Just a Little Slow-Stitching Fun!

Hello, my friends!

 Last year I shared a collection of junk journal covers I had made.

Since Easter had been fast approaching at the time,
I began working on this Easter journal.
I didn't get it finished in time to share,
as that is when we began preparing to move.
I'm hoping to share it for this year but I have no idea what box it is in.
I have just begun unpacking my craft stash,
so maybe I'll get lucky and find it in time.

 

I had packed a bag full of stitching projects to work on when we were on the road.
This bag held a collection of fabric, laces, ribbons, threads, etc.
The fabrics included pieces of all those I used to make my journal covers.
Since I had been working on my Easter journal,
I decided to start with an Easter stitching project.

Here's what I made:

Have you heard of "slow-stitching"?

When I first heard of it I thought it was something new.
As far as I can tell...it's a new name for embroidery.

Embroidery is decorating fabric with a needle and thread.

I made my first embroidery project in school when I was about seven.
Yes, they used to do things like that in school.
I still have that project, of course! ;o)

Later in my life embroidery was more popularly known as "stitchery"

and now it seems to be trending as slow-stitching. 

I do think that this new variation is a little bit more relaxed.
Stitches are made more freely and don't have to be perfect.

These two pieces measure about 4" x 5".

They will be added as pockets to the inside covers of my Easter journal.
You can see that I've included some of the cover fabric in each piece.

As someone who has always loved stitching...

...in any form...

I really enjoyed making these pockets.

I'm actually working on a larger slow-stitching project now.
I'll share it with you as soon as it's finished.

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Thanks so much for stopping by to take a look!

Have a great day! :o)

Southern Ridge Trading Company - Needle Book

Hello, my friends!

Today I'm sharing a fun little needle book
that I created for Southern Ridge Trading Company.
Sadly, this will be my final Design Team project.

I've combined the Large Tags, 
and some pieces from the  Dressmaker Mix.

Here it is:

Here's what I used to make it:

I began by heat embossing the sewing machine green, and the scissors silver.

I covered the front and back of the tag using some fun sewing themed papers.

I inked all the outside edges with green ink, and the inside edges with orange ink.

I added an orange eyelet, and a couple of buttons.

Here's the finished front and back cover.

Here's what I did on the inside:

I found a die shape that I liked,

and I used it to cut four pieces of white felt - two for each side.

Twice I stitched two pieces of felt together using orange thread. 

I then adhered the felt piece onto the inside of the finished tag.

I used liquid glue to do this, and kept the glue around the outside edges only,

right under the stitching. 

The two pieces of felt offer a nice cushion,

so it's very easy to slip your needles in.

I then added some more buttons.

Finally, I added a binder ring through the eyelets, 

and tied some matching ribbons around it.

I confess that I really love this fun needle book,

and I had a really great time putting it together!

Southern Ridge Trading Company Products:

Large Tags 

Dressmaker Mix

Other Materials Used:
Bo Bunny Pincushion Collection;
Emboss Ink;
Embossing Powder - Green, Silver;
Ink - Green, Orange;
Spellbinders Die - Labels 5;
White Felt;
Orange Thread;
Small Buttons - Green, Orange;
Orange Eyelets;
Offray Ribbon - Orange, White.

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Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Sadly, this is my final DT project for SRTC. 
They are making some changes 
and they will no longer have a Design Team. 

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Here are all the links for you: 

  Southern Ridge Trading Company Store

Southern Ridge Trading Company Blog

Southern Ridge Trading Company Facebook

All Dressed Up - Inspiration Post

Hello, my friends!

Today it's my turn to share an inspiration post over at the All Dressed Up Challenge Blog. Besides the two challenges a month, there are also tutorials and inspiration projects posted almost every day. It's really worth taking a look if you haven't stopped by yet!

Most of you have already seen the stitchery that I made using one of Wendy's lovely images. I have another stitched project for you but this time I stitched on paper instead of fabric. I used the "Cute Just Got Cuter" from the freebie page. I printed it the image "fit to page" onto 8 1/2 X 11 kraft cardstock. Then using my piercing tool I pierced holes evenly on all the main lines. When that was finished, I stitched in the holes using a variety of colours of embroidery floss.  I added french knots for the freckles. I set that all aside and moved onto the rest of it. 

I used an 8" X 10" canvas board from my stash. I took a 9" X 11" piece of red tissue paper and wrinkled it all up into a ball, then I smoothed it out flat. Using a paintbrush, I coated the entire canvas with Delta Ceramcoat Satin Varnish and laid the tissue paper over it and gently smoothed it down with my hands. Again using the paintbrush, I adjusted any wrinkles that needed it. When it looked the way I wanted, I brushed another coat of varnish over the top. I wrapped the tissue paper around to the back and secured it with varnish. Then I set it aside to dry.

*You may be wondering why I use varnish at a time like this. It serves the same purpose as Mod Podge, but I prefer it. Mod Podge always seems to have a bit of tackiness to it, even after it's dried. The varnish is easy to work with, very affordable, cleans up beautifully with soapy water, and I have lots of it on hand. 

