Friday, February 3, 2017

Pillow Top Ottoman...Salvaged Petit Point



Please click on the photos.

I am still finding some wonderful antique petit point compacts. I like those rather then purses because the designs are scaled for a small area. While I don't mind salvaging the petit point from the compacts, I dislike having to size them down. I know all to well how much time was spent stitching all those rows.

I had to really think about what to do with this piece. It was too big for a pillow/cushion. The colors looked great with the chairs and the carpet. That is not something easy to find.

I could have made a very small stool, folding the piece over the sides so it would be completely covered in petit point. That would have caused me to lose the over all design. So I decided on a sort of pillow top ottoman. It  can serve as a place to put your feet up, a make shift coffee table or extra seating in a room. The top is filled with 1mm micro beads.

I chose straight legs for contrast with the cabriole legs of the chairs. I still have to make some cording for the raw edges



Just like a cat! They have to inspect anything new you bring in the house.


Lots of new miniatures. I just haven't had time to photograph them. 

I am starting to wonder if anyone is out there anymore. 98 % of the bloggers I follow have vanished! The SIMP show in Paris now has vanished too. ;-(






58 comments:

  1. That's just lovely. I really like how the pink in the chairs is echoed by the pink in the embroidery.

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    1. Thank you Sheila. I thought the color was a nice compliment to the chairs too.

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  2. What a delightful realization and the cat is very cute
    hugs

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    1. Thank you Claude. I made that cat a long time ago. I wasn't very happy with him at first but he has grown on me. ;-)

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  3. Looks like it was designed specifically for it! Beautiful. :D

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  4. Hi Catherine, I keep a sharp eye out for petit point on but have not seen any for years now. You have used it perfectly on the ottoman.
    I will be attending SIMP in Paris this year. I was surprised to read that it is to be the last!
    I do enjoy following you on your blog. Thank you for posting - don't despair we are still out here.
    Regards Janine

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    1. Hi Janine,

      You really have to hunt for petit point. I usually find it online rather then in antique shops or second hand ones.
      I envy your going to SIMP. It is so sad to think this will be the last one. I believe it is the only miniature show in France. I guess all those dealers will have to go to Kensington now to sell their work.
      I am delighted to hear you like visiting here. Thank you! I really was starting to wonder why I am still posting. ;-)
      I will look forward to seeing a post about the SIMP show on your blog.

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  5. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!
    Can you feel that I love it?

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    1. I am starting to think you might like it Rosanna. haha

      Thank you!!!

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  6. What a beautiful petit point! The carpet is gorgeous, too!

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    1. Thank you Ingi. That carpet is the reason why I know how valuable those stitches are in the salvaged pieces I use. It took me a lot of hours to stitch that carpet.

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  7. Beautifully done! Can't wait to see some of your new miniatures. Your dispalys are always so perfect. I too am going to SIMP this year and hope to meet up with Janine and Norma there! My blog barely got off the ground, but I will try again one of these days. As Janine says, we are still here!

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    1. So nice to see you Linda. I will try and post some new photos soon of those things.

      How wonderful to hear you are going to SIMP. I am sure you are looking forward to seeing Janine and Norma. There will be a few of our other blogger friends there too.

      I am delighted you are still visiting. I hope you will give your blog another chance. ;-)

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  8. It's gorgeous Catherine. You have made some wonderful items with the salvaged petit point you have had. I have been sitting on two pieces from a coin purse so it has been really exciting to see what you have made. I'm still here just unfortunately not able to do minis. My mother is harder to take care of with every passing day and my sister and I are trying hard to be able to keep her here with us. Quite draining.....

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    1. WOW! It is wonderful to see you Patty! I have missed you and your posts.
      I know when you have the time you will do something great with your coin purse.
      I am sorry to hear about your mothers declining health. I am sure it takes a great deal of your time. I have a friend who is trying very hard to look after her 94 year old mother. I know it isn't easy!
      Nice of you to leave such a sweet comment. Thank you!

