nancy said...

I know you made yourself finish this design, even though your heart was calling you to other projects. I can't wait to see an Ohio Sampler started. The bear is very happy holding this pillow, he thinks you made it just for him. I bet when you aren't looking, he puts his head on it. He is probably saying "Get off thar rocker". LOL.
Love you and your beautiful little pillow too.
Mom

mainely stitching said...

Bronwyn Bear looks perfect with your absolutely lovely pillow, Heidi!

Jo said...

Your pillow is beautiful Heidi and thankyou so much for the award and your kind words.

Linda said...

Love the "Silent Sampler" Heidi. I've got it on order and can't wait for it to arrive. Now if I could just miraculously find the chart Ellen Birdseye that your friend did. I've been wanting that one for a long time. But the only place it is available is in a big expensive booklet!!

Linda in VA

Anonymous said...

Lucky Bear! The pillow is so wonderful and I understand why it took so long to finish it: the stitches are sooooooo tiny! Heidi you did it again: a masterly piece of handwork.
Hugs, Elly

Elizabethd said...

How nice for Bronwen bear to have a little cushion. So pretty.

Linda said...

Hi Heidi, your visit to Cranberry Cottage sounds lovely and very peaceful, just what you needed.
I really like your Quaker Boo stitchie and I'll be visiting S.G. to get the chart. Silent Sampler is wonderful and made a sweet pillow....I think your little bear likes it too. Hugs, Linda

p.s....I haven't found the Blue Willow poem, but I'm have such fun looking for it....I love reading your older posts...you have a beautiful and inspiring blog. L.

Suzann said...

I LOVE that bear! I adore teddy bears and I can just imagine giving this guy a snuggle. Your Silent Sampler looks beautiful. I love how you finished it. I have not enjoyed this design either, but i feel it hanging over my head like a black cloud. Seeing it finished as a pillow is something i never would have pictured, but it's amazing.

Tanya Willis Anderson said...

Oh how positively sweet for the bear to have a pillow - too cute! Darling pics and lovely stitching, Heidi.

Tanya

Annemarie said...

Oh, your pillow is just perfect. And how wonderful that though you didn't enjoy stitching it, you do enjoy looking at it. But with Bronwyn holding on to it,who could resist :o)

Thank you SO much for the award, Heidi. I feel very honoured, especially because you are the Awarder and I'm such an admirer of your work, your blogs, and your view of life. Thank you, my friend!

Pondside said...

That's very pretty,Heidi. I am also working on a sampler - but I only work on it when I'm travelling for work - it's my 'on the road' sampler. Its real name is "Matter's Choice" and it's almost finished. I have been looking for a copy of the Beatrix Potter sampler online, as it intrigues me.

Anonymous said...

Volgens mij Heidi,ben je met alles tegelijk bezig,wie gaat er nu als een sneltrein ik durf niet eens aan de je weet wel te beginnen.
Heb je nu de beer of het borduurwerk gemaakt? ze zijn allebei beeldig.
Ik ben bijna klaar met Thimbleberry Village,wat een klus nooit geen grote quilts meer.

Hug Joke.

Carolien said...

Your bear and your sweet pillow are perfect like this! How lovely with that subtle ribbon. Love it! And congratulations on your finish AGAIN, wow! Hope you feel much better after your week off.

I'm busy, busy, busy, haven't been blogging for ages. Whirlwind in the house I guess. I will come back (I hope :). Bye!

Susimac said...

Its a lovely finish Heidi and congrats to the award winners they are well deserved girls!

Jane O' said...

I really like ths sampler.

I thought you might like to know that I have a mention and link to your site on my post :)

Linda said...

Hi Heidi...happy weekend to you.
I have been enjoying Celebrate The Seasons....I'm just taking my time reading the posts...I know I will find the Blue Willow post...just not sure when:). Thank you for heading me in the right direction.

Please stop by I have an award for you...hugs, Linda

Linda said...

Heidi.it's me again. On my post I've misspelled your name..(so sorry).I've tried to correct it but have been having problems with blogger...when I try to edit, a third of my post is not printing plus I was not able to link anything. I know others were having problems too...L

lena-lou said...

I love your pillow Heidi, it is gorgeous :-) Too cool you gave Annmarie an award, I think we all love her blog !

Rachel V said...

What a sweet pillow - you did indeed find the perfect fabric! Congrats, Heidi, it's so pretty.