Buzz Buzz

Summer is here, and that means a new wreath. I had so many ideas for this one, and in the end I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out.
I got the pattern from issue 250 of CrossStitcher Magazine. This is one of my favorite issues. It is the same one that I got my Easter bunnies from, and I have no doubt I will continue to return to this issue for more projects.

The bees turned out so cute buzzing all around the flower. What I did for the little curls was took floral wire and wrapped it in yarn.  I also used tacky glue to keep the yarn from unraveling easily. The flowers were also a find. I just happened to be a Michael's wandering around and found these in their bins of cheap stuff. I think they were only 1.50 each.

The lady bugs were an after thought. I was talking to by Mom one morning and she suggested I add lady bugs with the bees. She didn't know this, but it just so happened that the pattern I was using was of bees and lady bugs. So I decided to do some lady bugs as well.  The ribbon was originally suppost to look like a picnic blanket. That was what I originally visioned. But after stitching the white, I don't think that's really what it looks like, but its cute and summery, so I like it.

Mini Project

I like to do little projects in between big projects just to mix it up a bit, and keep it interesting.

If you get CrossStitcher Magazine, you have seen this free gift the issue came with. It came with the materials to make it into a key ring, but, I decided to do something different. I thought it would make a really cute necklace.

It was a fun, fast stitch that I did one afternoon, and then I passed it on to my mother who is my beading extraordinaire. She played around with it, and this is what she came up with. I love it!

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.