Finishing Projects - Beyond Framing...?

[Play Outside]

It has occurred to me that I have far more projects in my "to do" pile than I have wall space. This means that at some point I will either have to start decorating my ceiling , or come up with some other ideas! Just wondering how others finish off projects they don't want to frame - especially medium and large sized pieces? I've done a couple of bellpull/door decorations. I've also done lots of trivets, and coasters for small projects, and a couple of pillows as gifts. I would love to hear what creative things others do with their finished projects - pictures welcome!

[mags]

Well I'm intending to make cushion covers when I get so that I don't want to frame them.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Firescreen? Tea tray? Never done either but am planning one of each!

[*barb*]

yes, i have this problem to...i am running out of wall space. Now, when I buy a new big kit, I have to think "where will it go"and now I am up to the point that I haven't bought any new big ones cause i have no wall space left..it is all allocated!

[kerbear879]

Well whenever I finally get around to finishing something, the wall space shouldn't be a problem since I sadly have nothing hanging on any of my walls at all in my entire house!

[freelady]

Funily enough, I've been wondering what to do with a couple of things I've stitched that are just sitting around 'waiting for something to be done with them'. I've no idea what. I've even considered giving them to a local group to use as raffle prizes. (I'd have to get cheapo clip frames to put them in, I guess.)

[agi]

Actually, decorating the ceiling sounds a really good idea to me
What are trivets?

You can also use them to make useful things like bags, and smaller stitching into needlebooks, needlerolls, purses, bookcovers etc.

[Play Outside]

I'm not sure what trivets are called elsewhere - things you put on the table to put hot things on (tea pot, serving dishes, etc.) so they don't damage the table cloth. For example, http://www.sudberry.com/catalog/trivet.htm

I forgot to mention, I did a bread board once too.

What are needlebooks?

[agi]

Here is a needlebook I made:

front:

inside - where the needles are stored:

back:

[Slinky]

Agi, that's delightful. You are so talented.

Other ideas: Cushion covers are good for larger (square!) projects. I'd also like to make a book cover one day, and Mabel's doing a shopping bag with waste canvas. I came across a fabulous apron (gardener's, as it happens) in a French magazine which I thought was dead easy to do. Tablecloths and runners can take larger designs, there are afghans and throws of course, and I don't recall who it was here that did it, but someone did the most amazing "Fire & Ice" horse project which was made into a seat cover for her husband's car (I believe). How great is that?!

I'm not at all accomplished with a sewing machine so my attempts at the above would be limited to pre-finished items, but perhaps they give you some ideas?

[minij]

Agi that is so pretty

Most things I stitch are usually gifts, I am hoping sometime to get around to stitching more that I can hang on my walls

[Mabel Figworthy]

Mabel's doing a shopping bag with waste canvas

Yes, and she's never doing one again -- it's a so-and-so to stitch because you have to have one arm inside the bag. Next time I shall stitch on a patch of aida and attach it to the bag!

[burgundyice]

I don't recall who it was here that did it, but someone did the most amazing "Fire & Ice" horse project which was made into a seat cover for her husband's car (I believe). How great is that?!

I'm pretty sure this was Rose, it should still be in the SAL forum somewhere!

I plan on decorating my walls until there's literally no wall space left at all! (then on to doors, cupboards etc etc
But I'm lazy and don't often frame them Most of the time I pin or blue tack them up....

Louise

[Play Outside]

But I'm lazy and don't often frame them Most of the time I pin or blue tack them up....

Well, that is certainly an option that doesn't involve framing, although not exactly what I had in mind...

Agi, the needlebook is lovely, and so nicely put together. I must learn how to sew one of these days!

[agi]

Thank you all, but actually I learnt it from Mabel, and someone else, I don't remember. (Perhaps Mags?) So if you have time to browse old threads, you will find some more, even better examples.