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  9. I'm here! And I love your ottoman, and rescuing the petit point is brilliant! Your colors match so beautifully, and as usual your photography is top shelf! Love that kitty---

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  10. Hi Catherine! The petit-point on the Ottoman looks perfect! You are so right that the pattern would have been lost to apply it any other way. Does your kitty have a name? He does look a little scruffy... but for a first try he looks gorgeous!! Perhaps he is just a stray who knows a good home when he sees one! :)
    It does sometimes feel as though blogland is empty and echoing.... but I am still here and trying my best to understand that blogging is not for everybody. And sometimes life just gets in the way. I like to write and use lots of photos, and I really don't like FB. So blogging is my happy choice.
    I sure hope you will keep blogging, I really admire your fine workmanship and your discerning eye for excellent minis! We all learn so much from sharing these creative projects! Thank you for sharing your beautiful collection!

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  11. Hi Betsy,

    Thank you. I am glad you like the ottoman.

    No, I am afraid I never named that kitty. He would have looked a lot better if I hadn't used a heather colored Alpaca fiber to fur him with. That fiber is great for rabbits and squirrels. Unfortunately not so good on cats. It does indeed make them look scruffy!

    Blogland is empty except for a very few of us. I am very glad you are still here and hopefully we can look forward to more of your posts.

    Facebook seems to be the preferred
    choice over Blogger. I do not have a Facebook account and never have.

    Thank you for your kind comments about my miniatures. :-)

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  12. I just found your blog and really love your style. I am finding your petit point pieces quite inspiring as well as beautiful! I am looking forward to reading more of your entries. Thank you for posting.

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  13. I am new to blogs but old to the world. Please do not stop posting all these wonderful pictures and stories for those of us who have loved minis for years (many years in my case). You have several others have inspired me to continue work on my Thornhill dollhouse, a lovely birthday gift a few years ago, and the courage to change things I did not care for and put my own stamp on it. My cats actually like sitting in the attic of the dollhouse...that will change when windows are in place.

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    1. Hi Rita,
      I will look forward to seeing your progress on Thornhill. You are right, when it comes to creating courage is a vital ingredient. RL cats do love to try and fit themselves in dollhouses. ;-) I have seen lots of photos to prove it.
      I am so glad you can find some inspiration here. Thank you for leaving me a message. :-)

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  14. Oh Catherine, I adore your ottoman and I love the respect you show to these lovely stitched pieces.....it is also so refreshing to see that these items get a second life. Your ottom looks wonderful in its new setting....well done you!!!!
    Linda xxx

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    1. Hi Linda.
      That obsolete compact was probably in a someones drawer for the last 40 years.
      Thank you for your kind comment.

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  15. Bonjour Catherine,
    quel charmant tabouret qui as déjà trouvé sont utilité en servant de siège au joli chat ;-)
    Je suis toujours heureux de retrouver votre travail sur blogger et j'espère que cela durera encore longtemps.
    RDV à Paris cet ete pour le SIMP ;-)

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    1. Bonjour Jean-Claude,

      Les chats semblent être des connaisseurs de confort.
      Merci pour vos aimables paroles sur mon travail. J'espère en voir plus bientôt.
      J'espère que vous pourrez profiter du dernier spectacle SIMP. Si vous allez, je me réjouis de l'entendre dans votre blog. ;-)

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  16. Dear Catherine - it is wonderful that you have managed to salvage this beautiful piece of petit point to make such a delightful ottoman.
    I too have noticed that many, many bloggers have disappeared. I just wish that at the very least they would say 'goodbye' so that I know all is well with them. As it is I am left thinking the worse.

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    1. Thank you Rosemary.
      You know how much I enjoy your blog. I never miss a post. I would be very upset if you vanished without a word.
      Most of us in the miniature world who have been blogging for years, at least can find out what happened if someone goes missing. Many of us have exchanged email addresses or phone numbers over the years.
      Thank you for your kind comment about the ottoman. :-)

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  17. What is sad cute cat! He is charming!
    Embroidery is very good and you have found it a great place.

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    1. He does have a sort of sad look on his face. haha
      Thank you!

