Thanks for the bed recommendations! We tested out many, many and ended up getting a Simmons Beauty Rest "Treasured Spirit Plush", and it is an absolute dream! I really wanted the Tempurpedic one to work out since we'd heard such good things about it, but every time I tried it out, my back would scream murder! Drats. Well, anyway, we've had it for over two weeks now and it's been wonderful. The pugs almost broke their necks the first couple of days because it's higher than the old bed, and instead of using the little ottoman we keep at the foot of the bed for them to get up there on, they'd jump off the side. But they've figured it out now and all is well. Yes, we let our pups sleep with us, shame, shame ;-)
Not sure if I've shown this little finish thing on this blog before, but since I have been such a wreck and haven't finished anything new to show, here it is again:
The design is from Birds of a Feather, and is called Bloom Where You're Planted. I stitched it forever ago and then found this perfect little frame for it at Hobby Lobby for about $6 on sale. It fit perfectly and remains one of my all time favorite cheap finishes!
Speaking of framing, I have a question. Those of you that take your finished samplers to Joann's or HL or Michael's....do you know, or ask them how they attach your piece to the foam core? Like by lacing or pinning? Back in the early 90's I took some things in to Michael's and that was back when they used the sticky board, which I've heard is a big no no, so I stopped taking my things there and always had my LNS's frame things. Well, it's interesting to me that a couple of pieces that were framed that way, on the sticky board are still in perfect condition, and they've been on that sticky board for almost 20 years! So I'm just curious, since I've seen such gorgeous framing on some of the blogs and they're from Joann's or HL, etc. Maybe I should give them another try? It is cheaper there with the coupons or do they jack up the price in the first place so you're just paying about the norm when it's all said and done?
Have a great week everyone! Thanks for visiting me and I hope to return soon with some good stitching to share :-)
30 comments:
Hi Andrea, I'm glad your feeling better :)
I use Michael's for my framing, and I did ask (actually probably the guy thought I needed a spotlight and he needed a pack of cigarettes I was grilling him...)But yes, mine uses foam core and they pin. They wore little cotton gloves whenever they touched my needlework (while I was around anyway) and I've been totally thrilled with my frame jobs. I get the masterpiece museum glass and I've always used a coupon. The average I have paid recently for medium sized frame jobs has been: $100 and that includes everything.
I am sorry to hear you've been fighting a sinus infection on top of everything else! I hope you're all healed now. ;)
Congrats on the new bed. Our pup sleeps with us, too!
I love love love that BOAF sampler!
Hope you are feeling better...hate sinus infections! I love the BOAF. I just got this one from another stitcher and think I need to stitch it. Too pretty.
I have things framed on the sticky board too for more than 20 years and have had no problems. I use a local framer and actually have never asked! I have found, though, they are just a cheap as the box craft stores so I still use them.
Dang it, Andrea! You asked this on my blog and I forgot to answer you... I haven't figured out how to respond to a blog post without going out, going into my comcast email account, copying the address in and by that time - forget it! Anyway.... I have used frame store framers (ouch, the price hurts) but I LOVE the frame selection they have and I have used both Joann's and Hobby Lobby (haven't used Michaels but I hear good things about them too). Hobby Lobby laces on acid free foam core - no sticky board and Joanns pins on acid free foam core - I always use museum glass (you can hardly tell it has glass on it), spacers and whatever frame. The prices at the frame store were out of sight for my last two finishes (Jenny Bean and the PS Year thing I did) they were over $180 a piece and were not big pieces (but, I did pick expensive frames). The same store was going to charge me over $300 for Elizabeth Savilles and 1/2 that cost, they said was the museum glass and parts, not the actual frame). So, at Hobby Lobby, the whole thing was $80 (with a 50% off coupon). By the way, there's no difference in the museum glass the frame shop uses and the glass hobby lobby or joanns uses - all the same so not sure why the big dif in price. Must be bulk buying or something. Yes, I do think Joanns especially jacks the price up to mark it down so I never go there without a coupon. I think, so far, that HL has the best price although their frame selection is minimal. However, both places will frame for you if you bring in a frame so you could do that....
I LOVE your BOAF finish and the frame is gorgeous - $6, now THAT's a FInD! Love it! What fabric count did you stitch that on, do you remember? I'm so glad you're feeling better - sinus infections are just nasty and affect so much more than just your sinuses - as you well found out.
