Halloween Cross Stitch Wall Hangings

Last week I noticed Heidi Kenney of My Paper Crane had listed a new cross stitch pattern in her Etsy shop.  It's an adorable, vintage inspired Halloween design!

 

I already had another Halloween project planned, but I put that one to the side after I bought this pattern.  I wanted to do something a little bit different, and focus on making new decorations for the house.  So I decided to cross stitch a couple of the designs on plastic canvas with acrylic yarn.  I l-o-v-e how they turned out!

 

I used 7 count plastic canvas, acrylic yarn, a blunt tapestry needle, and the Halloween Frenzy pattern for this project.  I'm happy to post a tutorial or more detailed how-to instructions, if there are enough requests.

This is a really great weekend project. I was able to finish one pumpkin in an evening while watching Mad Men on Netflix Instant.  I am so happy they added that and Breaking Bad to the Instant options! We haven't had cable for a couple of years, so I've been spoiling myself in the evenings.  Speaking of spoiling, I just started Season 3, so no spoilers in the comments please!

Has anyone else started on Fall or Halloween decorating? 

Handmade Owl Costume

With just a few days left before Halloween, I thought I should get this posted before it's too late! Pretty much right after Darcy's birthday projects, I jumped in to Halloween and costume mode. For a few weeks she said she wanted to be a unicorn, then last week she changed gears and said she wanted to be a, "WOO! WOO! AN OWL!"

Honestly, crafting an owl costume sounded a lot more fun and exciting than a unicorn. Nothing against unicorn costumes, it just seemed like it was going to be another embellished hoodie costume.

I didn't wast anytime and jumped right on the owl costume production. Originally, I had one idea in mind, then the ideas just kept coming, and I just. couldn't. stop. But I did it! I finished Darcy's owl costume.

What you're about to see is actually a mish-mash of 3 different ideas I found online.

What do you think? Is it too much? Over the top? Or is it super great, OMG?

Unfortunately, my little model came down with a sickness last night, and is in no mood to try on her costume. She's way too busy today with sneezing, coughing, fever and napping. I sure hope she gets well by Saturday evening. We were hoping to take her to Haunt the Zoo at the OKC Zoo tonight. But maybe tomorrow or Sunday will be better for that.

So there are 3 elements to the costume: shirt, wings & mask.

The shirt idea came from a very cute last minute costume idea by Ellen Baker of The Long Thread. She posted this last year on Alpha Mom, and I fell in love with it then. I tried to get Darcy to be an owl last year, but she wasn't having it.

Ellen's owl costume tutorial also includes a mask. But since I'm an overachiever and I'm always looking for an excuse to embroider, I decided to make my mask out of felt. I tweaked her original design just a bit, added some inspirational ideas from Lori Marie, and came up with my own design.

I made the mask last night, and I'm still crushing on it. I still need to put a final top stitch on the inner right eye (for any of you attention to detail types), but that shouldn't take too long. I kind of want to make a larger size for me!

The wings. Oh, the wings. The wings came from an adorable owl costume idea from the Martha Stewart team.


See? Adorable, right? But the instructions are supposed to be suited for a baby. Reading some of the comments on the website, a lot of the people were saying the suggested template enlargement of 375% was way too huge for a baby. So I just decided to "wing" it (har!) and print wings #2 - #4 on to a regular sized sheet of paper. For the base wing, wing #1, I cut it in half and printed each half on to a piece of paper. Using those measurements, the wings are just the right size for Darcy.

The issue I ran in to was a color issue. When I purchased the felt, I bought light pink for the largest wing. But with only 4 wing layers, I just couldn't get it to look right. I decided it was the light pink that was throwing it off. But I'm stubborn, and didn't want to purchase more felt in a darker color, so I just added another wing in the chocolate brown. There. Problem solved.

The wings have strips of velcro underneath the shoulder, and they attach to the top of the shirt. I also added some elastic arm bands under the wings to help hold them in place, but I might end up adding more velcro. I think the elastic might end up being too tight or bothering Darcy after too long.

If you decide to use any of these ideas for an owl costume for your kiddo, hopefully my information will be helpful to you.

What are your kiddos dressing up as this year? Are YOU dressing up?

Hugs & Stitches,
Amy

Handmade Father's Day

Darcy has been on a drawing kick lately, and we're really enjoying it. It's so awesome watching her drawings evolve, and the different shapes and faces she comes up with for her people and animals. One of my favorite drawings she's created was a picture of John. I knew right away I wanted to embroider it and make it a snuggly for one of John's Father's Day gifts.

Ok, so a quick and funny story about the picture she drew of John. Darcy likes to pretend she is a pony named, "Honey Pie" & John is the bad guy named, "Licorice." Licorice hates lots of things and just about everything makes him angry. Especially ponies. So Licorice would capture Honey Pie and lock her up in an invisible cage and Honey Pie would kick the cage door open and gallop her way to freedom!

They would play this game for an hour at least every night when John got home from work. So much fun to watch. :-)

The picture she drew is John as Licorice, and it's the best thing ever.

All snuggled up:

John really loved this gift and I'm pretty sure he got a little misty eyed. I love it when that happens. You make something for someone and they're so overjoyed they get a wee tear in their eye. Best. Feeling. Ever.

