Embroidered Sampler- It's Finished!

and FRAMED no less!

I can hardly believe it myself.

It only took me... ahem... a year...

anywho, it's complete, and I love it, and that's what matters.

I found this pattern when I was visiting my mom.

I had decided before the trip that I wasn't going to take any projects...

and after 2 days of that, I ventured over to Barnes and Noble and found this sampler in a magazine of all places.

I'm not a huge fan of most cross stitch patterns.

They're either too granny or too bizarre.... BTW have you seen some of the super geek patterns on Etsy? Ain't no body got time for that.

Actually, a lot of people obviously do if the abundance of star trek cross stitch patterns is any indication... but I digress...

This one is from a magazine called "Just Cross Stitch". I know, I'm chuckling to myself as I type this...

Anyway, it's the May/June 2012 Issue,

and yes, the back issues are available if you love this sampler.

Be forewarned, however, this magazine has it's fair share of kitsch (sorry "Just Cross Stitch" lovers!)

Details: "Peace Sampler"

designed by Carol Emmer

using 6 stranded embroidery floss

I used a 28 count dark linen (a little darker than what is called for, but I love. See note below).

So, things I loved:

The look of an older sampler mixed with some modern touches.

The color combination. You could, of course, pick your own colors, but I loved the selection that was provided.

The bees. I freaking love bees.

The variety of stitches. Some diversity but still doable for a beginner (in addition to a traditional cross stitch, it uses a Algerian Eye, Rhodes stitch, four-sided stitch, and a rice stitch).

The Scripture verse (Numbers 6:24-26) which is also often used as a Catholic blessing.

Things I didn't like:

The pattern calls for 32 count linen which is just a tad small for me, so I subbed a 28 count which made it larger overall, but I'm happy with it.

The pattern also called for some beading. I'm not a bead person, so I subbed french knots (I am definitely a french knot person) and I think it came out even better. Not to mention, I didn't have to buy beads.

So overall, I really enjoyed this long-term project.

As the linen settles, I'll keep stretching it out a bit to get rid of the rest of those wrinkles,

but I have to say, it already looks pretty handsome in my dining room.

Washcloth Bunny Tutorial- Stocking Stuffers for Around a Dollar

Preface:

Don't leave me any nasty comments about how I'm 'celebrating' Christmas in October.

I need the jumpstart.

I wanted to get something together for a little stocking stuffer for my nieces and nephews.

And I needed it to be simple.

And I needed it to be cheap inexpensive.

And I needed something that would be good for children of all ages...

So here's what I decided:

Boo Boo Bunnies 

Everyone had one of these guys as a kid, am I right?

And probably all of you know how to make them (but there's a step-by-step if you scroll down nonetheless).

Here's what's great about them:

They are great for all phases of life.

Afterall, as my college-aged cousin just proved, you're never too old to run into a wall playing kickball.

(or something like that)

For babes: Dip the ears in some water, stick in your freezer, and they can chew on it for a teething relief.

For toddlers: cold compress for when they fall over for the fifteen billionth time today.

For young/old kids (and adults): for bruises, scraps, etc etc etc.

Also they're cute.

So here's how I make mine.

Take a regular old square wash cloth and cut off any tags, stray threads, etc.

Then fold the top corner over just a bit.

Then roll it up from the bottom corner to the top.
Make sure it's as tight as you can get it.

Fold that in half.

Then fold your ear side over to the rounded side.
Position your ears how you would like them.

Tie them in place with some white yarn.
Make sure it's really tight.
You can also use a rubber band, but those cramble over time.

Optional: Embroider a little face on the guy.




















Cover your yarn with some pretty ribbon.
I used a lot of my scrap pieces.

For the tail, I use the 'fork pom pom technique'.
wrap white yarn around your fork.

Then tie around the middle and knot.
Cut the sides of the yarn and trip up the strands so they're somewhat even.

and attach to your bunnies 'backside'.

Look they're even mulitiplying like rabbits! har har har.

 

I apologize for the poor photo quality.

I just snapped some pics with my phone as I went.

 

Speaking of snapping pics with your phone:

Are you on Instagram?

We should be friends.

 

@handmadebymegk

Sewing on the Go

We've been traveling a lot lately.

After all, it is summertime.

Between family vacations and weddings and such,

it's been difficult to start and finish a sewing project on the sewing machine in one sitting, or even two or three if I'm being honest.

So I've been spending more time doing projects that I can take with me.

And here is the one I've been working on lately.

A simple, beautiful, classy sampler.

Yes, I know.

Cross stitch is for old people.

And samplers are for older people.

But whatever.

I love it.

It's been a great project for car rides and rainy days,

and while I'm not usually a fan of super long term projects,

this one is coming along nicely.

The great thing about samplers is that there is a lot of negative space,

and if you get bored with one motif, you can just move on the next one and come back to it.

It's a really easy project to start and stop and start and stop

which, obviously, lends itself really well to life with a toddler.



I'll keep you all updated on the progress and hopefully, eventually the finished product. :)