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A little blog about my big loves; family, friends, stitching and yep, chocolate!

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Sunday, February 21, 2010

Finishing is for the Birds!

Thank you all so much for your sweet, funny, and supportive comments on my last post! Deb could not have been sweeter about the whole thing herself and I guess, because it didn't turn out badly, we both have a story! Someone in their comment asked why the caloric concern with tea - it was because it was the super large, SWEET tea. Lots of calories in that - you have to not think about it and make it a once in a while treat. of course, it likely won't be a guild meeting treat anymore! Sigh.....

On Valentine's Day, Brenda at With thy Needle & Thread, had a sale. I ordered a couple of things and have already finished one of them. I have wanted to do her Home Tweet Home punchneedle pinkeep since it first came out. The sale was the perfect time to order! (you can click on the pictures to enlarge)



I think it turned out pretty well. The finishing was far easier than I thought it would be and I love how it turned out! I had the little oil can from an antique sewing machine cabinet I had picked up a few years ago at a garage sale. It's a little taller than the one Brenda used but I think it looks okay. This was a fun piece to do and it was pretty quick. I like the little button I found for the eye but I didn't have any rusty or old looking pins for the head feathers so I just used some I had on hand.
I'm going to work on my little angel today. I'm looking forward to testing my finishing skills on this one as well. I wish I had some sheet music with French lyrics to use as the wings but I don't think I'll easily find that although I am on the hunt! I also think I'm going to change the stitched "joy" to "Peace" as that is one of my favorite words, for so many reasons.

Yesterday, I was out and about and I stopped in the Salvation Army store in Royal Oak. Look what I found!


The best part, it was only:


Can you see that? It was marked $29.99 which I was very willing to pay but when I got up to the register, the gal said it was on sale - only $23.84 including tax. YaHoo! I just love it - love the small size and how colonial it looks. Not sure what I'll do with it, or how I'll refinish or paint it (any suggestions?), but I love it and for less than $24 - how could I go wrong?

On my way to Royal Oak, I saw this car that was completely covered in computer chippy kinds of things. There was a sign in the window that said, "It's a computer". I couldn't get my camera out fast enough to capture that, and he went speeding past me. However, I am not a gal easily deterred so I did some pedal to the metal work to catch him and got a couple of pics to share with you. I know, zooming down the freeway (I passed a lot of cars to catch this guy) and taking pics at the same time; not the smartest thing. But sometimes, when the opportunity presents itself, you just gotta go for it. What I won't do for my faithful blogger friends! Unfortunately, the pictures don't really show this off as much as I'd hoped. It was crazy looking.


Why someone would do this to a car is beyond me - but it was COVERED!

I hope you have a great week and that something unexpected and fun comes your way!

Peace,
Terri

54 comments:

Hazel said...

Great punchneedle finish! Fab bargain chair too. x

Ann said...

Terri, I love Brenda's designs - you did a great job with the bird. What a steal on the bench! If it were mine, I'd paint it black and distress it - but that's just me. ~Ann

Isabelle said...

Your punchneedle is perfect Terry : it is a lovely bird.
Your chair is so nice and what agood price: I would like to can find someone with this price ....not sure!! I think I wouldn't paint it : I so love the natural wood ....hum !!! or maybe a sweet white-off...
Have a great day
Isa

Marjo said...

Terry, you bought the two patterns I so wanted to buy. I haven't done any punch needle and was not so sure I would end up with a bird and an angel or even close. I love what you have done. The bench is so cute. Great find. Have a great weekend.

LiahonaGirl said...

What terrific projects. I especially love the punch needle bird. I've done a few punch needle projects but this one might cause me to dig out my supplies again. And congrats on the great Salvation Army find.
Nancy

Brigitte said...

Your punchnneedle finish looks so beautiful. Great finishing.

Margaret said...

Oh Terri! That bird is one of the pieces that makes me want so much to learn to punch needle. Sigh. Yours is wonderful! The oil can is perfect! And that bench -- what a find at that price! Wow! That car is pretty spectacular too. I wonder why he decided to do that to his car? lol!

Melissa said...

Wow you did a fabulous with the punchneedle design! Holey Smoley, did you say this was your first time?!!

The bench was a great find, and that car was...hmmm...someone's idea of a work of art, I suppose!

jayne@~an eye for threads~ said...

