Friday, April 11, 2014

Spring Celebration and Hope House

Spring is in full bloom here now.  My headaches are a testament.  But I love going outside without a coat and just feeling warm anyway!    Lately I seem to have a fascination with primitive designs.  It's such a change from the really detailed type of cross-stitching I used to prefer.  When I saw this cute little freebie from the Primitive Hare,  "Spring Celebration", I couldn't wait to stitch it up. I used a piece of 32 count natural Gander linen that I bought from The Thread Basket.  I had heard so many good things about this linen that I was curious to try it out.  It's not available much in the U.S., but the Thread Basket does specialize in French patterns and has a limited supply on the site.  It's a nice weighty linen, and I enjoyed working with it.   It was just the right size to turn into a luggage tag for Spring Break getaways.  I gave it to a Jazzercise instructor who taught an especially fun class on the day I finished it up.


While searching for something completely different, I found this cute pattern for a funky crocheted house on Pinterest.  Just for fun I tried to see if I could actually re-create it.  My finishes from a lot of crochet patterns just don't turn out anything like the models.   This one worked out pretty well though.  I added a safety pin on the back.. poor man's brooch.  One of my friends has been training for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk.  She's trying to get in shape without over-doing and it's been a little tricky.  I will give it to my friend as a gift of encouragement.  The pattern is called "Hope House" and you can download the free pdf here.  I should have taken the photo in context so you could see the size.  It's about 3" (7.62 cm) high.  I crocheted it using #10 crochet cotton with a size 7 hook from colors that I had already.
 


12 comments:

Jane said...

That fabric is perfect for finishing the luggage tag, and a lovely brooch too, love the little details added to it

Vickie said...

They are both very sweet. And so are you constantly gifting others. :)

Margaret said...

Beautiful! Love the finishes! The crochet is so different and fun!

KimM said...

What a great idea - a luggage tag! Cute, cute, cute!

ArchangelDecker said...

I love the luggage tag. You always do such awesome work! :)

Carol said...

What a darling luggage tag--and a lucky Jazzercise teacher. That linen looks so pretty, Annie. I've never heard of Gander, but I like a nice weighty fabric, too, so will have to check it out.

I know your friend will be delighted (and encouraged) by your sweet hope pin...love that teeny button used as the doorknob.

Hang in there with the headaches--hopefully the joy of spring days will help you ignore them...

Cindy's Stitching said...

Both are just adorable. I think you pinterest came out really good.

Annette said...

Lovely Spring piece you made.
Happy spring Is finally there
Hope the headache Will go away soon and stay away
Your crochet piece Is perfect.
Your friend Will be so happy with. Awesome c ook colors and beautifull made!!

Mii Stitch said...

Love this spring design and your finish is lovely! What a great gift :) The crochet house is definitely different, I think it's really pretty and colourful. Have a great weekend

Parsley said...

Finally getting around to adding blogs from the Prim Stitchers Facebook group. I now follow.

Anne said...

I love this tag Annie!! What a perfect little Spring design. I've often wanted to order from the Thread Basket too but I have so many things to work with already. The little hope house is darling! Happy Easter Annie!

Brigitte said...

Such a lovely little freebie you found. And it's so beautifully stitched and finished.. I also love to stitch these primitive designs, they are usually so great in between the more detailed designs that I so love to stitch.
Nice little crochet finish, too.