Chicken Joy cross stitch

Well, I didn't stitch as much as I wanted to so I only have one finished Christmas cross stitch project to share.  It is a pattern designed by Priscilla and Chelsea, aka the Real Housewives of Cross Stitch on Flosstube. The pattern is named Chicken Joy and can be found here on Priscilla's blog.  It is such a cute and fun pattern with the chicken!  My maternal grandparents had chickens and also a rooster and it brings back memories of my childhood!  I remember watching my grandfather get eggs out of the coop and hearing the rooster crowing in the early mornings!  Anywho, for the project, I used the called for DMC colors and my choice of fabric was 14 count black Aida.  

As I was getting closer to finishing the stitching, I had a few finishing ideas but when I was perusing the local craft store, A.C. Moore (sadly it's closing - boo hoo!), I saw some red buffalo check fat quarters and knew I had to incorporate it into the finishing!  I mean it's a Priscilla and Chelsea design, LOL!  I also bought two other fat quarters in a striped design (green/white and black/white) to incorporate into the finish.  To make the final finish, I found a 6 1/2 inch wooden circle in my craft stash and laced up the Aida to it.  I then cut the green/white striped fabric into strips to make a ruffle and then adhered it to the back of the Aida circle.  I then cut a larger circle out of cardboard (something a little heavier such as chip board, mat board, self-stick mounting board etc., probably would be better) because it was the first thing I pulled out of my stash bag so I went with it because I was too lazy to look through all my stash, but hey it still works, LOL!  I adhered the buffalo check to the cardboard and then glued the two circles together.  Next was the final finishing touches.  I decided to make it a hanging project so I pulled some coordinating colored ribbon from my ribbon stash.  I made a loop with black and white grosgrain ribbon, adhered it to the back of the buffalo check circle and covered the back with a piece of black felt.  I then tied a green ribbon bow around the black and white ribbon to pull in more of that color.  Finally, I didn't like how much space was between the bottom of the Aida and the edge of the circle so I added a little embellishment.  I cut a piece of white shrinky dink plastic with a Cuttlebug tag die and before heating, I wrote the year using a black permanent marker.  After it shrunk, I took two strands of the red DMC floss, used in the stitching, to tie a bow onto the tag before adhering to the Aida to finish off the project!

 

Give Thanks cross stitch

My most recent cross stitch project is the Lizzie Kate freebie Give Thanks.  I stitched it twice switching up placement of a few of the colors.  The first piece I finished a few weeks ago and it's stitched on Loops & Threads 14 count Oatmeal Aida cloth that is 51% polyester, 36% cotton and 13% linen.  The pattern calls for Weeks Dye Works floss which I don't own so I pulled some DMC colors that looked close to the colors in the picture of the pattern.  The floss colors I used were 3363 (green leaf & pumpkin leaf), 3862 (stems and quote), 3820 (yellow leaf, bird beak and feet), 938 (acorn bottom), 310 (bird) and 3776 (pumpkin).  The pattern has two colors shown for the pumpkin which I did stitch but didn't like the look so I changed it to just one color.

 
Also, after I finished stitching this piece, I thought the quote was a little too light so I wanted to stitch it in the darker brown, color 938.  This was also a good opportunity for me to give a try at stitching on one of the 6x6 Aida canvas squares which I bought at Michaels a few months ago.

It's by Loops & Threads, is 100% cotton, and comes in a 3 pack in the oatmeal color and also in white.  I wasn't sure of the size (not listed on the package) but it turns out that it's also 14 count.  I had counted/marked out the area on the canvas square to fit a 60x60 stitch count design that wouldn't interfere with the frame sides.  I also couldn't decide which of the patterns to try first but as soon as I saw this Lizzie Kate pattern, I knew it was the one!  The oatmeal background with the fall colors and a stitch count that is smaller than 60x60 made it the perfect design size to test out stitching on the square.  It turned out nice and I covered the opening on the backside with a piece of brown felt.