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  18. Su gato es encantador y su petit point recuperado una maravilla. Será una pena la desaparición de SIMP de París. Feliz semana:-)

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    1. Hola,
      Sí, perder el programa SIMP va a ser difícil para mucha gente. No puedo dejar de preguntarme por qué los shows futuros han sido cancelados. La idea de que es la falta de interés es aterrador. Gracias por sus amables palabras sobre el gato y otomana.

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  19. Ditto to all of the above and the cord will finish off the ottoman perfectly.

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  20. Hi Catherine!
    I know just what you mean about feeling as though Blogland is emptying. Speaking for myself, my own posts have become more sparse with more lag time in-between. I'm thinking of this as a TRANSITION period.
    Your posts ALWAYS however, seem to bring people out and ready to comment again which I THANK YOU FOR! It is so good to know that our hobby is alive and still interesting and that there are folks who are still actively albeit quietly, pursuing it in blogland.
    Meanwhile, your petite point ottoman cushion is SPLENDID! I think that you have found the Exact solution for maintaining the needlepoints integrity as well as being able to maximize it's purpose and give it a new life! I LOVE your ottomans which double as "coffee tables". It reminds me of the VICTORIA BLISS magazines which would have these English Country features and display full-sized furniture such as what you have achieved in miniature. English Country style is my all-time favorite and your ottoman IS as the British would say- a Corker! :D

    elizabeth

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  21. Elizabeth,
    Blogland is seeing a lull, to put it mildly. I wonder if the younger generations will ever develop and interest in miniatures. They don't seem to be able to get off their phones long enough for that. It has always been true that it was the older people that had the time and the money for such things. Still... I loved dollhouses since I was little. Then in my twenties I discovered fine miniatures and I was hooked at first sight. I couldn't afford the things I wanted so I made lots of miniatures in metal (brass, bronze,sterling silver and even a few pieces in 18K gold). That gave me a bit of $ to get a few really good pieces. Things I still cherish today.
    I am glad you like the ottoman. I LOVE English country. Victoria Magazine was my all time favorite! I still have loads of back issues beginning with their first one in 1987! The old ones are magic. :-)
    You comments are the best! Have you ever considered becoming a writer? You sure are good at it. ;-)
    I hope your "transition period" doesn't last too long. Your post always inspire me. I wish I had your building knowledge. ;-)

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    1. BTW Elizabeth.. Guess what I found in my grammar school jewelry box. A tiny deck of cards. I bet it is just like the ones you wanted so badly out of the gumball machine. Mine are still in the clear plastic tiny container with a yellow cap lid.

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    2. YES! That was the way the mini gumball cards were packaged WAY BACK in the day. I also remember that they were folded accordion style with perforations between each card, so congratulations Catherine on unearthing yet another tiny hidden treasure! :D

      and P.S.
      Thank you for the compliment, you are VERY KIND.
      AND
      I AGREE with your comment on the OLD 80's and 90'sVictoria Magazines. They were THE BEST! I am ALWAYS on the lookout for them each time I am in the Thrift Store and have managed to score a few from time to time.
      I recall those AMAZING photos of sumptuous English Teas composed of dainty cucumber sandwiches displayed on grandma's depression glass plates; little girls playing in white cotton petticoats with flower wreaths in their hair; ponies and castles, stables and old English leather riding boots by the door; huge bouquets of summer roses or fields of vivid blue lavender; white linen drying on the clothes line; Scottish Christmas's done in tartan, holly, silver and shortbread: falling snow, sleds and hot punch by the fire, need I say more? .... that magazine made EVERYTHING look like a fairytale, a dream and a reality all at the same time.
      Pure "BLISS!"

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    3. I didn't even open the container. I will have to check to see if they are all accordion-ed together.

      WOW! I just looked to see if they had any 1980's Victoria magazines in eBay. There aren't any but they have loads of them from the 90's.
      Those photos were real works of art. When the first editor (brain fade on her name) left the magazine it really changed.
      You have an incredible memory of those fabulous pages. I always loved the issue in the spring focusing on England.
      WHY do you have to live so far away???
      :-( We could make a day of it looking at old issues while indulging in high tea. ;-) Miniatures might even come up. haha

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  22. Agreed Catherine, blogs are a lot quieter these days, but they are a lot more interesting to me than Facebook or Instagram. I like a bit of a story. I want to know what is going on. I am also saddened to hear that SIMP is ending. It feels to me in general that there is a shift in the miniatures world and that there are younger people becoming involved. I also feel that things have been a little 'the same' in minis for the last 10 years and people need some change, something different to inspire them. Anyway, keep up the good work. The footstool looks lovely.

