Category Archives: Embroidery

Do You Do Embroidery?

I have noticed over the past couple of years that there has been a renewed interest in embroidery.  I have always loved to do embroidery, and it so wonderful to see so many new ideas and books coming out.

Some Embroidery Supplies

Embroidery was one of the first ‘crafts’ that I learned.  When we were elementary school age my mother taught us some embroidery stitches.  One of the first projects we usually did was a hanky.  We always had one that we carried in our pocket or our little purses!  Unfortunately I don’t have any of those any more. But I would like to share a few embroidered and stitched items that I either did myself, or purchased from others.

I made this for my oldest son’s room when I was pregnant with him..

Baby Dresser Scarf

I took a piece of white broadcloth and applied an iron-on transfer for the ducks to embroider.  I then hemmed the edges and added some eyelet lace to each end.  I used it in the nursery for all three of my kids.  This is something that I’m saving in my cedar chest so that if one of them want it for their babies, it will be in reasonable condition.


I also did counted cross-stitch, and made this little bear riding on a goose for my daughter’s room.  I used pink and pale green for the bows because those were the colors she liked.

Counted Cross-Stitch Bear

I have collected a few scarves from garage sales that were hand stitched as well.  This one here was for my daughter’s room.  Note the pink and green cross stitches.

Here is one I just picked up last month, I thought I would use it in my guest room, which I am doing in pastels and cottage style decorating.  There are a few minor stains, that don’t really show.

Garage Sale Find

Check out the French Knots!

I also want to share a cross stitch sampler that I did.  It was also a kit, which I picked up at a stitching party in the 1980′s. You can see that parts of the picture are printed on.

These stitching kit parties were pretty popular and sold all types of  kits for cross stitch, needlepoint, counted cross stitch and various other needle crafts. This on is just waiting for me to frame it.  I just finished the sampler last fall!  I kept it in my desk at work and worked on it during lunch breaks (which were obviously few and far between! lol!).

Cross Stitch Sampler

I see embroidery being used in quilts, clothing and on all types of crafts now.  It really is a way that you can add your own personal touch to your crafts. And makes a wonderful take-along project!

French Knots on a Sunflower Bag I Made

If you are interested in learning how to do embroidery, Bari J. is posting how-to videos over at her blog, We Love French Knots! You can also catch her on Facebook, We Love French Knots Facebook page.

Here are a few more links for patterns, supplies and to learn how to do hand embroidery:

Stitching Cow.com YouTube video – How to Embroider.

How to Embroider website:  How-to’s for several types of embroidery/hand stitching.

Urban Threads :  Hand embroidery patterns and how-to.

TaDa! Creations:  Embroidery tutorial

These are just a few links.  There are a limitless number books and tutorials out on the web.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheryl

Some Past Projects

I thought that I would share some pictures of past projects that I made last year, most requested by co-workers, or for gifts to others. Some are sitting and waiting for me to decide what I might do with them.

sunflower-tote-3

This was my first sunflower tote bag, and the first bag I sold!

blue-bag-w-frog-41

This bag was commissioned, not really a great picture, but you get the idea.

Cowboy w/denim pocket

I made the Cowboy tote for a friend of mine.  There are pockets and a key fob inside.  She loved it!

hearts-flowers-3

A simple sampler that I embroidered, and then I painted the wood frame.  This was sitting in my pile of projects that I started long ago, and needed to finished!

Dogs & Bunny

This picture is of a bunny and two dogs made of polar fleece.  I made them for the new twins and toddler of one of my husbands co-workers.

I hope that you enjoyed looking back at some of my projects as much as I enjoyed sharing them with you.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Thoughts of Fall

First I would like to wish everyone that may be affected by the hurricane and storms we have been having well.  All of our thoughts and prayers are with you.

As Labor Day weekend goes on, I think our minds start to wonder toward Fall.  I know mine do.  I was digging through my unfinished projects I found this:

                                 Dsc01024

I started this last year.  It could be a small quilt wall hanging, or a pillow.  I was undecided then, and I am still undecided.  But I love the colors!

                                 Dsc01026

I cut out the pumpkins freehand, fused them to the background, and then did a blanket stitch around the edges, and a backstitch for the little curly tendrils that tend to grow on the pumkins in the garden.

I think that Iwill get those borders sewn on, and then decide the fate of this project!  If you have any suggestions, I am certainly open to them!

Let me know what your fall projects are!