Cross Stitched Pillow Quotes

I finally stopped procrastinating and finished off three mini pillows, all works in progress from oh about at least 3 months ago!  I cross stitched these three patterns back in April/May, started the makings of pillows sometime in the summer and then nothing.  I got as far as forming the pillow for stuffing but then didn't have the desire to complete the project.  Well, I didn't want these UFOs to linger into the new year and motivated myself to finish them last night!  I put on flosstube, pulled out the fiberfill, needle and thread, and got busy!  

These cross stitch patterns are freebies offered for the "bewellandstitch" movement started earlier this year.  Numerous designers created some wonderful patterns to contribute to this cause and even though I'd love to stitch them all, I had to be realistic and narrowed down my selection to these three:

Here are the details:

Bee Kind - Pattern by Vonna Pfeiffer for Fiber Talk

Fabric:  14 ct. white Aida

Floss: Sulky cotton petite threads (1 strand used) - purple #712-1122, yellow #712-1124, blue #712-1198; Sullivans 45193 (wings), Sullivans 45094 (flower center), DMC 310

Fabric, ribbon and lace trim from stash - (The yellow fabric was also used for the pillow backing.)

Pillow size: 7 1/4" x 5 3/4"

Choose Happy - Pattern by Hands on Design (Cathy Haberman)

Fabric:  18 ct. white Aida

Floss:  DMC 726 (outer petal), DMC 742 (inner petal), DMC 3364 (flower stem & grass), DMC 921 (words)

Fabric from stash (The orange fabric was also used for the pillow backing.)

Pillow size:  8 3/4" x 4 3/4"

Be well - Pattern by mylifewithmisssassy (pattern on Instagram)

Fabric:  14 ct. white Aida

Floss:  DMC 744 (left and right tulip), DMC 321 (hearts), DMC 742 (center tulip), DMC 839 (vase), DMC 3364 (leaves and stems)

Fabric and ribbon from stash (The brown fabric was also used for the pillow backing.)

Pillow size:  7 3/4 x 4 1/4"

It's such a relief to get these finished and I'm pleased with how they turned out!  Happy stitching and sewing!

 

  

Liberty Chalk Full - small

Well, July is more than half over and my latest cross stitch FFO is the small design from the Hands on Design Liberty Chalk Full pattern.  It was a quick project and I was also determined; I stitched it and fully finished it all this month!  I knew I was most likely not going to finish the larger design before the month was over so I focused on the small.

My stitching materials and supplies used:

14 ct. black Aida cloth
Floss substitutions
DMC 347 for CC Licorice Red
Sullivans 45279 (DMC equivalent is 937) for CC Steamed Broccoli
Sullivans 45133 (DMC equivalent is 597) for CC Really Teally
Sullivans 45463 (DMC equivalent is 3865) for GAST Chalk

For the finishing, I purchased an Art Minds wooden frame from Michaels which has a 4x6 opening and was the perfect fit for the piece.  I coated the frame with two layers of white acrylic paint which I think showcases the design and makes the colors pop.  Next, I cut a piece of chipboard the size of the opening using the frame label as a template, and added a piece of batting on top of it.  I then layered the stitched piece on top of the batting and wrapped and glued down (with hot glue gun) the two short edges to the back of the chipboard.  I didn't have much fabric at the top of the piece to wrap so I left the two long sides unglued.  Once pressed into the frame, it was a good snug fit and enough fabric that I think the lip of the frame helped to keep it in place.  And finally, I wanted to add a little embellishment and I found some stars and stripes ribbon in my stash.  I cut a length of ribbon and adhered to the frame with some liquid glue, I tied another piece into a bow and hot glued it to the center.  A clean and simple finish!

Happy stitching!