Sunday, July 1, 2012

Altoid Tin, Pillowcase, Graduation Card

I'm one of those many victims of the East Coast surprise storm.   Limited electricity so I have a few lights and working power outlets.  But no AC, no hot water,  and no refrigeration (good bye  to my yogurt collection - staple of my life).   It's played havoc with my head and I spent a lot of time sleeping yesterday.  This morning I went out for the first time since the storm and got some shelf stable, ready to eat,  food to keep me going til the power returns.  But in in my good moments yesterday, I did finish a couple of projects.

I was a little late to the party, but when I saw this adorable design for a Sal by Manka Minta, I just had a desire to stitch it up immediately.  Manka was nice enough to send me the little chart even though it was past the deadline.   I decided to use it for an Altoid tin top to give to a stitcher friend whose son is getting married soon.  As a scissors case, it seemed like a nice small favor to commemorate the occasion.  I just love how many different color variations that the stitchers used for this piece.  Here's the gallery of finishes on Pinterest.



My cousin just received his Master's Degree from Stanford and I expect to be going to a Taco party for him next weekend.  I wouldn't dare try to pick out a gift for him so I'll give him a check tucked into this card I made.  This a part of the "Reach for the Stars" design by Barbara Ana.


Finally, one my bucket list items was to embroider a pillowcase.  Not the same as bungee jumping or seeing the top of Machu Picchu, but I have more moderate goals.  I bought two inexpensive white pillowcases from Sublime Stitching to work with.  This design was the illustration used for the 2011 Collaborative Summer Library Project.  I just re-worked it to create a line drawing for embroidery.  I did modify the little girl's hair to be a bit wilder than the original.



27 comments:

Jackie's Stitches said...

I hope you get full power soon! No AC must be miserable. I love the tin and the owl projects. Your pillow is wonderful too. I love the wild hair.

Margaret said...

I sure hope the power comes back on soon. I couldn't believe what happened with the storms down there! Love your tin and the card you made for your cousin. Nice pillowcase too -- so colorful! Keep cool if you can.

Anne said...

I hope your power is back for you Annie!! I love your little altoid tin...you are the queen of making altoid tins!! Sweet pillowcase! Those colours are so bright and happy. I really like how the girl is on a bird reading. That would be me!

Jane said...

I love what you do with the altoid tins, it's a lovely gift, and the design on the pillowcase is wonderful.

Palkó said...

Oh, they are very nice works!
They really like me :)

Jan said...

Hope you get your AC soon. It's miserable in our area today.

You've been busy. I think I like the tin the best.

ArchangelDecker said...

Hope you guys get full power back soon. No AC in the middle of summer is no bueno!


Your finishes are lovely. The tin is so pretty! :)

Nima said...

that's too cute..hope your powers supply is back...i don't have any clue about the summer temp there. we have 48-50 degree Celsius and life without AC is unimaginable.

Lainey said...

Sorry to hear about the storms Annie, I hope your power is back on soon.
I always love those little Altoid Tins you do and what a cute Owl card. The pillowcase is gorgeous too. Take care.

Nancy said...

Sorry you had to be one of the storm victims. It keeps thundering here, but we haven't had any rain yet.

Annie your projects are beautiful! I LOVE the pillowcases!

Carol said...

Oh, Annie, I can't imagine being without AC in this heat! I'm hoping it comes back quickly for you (if it already hasn't)... My son said his girlfriend got caught out in that horrid storm you guys had on Friday and was just terrified!

So many projects to share with us today... You know your Altoid tins are my favorites--still wondering why I haven't tried one myself! Your version of Manka's design is adorable--it was fun to see how everyone finished off that same piece. What variety! And I know your cousin will love his wise old owl card (and the money enclosed!).

What a fun pillowcase--gotta love that hair!! I used to embroider pillowcases when I was in high school for my mom--not sure whatever happened to them. They didn't surface during the estate sale :(

Hope you can find someplace cool to spend your day (library, maybe!)...

Karen said...

Annie, your little tin is wonderful, I love the design you put on it. The owl card will make such a nice gift and I really enjoyed seeing your embroidery, too, it's so imaginative! I feel so sorry for you being without electricity. We don't usually have AC, but I would desperately miss our electric fans!

Vinniey said...

I hope you'll get back your power supply very soon. As always, I admired all your Altoid tin design and finishes. Your Altoid tin for your stitcher friend is lovely. :) The card you've made for your cousin is lovely too. Congratulations to your cousin! Your embroidery work is beatiful!

Melanie said...

Oh no!!! :(
Ugh, that sucks so hard. We went through that last fall with storms and I never even bothered to start up my freezer again, I was so distraught at losing all that stuff. Hope they get the power back on SOON!!! *hugs*

♥ Nia said...

Sorry to hear about the storm =/ I hope everything is ok now!!!
Your tin box looks lovely :)
And that embroidery is so colorful and pretty! Fantastic work!! :D
Hugs&smiles

Gina E. said...

We've been hearing about your storms and wildfires on the news here - you've had a real bad time of it. Bad enough losing your air-con, but losing your food is really the pits.
Love your latest designs - you find the neatest freebies!

Annette said...

How is it with the weather now?
hope it is going better

what a beautifull pieced you have finished!!
I love that owl.. so cute..
wonderfull pillow. you can do that do nead

Heather said...

I hope your electricity is back on normally now. Try to stay cool!

I absolutely love the pillow case. You did a wonderful job.

Anonymous said...

You just reminded me that I have a pillow case partially embroidered somewhere in the depths of my wip pile. Gotta dig it out! Yours are cute and unique! Love the altoid tin finish. I still haven't done one of those....maybe when I have more time I hope.

Hope your power is back on fully by now! Keep cool!

Anonymous said...

Great job on the tin, but BOY, do I love your pillowcase! Great job. It makes me smile so broadly. I hope you're staying cool.

Anonymous said...

The altoid tin is beautiful and the owl card is very sweet. Lovely pillowcase.

Brigitte said...

Oh Annie, these three lovelies are a dream. What a great idea to use Mankas design for the altoid tin, it's like made for it.
I love the graduation card very much and your stitchery project is just wonderful. A reading girl on a bird and both of them look very happy. Must have been a real fun stitch.

Pumpkin said...

That's not good :o( Hopefully you're back to rights by now.

Love the little tin finish and the card :o)

Good for you! It's always nice to do something new once in awhile.

Veronica said...

Beautiful finish. That design you stitched is just too cute. Lovely card you've made too. You've done a wonderful job embroidering the pillowcase.

Hugs,
Veronica.

Kucki68 said...

I love what you did with the illustration!

Sandra said...

I guess the storm issue is over now. Hope you're having a better weather these days.

Love the finishes, the cute couple in the altoid is so pretty! What's the colorful material on the inner side of the top? Is it fabric or paper?

The owl is adorable. And the adaptation you made of the illustration is wonderful! I've been thinking about embroidering some of my special needs kids' drawings on canvas bags, I love the whimsy of it!

Dani - tkdchick said...

What a lovely job you've done on both the altoid tin and the pillowcase!