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Well, I warned ya: February is a hard month for me. I'll most likely be tinting my braids pink and crocheting blue poodles to hide the bathroom tissue next! Seriously though, I did enjoy making this, particularly the French Knots. I love the texture they add to embroidery and they also make the sweetest little flower centers and rose buds. They might be hard to master at first, but after you've made a few *good ones*--- you'll no doubt want to make more. You will, trust me. Mostly, just to prove to yourself, that you really can do it. Like I said, they're a bit tricky, but well worth the effort if you want to add a little dimension to your needlework. I used three strands here, and I wind my thread clock-wise, although you can do it counter-clock-wise because there's no hard and fast rule, just do what is comfortable. Consistency being key, rather than direction. The transfer pattern for the Fi-Fi vintage poodle motif is on my website here, but you can use any design and just fill it in with knots. I did the embroidery first on a 10 x 10-inch scrap of pink cloth, and then cut it out in a heart-shape for my pillow. I added a few pinches of dried lavender in with the stuffing so it smells really good too. This is the kind of silly little thing that makes a good practice piece. No one's going to throw you under the bus if you make mistakes, and no matter how it looks, it will still scent your nighties. So. If you want to learn something new, take up your needles and follow me over here for an excellent tutorial by the wonderfully talented and generous Janet McCaffrey at Primrose Design, and check out her Stitch School tutorial posts for other common and not-so common embroidery stitches, while you're at it. I've even learned a few new ones. Well, time to dash away Dearies---my stitchery, tea, and chocolate peppermint cookies (from TJ's ) are calling....
The comments to this entry are closed.
She's perfectly valentiney.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | February 06, 2007 at 05:35 PM
My daughter would love me to make one for her. I love poodles.
Posted by: Kate | February 06, 2007 at 07:26 PM
Oh, the heart is so sweet. I made one of the cupcakes yesterday and I really like it. I did have a little trouble with the whipped topping...the pattern was a little confusing for me, so I really dont think I made it just right, but it turned out good enough. Thank you for sharing your beautiful creations, they are all just lovely.
Posted by: Alecia Justice | February 06, 2007 at 07:56 PM
That is just too cute. Love it!
Posted by: ktdids.blogspot.com | February 06, 2007 at 09:58 PM
Your photos are always so pretty, such gorgeous colours. Love visiting here, Renee x
Posted by: Renee | February 07, 2007 at 02:37 AM
That is so mignon (cute). I agree, French knots seem hard at first, but once you've got them they're real easy! In French, a French knot is called "point de noeud" - knot stitch. Ha!
Posted by: Isabelle | February 07, 2007 at 02:54 AM
Oh, that is sweet and so perfect for the month!
Posted by: Ash | February 07, 2007 at 05:10 AM
Oh la la ja ! Smiling...What a lovley heart, and what a lovely dog..
Yes, i am shure it was a challenge to make it, but i have to say : It is Perfect !
Thank you very much, i am giving you a hug, for very good and precise guiding, how to do it...
Have a very nice and warm Wednesday,
Greetings from Aina
Posted by: Aina | February 07, 2007 at 05:12 AM
Love FiFi the poodle, she is so girly and perfect for a Valentine heart.
Posted by: carolyn | February 07, 2007 at 05:51 AM
How cute! Looks so perfect for Febuary.
Posted by: Crystal T | February 07, 2007 at 06:15 AM
This is so, so sweet! I love it!
Posted by: Cerri | February 07, 2007 at 08:05 AM
I can't believe it ! I made Prickles, I made a flower and now I MUST make the poodle for a friend. Its all so pretty!
Maureen
Posted by: Maureen | February 07, 2007 at 09:02 AM
I was trying some french knots not long ago for the first time. Each one seemed to have its own personality! I guess that's another way to say they weren't consistent in size and shape but I liked the look of them anyway! The pillow is simply adorable!
Posted by: Mae | February 07, 2007 at 09:03 AM
I can't believe it ! I made Prickles, I made a flower and now I MUST make the poodle for a friend. Its all so pretty!
Maureen
Posted by: Maureen | February 07, 2007 at 09:03 AM
he is soooo cute! the designer i work for has a big standard poodle named paco. i love your version of paco!
Posted by: cindy | February 07, 2007 at 10:47 AM
Great needlework!
I love it.
Lindy
Posted by: Lindy | February 07, 2007 at 12:41 PM
The cushion is gorgeous! Thanks also for the link to the french knot tutorial. I'll have to go off and practice!
Posted by: Di | February 07, 2007 at 02:24 PM
So sweet! I have not yet mastered the French Knot, but I think I will try again this weekend.
Posted by: beverly | February 07, 2007 at 03:33 PM
Vicky, your poodle its so fluffy-fizzy-sweet! Adorable!
Posted by: Suzanne | February 07, 2007 at 04:18 PM
Now that is just too cute! My standard poodle, Louie, thinks so too!
Posted by: joyce | February 07, 2007 at 10:02 PM
I think this turned out really sweet too! It's the perfect use for French knots, if ever there was one! LOL!
Posted by: Mrs.Staggs | February 07, 2007 at 10:51 PM
A French poodle composed of French knots? Magnifique - tres chic!
xo Bisous xo
Posted by: tinker | February 07, 2007 at 11:06 PM
Absolutely adorable! Oh, how this little poodle made me smile--thank you! Happy Days! :o)
Posted by: Tracy | February 08, 2007 at 12:53 AM
Very ooh-la-la
Love it
Chamara
Posted by: Gypsy Purple--Chamara | February 08, 2007 at 04:16 AM
too cute!!
Posted by: tongue in cheek | February 08, 2007 at 04:44 AM
I love small embroidery projects! Yours is adorable.
Posted by: carol | February 08, 2007 at 04:47 AM
I love your little poochy pillow! My daughters would love that. Maybe I will make Charlotte Lyons decorated box and fill it with all kinds of fun pink and pretty things - like your poochy pillow!
BUT I HATE french knots. I have found that seed beads make a great substitute. I inevitably end up with a little tail at the top of the knot. Maybe I'm not using enough tension or pulling the thread through evenly.
Thanks for sharing and I'm off to look at that embroidary tutorial site.
Posted by: Angie Grimm | February 08, 2007 at 09:21 AM
Girl, You have been busy over here! Such pretties!
Posted by: norththreads | February 08, 2007 at 11:48 AM
oh cute...french knots are about the only thing i CAN do! also...wondering if you have a book you could recommend on how to teach children to sew or embroider...my daughter is 6 1/2...thanks!
Posted by: ashley | February 08, 2007 at 12:55 PM
Tres belle!
Cheers! LA
PS I love those TJ cookies, too. Can't get enough of them. Yum!
Posted by: Leigh Ann | February 08, 2007 at 02:35 PM
I Just Wanted To Wish you A Great Weekend, And Look Forward To Your Next Project. I Am Still Bussy With Mine.
Greeting From Aina :=)
Posted by: Aina | February 09, 2007 at 04:41 AM
Oo la la! She is just too precious!
Posted by: Dana | February 09, 2007 at 08:51 AM
I love the poodle pillow. We have a toy poodle and can never seem to get enough poodle stuff! Very cute.
Posted by: nimbleknot | February 15, 2007 at 07:10 PM