What do you do with your finished projects?

[LizW]

When you finish a cross stitch design, what do you do with it?
Make pictures? Little knick knacks?

[AnnieB]

You name it, I've probably done it or have it on my to-do list (as long as it doesn't involve a lot of glue.. I'm messy). Although someone once asked me if I had made cross stitch mud flaps and I had to admit I hadn't thought of that one. But to name what comes to mind: framed pieces, pillows, wall hangings of various sorts including bell pulls, appliques on tote bags, pin cushions, sachets, bookmarks, mail-art, hanging ornaments, needle cases, coin purses, handbags, magnets, coasters, trivets, t-shirts, dolls, book covers, bookend covers, greeting cards, luggage tags, fobs, and of course, the 'stitch and stow' pieces that just stay in the closet and never get finished into anything. Plus I do some quilt squares for children's charities.

[Patti]

I used to have everything framed but now I love working on smalls but unfortunatley my finishing leaves much to be desired so I send it off to my friend Deb who is an amazing finisher and that way at least my stitching is shown off to it's best advantage. The only thing I can successfully make, usually, are biscornus and pinkeeps and cristmas ornaments because they are like pinkeeps aren't they? But anything more complicated gets sent off to Deb and if you want her email address or blog address or finishing address just email me and I shall be more than happy to send it to you. Lots of Love Patti xxx

[Kerry]

Finished? Projects? Isn't this a contradiction in terms?lol
Hugs,
Kerry

[Gina E.]

I must have missed this earlier - ha ha ha!!! How true, Kerry!

[Kirsten]

When I started to cross-stitch nearly everything went into a frame.
One big piece even is awaiting a frame for years now because it is too large and needs a special one.
Now I try to make more useful things like pillows, bags or table runners. And also small things like biscornu, pincushions, Altoid tins, needle cases...

Yesterday I finished one of my own designs into a little canvas.
It was the funniest finish EVER!!!
I had so much fun with this little embellished girly thing :-)
It is still a secret for my blog readers but I loaded it up here to my photos.

Annie, you will recognize this ;-)

[LizW]

Altoid tins? I love this idea, how do you secure the cross stitch to the tin?

[Kirsten]

Liz, I'm doing like in this tutorial.
http://tts-tutorials.blogspot.com/2007/12/altoid-tin-finish-tutoria...

This was my first tin.
http://kissycross.twoday.net/stories/5653953/

[LizW]

Great site! And excellent tutorial.

[AnnieB]

Kirsten, this looks great stitched up. Saw it on your blog today. I wasn't picturing it in such bright colors, but I love it that way. And what a creative finish!

And I guess you finally had a good day in accessing this site!

[Carol Harper]

Most are prpofessionally framed. Some are gifted.

But I have done pillows, ornaments, banners, boxes, flat folds, bell pulls...

[Gina E.]

Interesting question, Liz! The bigger projects that I do for myself (or as a gift for my husband), I frame, either professionally or do it myself. If I do a picture as a gift, I always frame it myself, but tell the recipient that it is only a temporary frame, and if they don't like it, they can get it re-done. (But everyone keeps what I did originally, although I get the frames from thrift shops!!).
I do a lot of greeting cards, little pictures in those DIY cards. A few pincushions, one biscornu, scissor keep, two cushion covers, table mats, a few bookmarks, fridge magnets, coasters (for friends). I'd like to do a bell pull one day; I've got some patterns that I'm just itching to tackle, and I want to do more biscornus. So much stitching, so little time ;-(

[Kate Roland]

I do exchanges mostly. Small things like, pinkeeps, scissor keeps, fobs the like. Others I make into ornaments for my family. The big things I try to mat and send to whom ever they are for and let them choose the frame. Saves weight when mailing and matches better their likes and dislikes.