Embroidery Projects
Moonlight Shadows cross stitch picture
I recently finished a vintage cross stitch project from The Creative Circle. Published in 1987, it's called Moonlight Shadows. With a silk-screened background - it's certainly different from most of my projects.
It features 4 sheep standing in front of woods on a moonlit night. The trees are worked in white and took forever to stitch. I actually used a long-armed cross stitch for them, to get a little more texture.
With a minimalist palette of white, black, gray, browns, and a touch of blue for shadows - the overall mood is very rustic, very serene. It's a joy to see every day.
It features 4 sheep standing in front of woods on a moonlit night. The trees are worked in white and took forever to stitch. I actually used a long-armed cross stitch for them, to get a little more texture.
With a minimalist palette of white, black, gray, browns, and a touch of blue for shadows - the overall mood is very rustic, very serene. It's a joy to see every day.
Recycled snippet tins with cross stitch bands
Small tins are great in the sewing room or wherever you craft. I use them to hold threads ends from sewing and cross stitching, as well as waste wire from jewelry-making. Tuna cans are the perfect size. I washed them up good, measured the distance around and got started on the cross stitch bands.
That is where I learned that 14-count Aida cloth does not always have exactly 14 meshes to the inch! (The band with the meander got some major surgery as the lines did not meet. I added the date of completion and gave it to my husband.)
You would not believe how long it took to cross stitch these tiny bands. That it, unless you cross stitch--then you would believe. But after all the work, the bands actually turned out to be a perfect fit--they slip right on the cans with no need for glue.
The thread catchers needed something extra after the bands were on, so I rummaged around and found some images that matched the theme of the bands perfectly - a beautiful star quilt for the quilt band and a field of coneflowers for the floral band.
A few layers of Mod Podge, and I was done. I use one at the craft table where I sew and make jewelry. The other tin lives by the rocking chair where I crochet.
That is where I learned that 14-count Aida cloth does not always have exactly 14 meshes to the inch! (The band with the meander got some major surgery as the lines did not meet. I added the date of completion and gave it to my husband.)
You would not believe how long it took to cross stitch these tiny bands. That it, unless you cross stitch--then you would believe. But after all the work, the bands actually turned out to be a perfect fit--they slip right on the cans with no need for glue.
The thread catchers needed something extra after the bands were on, so I rummaged around and found some images that matched the theme of the bands perfectly - a beautiful star quilt for the quilt band and a field of coneflowers for the floral band.
A few layers of Mod Podge, and I was done. I use one at the craft table where I sew and make jewelry. The other tin lives by the rocking chair where I crochet.
Creative Circle Rustico Initial project
This small project took a long time to complete, probably because the floral garland required a lot of attention. I think I prefer a more stylized folk art design. They usually have a lot more negative space and lots of repetition. But the effect of the lush flowers IS nice. The blue was worked with Colonial Knots, which I rather prefer to French Knots. I used 3 strands on them, and two strands on the rest of the project.
The finishing was fast. I used Pellon to attach the Aida cloth to a double layer of cardstock, and applied an "inexpensive" particle board frame with super glue to the cardstock base. I got the frame by deconstructing a Dollar Store item.
Design size is a little over 4 inches square and the Rustico Aida was very nice to stitch on.
The finishing was fast. I used Pellon to attach the Aida cloth to a double layer of cardstock, and applied an "inexpensive" particle board frame with super glue to the cardstock base. I got the frame by deconstructing a Dollar Store item.
Design size is a little over 4 inches square and the Rustico Aida was very nice to stitch on.
Needlepoint picture inspired by a quilt pattern
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It literally took 9 years from final stitch to wall display. I worked this project on a sheet of 14 count plastic canvas. It did buckle a bit, so I laced it to a sheet of sturdy cardboard. And there it sat for a long, long time. Next time I use plastic canvas, I will think ahead and get a frame it can fit in.
The stitching itself was inspired by the Sunshine and Shadow design in this great needlepoint book. That is the Amish term for a design more commonly known as Around the World. I bordered it with tiny patchwork designs, which was great fun to plan and stitch.
I finally got it on the wall by using the back of a picture frame that had been repurposed. I glued a sheet of gradient cardstock to the frame back. The needlework got attached to this base with one inch wide 3M adhesive squares applied in each corner. After such a long wait, it was a very fast and easy chore to get it on the wall.
The stitching itself was inspired by the Sunshine and Shadow design in this great needlepoint book. That is the Amish term for a design more commonly known as Around the World. I bordered it with tiny patchwork designs, which was great fun to plan and stitch.
I finally got it on the wall by using the back of a picture frame that had been repurposed. I glued a sheet of gradient cardstock to the frame back. The needlework got attached to this base with one inch wide 3M adhesive squares applied in each corner. After such a long wait, it was a very fast and easy chore to get it on the wall.