Friday, April 27, 2012

The Needlepoint Project

Hello my friends! I am happy to report that I have learned a new skill. It all started when I was at an estate auction and saw this piece of furniture and knew I had to have it. A predicament that I get into often, need I say! Because my son puts his big ol' size 14 foot on my Victorian needlepoint side chair I bought it for him to use for his footstool. Well, he didn't like it. It's a little high. When I saw it at the auction (the same auction I bought the gold china cabinet from-dining room post) I thought it was maybe a sewing bench because the top is hinged and opens up, kind of like a piano bench.
Do you have any guesses as to what it is? Anybody? 
It's a slipper bench! How cute is that?! So once I found that out, I knew it had to go in my bed chamber (trying to sound Victorian)! Inside the bench, written in pencil is the date Dec 7 1881, made for Mrs. somebody, paid currency $6.25, Made at H.P. Burdett , Ills. 


By the looks of this photo I need to dust it again!


I think the sides are so neat.


Here it is with the top opened up.


Okay, I know what your thinking...where does the needlepoint part come in? Well, I got this piece off of eBay because the size was perfect but only the flowers are completed, not the background. So a good friend of mine, who is the queen of needlepoint, taught me how. She suggested that I buy wool needlepoint yarn. Well do you know how hard it is to find anything needlepoint in the stores anymore? My goodness!


After thinking I was going to have to use acrylic yarn from Hobby Lobby, I happened to find this box flat of 100% pure virgin wool yarn at an estate tag sale! For $8! And there is enough of the khaki color for the piece that I have. Yay!


I have been working on it now for 1 week and that's as far as I've gotten! Wow, how tedious! But fun.


These are the other needlepoint pieces that I have. The black pillow is my favorite, I love the rosebuds! The bell pull and L pillow were given to me from my friend Linda who taught me how to needlepoint. She actually gave the L pillow to my daughter Lydia. I thought that was so sweet of her. From one L to another!


The next two photos are the needlepoint sidechairs that I mentioned earlier.


 

Now that I have learned how to needlepoint I have found a few other things in my house that I think need a needlepoint piece in them.
Like this wall pocket/magazine rack...


And this towel rack. This one might actually need a beaded needlepoint piece instead. What do you all think? Mirror or needlepoint (or beadwork)?


Well, that is it for today. I hope you enjoyed it and thankyou so much for visiting! Let me know what you think. I will show you the finished product when the time comes. Have a great week!

6 comments:

  1. Hi Gina: Those are beautiful. I have done some needlepoint a long time ago, and probably wouldn't remember how now. What a nice gift your friend gave, not only the pillow but teaching you a craft that is so beautiful. I think the little towel bar is precious, but would look good with needlepoint in it but I think it was intended for bathroom use, to hang towels and to see your reflection. Happy Weekend..Judy

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  2. Hi Gina
    I rec'd your mail about the award and not having any blogs to list under 200 followers, Still put to your blog your award picture for yourself, and just don't worry about the rest , cause everyone is over 200. I tried to reply by email but your mail says "no reply blogger", so I am putting reply here.

    I love needlepoint and used to enjoy doing it. Yours is so pretty and your fingers have been busy on the piece you are working on, takes a long time, can't wait to see it finished.
    Blessings
    Betsy

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  3. Beautiful treasures! I love collecting needlework but have never mastered it myself. Have a great weekend!

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  4. I love needlepoint everything. You are some darling accessories. And I had no bad guest at the Brunch. Cute comment. Richard from My Old Historic House

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  5. Hi Gina,love the slipper bench its going to look so lovely with your needlepoint on. happy weekend lovely,xoxoxo

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