2 More FFOs

I finished the Featherbeds Strawberry from Erica Michaels. It came out really well. Nearly perfect. I am patting myself on the back over this one.

The flower and leaf pins are from The Glasshopper on Etsy and are a perfect complement. I love her pins. The silver bird is from another pin shop on Etsy…sweet and simple.

Here is my finishing of the end:

I tried to make something to coordinate with the stitched design. Now that it’s done I have a better idea because this looks a little like a poinsettia and something like a carnation would be better, but it got the job done and didn’t take too long. I stuff my strawberries with crushed walnut shells (lizard litter) and this one has a good weight to it. It’s a pretty satisfying thing!

My next finish is the Coxcomb Bouquet box which is a very old Blackbird Designs class kit. The finish was INVOLVED. My husband even commented, “that red box seems to require a lot of steps.” It did.

First I painted the naked paper mache box with the recommended red paint. Then I rubbed the Briwax on it. The Briwax rubbed off the red paint in the raised areas and gave it that aged look. But it didn’t seem to seal the paint. I was concern about the paint rubbing off. I tried a second coat. Every application of anything wet to the paper mache box seemed to warp it a little. I was really concerned about how well it could hold up to more fussing. I felt like sealing it might be worth a try however. I got some spray-on modge podge. I sprayed it on. I should have thought that through a little bit because the wax made the modge podge, which is water based, resist adhering to the surface, so it left a droplet texture across the entire box. This was not offensive. You can see this a little bit in the photo. But I wanted it smoother. I sprayed on another coat, worrying I might really be pushing the limits of the integrity of the paper mache, and smoothed the sprayed “glue” (which is basically is what modge podge is), over the surface. I smoothed it over until it didn’t puddle up into drops anymore. It dried pretty even and I liked the effect. Done. The I followed the instructions for lining the box edges, top and bottom and applying the stitching. That worked out very well. I did swap out the lining fabric for one I liked better and overall I am quite pleased with the result. I think I will store hoops in it.

My plan is to do one last FFO this week, the Hedgehog, and then put away all my craft stuff and buckle down for some stitching on Dorcas this month. I also need to show you how Sacred is coming along…it’s closer. Still enjoying this one as a slow stitch and I’m not unhappy with my progress.