The Bird is wonderful and I love the little bench. What a find that was.I promise I won't rib you any more but that was a comical story. Know I was laughing with the situation not at it. lol Be always in stitches.

KarenV said...

Love that bird! I keep seeing the picture of it on Brenda's blog and wishing I did punchneedle - yours turned out great!

Love the chair too - a great bargain!

Bertie said...

Lovely Bird, looks great with the black background.
Love that wooden colonial style seat, what a lucky find!!

Oh my, driving and shooting pics, glad you did not get caught LOL.

Carla said...

What a deal on the bench! Would love to find one for that price. I LOVE the bird! It's beautiful!

Catherine said...

Love the bench! Great finish too! Adorable!

The car on the other hand.......well, I don't know....

Nancy said...

I love your punchneedle bird. It turned out beautiful, and how fun that you had an oil can to use!

That is one crazy car!

Laurie in Iowa said...

OMGosh that punchneedle bird is wonderful! I saw that bird on Brenda's blog and would love to have one of my own. My punchneedle skills are a bit rusty though and the finishing is just way above my skills.
Enjoy you bird!

Deb said...

Your bird came out great Terri! I just love those things so much. I guess I better get on the stick and teach myself. I bought a kit for Catie to try out - maybe she'll show me how to do it! LOL

The little bench you found is great. Can't beat the price on that with a stick!

And love the car too - but you just have to wonder what they were thinking when they did that. Maybe they were being paid to drive around that - who knows! There are a lot of wacky people out there!

JOLENE said...

I love punchneedle!!! Isn't it so fun!!! Your sweet bird is adorable. I have this in my stash, too (along with 6 oil cans) I know, it's a sickness!!! Great find on your bench!! And what a great price, are you leaving it as is or are you going to refinish/paint it??

Missy Ann said...

I am crazy in love with your little bird! The oil can is *inspired*.

Great find on the bench.

Cari said...

I love your Tweet punchneedle. I bought the very same one but alas, it is still in the package. Good job and the oil can is just fine!! I need to find some for my birdie!! Love your blog...have a great week!! Hugs

SiobhĂ¡n said...

What a beautiful finish, Terri! I love it, and definitely have to do do it... must learn punch needle first, of course! ;) Love the bench, too--what a bargain!

MĂ¡rti said...

What a beautiful Birds, beautiful! I love it!

Loraine said...

Your finish is adorable! I love the way it turned out. A great way to use punchneedle, and your little darling oiling can.
Another wonderful find at the S.A. That is a bargain indeed! You do find some great deals.
Funny car! People are so weird. I don't know what would possess someone to do that, but I'm glad you posted it for all of us to see! (I'm glad you didn't wreck your car too! That would have been difficult to explain.)
Many Hugs! Hope is going well for you. Have a great Sunday!

Anonymous said...

What a precious birdie finish, Terri! Like your bench -- what a terrific find! Interesting thing to cover one's car with! Thanks for sharing!

Robin

grace said...

Beautiful, beautiful bird finish! I <3 very much!
That car photo is just too funny! I remember I was doing the same thing on the freeway to capture a license plate that read "imnude"

Cathy B said...

Terri, you find the best deals on furniture. Can't wait to see what you decide to do with that chair!

Your birdie pinkeep is really sweet too!

Enjoyed reading your previous post. Glad that the sampler was saved and that you can all laugh about it!

bea de caracas said...

What a lovely bird!
Have a good week...

Stephanie said...

Terri, your bird looks great! What a neat find at the Salvation Army shop. I think I'd paint it white and scruff it up a bit to make it look worn. Any ideas where you're going to put it?

About that car....that's just plain insane! Those are computer motherboards from the looks of it. I'm surprised he hasn't gotten ticketed for his car not matching the description it's registered under.

Mylene said...

I love your punchnneedle finish, it looks great! Well done! and that is a wonderful bargain too.

Nan ~ Threadwork Primitives said...

Your tweety bird came out so nice. I love the oil can. What a wonderful piece to treasure.
~Nan

MyLifesAStitch said...

That pinkeep is ADORABLE!! You did a fantastic job on the finishing, Terri! Love it. :)

You certainly do score some amazing bargaings at SA (and other places as well), don't you? That bench is really nice, and it will look wonderful with just a little bit of TLC - no matter what you do with it, I'm sure it will turn out splendidly. Can't wait to see it!

Andrea said...