Here's a side by side comparison of the two finishes.

Happy stitching!

Flosstube #5 - Washing My Stitching, Snag Nab-It tool and Final Finishing

I took the plunge into water, well not me but my stitching!  I had the second cross stitch piece that I've ever stitched, from the 1990s, and my first embroidery piece (stitched in 2015) that I wanted to fully finish.  A video of my washing process as well as additional information and photos can be seen below.  I also used a Dritz tool called "Snag Nab-It" which I first learned about it from Vonna Pfeiffer on a July 2017 episode of Fiber Talk.  ALERT:  I'm not a professional and only sharing my experience with washing a few pieces that needed to be cleaned.  Please consult with a professional before washing any project or it will be at your own risk of damaging/ruining your stitching and/or fabric.

My cross stitch piece is from a Dimensions kit named "Life's Prayer" designed by Sue Roedder.  The closest I came to finishing it (shown in my first Flosstube blog post/video) was to buy a photo mat but after sitting for years it had developed some stains.  However, I decided it was time to give it some attention to finally finish it!  The finished design fits into a 5x7 frame.

For my embroidered piece, it is a crewel embroidery design from a Dimensions kit named "I'm No Quitter" designed by Barbara Ann Kenney.  This was my first time trying embroidery and I'm pleased with how it turned out!  I finished the piece by creating a fabric mat to frame the design, embellished with rick rack trim, and added a fabric backing (lined with a light fusible interfacing), into a nice simple fabric display piece.  The finished size is 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" square.

And here's the video!  ALERT:  I'm not a professional and only sharing my experience with washing a few pieces that needed to be cleaned.  Please consult with a professional before washing any project or it will be at your own risk of damaging/ruining your stitching and/or fabric.

Flosstube #4 - Halloween stitching

Happy Halloween Eve!  I was so positive that I would have stitched and completed the Artecy haunted house pattern purchased but no, I did not give myself enough time to start and finish a project that big!  However, I did manage to complete two mini projects.  See video and photos below.  Have a safe Halloween!

VeeandCo Boo Show Gift pattern:  Fabric - 14 ct. white aida.  I substituted the following colors:  743 for 307, 895 foe 320, 921 for 606 and 841 for 976.  Pattern can be found here:  http://veeandcocrossstitchdesigns.blogspot.com/

Scary Apothecary Favorite Brew pattern:  Fabric - 16 ct. white aida.  Used suggested colors but I substituted the Kreinik with DMC gold metallic embroidery thread. I mixed one strand of metallic with the one strand of colored DMC.  Pattern can be found here: https://handsondesign.biz/scary-apothecary-finishing-template/

Flosstube #3

I can't believe it's September!  The summer is going by fast but the season is still not officially over yet!  Well today's post is to share another flosstube video showing two completed projects, a few WIPs (works in progress) and some purchases.  Below is the video and pictures.  Happy Crafting!

Moss Quotes project:  Stitched on Charles Craft Silver Standard 14 count white aida using 2 strands.  Mounted on PresTax self-adhesive acid free mounting board.  DMC floss colors 310, 738, 938, 3820, 3364 and blanc{white}. (Changed shirt colors to 364, 3820 and blanc{white} and skin to 738.)
Designer:  Lucy Smith (www.etsy.com/shop/CrazzzyStitch)

Bed Sweet Bed project:  Stitched using all items in the kit which included the 14 count aida and DMC floss colors 777, 321 (3 strands)
Designer:  3birdsdesign

Bob Ross lunch box

Flosstube #2 - Let's Make FFOs - bookmark patterns by 3 Birds Design

I had hoped to post sooner but with work and life in general, things have been busy.  No new stitching projects but I recorded my second Flosstube video!  It's a DIY of how I finished the bookmarks shown in my first video, patterns by 3 Birds Design; hope it's helpful!

