Merry Cox projects - finished!!

I have been playing hooky from the blog for a good reason. I spent about 9 days with my mom and sister in Texas and just got back on 4-21 in the evening. Since then I have been working and playing catch-up around the house. It's funny how many things need to be "caught- up" after only being gone for 9 days, even when the guys do a fair job of keeping up with things around the house. I am a firm believer in teaching my children (all 3 boys) how to do housework and laundry. They even know how to cook a few things! I want them to be able to take care of themselves when they are out on their own. (Besides, if I did EVERYTHING for them, their wouldn't be any time left over to spin, knit, cross-stitch, quilt, sew, or read!! 'my bad??)

While I was in Texas, my mom had knee surgery. While she was recuperating, sis and I stayed around the house and worked on doing the finishing for the Merry Cox workshop we went to in Phoenix, AZ last November. We took two classes, Flowers in the Fall and the Diminutive Sewing Set. The finishing seemed to go on forever, but my sister taught me alot aobut how to do the finishing. I really like the way Merry has nice little "presentation bags" that were made out of taffeta to store your projects in and give everything a nice finishing touch. She is a lovely person and I would take a class from her again if the opportunity ever presented itself. She is a very warm and friendly person and made a point of trying to talk to as many people as she could. She never talked down to anyone and tried to make the instructions and clear as possible.

Here are some shots of my "Flowers in the Fall"

and the inside of the bird box................
The Diminutive Sewing Set had the most detailed finishing. There are little compartments at each end that you make out of posterboard covered with silk that you glue to the posterboard. You cover each end separately, then try to hand sew those pieces to the main piece (not an easy task with that glue on there!). Each individual piece had some finishing to do.
Then there were all the other goodies that went into the box,

the scissor holder and sampler...

and the little sewing bag (the stitched end opens up to hold your needles).

I did come home with a few things left to do. There is a presentation bag for the Diminutive Sewing kit. I have it sewn up, but there are a few little finishing touches that I have to complete.

I did get a little knitting down. I worked on the Auburn Camp shirt some (pics to follow in next post). I also started a pair of Monkey Socks in Koigu KPPM. OK, I know I didn't need to start another project, but sock are a good project to take with you when you are traveling. I like the pattern, easy but not boring. I am really liking the yarn, it is very nice to work with, and has a nice hand.

OK, back to the knitting needles I go, I'll try not to wait so long between posts.