Tuesday, August 2, 2011

The Red House and some framing

The red house is finished!!!!  And I'm really happy about that.

Amsterdam by Thea Gouverneur

Another thing I'm pleased with  is that I framed two pieces. At first I wasn't overly happy with one of the frames (I ordered both online) but after a while it grew on me and now I do actually like it.
Framing  is less easy then I thought it would be, it took me ages to get the fabric stretched and straight. Finding Vonna's tutorial helped a lot in the end. Still, there is a learning curve involved (it makes now somehow sense why framers ask so much money for it) But never the less, I'm determined to learn and will try it again next time. But only small to medium sized pieces. 

And here they are...


Their Song
by Blackbird Designs


Blessings Be Thine
by Blackbird Designs

63 comments:

Nancy M said...

That red house is stunning and you have put in several hours since last update!!!! I am still working on the red houses roof! Love the 2 framed pieces and they look professionally done too. Are you lacing them, or using the pin method?? I prefer to lace...if you know how to do it. I've tried the pins, but can never get the material the way I like. If the pattern has a border, I pay to have it laced! I don't even want to mess with it then.

Nautical Knitter said...

I love how much progress you have made on Amsterdam! I went to see about purchasing this pattern and it seems to be sold in kit form only. Oh well... Yours is coming along nicely!!

butterfly said...

the red house is beautiful, and so are the framed stitching.

diamondc said...

Gabi: Positively stunning I love both works and the framing, your Amsterdam is lovely.
Catherine
diamondc

valerie said...

Wow, Amsterdam looks amazing! That red house is huge! lol Great job on the framing too. I am not fond of doing it and will only do small pieces too.

barbara said...

That's a great job you did with the framing!!! And Amsterdam just knocks my socks off!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Congratulations on a gorgeous finish. The Red House is just stunning.
I can't believe this is the first time you've done framing. Both pieces looks fantastic. Congrats on doing such a wonderful framing job.

Ranae said...

Amsterdam is looking amazing.
I love the frames, you did a grat job

Cindy said...

I love the two framed pieces. Great job.

Bertie said...

Congratulations Gabi, your Red House looks stunning, and if I may say so, just like the real thing!!
Beautiful framing on your Blackbird Designs:))

BrendaS said...

Amsterdam is really looking beautiful. Your framing looks wonderful too. Great job:))

Claudette497 said...

Yay for having another house done! No one would ever know you framed it yourself - maybe you have a new career in you, lol.

Lesleyanne said...

Great progress on Amsterdam. Love your framed pieces.

Shelley said...

Amsterdam is looking great!!

Your frames turned out very pretty...

Edgar said...

What a gorgeous finish!! Congrats and your framed pieces are just lovely!!!! You have been very busy!!!! Did you lace or pin for the framed pieces?

Chris said...

Amsterdam is amazing.
The 2 BBD pieces look great, Gabi!

Pam said...

The red house is just beautiful. How long have you been working on it? The pieces that you framed came out great. Whenever I try ti fram something myself it never comes out right because I can never get it centered just right. You did a good job.

Sarah said...

Wow Amsterdam is looking beautiful, I can't believe your progressing so quickly!

Lovely frames, and the framing was worth the effort, they look fantastic.

Margaret said...

Wow! Congratulations on finishing Amsterdam -- it's gorgeous! And I so admire you for trying out framing by yourself! You did a great job! Beautiful pieces, and great framing! I need to try to learn myself for sure. Framing is expensive!

Catherine said...

Wow! What an incredible piece - a lot of stitches in there!

Your framed pieces turned out well! Don't give up on the framing - the more you do, the easier it will become!

Cindy's Stitching said...

you did an amazing job framing them. I have yet to try that myself. The house just beautiful, a real big piece. It is always hard to do a piece like that.

Theresa said...

Wow, Amsterdam is gorgeous!!! This is such a wonderful piece!!!
Love your framed stitches!!! They will make a great addition to your collections!!!

samplerlover said...

Beautiful work.

Cardygirl said...

Your completed projects are great...you have done a great job with the framing.

Patty C. said...

BEAUTIFUL BBD PHOTOS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really like the finished work - You should be very proud of your work ;)

mdgtjulie said...

I think the frames are perfect for the pieces you chose. Great job Gabi. I still take everything in to Hobby Lobby to be framed. Your Amsterdam is stunning. Love the colors and the composition. Keep up the good work, and you'll be finished before you know it!!

Siobhán said...

Yeay on finishing up the red house!! It's beautiful. Your framing is gorgeous, too. Great choice in the frames!

cucki said...

hello dear, the red house is simply so beautiful..and i really love all you other framed stitching too..you really have busy fingers..and lots of love from my side.
hugs cucki xx

Katrina said...

The red house is gorgeous and I love both your framed pieces!!!!

Sally said...

Wow that red house is gorgeous!