Hello Flosstube! Flosstube #1

I enjoy doing various crafts and one has been cross stitching!  I learned to cross stitch many years ago and wasn't aware that there were so many others that like this craft too!  I've been inspired so much since I discovered Flosstube, that I decided to join the Flosstube Community and filmed my first video!  Below is my introductory video and a few photos.

Celebrate in April

This is my first card of the year that I made last month.  I was short on time and needed a card quick because I waited too long to make but came up with this design the evening before mailing.

I cut a piece of Die Cuts With a View patterned paper and adhered to a strip of pink cardstock with a scallop edge design, and glued to the card front.  I inked up three white flowers, from a Gina K. Designs card kit, using Copic markers, and added a brads and rhinestone to their centers for some embellishment.  I stamped the sentiment using VersaFine vintage sepia ink and added a butterfly cutout, from a Brenda Walton paper pack, to add to the design.  I used a Wink of Stella glitter brush to add shimmer to the flowers and butterfly to jazz up this simple card.

First mug mat (mug rug)

I've admired various mug mats (aka mug rug)over the past several years and finally made one last year (wow, how time flies) using the June Tailor Inc. Inspirational Mug Mat kit. I had bought two different kits and this project was made using the Spiritual kit.  Each kit contains 7 patterns along with 7 statements printed on fabric.

I used the Star pattern and a selection of scrap fabric from my stash so I'm not sure of most of the  manufacturers but I do think one of the green prints is from a Patrick Lose line.  Also, I've only made 3 quilts before making this mat so there are some flaws but I don't think it turned out too bad.  And then I was surprised to come across earlier this year a video from June Tailor showing their quilt as you go kits for mug mats!  Even though I don't have this kit, it was still helpful and I will refer to the video when making more of the patterns.  These smaller projects are great to make because they are quicker and a good way to practice quilting!

Butterfly bookmarks

I'm so enjoying practicing/using the Tim Holtz distress inks to make background patterns.  My latest project are these two bookmarks.  I used Strathmore mixed media paper to cut them using Papertrey Ink's bookmark die.

For the green bookmark, I sponged on peacock feathers and twisted citron distress inks.  I used the mini mariposas stencil by The Crafter's Workshop and sponged over it with twisted citron to create the background butterfly pattern.  I added a butterfly sticker and initially, some rhinestones for the flight pattern.  But because the rhinestones didn't stay adhered that well, I removed and colored over the glue residue with a few Sharpie markers and topped them with sparkle using a Wink of Stella glitter brush.  I inked up some of the left over paper with peacock feathers and cut out the word dream using the Harmony font dies by Cuttlebug.  I finished the top with a green eyelet and ribbon.

For the pink bookmark, I sponged on picked raspberry and shaded lilac distress inks.  I again used the mini mariposas stencil and sponged over two different butterflies to create the background butterfly pattern using each color of the ink.  I added the flight pattern using a white gel pen and stamped and embossed the word wish which is from Gina K. Designs' winter foliage stamp set.  (The word in the stamp set is actually wishes but I did partial inking to tailor it for the project.)  The top was finished with a white eyelet and some pink and purple eyelash yarn.

Happy New Year and snowflake decor

Happy New Year 2019!

I have a cute home decor item I made a few weeks ago that I wanted to share.  It's a wooden snowflake that I picked up at the dollar store because I wanted to make a home decor item for the winter season.  The snowman face, intended to decorated a paper bag, is from a foam kit that I got from the craft store.  I wanted to use the face for the center of the snowflake.  I covered the bare snowflake with 2 coats of white acrylic paint on the front (only one coat on the back) and once dried, I took a cue from the foam kit and painted a blue square as the backdrop for the snowman face.  Then, I took some white glitter and sprinkled onto the snowflake after spraying it with spray adhesive.  Once dried, I assembled the snowman, used hot glue to adhere it to the snowflake and its done!  I found a piece of multicolored blue ribbon from my stash to use for hanging.