Stitchy Saturday

This last Saturday was a rare occasion. I got up bright and early, went to work, got all my shopping done, and then by 11:00 a.m. I had nothing else to do. I didn't even have to work later that night! So what did I do all day? You guessed it. I stitched!

I actually had no idea what to do, so for inspiration I was going through old projects that I have done but haven't really done anything with. That is when I ran across the cute bird that I stitched up quite a while ago. I had the pillow form, and all the fabric, so I decided that would be a good starting point for my day. The end result was fantastic.

So with that project all done and still plenty of time left in the day I decided I needed to start on a new wreath. My Easter one was still hanging up and it was definitely time for it to come down.

I had an idea in my head, and I think the end result turned out pretty spectacular.
I ended up using a pattern by Lizzie Kate. I love her designs! It was from her Summer alphabet. I stitched on 14 count aida, over 2 because I wanted it to be big!

 I then upholstered the letters onto pieces of cardboard, and had fun with some bright colored rick rack, and TONS of hot glue. I think my favorite letter turned out to be the "g". I now have this urge to do a bumble bee wreath....maybe next time.

I then had to bring my mother over to help with the bow. I am hopeless when it comes to making bows. She has shown me again and again, and I have successfully made 1. One day I will be a master crafter like her.

Still Swapping

I've been wanting to share the latest swaps that I have done. It took all my control to wait this long. I love love love the way all these projects turned out.

First up is my best biscornu ever! I always have the worst time sewing these together. I don't ever count right and get it lined up bad, but this one was a breeze, it came together so beautifully.

 I'm really excited about the one that I received as well. Its so pretty. I guess I'm going to have to go buy me some more pins to put in it.

Second is an awesome bookmark. Have I mentioned that I love black work? Yes, I know that I have. Its so much fun. I wish I would of taken a picture of the back, It's backed with some cute black and white material.

.  The bookmark that I received is tucked away in a good book.

Last up is an ornament that is suppose to be animal themed. I got kind of tired stitching this one, It took too long for my liking. But I came so close to keeping it for myself because I love the way it looks. So I might just have to make me a version of it sometime.

I used 11 count aida. Side note, I discovered that Walmart sells aida, and its so cheap. I will forever now buy my white aida from there. I got the turtle shape from issue 235 of Cross Stitcher Magazine. So I traced the shell shape onto the white aida and went from there. I made up the actual stitching pattern myself. Not that big of a deal as you can see. Its a super simple repetitive pattern. I then used felt for the head, feet and tail. And I got to use my sewing machine!

I actually haven't mailed my turtle yet, but I have received this super cute birdie ornament.

Artistic Trading Cards

I have discovered the joy of Artistic Trading Cards (ATC's) thanks to, yes you guessed it, Facebook. The first one that I did was in September 2011, so a little over a year and a half now. I of course take pictures of everything I stitch (with rare exception, and its usually due to my laziness) So this montage of ATC's is almost all the ones that I have made up. I can think of 2 that are not pictured.

They are all made up on 2.5 by 3.5 inch cards and I have had so much fun with them. I love being able to stitch something real cute and small and then sending it off. I think it makes me feel productive by getting projects done, even if they are super small and easy.

"Hoppy" Easter

I have been having fun with Easter projects this year.

Holiday Wreath: 
First up is my revamp of my Easter wreath. It is basically the same, all I did was put the blue ribbon on as well. I thought it brightened it up and made it a bit more fun.

Bunny Finger Puppets: 
Second project is my favorite. I was looking through my old Cross Stitcher Magazines for a good Easter project. I saw these and knew that they would be perfect!  I made a set for my niece Anna (the pink ones), and nephew David (the blue ones).  I let them play with them a few weeks ago and decided it would be a good little project to leave at my Moms house for the kids to play with when they are there.

I made a third set of bunnies for my nephew Magnus as well. I will be giving these to him tomorrow.

Now the coolest part about this project is I sent a picture to Cross Stitcher Magazine and they published it! I was so excited when I was looking through the latest issue and saw them! It was awesome.

Easter Ornament:
Third project was for a swap. We were assigned to make an Easter Ornament. I saw one of my friends on Facebook do this technique and I knew that I needed to try it. The pattern came out of an issue of Cross Stitcher Magazine (I'm not sure what issue, or I would say). I also love the trim that I found at Joann's one day.

I kept thinking of all these other projects that I wanted to do, but I never did. So next year I will have more.

Charity Squares

I saw this group on Facebook and decided to join. It's a group that is going to be making quilts for all the families that are victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. I signed up to stitch a couple of squares, and I think they turned out super cute. I got the designs from Joan Elliot's Cross Stitch Sentiments and Sayings.

More Swapping

I thought I would post some pictures of some Swaps I have done over the past few months.

April 2012 - Humbug

Humbug I stitched

I was spoiled and received this cute card along with 2 Humbugs!

 May 2012 - Pendibulle

Pendibulle I stitched

Pendibulle I received. Unfortunately it does not have the same ribbon it came with. The dog got it one day and luckily I got it away from him with only the bow torn off...and now that I'm looking at it maybe a jewel is gone as well:(

July 2012 - Christmas Ornament 

Ornament I stitched

Kitty ornament I received along with a bunch of other goodies

Replacements 
Sometimes when people don't receive the items from their assigned partners, angel stitchers are assigned. I really like the way both of these turned out.

Valentine swap replacement. I think this is a terribly silly design but I could not help but stitch it up. My Mom was kind enough to help me sew it together. It turned out great. I also backed the heart in denim, so i thought that was a cute finish.  

Pendibulle replacement. I got this assignment around Christmas time so I thought I would make it Christmas themed. It was stitched on golden aida with flecks of glitter, and I really love the way it turned out.

St. Patty's Wreath Take 2

I was not a fan of last years St. Patrick's wreath, so I decided to try again this year with something different. I'm really liking the result this year, I think this one is a keeper.

 I started by getting onto Google and searching images of St. Patrick's wreaths for inspiration. This was my concept drawing when I started.

First I started with making the bunting. I still had green material from last years project, so I just used that instead of going and finding something else. To cut the bunting triangles I used the best crafting purchase ever, pinking shears! I love these things.

I then traced the triangle shape onto my aida, and stitched the letters with variegated green floss that I have had for ages. I have TONS of variegated floss, I don't think I'll ever be able to use it all.

Next I made the cute little flowers. I love making these, they are so fast and easy! The middle of the flowers are self cover buttons.

I have been trying to use this ribbon that I bought for ages, but I never can figure out what to use it on. This turned out to be the perfect project. The ribbon is woven like aida, I was so excited when I fist found it around Christmas time. Whenever I see it at the store I always buy some. I'll let you imagine how much I actually have...its a lot... So anyways, I was so excited that I got to use it. I stitched little shamrocks on the portion of the ribbon that would actually be showing.

The finished product went up on my door tonight and I am so thrilled with the way it turned out!