Wednesday, December 30, 2009

A Poinsettia to Keep

I am notorious at killing plants. Not on purpose...I just fail to keep them alive. My mom used to buy me a poinsettia every year, and by Christmas it would always be dead. I think she gave me up as a lost cause where plants are concerned. My grandma always had her poinsettia around and thriving when summer rolled around (never mind that she kept it in the bathroom in the dark.) Oldest still likes to tease me about the time I killed a cactus. It was on a shelf in my dining room window and well, it was cold. And I kept the curtains closed. I guess cactus don't like cold either. Ummm, yeah. No one will ever accuse me of having green thumbs.

But here is a plant that even I can't kill...



I replaced the wording with some buttons from my stash. I really like the way they look :)



Not really liking this backing fabric anymore. I thought it was fine when I picked it out of the stash, but...it's a good thing it's on the back and I don't have to look at it, lol!


Dear Mother from the
Blackbird Designs book
Peppermint and Holly
fabric: 32ct "staci-dyed" linen
fibers: recommended GAST


Will wonders never cease? Drumroll please! I bought these two mini-poinsettias the day after Thanksgiving. Over a month ago. And-They-Are-Still-Alive!!!


Thanks for stopping by my neck of the woods and all your sweet comments. Don't forget about my final giveaway...leave a comment here if you want to enter!


56 comments:

Nancy said...

You stitched this beautifully as always, and your finishing is so elegant! Vintage buttons are one of my favorite things so the addition of these really caught my eye. The trim with pearls and red pearls are so pretty too!

Marjorie said...

Beautiful, I love the buttons...not really crazy about samplers with words. And you're right, it's a good thing that the fabric is on the back :)

diamondc said...

You do such lovely work, I have a few passhions one of them is stitching, another is buttons, I even have a button bracelet, ok ok I know it sounds kind of hokey but it really is cute, made with antique buttons and sparkly ones too.
I belong to a Blackbird exchange, I am on my third exchange for this year.
i have picked out three things from the Joyeux Noel book.

Merry Christmas happy New Year.
Happy Stitching stay safe.
Catherine

Blu said...

What a lovely design! As always your finish is gorgeous. I love the trim, it's so pretty!

Annie said...

Your stitched piece is even prettier than the real thing. And I like the backing fabric. Maybe the stitched piece was a good luck charm to keep the real one alive!

Unknown said...

ALL of your poinsettias are beautiful! Love your stitched piece, your queen stitches are perfect!

Catherine said...

Adorable finish!

Joy said...

What a lovely finish!

Jennifer said...

Very pretty. I have this book on my Wishlist! I like the backing fabric.

Meadows08 said...

That is a lovely design. I've seen a few things now from that BBD book and think I might have to buy it!

I like to buttons too!

Marsha said...

I love the pointsettia stitch. It is really pretty. And I love the use of the buttons. And the backing fabric is quite nice - really. Are those plants silk???? - just kidding.

Julie said...

A very beautiful design, its wonderful.

Great news on the poinsettia, i hope it continues to bloom

Jules said...

Beautiful Poinsettia, the real and the ornie!

Yay!!!! (on not killing the plants...) ;)

Lennu said...

Oh I'm a lost cause too if plants are concerned, at least if you ask my mum :) Your finish is beautiful, truly gorgeous!!

valerie said...

LOL...well, you read my last post about not having a green thumb unless it's the cactus variety. The mini poinsettas are cute and I just flipped through P&H the other day and saw this one. It's darling. I love your finish!!

Happy New Year!

Paula C. said...

Absolutely beautiful stitching! I'm afraid I have a black thumb and can only admire other plants from afar. Very afar so as not to kill them just by looking, lol!

Nancy said...

That is so aorable. Now I have to go get my BD book out and kit it up! Thanks for sharing....Nancy

Carol R said...

Gorgeous pinkeep Staci.

You are not the only one who has problems with plants - I either forget to water them or I drown them!

Melissa said...

Beautiful pinkeep Staci...and I could spot the staci-dyed linens now because they always look so special!

Happy New Year!

Ruth said...

Lovely! Absolutely lovely! I too have no luck with plants and so I applaud your solution!

The buttons are perfect!

Kim B said...

It's fantastic Staci!!!

Theresa said...