I hope you'll enjoy the package I'll send you for winning my blog draw! Hugs to you, gf!
Glad you got that sinus infection taken care of. Such a bummer! Love your framed BOAF piece! Beautiful frame! I don't use HL, Joann's or Michael's so I can't help you out. Sorry!
Way back in the 1990s, I had a project framed by one of the aforementioned big box stores. Requested conservation framing and paid the extra bucks for acid-free mounting board plus three acid-free mats. Years later when I tried to shift the piece to a new frame, I learned that it had been mounted on sticky board, and the local, reputable framer pointed out that two of the three acid-free mats weren't acid-free at all (you could see the deterioration). I've kept my framing local or done it myself ever since. Still costs a fortune, though, so I'm way behind in getting my pieces framed. [sigh]
Sounds like some of the others have had better luck than me, so it probably depends on the store/city.
I'm glad you're feeling better now, Andrea. What an awful time you've had!
I love Bloom. I have this framed too but you've really scored on getting it perfect on a $6 frame! It's wonderful when that happens.
Your little finish is adorable!
I almost took one of my pieces to Michael's once but didn't end up letting them frame it because for one, they had it for 3 weeks and hadn't even framed it yet (that was when I took it home and said to them nevermind), plus their price was slightly higher than my frameshop framer but he gives me a discount for being a loyal customer (You can see if your local framers are willing to do this and you can also find out if they will take competitor's coupons, i.e. Michael's and Joann's). Also, I took one of my framer's framed pieces out of the frames once and it appears that he staples the fabric onto the foam core board but I have never had a problem with any of my pieces looking bad or acidy? and I have been going there for 7 years now.
I was also wondering what all the worry about acid is if we are trying to get our fabrics to look ancient anyway (in some cases).
You can see many of my framer's pieces in my gallery. See on my profile page. Just click on Nick's in the label cloud on the sidebar.
I'm so glad you're feeling better. I discovered Mucinex last year and it's one of my BFF now too! Your little picture is adorable. Love that frame! Nancy in WI
Wow, you're body has been through the mill lately! Glad you're feeling better.
I don't a ton of experience with framing but I decided to go to Michael's the other day and left 2 pieces to be framed. Framing was 60% off that week. I wanted to go to a local framer but was hesitant because I didn't want to go through the motions to only have to back out in the end because of a high price.
The young lady who helped me at Michael's was a true pleasure. She said she loved framing needlework. They do it all in store and pin it. The museum glass is awesome. We had such a nice conversation and I found out that she had been an art major in college. I will let you know how it turns out when I pick them up in a few weeks. It's a bummer that they are 45 min. away from me. Not the greatest frame collection, but at this point I'm not too picky.
So glad you are feeling better. I detest sinus infections!
What a cute finish - that frame is adorable and what a steal at $6!
I'm in the UK, so we don't have the "big stores" :o( but my local framer uses acid free mounts as a matter of course, but uses the sticky board to mount - he says this is acid free and safe, and I trust him, and he does make a very good job of stretching/smoothing.
My mum used to use another framer, based in a needlework shop, who said "oh yes, we lace everything" and charged accordingly - oh no they didn't. They used glue, and ply for backing. Of course, you don't know these things when it's all sealed up. At least this was 20 odd years ago and they are no longer in business, but we've had to rescue a number of pieces they did and have them re-framed.
By the sound of it, you have your ticket for 10 years worth of good sleep now. Glad to hear you are feeling better. There is always something throwing a spanner in the works but I think from here on forward you are home free. I cannot remember your cute finish but find it cute all over again. In framing I would never have a sampler sticked down no matter what they say. The acid of the glue could destroy the sampler in time. You should always make sure that the backing board is acid free and of course make sure that your project have a spacer between the glass and the material or humidity could attack your cloth. I have several frames to open as no spacers were used and its real important.
Alice
xxx
I'm so glad you're feeling better, and now you can get a restful night's sleep too!
I love your BOAF piece, and doesn't Hobby Lobby have some nifty frames!
What a darling sampler! This frame is perfect for your piece. I love BofaF, and I'm sad they are OOP now.
Hope your feeling better!
Great news you are feeling better.
The frame is a great find for such a pretty finish.
