Pineberry Lane Wool & Flax

Earlier this year I signed up for the Quaint Country Ladies club that Dyeing To Stitch offers.  As a member of this club, I get a cross-stitch kit mailed to me every 3 months.  The first kit that I received was a pattern designed by Wendy Stys-Van Eimeren of Pineberry Lane.  The name of the pattern was Wool and Flax.  Sometimes I'm a slow stitcher; however, I was able to get this piece stitched in just over a month. (Note:  I'm sure there are stitchers out there who think, "A month????? It took you that long?")  I assure you that most of my projects, even simple ones, usually take me longer than a month to complete.  But anyhoo, back to the subject at hand.  

Here is a photo I took a couple of months ago after I had finished stitching the design.  Stitching was done on 36 count R&R Reproductions' Liberty Gathering Gray linen using Weeks Dye Works floss.

Doesn't this shepherdess look just like a "quaint country lady"?  The instructions called for finishing this piece into a cute little bag.  I always get a little antsy when it comes to finishing.  I have a fear of messing up something that has taken me hours to cross-stitch.  So, stitched projects always get laid aside until I can muster up enough nerve to follow through with the finishing.  I finished stitching the design in early June.  Today I finally decided to tackle the finishing.

Since this was to be finished into a little bag, some sewing was involved.  Sewing machines intimidate me so I do all sewing by hand......which takes time.....another reason why I procrastinate!  This project came with very detailed finishing instructions.  There were 15 steps to complete and I slowly made my way through all 15.  I am very pleased with how the finishing turned out.  Are you ready to take a look?

Pretty cute, isn't it?   The finished size is 7" x 4 1/2".  

I've got lots more projects piled up in that "need to do finishing" stack.  How about you?