This is gorgeous!!!!!! I think the backing fabric looks nice~ And I also like those buttons you added. Very nice touch~

Susimac said...

Really lovely - you are very talented you know, I love the way you finish things so pretty.

Gabi said...

It looks gorgeous. Congrats on that beautiful finish.
Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year from Australia

Daffycat said...

Truly, a beautiful finish, Staci! I like holly, so I like your backing fabric, lol!

Berit said...

How, how pretty the poinsettia are--both real and stitched. I also really enjoy those stash buttons you added. :D

Sherry said...

I just love plants that can't be killed! Your pointsetta is a perfect one! I love the buttons you used on it.

Unknown said...

Staci, what a beautiful ornament and your finishing work is wonderul.

Wishing you a wonderful New Year!

Evik said...

Wonderful pinkeep Staci :)

Happy New Year

Solstitches said...

Simply beautiful and very elegant - love the addition of the buttons.

Margaret

too_busy_to_stitch said...

It's so beautiful - and the finishing is perfect! Lol, my mum used to say that I could kill off a plastic flower, so you're not alone!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful stitching! I don't have the best of luck with plants either, so many congratulations on keep your two mini poinsettias alive this long!

Nic said...

Congrats on the finish - and on keeping the poinsettias alive, it's more than I can do!

April said...

Beautiful pinkeep !

angelasweby said...

Staci it's lovely and, as Blackbird Designs is my favourite designer you can imagine how much I fell in love with this. The dyed linen is beautiful. I love that colour and the buttons really do give it a personalized look.
The pink will fade, the tulip wither
But your stitched poinsettia will live forever!!
Apologies to the original verse...haha :>)
Warm wishes Angela

Lois said...

What a sweet finish Staci! I love poinsettias and like you, have had major disasters with them in the past. This year, somehow I've managed to keep one alive and healthy after 4 weeks - a record!!! Wishing you health and happiness in 2010!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

A beautiful finish and what a dynamic photo op! Those poinsettia's are gorgeous and the perfect backdrop!
May you and yours have a healthy, happy, prosperous and blessed New Year!
Love and hugs,
Vonna

Casa Pearl said...

What a great finish. I really prefer this kind of poinsetta to the other!

Siobhán said...

Staci, that is gorgeous!! Congrats. The finishing is amazing, too. I had to LOL about the plants--me, too! I have some that are still alive despite my attempts--or lack there of--of care! LOL

Happy 2010!

Melinda said...

Beautiful pinkeep Staci!
Happy New Year!!

Concha said...

Happy New Year Staci. My best wishes for you !!.

The patterns of my ornaments are two blocks of " Chistmas at Hawk Run Hollow " by Carriage House Samplings

Móni said...

This pinkeep is beautiful!
Happy New Year!

Cole said...

That's my kind of plant too!! Beautiful finish Staci!

Andrea said...

A beautiful finish.

Lynn B said...

Beautiful finish Staci.

Happy New Year!

Erica said...

Just beautiful!
I love how you finished this one!
So delicate and pretty!

tkdquintmom said...

How very pretty and I like the buttons better than the words ;)

anna s. said...

Have a wonderful New Year, Staci!

Angela said...

A beautiful finish! Wishing you a very Happy New year :)

Choco*Mint said...

Hi Staci,

Thanks for your comment on my blog.

Your pinkeep was very beautiful! and I like blackbirds design too. Nice work!

Sagami xx

Carol said...

What a beautiful and creative finish--just lovely. I am always inspired when I visit your blog, Staci!

Happy New Year :)

Christy Amular said...

happy new year staci! poinsettias are quite tricky to care for but im glad yours are thriving. hooray!

Brigitte said...

Such a beautiful piece, and so creatively finished. Wonderful.
I don't have a green thumb either but my DH has. So it's not me having to keep our flowers alive, lol.

Yuko said...

Staci,
It's been so long that I left you comment, sorry about this!
I had font problem, but could fixed it, so I can leave you comments from now on life before!

By the way, this is absolutely beutiful!!!
I really stitch this, too!
I'm so looking forward to seeing your wonderful works 2010, too!

Happy New Year, Staci!

Yuko ((hugs))

Kathy A. said...

Lol - that's my kind of pointsettia.

Anonymous said...

Hee hee, that's too funny. I killed my poinsettia last year too!! This one is much prettier...LOL!! Low maintenance too... ;o)