Okay, my canvas board is dry. I cut my stitched piece down to the size I wanted and adhered it to the board. I used the trim to frame the edge of the paper, mitering the corners. All that's left is to add the buttons, and the yoyos.

Materials Used:

Trim: KI Memories - Fire Line;

Embroidery Floss: DMC;

YoYos, Canvas Board, 

Tissue Paper, Buttons:

From My Stash.

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Wendy has many adorable images that are perfect for this kind of application...
...or any other application you may want to try!

So pop on over to the SHOP and be inspired! :o)

Stitchery Time!

Hello, my friends!

I'm back today to show you my newest stitchery. This time I used an adorable teddy bear image from StampArt Design by Kathryne called "Little Bear Ready For Bed". You can find it at Whimsy Stamps HERE. I've previously made a card with this sweet image. which you can see HERE.

Just like my last stitchery project. The design is stitched on muslin using DMC embroidery thread. The eyes and nose are outlined in black and then painted. I added some blush to their cheeks and ears. Again, I framed my finished piece with rick rack and fabric from my stash and turned it into a little quilted wall hanging. I added a few buttons and a ribbon bow! The finished piece measures 12" x 15". 

This lovely image is just perfect for a stitching project! Wouldn't it make a cute baby sampler? The name/date/weight of a newborn could easily be stitched under the teddy bears!  

Here's a bit of a closer view of the stitching:

Thanks for looking! I hope you're all having a joyful week! :o) 

A Little Something New!

Happy weekend, my friends!
A short time ago I shared a card I made using a Wendy Burns digi. You can see that post HERE. I mentioned then that this sweet image had inspired me to create something else. I'm here today to show you that project. I REALLY enjoy making stitcheries! I hadn't done one for ages but this image was just calling out to be stitched!
I used the same image that is called "I Love My Puppy" and it can be found right HERE. Here are the links to Wendy's Etsy Shop and her blog.
I started by printing the digi out at 8 1/2 X 11, then trimmed it to 8 X 10. I cut a piece of muslin and laid it over the image, and traced the lines. Then I framed the muslin piece with the printed fabric and some rick rack. The stitching is all done with 3 strands of DMC embroidery floss. I pulled the colors from the fabric. When the stitching was finished I added the buttons, made my quilt sandwich and finished it off. The final measurements are 14 X 16. Wendy's whimsical design was just right for this type of work! I had so much fun making this that I've already started another one! It's making me look at all my digital images in a whole new way! :o)

Here's a closer look at the stitched portion. 

The lighter colored flowers don't show up as well in the photo as they do in real life.

Have a wonderful weekend! :o)

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My Latest Raggedy

Happy Friday, everyone!
I'm back today to share the Raggedy doll that I've mentioned. I LOVE to make dolls! Since I've gotten into the world of papercrafting I have neglected making my sweet little friends, but every once in a while I simply MUST!
After making my most recent A Die for a Sketch card (which you can see HERE) I knew I had to stitch one. Then I came across the pattern for this sweet bobbin version in the latest Create & Decorate magazine. Now, I haven't made one from a pattern since I started designing my own quite a few years ago. I have a number of these great antique bobbins, so I thought this design by Kim Grasso would be a quick and easy way to use one.
She was lots of fun to put together. I did it pretty much by the pattern. When she was finished, my husband said he didn't really like her nose. Since I used one thread to stitch on the nose, eyes, twig mouth and hair, I decided he would just have to learn to accept her with this nose! lol
Behind her is a peek of the table runner I just quilted. I was going to place the doll on top of the runner for the photo but it was a little too cushy for the bobbin base. I just draped it behind so you could still take a look at it.
I think I'll be popping in a few more sewing projects here and there, and I hope you don't mind. I have a bit of fabric that I need to start using up. I'm even including a photo with a peek of my sewing room. This is only one corner of it too...*gasp*...I know! lol  I better get to work if I want to put a dent in my collection! :o)

If you haven't seen my latest Hymn and Scripture Challenge page, please scroll down. I hope you'll come back tomorrow to see my next one. Wow...three posts in three days...how unusual! I hope your weekend is FULL of JOY!! :o)

Something A Little Different

So, here it was Saturday and I was all alone! I was feeling a little blue about this because I usually get to spend time with my husband on Saturday. What do you do when you feel blue? Why...you make a new friend! So that's exactly what I did! I made a new friend and her name is Gracie! I'd love to know what you think! :o)

Nickel Nook Design

Things I've Been Making Lately!

My very first tag! Now I know why everyone loves making tags so much!! :o)



I've been crocheting...FOREVER!! Here's some flowers I made!



A special card for a "Sweet" friend! My first time using watercolor pencils on stamped images! Just another thing I've become hooked on...what great fun!!


Charms are just as addicting as the stickpins! lol It's so nice to be using up some of my stash of beads!


These were some Mini-Album binding charms for a friend!



This is totally not scrapbook related, but it is something that I made recently! This little one is "BLINGARINA BEAR"...a special gift I made for a special friend!