Finishing Friday: Needlework that isn't in a frame

Most knitting and crochet that I do just takes running in the ends and blocking.  When a quilt binding is stitched down and the label is on, it's ready to put on the bed.  But let's face it.   When you put the last stitch into a piece of needlework, it's still not 'done'.   What do you do if you have a lovely little piece of needlework that isn't quite 'frame worthy', you have an ornament exchange coming up, you are out of space on your wall, you want something for a display shelf or vignette?

I have to admit, my love of needlework vies with my "un-fussy' decorating style, and I have a 'stack' of finished but not framed needlework in the cedar chest.   I don't have all THAT much wall space in a 900 square foot Craftsman Bungalow with lots of windows and woodwork.

But I've been to two years of Silver Needle camp now (and just put my registration in for year three this week) and one thing that store does VERY well is finishing.   Mona is their finisher and finishing instructor, she's very talented.  

There are also some great tutorials on the web.   So nothing I'm writing about is new.  But I want to keep a record of "how to and tips" as I learn how to do my own finishing.   Every now and then, I'll do a write up (and/or link round up) of finishing techniques that I'm using and post it on a random Friday.  

So, what are your options to get that 'finished' needlework to 'Finishing Finished'?

You can frame it, of course.   That gets pricey, and eventually you do run out of walls.   And not every piece of needlework needs to be framed.   Here's some other ideas

• Ornaments - not just for Christmas, think of using them on all types of seasonal garlands, wreaths, package toppers.  There are many different types of ornaments from flat finished to dimensional.
• Cards - if you finish the edges, the recipient can remove it from the card and use as an ornament. 
• Bookmarks
• Needlework smalls - needlebooks, pincushions, scissor fobs, etc.
• Covered boxes and caskets - either just the lids or all sides.  Lots of cute designs for topping Altoid tins, btw.
• Lined boxes - wood, metal, paper
• Cubes, boxes, open triangles and closed triangles for display - rotate them out as you change seasonal décor, much cuter than something purchased from a big box store
• Pillows - tiny ones hung from doorknobs to big ones on the couch all use similar techniques
• 3D objects - weight the bottom so they don't tip over
• Trays - if you put the needlework piece under glass or Plexiglas, it becomes a functional tray that you can also stand up or hang to display.
• Flat Fold stand up - have a stiff 'prop' on the back like a stand up picture frame.  Folds flat for storage.
• Easel stand up - front and back the same size, hinged across the top. 
• Duplex and Triptych standing frames - like picture frames, can include photos - either framing needlework inside of a purchased frame or hinging two or three flat ornament pieces together.
• Repurposing - almost anything can have a piece of needlework mounted in/on it.   Pie tins are cute.  
• Christmas stockings, bags, pouches, purses - the needlework piece becomes or embellishes a fabric container for other things.
• Buttons and Jewelry - button forms for fabric covered buttons can be found at most sewing stores (JoAnns, etc).   For Jewelry, Nunn Designs has nice findings.   (Hat Tip to Mary Corbet for this one.)

I'll add to this list, I'm sure, as I learn more.