Decorating and Stitching

This has seemingly felt like a long and also short weekend at the same time. I suppose that's what you get if you decide to spend five long hours painting your hallway. I haven't even really finished yet. Christ painting can be so bloody boring, and tedious when you have a headache for the entire time. Whinging aside, it's complete and I've even come to the conclusion that it doesn't need me to spend out on fancy light reflecting paint to make the hallway brighter, because the basic white has done a fab job, and has made such a difference! It was so dingy with the cream coloured walls, and now can't wait to paint the skirting and door frames, which will be in either gloss or satin wood pale grey just to give it a different finish. 

The painting has pretty much eaten up most of the weekend, because with the painting you have the cleaning up, and generally passing out from the smell. 

That aside I did get round to finishing stitching the monogram:

Something very satisfying about stitching over thread so it's hidden and has a nice neat finish

So close to finishing...sort of...lots more Satin Stitch to go..

And it's all done. 

Well, not exactly, the image above is the stage before the finish. The finish sees it with a small golden bee and is temporarily held in a frame. I've sent a picture to my friend to have a look at as I'm still a bit iffy about the bee. I did various types, sizes and put in different places and I'm not a 100% sold on it, but you know sometimes you have to take a step away. So everything is tidied up and put to one side. 

And whilst I wait to hear what she thinks, my mind wanders to not just finishing the hallway, or cooking dinner though I am getting hungry, its to what I want to start working on next. Several things are already on the go from the quilt to playing with hexies, I have also three embroidery designs to stitch, one is the next free tutorial so I should be starting that one next (and will)...but I've finally figured out what I am going to use my small stash of these bag handles I picked up seven years ago at M&J Trimming in New York. They are going to be used to hang mini art quilts for the study. Not worked out the design of the mini quilt but I am sure something will be thought of soon. Something bold and bright...

What about you, have you finally figured out to use a very old piece/item from your stash?