What to do with finished projects

[gyork]

I know this seems a daft one, but what does everyone do with their finished projects.

I want to display mine, but going to run out of wall space by the time I am finished them all, what to do (dilemma).

[koko]

I give a lot of mine as gifts, but also have been trying to find alternate finishing methods because I don't have a lot of wall space left either. I can't afford to buy a new house to get more wall space so I figure I need to find alternate uses for my cross stitch projects. Right now I am making a bag for my sister out of one piece, and I found a website that has a lot of "stitchable" items - mostly items that will hold your stitching like coffee mugs, jewelery boxes, etc. They are only good for smaller projects though, so I am still trying to find things to do with larger projects

[pamelam]

I know what you mean, Gillian. I've got mine all over the house, and lots more unframed that I don't know where I'll put them.

[gyork]

I want to frame bugs bunny and my two geisha pieces, apart from that if I can get it finished, I will give one of the small pieces to my mum for mothers day, but still going to have loads left lying around.

Other half starting to moan now, "why do you keep buying these when you have knowhwere to put them". So might have to buy myself a chest or something to put them in.

[~threadbear~]

I'm not going to be very helpful with this I'm afraid.
Some of mine are framed or made into cards, the rest are just stuck away in a drawer.

I don't think I'm very good at finishings and some of the lovely things you can do with them, well, I don't know that I could manage. Maybe one day I'll think of something simple but nice.

[Slinky]

Same as above, I have too many to keep framing, my whole house would look like a gallery! Some are unframed in drawers, some have been given away, one I have turned into a bag, & I keep meaning to try my hand at cushions ...

Latest plan is to take surplus projects down to my grandfather's house. He lives in a residential home now so his house is used as a holiday home by the rest of the family (he's cool with this!). But I decided he didn't have enough pictures up, and hey, there's a whole bungalow to fill!! Should keep me busy for a while!!

[gyork]

good idea, i think my mum might be getting a few too.

[Carolynn]

I use the hall between the two levels for a gallery. I also rotate pictures routinely(sometimes). I always try to have a different picture in the guest room each time someone visits. This finally required a note book! Having a couple finished projects for gifts has been my plan for a long time. The stitched picture over a set of doors was intended for someone else, just could not part with it once it was framed. They did receive another nice gift!

[Rose]

You can turn some of them into pillows or you could put a few together and make up a quilt. I have done both. And they look gorgeous. They don't all have to be the same size to make a quilt. It is fun to mix and match the sizes to come up with a great blanket.

[ivanputz]

I always frame my finished pieces. Mostly cause I don't know how to make things into a pillow or card or whatnot. Plus it keeps the design nice and clean under glass. I like the rotating pictures idea. Is there a way you could rework how you decorate your house and put the pictures closer together. It sucks to keep all your nice artwork in a box somewhere that no one can appreciate it.

Wall space is a problem that I have also

[helbel]

Part of my plan is to stitch Christmas things, so I can rotate what hangs on the wall for Christmas and voila! instant decoration.

[kell]

Small ones are easy - ornaments, mugs, boxes etc. Larger ones could be used for bags, cushions and quilts...

[paul]

I have made a few into cushions and even used some as place matts and coasters. Very good if you do Christmas ones. You can buy a plastic cover to put your finished project in. Can't remember where I got them from though.

[gyork]

some great suggestions think covers or cushions good idea

[Mabel Figworthy]

My MIL used lots of small projects I'd sent her as cards by stitching them as patches onto a neutral cushion cover -- makes an interesting and unique cushion!

[Mystonique]

I don't have enough finishes but I like the idea of having a book of them, like a photo album ... haven't worked out the logistics yet though.

[Corey.G]

I've got mine all over the house, and lots more unframed that I don't know where I'll put them.

I wish I had that problem. But right now I'm planning to try to stitch something on a pillow. But I'd rather use waste canvas. Not fond of Aida as fabric for pillows. And soon I'm planning a section of a wall for certain cross stitches.

[K1nS]

Up until the last few weeks, mine have just been put away in my stitchy bag... I kept forgetting to get them framed But I am slowly starting to display mine, although soon I think ill be running out of room aswel so not a clue what ill do then.... maybe alternate them?