Double the Fun Crafts - Yvette's Petitpoint Blog

Our Table at the OMEGA Show

5/21/2022

I have finally had some time to post regarding our first show on May 1st this year. Here we are, all set up and ready to go, just before the doors opened to the public. We did fairly well for a first show and met many wonderful people. We learned a lot while we were there and have formulated plans for a more streamlined showing the next time we attend a show. I think everyone had a good time and we were encouraged by many to sign up to sell at the MET show in October.
We are pleased to say that we have signed up and are just awaiting confirmation. We will make a formal announcement once we hear back.

Our Show is Tomorrow!

4/30/2022

After weeks of preparation, we are ready for the show tomorrow. I wanted to show you two little sets of pillows that I made for the show. These are my Hermione cushions (the other side has the colors reversed) and my Florence cushions. Patterns for these may be found here: Hermione Cushion, Florence Cushion.

Cheryl and I are looking forward to seeing everyone at the show, renewing acquaintances of people we haven't seen since the first lockdown happened and generally enjoying being out and about.

Today, the car is being packed ready and we have a very early start tomorrow.

Less than a Week to go!!

4/25/2022

We have been very busy these last few weeks getting ready for our big day this coming Sunday! Currently, I am putting the finishing touches on some room screens that I have made. There are 8 in total and each must be sanded using 3 different sandpapers and have the hinges attached. The last sanding will be today and then the meticulous process of adding the hinges will start tomorrow. I have printed out many book kits exclusively for the show and will have many printed petit point patterns available. Cheryl has done a few more paintings and has chosen the frames for each. I will be framing them this week then packing everything ready to go. Much of the inventory is now packed, so we have put the hand-made items on hold at the moment in our store until after the show. We are greatly looking forward to the show and hope some of you will come and say "Hi". We would love to meet you!

Miniature Books now Available!

4/20/2022

This post is not stitching related but exciting all the same. During the last few weeks I have been working hard to get things ready for our first time attending a Miniature Show as a Vendor. The show is happening on May 1st, 2022 in Fergus, Ontario. More information may be see in an earlier blog post here.
One of the things I have been designing and making for the show are kits for miniature books. As I am completing making each book, I make sure they go together well and each cover looks good, then I print out kits. I am quite proud at how well they are turning out.

I am also excited to announce that these kits will also be available for Instant Digital Download from our store! You can find them here. More will be added as I complete and proof each book.

We will be offering a variety of items for sale at the show, including Cheryl's artwork, hand-made rugs, blankets, cushions, furniture, shell necklaces, printed patterns and book kits. Anything that doesn't sell at the show will be offered here in our store later, so stay tuned to see what pops up!

Finished the Petunia!

4/11/2022

My Petunia rug is now blocked square and finished! After blocking this rug for quite a while, I was able to finish the edges a couple of days ago. I took my time blocking this one and steamed it several times before I was satisfied that it was perfect. Then I let it sit on my blocking board and dry for about two weeks. It didn't need to dry for that long but as I wasn't ready to stitch the edges, I felt it was best left where it was.
I am so happy it turned out so well and will be bringing it with me to our Miniature Show on May 1st.
For those interested in this pattern, it can be found here for the printed version mailed to you and here for the digital download. It is suitable to be stitched on lower count gauzes such as 22 count if you don't wish to use the 40 count that I used.

All of my Cushions so far

4/2/2022

Along with the Nautical Sonja cushions I wrote about last week, I also worked on three others and now have them complete. Here is a photo showing all of them together.

While working on them, I chose three different ways of finishing them so that I could decide which I liked the best. The five pillows in the center were all finished by stitching a piece of fabric onto the pillow while they were still

on the frame. I then trimmed the fabric so that approximately 1/8" or more remained, clipped the corners, then turned the pillows inside out so that the outsides of the pillows showed. They were very easy to stitch together but it was a challenge getting the pillow turned and they are smaller than the others. I will most likely make a braid using the colors in the pillows and put it onto them to make them appear larger.

The pillow on the left was finished by stitching a front and a back for it, then folding the trimmed edges back right to the stitching, ironing them then folding the pillow in half and stitching it together using a running stitch. This one had much sharper corners, was easy to stitch together but because I used a running stitch, I can see a bit of the white threads of my silk gauze if I look closely. For this reason, I will also be putting a braid around it to finish it off.

The pillow on the right was finished by stitching a front and back like I did for the pillow on the right but this time I folded the fabric back leaving one row visible just like I do for my rugs. I folded the pillow in half then stitched it together using an overcast stitch just like I do on my rugs. This pillow also ended up with nice, sharp corners but unlike the one on the left, I do not need to put a braid around it to finish it off.

All three methods of finishing have merit depending on what look you are going for in your finished pillows but the easiest one is the one on the right. I will be writing a tutorial later that details each of the finishing techniques, along with photos so that you may also see clearly how I did each one.

Finished my Cushions

3/28/2022

I took the patterns for these little cushions to Antigua with me for my holiday and have now finished the stitching and put them together. The picture is a little deceiving but all of them are the same size. They are 1" (2.5 cm) square and will be used in my Beachfront Mansion.
Over the next little while, I will be working on a tutorial for putting cushions together and will post it in my tutorial section once I have it ready.
The Patterns for these little cushions may be found here: Paper Copy or Digital Version

Finished the main Stitching!

3/17/2022

I am finally finished the main stitching and can move on to blocking and edging. Last night I put in the last of the fringe stitches so the morning I removed it from the frame and began the blocking process. It shouldn't need too much to straighten it but there is a definite wave in the top edge.
This was such a fun little rug to stitch. I chose to stitch it on 40 count silk gauze, as it was the perfect size for me to pack in my luggage, so it has come out approximately 2 1/2" x 3 1/2". At this size, I am saying it is a 1/24th scale rug. If someone chose to do the rug on 22 count fabric, it would end up approximately 5" x 7" and would be perfect for a 1/12th scale area rug.

Getting Closer...

3/14/2022

I am slowly nearing the finish of this cute little rug and hope to have it done this week so that I may begin blocking it square. All that remains now is the last row of Tabby Weave and the fringe at the top.
I have also spent the majority of this week uploading digital patterns for my patterns onto the website for all to see and purchase. It has been an exciting time for me, getting all of my patterns in one place and I hope you will take some time to browse around. There is a new category on the Home Page called Digital Stitching Patterns where you will find all of the digital versions.
I am also planning on getting some of my Dollhouse Room Screens made ready for the show, so Cheryl and I will both be busy - she with her art and me with my stitching and furniture making - working right up to the show day. Fun things happening here!

Progress has been made!

3/6/2022

Four weeks after starting this little rug, I am nearing the end. One fringe is on and the other one is at the tabby weave stage.
I will be working on the flower basket in the center next and am looking forward to seeing the pattern unfold.
We have also updated our profile photos so that they are more current.
Cheryl and I are gearing up to participate in the Dollhouse show in Fergus in May and we are working hard to get some more products ready for sale.
This little rug will be one of the items for sale there, along with some miniature crochet and handmade furniture. We are getting quite excited about the show.

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