Hugs & Stitches,
Amy

Hand Embroidered Easter Gifts

Brace yourself, because I'm finally posting pictures of the snugglies I made for the girls. I made these for their Easter gifts, and they were a total hit.

I started with the bunny, and when Darcy found out it was for her, she said she'd rather have an elephant. Well then. So Harper got the bunny and Harper loves the bunny.


I just love her hair, don't you? That's the fancy chain stitch, you know. Which just so happens to be our last lesson for the "Embroidery 101" series.

The bunny pattern was a generous freebie from Helen Dardik of Orange You Lucky. I love her website and her art work, and can easily spend a ridiculous amount of time admiring her talent.

Next up, the elephant. Darcy loves the elephant. How can she not?




The elephant embroidery pattern is from Alyssa Thomas of Penguin and Fish. She has an entire alphabet of animal embroidery patterns that I would love to get. It was a little bit too much for me to spend at one time, so I went with the choice of five option. Alyssa made a pillow using her hedgehog design, and I almost died from the cuteness. So I copycatted her idea, and used the elephant, since that's what Darcy wanted. The original patterns are not this large, just so you know. ;-)


They're both pretty wonderful, and I'm so happy that both girls love them so much. I think a new addiction has been born.

xoxo,
Amy

Cupcake Toppers

Today's project is so easy, it's ridonkulous. Let's be honest, I'm not sure it's even worth posting about. But it's so cute, I can't help myself.

Easter is pretty much all about the bunny and the celebration of Spring here at our house. So when I found a vintage copy of The Golden Egg Book by Margaret Wise Brown at a yard sale last Summer, for only $1.00, I had a cute attack and knew I wanted to do something with the wonderful illustrations by Leonard Weisgard.

Cupcake toppers were the obvious answer.

Supplies:
Print out of images on cardstock.
White label stickers
Toothpicks



Cut out the images:



Attach a toothpick to the backside of each image, using a white label sticker:



Blam. You just made a cupcake topper:



Army of cuteness:



See what I mean? So easy. I originally started this project with the intention of sharing the cupcake topper file with you. But after considering the legalities and not knowing if I would be violating any copyright issues, I've decided not to share. Which really bums me out. So if anyone can shed some light on this issue, I would love to know about it.

Otherwise, I hope you're inspired and make some adorable cupcake toppers for your Spring or Easter celebration.

xoxo
Amy

Free Pattern!

My friend Dana over at Craftyminx is sharing the cutest little vintage Valentine embroidery pattern!

This a-deer-able sample was lovingly stitched by Dana.

I just might need to stitch this up for the girls, or go through my collection of vintage Valentines to make my own.

xoxo
Amy

Sneak Peek: Mom's Day!

Maybe you remember last year around Mother's Day I wrote a post saying how I thought it was safe to post a picture of my Mom's gift, since she wasn't internet savvy, and she wouldn't read my blog and ruin her surprise.

Well she surprised me by quoting that one afternoon, proving to me that she is indeed internet savvy, and she is now a blog reader here at EBS.

So Mom, if you're reading this, LOOK AWAY NOW! I wouldn't want you to ruin your surprise, you computer geek, you.

Assuming it's safe to continue, and Mom's not looking, I'll share a sneak peek at one of her gifts with you.

I fell in love with this pattern the minute I saw it, and knew I had to make it for Mom.


She loves horses, and gray horses are her favorite. You can see I still need to finish the mane and the straps, but that won't take long.


You can tell I worked mostly in back stitch, because I am pressed for time, and back stitch moves along quickly. Also, it's classic, chunky, and pretty perfect for this design. I used stem stitch for the mane, and most of the flowers. (The smaller ones are worked in split stitch.)


Because I'm a one trick pony, this is on a tea towel. However, I'm planning on fancying it up a bit by adding a quilt style back and rick rack trim. I'll be sure to post pictures again when it's all finished.

I'm planning a Mother's Day brunch on Sunday, so I need to start thinking of menu ideas.

What are your plans for Mother's Day?

Hugs & Stitches,
Amy

Easter Bird

I was going through some old photos this morning, and found one of me from Easter 1983. I was just a couple of weeks shy of being 4 years old.


Unfortunately, no one dressed this fancy yesterday, and no eggs were hunted, because it was a cold and rainy Easter. But I did manage to make something special for Darcy, using Molly Chicken's Easter birdy tutorial.

Darcy's favorite part is the baby. I finished the baby first, and she played with him all day and all night long.


The bottom of the baby is left open, so she can use it as a finger puppet. As you can see, she's already wearing him out.


Seriously, I had no idea this little toy was going to be such a hit with her. I had a feeling she would like it, because of the pocket, and the Mommy / baby combo. She loves anything that comes in a big and little pair and calls it the Mommy & baby.

I'm sure she won't always be as excited about everything I make for her, but when she is, it's truly heartwarming and makes it all worth while.

xoxo
Amy

Valentine Card Tutorial!

I got an idea for a handmade Valentine a couple of weeks ago, using one of Sublime Stitching's desgins, so I sent them an email asking if they'd like to do a collaboration for their blog.

