Recently Completed Projects

There are a few projects that I just recently completed to get a jump on my dad's birthday and Mother's Day.  I didn't want to fall behind and not complete a project or have to rush and pull an all-nighter if my class load becomes heavy when I start grad school.  I also had time do stitch a quick little something to put on a friend's birthday card.  

• An Elephant Never Forgets

I stitched this cute little guy before my friend's birthday this past week.  The inside of the card read "We hope you have an unforgettable birthday".  The card was quite cute and only took about an hour and a half from sketching and stitching to completion. The design is from Better Homes and Gardens: 2001 Cross Stitch Designs.

• Happy Birthday Dad

My dad loves bears.  He used to have a great collection of Steiff bears when I was a little kid.  I decided to use this cute little bear to reflect that childhood memory.  I chose the lettering style because it had similar colors to the bear.  (You could change the colors in the lettering, but I am all for simple!)  Both designs came from Better Homes and Gardens: 2001 Cross Stitch Designs.  The book is great for picking a few little designs and using them together to create a larger custom design (like with my Mother's Day present below).

• Farm Fresh

My mom has a country themed kitchen.  On her tablecloth, there is a motif including the words"farm fresh" among chickens and eggs and wheat.  I decided to pull together these different designs and extend the farm fresh theme.  The design will be framed to hang on a wall in my mom's kitchen.  All designs came from Better Homes and Gardens: 2001 Cross Stitch Designs, just like the bear design above.  I also tried out a new stitch: the Lazy Daisy. 

It wasn't too complicated, and I think the wheat looks nice.  I do need a little more practice with the Lazy Daisy though, to make the loops more distinct. 

• Puss in Boots

Before my birthday, we moved across the city.  My cross stitching supplies were among the first to be packed.  By the time we moved and unpacked, I was itching to get stitching (hahaha) again.  I had one piece of scrap Aida left from the four flowers (see my last post), and it was the correct size for this design.  I loved the whimsy of the Puss in Boots theme (The World of Cross Stitching magazine, issue 159).  Later, I may try the Mother Goose theme listed in the magazine as well.  The eyes and buttons are black beads.  I found that I prefer using beads to french knots, just because they add a little pop and dimension to the design. 

Currently, I am working on a design for a friend's baby.  I still have a few more unfinished projects to sew as well.  I just need to stop procrastinating and finish those!  One is for Jeff's friend's baby (and he was born in January).  The other is finishing up my mom's Christmas present (and it's already March)!

Past Projects, Part the First

As I said earlier, I haven't saved pictures of most of my past projects.  I do have a few, however, and would like to share them. 

• Mother's Day Blanket

This was my first attempt at stitching on a fabric other than Aida.  The stitching turned out nicely.

It was also my first attempt at sewing with a sewing machine (to attach the backing and the border).  My lines are a little wobbly, but for a first attempt, I think it went pretty well. 

• Flowers to be Framed

The pattern for these flowers came from the July 2008 issue of The World of Cross Stitching magazine.  It was one of my first attempts at stitching a pattern from a magazine as opposed to just using a kit.  I really enjoyed it!  Eventually, these flowers will be framed and hanging in my kitchen somewhere. 

• Jeff's Birthday Card

For Jeff's birthday this year, I decided to try and make a card.  After stitching the bear (from Cross Stitch Crazy magazine, issue 128, September 2009), I glued it to some blue scrap booking paper and glued that to the card stock.  I think the bear is adorable!  Since then, I used a similar pattern to make another card (from the same magazine issue) for my mom for this Mother's Day. 

• Christmas Bear

Instead of buying Christmas decorations last year, I decided to make my own.  I painted several of my own ornaments, and I stitched this little fellow (Cross Stitch Crazy magazine, issue 131).  All that's left to do is frame him.  I have the perfect frame in mind, but I already packed it away, so I guess it will have to wait until next Christmas to be framed! 

• Easter Bunny

After Easter last year, I found this little bunny in The World of Cross Stitching magazine (issue 154, September 2009).  I thought he would be cute to frame and set out for this Easter.  I really like the subtle shading in his overalls and in his face and ears.  I think that sort of "lifelike" detail makes him more endearing. 

There are a few projects that I have just recently finished.  I'll save those for another post.

Initial Post or My Stitching Story

*Cue cheesy intro music*

Hi there!  I'm Sarah, and I've been cross stitching for three years now.  I started out doing very simple kits (the kind parents buy for their kids).  Over the years, my stitching has gotten way more advanced and my love for the craft has grown tremendously. I've mastered simple stitches (the cross stitch, half cross stitch, three quarters stitch, french knots, backstitch, etc).  Recently, (read: last night) I learned my trickiest stitch to date: the Lazy Daisy.  I've also gotten quite quick at stitching.  Projects are not taking half as long as they used to and are looking a LOT more polished when they are completed.  I know I still have a lot to work on, and I know I can improve my stitching even more. 

About a year or so ago, I discovered several magazines that teach technique, showcase patterns, and answer reader's questions about the craft.  I became addicted.  Every month, I checked my local bookstore for new magazines with new and exciting patterns.  Around the same time, I stopped buying kits (which usually contain the floss, needle, fabric, and pattern) and started my own floss collection.  Now, I have quite a collection of floss, needles, and fabric!  Then, this year for my birthday, my husband bought three lovely stitching books full of patterns and techniques.  I knew that I was ready to take my hobby to the next level.

  My goal here is to create a catalog of finished projects, stitching goals, and tips or tricks I learn along the way.  Most are purely for my reference, however, I would love to have feedback.  Until now, I have had no way of cataloging projects once I finish them.  As soon as I give them away, I hardly ever get to see them again.  It would be nice to have a record of each project as a keepsake. So far, it has been a wonderful and rewarding hobby.