Stitching For a Cure Ornies

OK here we have, as promised, the post that proves this is still a stitching-related blog. LOL

Way back in around October or November 2008 I came across the Stitching For a Cure blog that had been set up by Donna, who wanted to decorate a Christmas Tree with hand stitched ornies and raffle it all to raise money for cancer research in the USA. One amazing woman who is not only busy organising this but has also stitched a lot of beautiful ornies for the tree herself.

This really touched a nerve, as 2007 had been a very bad year for my family: we'd lost DH's DSis to bone cancer (breast cancer secondaries) shortly after her 40th birthday....... followed a short time later by my Dad, to Oesophageal cancer that had spread to his stomach. And they weren't the first: we've lost other family members and friends to this bloody awful disease over the years. So helping someone in their endeavours to raise money to fund vital research into finding a cure for cancers was a given, as it's a cause dear to my heart.

The call went out last week for all ornies to be sent in, so it was time to extract my digit and get those ornies finished so they could be wrapped, packaged, addressed and sent on their way. So here's the first one, prior to going in the wrapping:

Design: Snowflakes for Cancer - Cure

Designer: Virginia Knutson of Vee and Co

Fabric: Count On Me 28ct evenweave, Aster

Threads: Carrie's Creations Boysenberry; Coats Reflecta #3031 + Mill Hill beads

Finish: Pinkeep style Christmas ornie

That's in the general cancer colour, stitched in memory of my Dad. And the second one:

Design: Snowflakes for Cancer - Hope

Designer: Virginia Knutson of Vee and Co

Fabric: Count On Me 28ct evenweave, Aster

Threads: Carrie's Creations Sassy; Coats Reflecta #3031 + Mill Hill beads

Finish: Pinkeep style Christmas ornie

Pink for breast cancer and this is in memory of Helen. They sparkle way more IRL. I've also included another ornie I stitched way, way back for the JA/S&S Monthly Challenge during Breast Cancer Awareness Week. That had originally been with Helen in mind but it is now for Aunty Doreen, who was my Mum's friend and neighbour for many years, who was also lost to breast cancer.

All three ornies are now in the post and will soon be winging their way across the pond, so they should hopefully be in Donna's hands early next week (says she, with fingers and everything else crossed!).

So looking forward to seeing pics of the tree. I hope you raise your target and then some Donna - will certainly be sending out lots of best wishes and Good Luck vibes your way. :0)

Alex's Fabric Box

Here it is in all it's glory, Alex's Japanese kimono silk fabric box:

Unfortunately the camera flash has bleached the colours a little, as they are a bit darker than shown - the blue is actually navy.

The inside of the box has a removable inner that is lined with a contrasting fabric (again it's quite a bit darker IRL):

The back of the lid and an overall view of the beaded edging:

The beads used are: malachite chips; freshwater pearls; fimo leaves and some tiny pinky brown beads (that I can't remember the name of) and they go with it so well.

Each side has a different part of the silk fabric pattern covering it:

Every piece of the card and fabric for the box was cut out by hand, the card was then covered with the fabric and handsewn in place and all the individual pieces were then handsewn together...... for which a curved needle came in extremely useful. Not a drop of glue in sight! There will be a small knob on the lid when just the right thing for it has been found/made.

Alex made this at a workshop run by the local branch of the Embroiderers Guild, of which she is a member. The box feels as lovely as it looks too, as the silk is just gorgeous, and every time I looked at it I saw something different.

Many thanks for taking the time to visit and I hope you've enjoyed seeing this as much as I did. :0)