I have many things to show you today! This weekend I was able to spend some time at home for a change, and I think I got a lot accomplished. Friday night I finished up my first pinkeep. I did actually change out the ribbon, but I had been trying to avoid having to go back to the store and spend more money. I think it turned out well. I like the yellow pearl pins. The purple fabric is what I backed it with. Really, in the end, the only part I am not very happy with is the bow. What’s the trick for getting a nice looking bow? This is my Hedwig’s Four Patch freebie from The Sampler Girl in honor of the last Harry Potter book.
I also made a second pinkeep. This one almost had an even bigger snafu. I cut my piece wrong while Eric was talking to me. Luckily, you can’t tell (hopefully) that I cut one side way too small. I think because of that, my design is not completely centered as I would have liked, but oh well. Not a lot I can do about it now. Again, the bow was an issue though. I did it slightly differently than the first one, but it’s still not great. This is Eek! by Lizzie Kate.
***Edited to add: this completes Number 39 on my 101 Things list “learn to make a pinkeep”!
Not too bad for my first attempts at pinkeeps, I think. I got a few other things done too, that I’ll be showing you soon. And, my sweet husband brought these beautiful roses home on Saturday, “just because”.
I spent part of the day yesterday getting out some Halloween decorations, sitting at my sewing machine, and other stuff around the house. I had some mending to do on clothes, that I sat down with last night to do. So, I haven’t done a whole lot on Baby Garden this weekend. I’ve basically got just the over one parts of that next to last row to do. I always tend to stall out on the over one stuff. Hopefully, I will zip through these though.
Oh, and in case you haven’t seen it, here’s the new Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers piece. It’s a box, not unlike the box they released last year (which I still haven’t stitched). Pretty colors in this one.
I feel so good about getting so many things done this weekend. I really need to work on practicing my finishing skills though. I’d like to be happier with the results. Hope you all had a fantastic weekend, and here are some photos from the Longwood Gardens from our Philadelphia trip.
The Italian Water Garden.
The Topiary Garden.
That was it for our first day there. We attended the rehearsal dinner that evening at Iron Hill Bewery, which had fantastic food!
Walk to Rivendell: Midday. Stop in a hollow atop a hill. Eat and fall asleep. Wake in fog, sun sinking. Try to head north, but lose their way and become separated. Captured by Wights. Frodo sings, Tom rescues and recalls ponies. Leave about 10 a.m. Tom leads. (Total Miles Walked: 115.75)
I am grateful for a weekend at home, and lunch with a fabulous friend.
lovely finishes Michelle 🙂 looks like it was a finishing weekend for a few of us! I haven’t tried a pinkeep yet .. that’s next on my list!
I’m really enjoying your photos from your trip .. that garden is awesome!
You’ve been very busy, and these are some nice finishes. I really like the yellow pins and purple fabric on the Harry Potter pinkeep. Sorry I can’t offer any insights to bow-making, though. It’s a mystery to me!
Love the fabric you used on “Eek!” Iron Hill–we may have to go there for dinner soon, they do have yummy food. And the beer’s not bad either…
Oh, I love that topiary garden photo!
I think your finishes are great – big congratulations on learning how to do pinkeeps (and on doing them so WELL!!). As for bows, well, if you ever figure out the secret … please tell me!
Your did a good job on your first pinkeeps. Finishing just gets better with practice!
Beautiful pictures from your trip!
Oh how cute!!!! You are so inspiring! I am afraid that if I don’t start on some projects, I’ll forget where I put them! Thank you for visiting and for you kind words!! xo, Becky
Love the pinkeeps! And wow to the topiaries!
Your pin keeps are soooooo cute! You have done a spiffy job. Can’t wait to see Autumn Song, what cool colors, so “Fallish” (instead of stylish).
Those pinkeeps are PERFECT!! Great job on them 🙂 CUTE too!
And the pictures from your trip are SUPER pretty! And I do love the new loose feathers…a lot!
🙂
Your pinkeeps look great~I too would like to perfect the art of Bow Making!
I enjoyed your PA pictures, especially the quilt pics from an earlier post.
Your pinkeeps are great. I, too, am bow challenged. Two of my friends have shown me how to tie a perfect bow, but alas, I’m still challenged!
Jobs well done Michelle!
Your trip looks like it was a fascinating experience. Great photos.
Has anyone ever told you that you’re too hard on yourself? LOL–aren’t we all our own toughest critics? Your finishes are lovely. For bow-making instruction, I go to the ‘net. The pictures and instructions helped me craft a “perfect” wreath bow, so I’m betting they’ll help on little bows too–like anything, there’s a trick to it (or two).
Your pin keeps turned out great! I think I’m going to stitch up the eck one. I love how you finished it.
Your pinkeeps are both gorgeous, congrats!
Great job on the pinkeeps…both are very cute
Lovely finishes on the pinkeeps! The pictures from your trip are beautiful as are your flowers from hubby!
Congrats on your first pinkeeps! They turned out great 🙂
I can’t tie a fancy bow to save my life, either LOL
Great job on the pinkeeps. That is on my to do list.
Thanks for sharing.
Your pinkeeps look fantastic Michelle!
I love the photos. The gardens are so pretty:)
The pinkeeps look great, congratulations on learning a new skill and checking off an item on your 101 things to do list. Love the pictures of the garderns, those topiaries look really neat.
Those are lovely pinkeeps. The new box from Blackbird designs is wonderful, too.
Your pin keeps look wonderful, well done.
Cute pinkeeps! I just knew they would be so nicely done too!!!
Adorable pinkeeps! Congrats. The pictures are great-I love that topiary garden.