Spring Flowers Cross Stitch

Last year, I was lucky enough to win Pretty Stitches by Jayne Schofield. The inside is just awash with colours, flowers, and everything pretty. It didn't take me long to decide I would need to test a chart out for myself! I began with a piece of plain white aida, and went to town with my acrylic paint adding colour and patterns to it, and also splashed some sparkly gold ink across it.

Rather than buying the specific threads recommended in the book, I picked out appropriate colours from my stash, mixing things up where it seemed appropriate. I added some sparkly thread to areas, and used some Anchor Perle cotton thread to bring out the centre of the butterflies. I also added just a few sparkly gold mini gems to catch the light.

I mounted my finished cross stitch in an embroidery hoop that I had lightly painted in an off-white pearl paint, and attached some sparkly ribbon to hang from. I also wrapped some more Anchor Perle Cotton Thread (colour 1335) around a section of the embroidery hoop - I love adding details like this! I stitched a circle of felt to the back of my work just to finish it off neatly. This project took a bit longer than I had anticipated, but I love how colourful and spring-like it is now it is finished, and I would definitely recommend the book if you like your cross stitch pretty and colourful!

Butterfly Card

Butterflies are such beautiful, delicate creatures. I wanted to send a friend a card that was butterfly themed to decorate her room, and I thought how cool it would be if it could fold up small and open into a big butterfly! Butterflies can look plain when their wings are folded, but when they are stretched out their beauty and detail really shines.

I drew myself a template, which you might have noticed me share over on the Facebook. I attached some beautiful textured paper from my stash to some sturdy white card, and cut around the template.

I wanted some extra interest to the butterfly, and so decorated it with pearl paints and liquid pearls. This adds some lovely shimmer and picks out some interesting details without making the entire card too busy.

What I love most about this design is it can be cut from a piece of A5 card, and fold up to fit in an A6 envelope. The fold works for giving the card enough structure to stand and it implies the body of the butterfly. There is plenty of room for writing inside without compromising on the butterfly shape, and there is the magic of opening what appears to be a standard card to find a huge butterfly inside!

Koala and Raccoon Cards!

I made a recent expedition through the internets searching for inspiration for unique card designs, for both adults and children. I stumbled upon Wee Society's Wee Valentines. I fell in love with the cute designs, and they are so unique - rarely do you see cards designed as koalas, raccoons, bulls and yetis!

The patterns are available in PDF format, meaning all you need to do is print them out and draw around them to create your own version! They would look lovely with some cute accessories, but they also have a charm in their simplicity.

The first one I made was this koala for my niece's 4th birthday. A koala bear is one of my favourite teddies from when I was younger, and I think this card is recognisable, and so cute without being overly girly!

The second card I made from the set was this gorgeous raccoon - my husband loves raccoons, and I knew he would appreciate this cute card. I was able to use my circular punches to help with some of the circle cutting, and it came together really nicely! These designs have opened my eyes to a new way of designing cards, and has got my creative juices flowing!

Letterpress Pyrography

Well, I don't think anyone can deny that my blog is varied!!

I have recently been experimenting with pyrography, on scrap wood, and on some wooden spoons. It is taking some getting used to, to control the burning iron, and make it do what I want, but it is enjoyable!

With my Dad's birthday recently, and him running The Silver Birch Press, I decided it was appropriate for him to have a personalised inking roller, and managed to burn the silver birch logo on to the handle! The handle has been pre-varnished, so the fumes were a bit toxic, but the effect is lovely. I'm really pleased with how this came out, and I think I prefer burning images where the lines don't need to be perfect! When my husband saw the finished piece he started looking for things he wanted decorating, so I think I might be busy!

Felt Patchwork Christmas Stocking

After making my husband his Star Wars R2D2 Christmas stocking last year, I decided to make my own personalised stocking this year :)

You may remember seeing sneak peeks of this earlier in the year, piecing together the patchwork and these detailed sparkly sections.

The back is made from white fleece, and the front is made from a patchwork of felt. The different elements on the front involve beading, sequins, felting, hand stitching and ribbons.

I love it so much, and can't wait to (hopefully!) find it on Christmas morning...!