Lovely framed pieces. I love the Blessings be Thine one.

Emily in NC said...

You did a great framing job. Like how Amsterdam is looking.

Meari said...

Amsterdam is so beautiful, Gabi.

Congrats on your framing. They both look good, IMO.

Anne Marieke said...

Great progress on Amsterdam and your framing is beautiful! Good for you that you do it yourself. It costs the earth to have it done.

Nancy in IL said...

Amsterdam is simply stunning! And I'm so impressed with your framing. The placement is perfect, with everything even. The only things I've framed are small. I may have to give it a go myself after seeing the tutorial.

Tatkis said...

Congratulations with your framed works - they are beautiful!
And Amsterdam is growing, wonderful!

Best wishes,
Tatyana

Ellen said...

Amsterdam looks wonderful! Love your framed stitching, they are stunning!

Thank you for visiting my blog. The bunnies' design is by Lesley Teare published in the magazine - Cross Stitch Collection Issue 195.

Hugs,

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Boy, Gabi! Amsterdam is really something special!! It looks fantastic. You did a great job on framing the two BBD pieces. I love the frames for both of them. Congratulations!!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Your Red House is amazing! You also did a beautiful job on the framing.

Carissa said...

Gabi, Amsterdam turned out beautifully - I've been watching your WIP pictures of that one for a while now, congrats on the finish!

Your framed pieces turned out very nice and thanks for linking to Vonna's tutorial. I'm going to try my hand at framing a piece soon.

Carol said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! Amsterdam is looking amazing, Gabi--what a lot of patience you must have :)

Love your framed pieces. I'm not the world's greatest framer, either, but I try to do my own for small to mid-sized pieces, too. It sure saves a lot of money, doesn't it?

Enjoy your weekend!

Debbie said...

Amsterdam is coming along beautifully! I can't wait to see it completed. Your framing looks wonderful, great job on both!

Littlebit said...

Oh my goodness, congrats on your beautiful finish! WOW! And your frames/framing is absolutely beautiful!! Oh, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE "Their Song."

Lyn said...

Congrats on the Finish! Your Amsterdam piece is stunning!

Mary said...

Amsterdam is looking fantastic - what an amazing amount of work in it. Your framing looks great too - you are very clever to be doing it yourself.
Mary

Giovanna said...

I think it's the Rijksmuseum that you've just finished in A'dam, and it's a really huge building IRL. Beautiful! And you've done a great job with the framing, congrats.

Alice said...

Gorgeous! Congratulations to you!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Your Amsterdam piece is amazing. You're a braver lady than I to tackle framing. I take the easy route on that one.

Katrien said...

The Red House is beautiful.
Your framing looks great!

Lynn said...

Red house looks fantastic!!
Your framing jobs look fabulous too. I haven't tried framing on my own yet. Too chicken.
I've stitched both of these pieces and hope to do another BBD soon.

Margaret said...

Well done. Your framing looks magnificent

Anne said...

Wow! Your framing is amazing!! I love both pieces and the frames you matched them with! Looks super professional to me :D

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I apologize, Gabi, for the misspelling of your name. Reposting with the correct spelling ;-)

Hi Gabi~

Such lovely pieces you've completed! You are correct with your comment to framer pricing. My Dad used to cut mats and frame out of the house. My Mom would do the lacing part and the stories she's shared ;-)

~Carrie

Cross Stitch Queen said...

Everything looks so great! The Amsterdam cross stitching is fabulous... truly. Your framing work is wonderful too.

Just became one of your followers. If you have a chance pass by my blog:
http://betweenthestitches.blogspot.com there are a few giveaways on my sidebar that you may be interested in since I see that you just had one a few days ago.

Have a great day!
CSQ

Mel said...

Lovely, lovely my dear.

marly said...

Oh my goodness. What an amazing amount of stitching, and such a beautiful result. Both of your framed pieces are great - I especially like Their Song with its frame. You did a fabulous professional quality job!

Glenna said...

I love that red house! And I looked closely at your framed pieces; both look professional and beautifully done, with pefectly complementing frames.

Chris said...

I love this design and its looking very good..
Hugs Chris x

Lainey said...

Both framed pieces are gorgeous Gabi and Amsterdam is stunning!

Aussie Stitcher said...

Amsterdam is looking great, wow that red house is huge. Your framing looks wonderful, well done.

chrisstitches said...

Absolutely fabulous & stunning.
Chris

Pumpkin said...

Oh Gabi! What a stunning piece!

I'd say you did a brilliant job for being a beginner :o) Your lines look straight to me! I love the frames that you picked out. I think they complement each piece.

Carolien said...

Hello Gabi,

Thank you for your nice comment on my blog! I'm discovering yours and you make such beautiful things!
Funny to 'meet' Amsterdam here and I love your framed samplers!

have a nice weekend & Dutch greetings,
Carolien