Oh Terri, what a wonderful little bird you made! I'm so impressed and love it! Is the punched part just on the front, or all over the body of the bird? Either way, it's fabulous!

I love that bench! You are the Queen of Finding Bargains! What a deal, you find the best ones!
Anyway, I think like Ann said, it would be great done in distressed black!

xoxo

Andrea said...

PS. I meant to tell you....about the angel you're going to do....you can search google images for sheet music, vintage love letters, etc. right click on the photo, save it to your computer and then print it out, enlarge it or what have you. Also, look on Flickr, I know several ladies that will print off photos and craft with them (not for resale, of course, just personal use). Also, there's a link on my blog for Vintage Moth free images, you can check their site out and see if they have any sheet music, or something you could use for the angel wings.....

xoxo

Carol said...

Isn't that the cutest little bird, Terri. Is punchneedle hard? I've always admired it and want to try it at some point...

Great buy on that bench--I love a great bargain any day of the week!

Sherry said...

How funny about the car! I love love love your little birdie finish. I haven't tried punch needle yet. I hate to get hooked on yet another hobby! I can't wait to see the angel. I love the buttons that hang down. What a great bargain for a great find!

Littlebit said...

I'm so green over that punch needle bird! It's absolutely stunning. My word verification is "bargan." :-) Nice bench!

Nicole said...

Oh wow Terri!!! It's beautiful! I just love it. You did a great job with the punching and the finishing! I love the bench you found too - it's so pretty!

Anna van Schurman said...

Love your little bird! In L.A. there was a guy who just had random crazy sh*t glued to his car. At least there's a logic to your computer car!

Tanya said...

A very cute bird finish! I love to needlepunch, it goes so fast. A great deal on the bench. I would paint it black but that is me.

Angela said...

Wow, I just love the punchneedle bird finish, it's gorgeous!

Sandra said...

The punchneedle bird is gorgeous, I have admired it on Brenda's blog but have never tried it myself before. I saw some sheet music in a charity shop the other week, so you could try there - not sure what you call charity shops in the US?

Lois said...

What a great punchneedle finish. I have yet to attempt punchneedle, I think it's more to do with not wanting to start up another addiction that I haven't! Love your bench, what a nice purchase. That car was something else!

Christine said...

Your pinkeep is so great !

Giovanna said...

That bird is so perfect, well done! And congrats on the SA find, it's really pretty. I'd just sandpaper it and paint it clear, I love the natural look of wood.

Annie said...

Love the birdie. And doesn't it feel good to find a little treasure at bargain basement pricing!

Jane said...

I love your birdie finish! Brenda has some lovely punchneedle designs.

Your chair, I'd do what Ann suggested. Black and aged. Great bargain!

Cathy Lloyd said...

Oh my gosh that punchneedle is just FABULOUS! I simply must order this! TOO STINKING FUN! Love your find at the Salvation Army and the computer car! Thanks for risking your life for the picture! :)

Margie said...

I love it! I've been thinking of buying that pattern and turning it into a cross stitch piece as I don't needle punch.

My Colonial Home said...

Morning Terri.
I'm so wanting to pick up my punch needle again but just no time.
Your pattern turned out beautiful and the old oil can...perfect base for it.
Karen

Michelle said...

Terri,

I love your punchneedle bird ~ too sweet or tweet? Hee Hee! Your bench is a great deal too! Have fun re-doing it.

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your kind messages about my Dad. He's doing so good today, in pain, but spirits are good.

Have a great day!

Kellie said...

Great finish! That bird is adorable! The bench is awesome! I think if it were me, I would just leave it like it is. It is really pretty.

Linda said...

Love what you are doing. I tried to google With Thy Needle and thread, and it didn't come up. are they on the Web?
Linda

Unknown said...

Terri, I love, love your little bird. He is just too cute and your finishing is wonderful! I was just telling Melissa that I am really starting to fall for these WTNT pieces. I can't wait to see your angel.

That bench is wonderful - what a fabulous find. Royal Oak is such a neat area. My aunt lived there for several years and I always enjoyed visiting. Now she lives in a commune - which is a whole another story, lol.

Have a great week.

p.s. found a new chocolatier, Black Dinah Chocolates. I haven't tried any yet, maybe soon.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I've loved that punch needle design too :) I think yours looks GREAT!

Linda said...

I love, love your sweet birdie. Punch needle is something I've alway wanted to do and even more so since seeing this darling finish...hugs, Linda