Dying To Be Different...

Remember these baskets?  Made with needlepoint canvas and Woodsies, they come out about the same every time. Even when I lace them with embroidery floss.

About 3:30 AM, an idea popped into my head...Yeah. I know I was supposed to be asleep.  Sometimes it just doesn't happen.

That's when Tessie stands on the pillow and whispers suggestions in my ear.  Sometimes I even listen...This was one of those mornings.

I did swat her away and go back to sleep, but not before she gave me this idea.

I have an overstock of the made but not decorated baskets in one of the typesetter's drawers that hangs outside the workroom door.

I also have LOTS of Minwax stain....

I collected the baskets, and four cans of stain and went to work.

I wasn't sure how well it would work since I put the body of the baskets together with white glue. 

I didn't have anything to lose, but a little canvas, one Woodsie and a few drops of stain.

I tried the lightest stain first.  Golden Pecan.  Bottom left.  A little different than the raw wood.

Then I went for Early American...A little darker.  Still no glue spots.

Then Tessie made me use the darker colors.  I got brave with English Chestnut. Pretty dark.  Right by Tessie's hand.  The last one was Red Mahogany.  It turned out a really dark, rich brown. 

I am happy to report that the experiment was a success and no bodily harm was done.  In fact, I even thanked Tessie for the idea.

Now, all I have to do is wait 24 hours for them to get really dry.  Then I will start with the embroidery floss.  It looks like they will be much more interesting than the plain wood/canvas ones.

By the way, don't forget that tomorrow is the last day to make a comment on Saturday's post. Good luck to all of the first 1010 followers. 

See you tomorrow.