I'm so glad you are feeling better!!! And congrats on finding a new bed that seems to be helping a lot. That makes all the difference. What a gorgeous finish and the frame - for $6!! - is stunning. Perfect combination. I'm frankly afraid to have my stuff framed at a Michael's or Joanne's because I've had so much trouble with them when I just ordered a custom cut mat. But, that may also be why I have a stack of things at home that need framing (ok, well, maybe not a stack, I could be exaggerating!)
Andrea :>)
So glad to hear you are feeling better. Can you transmit colds over the internet because I think I've caught yours..haha!
Good news about the bed. That will help keep your back healthy.
I love your wonderful stitched version of Bloom. That frame is a real find. Oh how we need a Hobby Lobby here in England.
Glad to hear you're feeling better. Love your Bloom,the frame is perfect and isn't it nice to get the chance to frame something without spending loads of money. I stitched Bloom last year, still have it sitting here unframed but seeing yours makes me want to get it done.
I've had some horror stories of things being framed and finding out later they were on sticky board (having been told they never used it!) when the piece started to 'wrinkle'. The framer I use now won't have sticky board in her shop and I was very glad to find her!
I love your Bloom where your planted..my Aunt stitched this one for me and I have it sitting in my livingroom..Perfect frame you found for yours..Our dachshund has slept in bed with my husband and I since the day we brought her home..She may be little but she sure puts out a lot of heat..I feel for you and your sinus infection..I have been lucky so far no cold or sickness..
Oh man... I'm so sorry you're not feeling well, on top of everything else!
But glad you were able to get a new mattress! Hopefull that will really help.
As far as framing - I have taken my stuff to JoAnns (not very many pieces, b/c I don't have all that many finishes under my belt), and have been very pleased with the job they did. I haven't tried Michael's yet, but then the last couple finishes I have had, I have just purchased the frame/ glass/ etc. to do the framing myself (using Vonna's awesome tutorial) and that has saved me approx. 1/3 of the total cost. Be careful, though. Joann's has tried to not give me the coupon discount, b/c technically they aren't "framing" the piece. I have just sort of used puppy dog eyes to get them to cave. :)
Love that BoaF piece - the frame is PERFECT! Can't beat $6!!!
Wow, lots of interesting comments to read! ;) I have, knock wood, not seen any negative effects from various framing jobs, but honestly, I've never been 100% satisfied. I really must do more of it myself! LOL!!
Oh how I know these sinus infections that cause so much pain on your teeth. I don't have them very often, fortunately, but when I have them it feels like all my teeth are hurting, particularly the ones that have fillings. Good to hear that the antibiotics were doing their job.
I can't say anything about framing because I have never had anything framed so far. I just framed two or three stitched pieces myself in order to give them away as gifts.
Glad you are feeling better. I love Bloom, it is such a delightful stitch and yours looks wonderful in that frame. Square ready made frames are almost impossible to buy over here, so I snapped one up when I saw one the other day - cheap too, equivalent to about $7.50. I didn't know what would fit in it, but have discovered a Goode Huswife, if stitched over one, will be perfect. Needless to say I couldn't resist starting it last night.
What a beautiful finish, and the frame is just perfect!
I love that frame! I have never had good experiences with HL or Michael's. I had to have their work redone, but they both used pins on foamboard...just not very well and with no spacers under the glass. Since you are in my general area, I have been using Premier Gallery in FM, and they do a fantastic job. They have a huge frame and mat selection as well. It's a family run business, so the service is very personal.
Oh your finish is wonderful and the frame is perfect! It's truly beautiful.
glad you found what works for you! yay!!!!
your sampler is beautiful and that frame looks so antique-vintage. perfect!
Love that frame.
I have never had one of those places frame, just the LNS, but I have stuff that I did in the early 90s and it's sticky board and it looks fine. I even have one my dad mounted on foamcore with spray adhesive and it looks OK.
SO glad you're recovering! I'm going to stock up on the Mucinex!!
I have several pieces I framed with the sticky board & they still look fine (tho I haven't even thought of checking them).
I usually do my own framing & make the fabric/chart size fit the frames I buy at thrift stores. I am in a rural area with no local (130 miles to the closest one) chain store that does framing. I priced one at the framer who does print/picture framing & nearly fainted at the cost.
I'd haunt HL if there was one nearby!
Pam R.
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