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    1. Hi,
      I am so glad to hear you say you prefer blogs. I too like a bit of a story. Though I do try to keep it as short as I can. What people really want are lots of pictures I think. ;-)
      It would be fantastic to think that young people are getting involved in miniatures. I have a friend who is a dealer and says he finds lots of young people at shows in Japan.
      I am glad to hear you like the footstool. Thank you!

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  23. Catherine, ha sido una gran idea recuperar ese petit point en su butaca. No me extraña que su gato esté feliz. Es una pena que este año sea el último SIMP. Esperemos que alguna otra feria tome el relevo en Francia. Era un buen lugar para encontrar grandes miniaturistas. Por mi parte, trataré de ir. Un beso

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    1. Hola Maria,

      ¡Gracias!

      Con toda la gente que planea ir a SIMP, esto debe ser un año récord de asistencia. Ojalá supiera la razón por la que iba a ser la última. Tienes algunos grandes espectáculos en España y en Inglaterra. Unesdoc.unesco.org unesdoc.unesco.org
      Un beso

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  24. I'm so pleased the petit point has a chance at a second life. The ottoman is a perfect structure to display it on.
    I too hope the blogging lull is temporary. It seems to ebb and flow as people start new projects. It doesn't help when big shows like Paris SIMP close though. Maybe online shopping is killing it :0( Quite sad because despite my online purchases, I still go to the shows because it's a fantastic opportunity to see things first hand and speak to the creators :0)

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  25. Thank you Pepper. l-)

    Yes. it does ebb and flow. At least with our remaining bloggers. As soon as fine weather begins even they vanish.
    I have had dealers tell me at the Bishop show sales are way down from a few years ago. So it maybe an economic issue too.
    I love going to shows. I see things I could never find online. What I really want to do is take some classes. The problem is every thing is just so far away.

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  26. 💋 Oh Catherine,
    this is soooo beautiful !!! Magnificent work ! And...The cat...is absolutely great made ! There are just a few artist who are able to make so very lifelike looking cats. You are ONE, you make the the kitty almost alive !!! Love it !
    Chapeau ! 💋

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  27. Hi Pipi,

    I delighted to hear you like my cat. They add a bit of interest to a room setting I think.

    Thank you for your kind comments.

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  28. Dear Catherine...I am such an admirer of the work you have done using the petite point needlework. It is so nice to stitching workmanship such as this utilized in a careful reinterpretation that gives much pleasure in a new way...beautifully done! I very much enjoy reading blogs as creative people such as yourself share their work and inspire others...always appreciate the effort that goes into posting a blog entry and learning the story behind the pictures. Your little cat is a charming addition to the scene and a person can almost hear the purring of contentment! Please keep sharing your lovely work for all of us to enjoy! Cheers, Alayne

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  29. Hi Alayne,

    I am always delighted to hear from someone new. I am glad you like my scruffy cat. You are right. I too always appreciate the effort people make to share their work in their blogs. I must take time to tell them when I comment on the ones I follow. Thank you so much for your kind words.

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  30. Your ottoman is beautiful and I love your gorgeous cat.

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  31. Hi Catherine, You're petit point ottoman is another gorgeous rescue and the scene you created with it is wonderful. You have such excellent taste!
    I agree with you on the blogging situation. I have noticed the decline as well. I even thought there was something wrong with my newsfeed, but that is working as it should be. Even though I do have a FB and Instagram account, I don't post much on either as
    I like blogs better. But it does take more time, to write, to photograph, to answer and leave comments. And to be fair, I have spent much less time on that myself.
    My blog (and website) are much more a record of my dollhouse journey, so I write it for myself as much as for others. But I must confess I sometimes wonder, with so many followers, who actually reads what I write . Apart from the usual group of course.

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    1. That should be 'Your petit point ottoman' of course.

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