July 19, 2010

Let Love Be Your Guide...

I did this needlepoint piece a few years ago. It was a Claire Murray kit. I just love her designs! It was a fun piece to stitch, and I even did the hair on the angel in auburn French knots. (Our younger son's hair is red!) The design area measures 14" square, so it's not a small piece.

Claire has a home and shop on Nantucket. You can see the Nantucket influence in her work. She loves hydrangeas and whales, and those quaint, rose-covered cottages. I've been to her shop and I really love the hardwood floors, her hand-hooked rugs, bedding, tableware and all of her designs all around the space. Who wouldn't?

I've never done anything with my finished piece because I couldn't decide if it should be framed, made into a cushion or if I should do something else with it. (I have to admit that I hesitated to make it into a cushion. Black wool background. Yellow Labrador hair. See my dilemma?) So hard to decide. What do you think I should do with it? (Disregard the yellow dog fur issue.) I really value your opinion.

PS. It turns out that I have twenty ATCs to make and it's taking a little longer than I thought. I'll write a post about the finished cards just as soon as they're done (this week, I promise!). Again, my sincere thanks to each of you who requested one. I'm honored, and this is truly a labor of love for me.

10 comments:

  1. I think a apron bib,,, a special bag/tote....how about a album cover..lots of fun things...

    and a pillow is nice too..

    enjoy your day...

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  2. That's a beautiful piece Donna. I love the colors in it. It needs to be prominently displayed so I go with a pillow or framed (not too original am I?).
    Jane

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  3. Dearest Donna,

    The tote is stunning, absolutely a work of art......I'm so proud to have it. It's way too pretty to use, but I'm gonna try to anyway, but with exceptional care. Thank you so very much, again, I'm just so honored and you are just so generous. I will be posting about it, along with the latest updates on the sculpt I'm doing for the two crazy crafters who won my giveaway.

    Love,
    Meri

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  4. Donna , This is beautiful. Lucky you to have gone to her shop. Your work is so lovely I think it should be framed.

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  5. I think it would look great as a wall hanging! A terrific gift for a newly-married couple. :) Theresa

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  6. Beautiful! I wish I had the patience for a piece like that!

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  7. Donna: What a lovely piece of needlework. I would make it into a small wall quilt. You could use beautiful shades of hand dyed wool to pick up the colors of the needlework.

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  8. My thoughts were the same as Nancy's. I would incorporate it into a large piece as a wall hanging. Mixing wools with it etc. would be soooooo gorgeous.
    How cool is that by the way, you've been to Claire's shop! Jealoussssssssssss....yeah, at least I admit it. hee,hee,hee.
    That's a beautiful piece girlfriend.

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  9. Many years ago, she had boutiques in other areas of the country. I was lucky to visit one. Beautiful! What about a foot stool or chairseat? Maybe a special little decorative child size chair? Some needlepoint stores have glass covered trays, or you can use some picture frames to accomplish the same type thing.
    Thanks for the recent well wishes. Still healing and recovering!

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  10. Gosh Donna, That's so beautiful!!! I'd have it framed and hang it on the wall! xo Paulette

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment today. I'm using new settings on my comments so that I'll be able to respond to your messages to me. Be sure to come back to see my replies!

Blessings, Donna