One "finish" and Two "almost finishes"

Well, I finally finished "Wish, Dream, Hope, Believe" and can celebrate!!!

Time to do the Happy Dance,
Happy Dance, Happy Dance,
Time to do the Happy Dance...
E - I - E - I - O !

Sorry - my happy dance got a little out of hand. But this is the second time I finished this project. The first time I finished it as a pin keep, using straight pins with a ball on the end and attached a fun looking ribbon. But when it was done, it looked stupid...I hated it...it was an embarrassing finish, so I ripped it appart and put the stitched piece in my stitching "catch all" box. This evening, I decided to pull it out again and try something else. I found the foam core square I cut for it and my supply of basic straight pins. I cut some blue fabric for the backing...and attached the stitched piece and the backing to the foam core with the basic straight pins. Then, I remembered my supply of beading stash (another crafting hobby I had "once upon a time"). Using some of the crystal beads, wire, crimping beads and other fun things, I created the hanger. I also found a charm that said "dream" in my stash which I put in the middle of the hanger. I do love the way it turned out...however, I still am not satisfied with the way my corners come out when I do this method of finishing. I have looked at several of the tutorials...but I just cannot make my corners look "professional" (so, if anyone has any good advice, please let me know).

I have 2 more "almost" finishes to show...

Both of these are Lizzie Kate "To My Teacher" designs. One is stitched on 22count aida (which has been hand dyed in red food coloring) and the other is stitched on 28count evenweave. As room parent for my younger son's class, I am organizing the upcoming Teacher Appreciation project/activities. Ever since my older son was in school, I have been organizing Teacher Appreciation "Thank You" books - which the kids write the notes or poems and I make the front cover and then bind it all together. It makes a nice keepsake for the teachers (in addition we al.so collect money and purchase gift cards for the teacher). This year my son has 2 teachers who do a job share, so I am going to make a book for each of them. So, I have the stitched pieces done and will work on making the covers over the weekend. I will post the finished products as soon as I have them completed.

Other news on the stitching front...I received the next Friendship Sampler for the RR (it is Danielle's). I will need to sit down and determine which heart I am going to stitch and what color. Her instructions gives the stitcher the freedom to choose the color of the heart. I don't know if that makes it easier or more challenging to make a decision.

Well...hope your week is going well. Thank you for stopping by and reading. Remember...Live, Love, Laugh and stitch often! Lisa