Getting set-in mud out of sewing fabric?

[bluefalconchick.livejournal.com]

So-I was in a really bad, really sucky, totally-totalled, car accident last summer, as I'm sure I've mentioned before. I had just gotten back into cross stitching a couple of weeks before the accident, so being the dork that I am, I had some aida fabric and a stitching kit I had purchased at a yard sale in the car. I have only JUST NOW gotten around to going through everything my boyfriend and my parents pulled from the wreckage that used to be a 2004 Hyundai Tiburon, and located this stuff. I had simply assumed that it had gotten destroyed along with the other fabric in the car, like my favorite t-shirt (grrr) and my goddaughter's favorite dress (double grrr)...It didn't, but apparently, it acquired some color from the red Georgia clay into which I wrecked my car...Either that, or the mud, I can't really tell. It looks gross. I have never washed anything before stitching it, and am wondering if I should try with this? There's no smell, just some unsightly staining...I assume that I could cover the edges of the aida with some stopfray and toss it in the wash, but I'm not sure. I mean, I could always use the piece in question for a pattern that had no white background or something of the sort....My major concern is the printed kit pattern. I was making it for a lady that means a lot to me-She's sorta like a second grandma to me. She is, in fact, my best friend's grandma and since we all grew up together (Myself, Caroline, & her sister, Beth), I like to make Momma Betty cross-stitched pieces and/or baked goods now and then...Caroline (my best friend) likes to grow things (like tomatoes and watermelons and the like) and I like to sew things-It's been a family joke for years!

Anywho, I am wondering what you guys would suggest, especially for the kit? I'd love to be able to wash it and finish it, but sadly, I'm afraid that might not be possible. :(

( See the damages here: )

make up vanity

[she-enslaves-me.livejournal.com]

I bought a vanity on craigslist for 35 dollars. Its smells a little odd, I've disassembled it. It has like how to assembly stickers on it so its not as old as I thought. My plan is to refinish it. I plan to take before and after pictures for everyones enjoyment. This is my first time attempting this and would love and tips and tricks I can be given. And whats a good sealant/finish for this because I fully intend to use it as a makeup vanity. TIA

(no subject)

[lindapendant.livejournal.com]

I made a very girly ruffled lamp today.



( Tutorial here. )