They were sweet enough to let me take the lead on the tutorial and Jenny provided editing for the piece. They will be posting the tutorial on their blog too, along with a .jpg of the intestines image for you to make one for your loved one.

Now this is my first tutorial, so please be kind!

Materials

• Decorative cardstock - 8 1/2" x 11", folded in half.
• "I love your guts" image - available for download on the Sublime Stitching blog.
  
• Transfer paper (or transfer pen/pencil)
  
• White fabric (or your choice of color)
• Embroidery floss in "gutsy" colors
• Embroidery scissors, needle and hoop
  
• Ruler
• Craft glue or spray adhesive
  
• Small paintbrush
• Rick-Rack

Instructions!
x-x-x-x-x-x-x

1. Choose your transfer method. I am opting to use the transfer paper and stylus. (If you are not using the transfer paper method, skip ahead to step #5!)

2. Cut a piece of transfer paper slightly larger than the size of the intestines design. Tape the corners of the transfer paper to your fabric.

3. Now tape the inestines design to the transfer paper. All this taping is to ensure there is no shifting of the pattern, so you won't "ghost" your image.

4. All taped and ready to go? Good! Transfer the image by going over the design firmly with the stylus. No stylus? No problem! Just use another object with a dull point, such as a bamboo knitting needle. You can even use a pen or a pencil, just take care not to puncture through the paper and mark on your fabric.

Jenny says: If using a pen to trace the design, opt for another color so you can clearly see where you've already traced.

5. If you've decided to opt for the transfer pen or pencil method, you will need to follow the package instructions.

6. Now for the fun part: embroider them guts!

7. One and a half episodes of Grey's Anatomy & the intestines are successfully embroidered!

8. Un-hoop your fabric and give it a good, HOT ironing to remove the hoop marks. (You can use your steam setting now.)

9. Now measure half an inch outward from the farthest point of each side of your intestines.

10. Once you've measured around all 4 sides, cut out the design.

11. Decide the placement of the design on your card.

12. Turn your fabric square over on to the backside and apply a thin line of fabric glue along all 4 sides. Then stick it to your card front, in your placement choice. You could also use spray adhesive here, if you're fancy like that.

Jenny says: Just be aware that spray adhesive is not kind to fabrics over time and this
will not be an heirloom piece if you use it. I'm just saying!

13. Now open your card, and apply a thin layer of glue along the top edge of your card, and apply the rick-rack. Repeat for all 4 sides. (I found it easiest to use a paintbrush to apply my glue.)

14. Repeat the glue and rick-rack method to the front of the card to apply rick-rack around your embroidered image.

15. Cut out the "I love YOUR GUTS" text, and glue it to the inside of your card. You can be as simplistic as I was, or you can get fancy and add a different colored paper or even more rick-rack underneath or around the text.

16. Now you've got yourself one sick + twisted, handmade Valentine, sure to make any lover's stomach flip-flop.

I hope you like this Valentine idea! If you want to make one of your very own, head on over to the Sublime Stitching blog, and there you will find the .jpg to download the intestines image, so you can get started on this project this weekend! (The file for the image is towards the bottom of the page.)

If you're in the mood to make something a little bit sweeter for your honey, no problem! Sublime Stitching also has an adorable Itty Bitty Cupid Card kit.

Hugs & Stitches,
Amy

Country Cool Apron

Ok, I know everyone's been saying it, but I really can't believe Christmas is only ONE WEEK AWAY! *gulp*

I am still working on holiday gifts and I've decided that next year I will just have to start holiday crafting in June or July, so I won't feel like I'm running out of time.

However, I do have a finished non-holiday project to share with you! I hand embroidered a half apron from Sublime Stitching and used the Country Cool embroidery patterns.




I thought she needed some sparkle, so I used the Poppin Pink floss from the Metallic Pallette. I know working with metallic floss can sometimes be a pain in the tookus, but this floss was pretty easy to work with! If you're wanting to use metallics in an upcoming project, I highly recommend using this stuff.

Have you checked out the Sublime Stitching blog lately? If not, head over there straight away, as they have some really great freebie downloads. First are the ultra cute holiday gift tags & second is a stitchable gift tag tutorial!

Laughing all the way,
Amy

Country Cool Apron

Ok, I know everyone's been saying it, but I really can't believe Christmas is only ONE WEEK AWAY! *gulp*

I am still working on holiday gifts and I've decided that next year I will just have to start holiday crafting in June or July, so I won't feel like I'm running out of time.

However, I do have a finished non-holiday project to share with you! I hand embroidered a half apron from Sublime Stitching and used the Country Cool embroidery patterns.




I thought she needed some sparkle, so I used the Poppin Pink floss from the Metallic Pallette. I know working with metallic floss can sometimes be a pain in the tookus, but this floss was pretty easy to work with! If you're wanting to use metallics in an upcoming project, I highly recommend using this stuff.

Have you checked out the Sublime Stitching blog lately? If not, head over there straight away, as they have some really great freebie downloads. First are the ultra cute holiday gift tags & second is a stitchable gift tag tutorial!

Laughing all the way,
Amy