This past year at guild I signed up to take part in the Secret Stitcher program for the first time. We eached stitched two pieces for our Secret Stitcher, one in February and one for June. As I mentioned in my last post, I spent a portion of my holiday weekend doing the finishing on the June piece for my Secret Stitcher. We revealed our identities on Tuesday night, and now I can finally share with you all what I’ve been working on.
My Secret Stitcher loves birds, and so I wanted both pieces I stitched for her to reflect that. For June I chose to stitch BBD’s Bluebird and finished it into a pincushion. I stitched with GAST Uniform Blue on 30ct Olde Town Blend by R&R. I included her initial too.
I filled it with crushed walnut shells and found this beautiful fabric for the back. I am definitely going to be stitching this one again for myself. I think I can squeeze it onto my leftover Olde Town Blend. I hope so!
And since I didn’t get to show you the other piece I stitched for her back in February, here it is! Along with birds she also loves winter, so what could be more perfect than a block from Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow by Carriage House Samplings?
I really wish this was a better photo, but I was taking the photo at 11 o’clock the night before this piece was due. Learned my lesson on procrastinating and gave myself a lot more time on the more recent gift (see how much better the photos are!!!). But, I think you can still tell how beautiful and delicate this piece turned out to be as an individual block. I love it! I used DMC along with the Thread Gatherer Silk n Color Mint Frost. And that Mint Frost silk is the perfect color for snow…I bought two skeins of it so that when I get around to stitching CaHRH, I’ll have my skeins. I used 36ct Meadow Rue for the fabric and I think the color was a good choice. The pine cone and the pine needles were a lot of fun to stitch.
But, as all of you who have ever stitched one of these Hawk Run Hollow pieces know – those blocks are deceiving. What seems like a simple stitch turns into a much bigger project than you envisioned. So, in my defense, I thought I’d left myself plenty of time to stitch this. But, wow, I underestimated – big time!
I ended up finishing the piece into a pillow, I thought it would be something fun for her to have out during winter. The brown background fabric is what I used on the back of the pillow.
So those are my two stitched pieces for my Secret Stitcher. I need to show you the gorgeous gorgeous piece I received from my Secret Stitcher as well – next time. And there’s a birthday gift that needs revealing too. So many things to show you!!! I’ll be back soon with more.
I am grateful for being at home with Eric on a Wednesday night.
I’ve been quiet about not loving CaHRH and AaHRH, but this piece done individually is fabulous! Maybe there’s a lesson about the “sum of the parts”? (No, that would be backward.) Your gifts were lovely; what a lucky recipient!
I have often thought of doing individual blocks for the HRH pieces (the ones I like the most that is) and your piece is really helping me to decide this is a good idea. I love it! I also love anything like Secret Sisters, Secret Stitcher, Secret Santa, ect. They are always so much fun!
I think these two pieces are just stunning! I have been itchign to get my hands on the CaHRH chart for ages and now have succembed and ordered before it is too late. Seeing this piece makes me love it all the more. x
Gorgeous finishes. Great job. I really love that BBD, and the coordinating fabrics is lovely.
Beautiful finishes! They are both great and your giftee is a lucky lady!I’m not that big on CaHRH but that is one of my favorite blocks from it. Can’t wait to see what you received! 🙂
Oh, a sneaky mid-week update… you go girl. Love them both – I know Francesca will show me what you made when I see her. She alluded to it and said it was very pretty.
I can’t wait to see what you got for Kathy. Her first piece was oh so very pretty.
Both of your exchange pieces are gorgeous. The recipient is one lucky gal.
I love them both Michelle! You did a beautiful job of both the stitching and the finishing 🙂 I’m not that fond of the HRH designs per se, but individual blocks stitched separately work really well.
Oh wow, so pretty! They are both gorgeous :-).
Both finishes are gorgeous ! I realy love the pillow from CHRH.
Just gorgeous! Both pieces are fabulous! That CaHRH pillow — doesn’t the design look like it was made just for that purpose? And your bird pillow is wonderful too!
Both are just gorgeous!
I’ve not seen any of the Hawk Run blocks finished individually. I’m not sure why. The blocks are so pretty on their own. They may even get more attention that way. I especially enjoy the red bird on this one.
Oh Michelle, it was so worth the wait to see these, lol. I’m sure the lucky recipients will be doing happy dances. Excellent work!
Michelle these are gorgeous gifts! The recipient must be so happy to receive something so beautiful!
The bluebird has been one of my favorite designs since it came out, and I love how you photographed it on the buttons. You know I think I like the HRH designs better individually. It made a very pretty pillow!
I love how your secret stitcher gifts turned out–exquisite stitching and the back-of-the-piece fabric is just perfect.
Stunning gifts Michelle! They’re both beautifully stitched and finished.
CaHRH is the only one of the HRH charts I’ve purchased…expressly for doing them as individual ornaments 🙂
What lovely gifts you have been stitching for our secret stitcher. What joy she will have in her gifts.
The cardinal block is my fave of CaHRH. What a great idea to turn it into a pillow! Your pincushion is lovely also. I have that one in the stash to make for myself.:) The fabric on the back of yours finishes it perfectly.
What lovely pieces you made for your stitching partner. They are both so pretty – I have no doubt that she was thrilled.
They’re both absolutely lovely, beautiful work!
Both gifts are just wonderful!! The HRH piece really is stunning!!
Oh my goodness – they are both beautiful! Your finishes are just stunning!
I had thought about completing individuals blocks as ornaments and you just solidified that decision, I love it!!!
Have a fabulous weekend.
Two beautiful exchange gifts.
Your gifts are soooo fantastic, Michelle! Your finishing is wonderful, too. A-MAZing! I can’t wait to see what you got, too!
Both pieces turned out beautifully! I’m sure she loves them both! Love the backing fabric you chose for the BBD pin keep. Just beautiful!!
Have a great weekend!
They both look lovely, congratulations
Michelle, they are both fabulous!
As a fellow bird lover I would have been delighted with your beautiful gifts – the HRH piece is my favourite of the Christmas blocks.