A-musings

Design number five.

I really liked the look of the big circle with little pearls around it and floral accent. So here's another one.

Actually both designs like that I took from what I believe were die cut patterns I found online.

I like this one even better. My sister had reservations since it was straight rose and no daisy... but I liked it and it was fairly simple. And I'm the one embroidering these so it stays.

Design number 4: strawberries.

One, I thought the pattern was adorable. Two, my sister loves strawberries. So while it might stray a little away from the floral theme, it still fits backyard bbq.

Three, I realized I needed something else with red in it. Otherwise the previous patterns with the hearts would stick out way too much in a sea of yellow, purple, green, and grey.

So two birds, one stone kind of thing I guess. Plus look at those little strawberries. So cute.

It's been a bit, but I have been busy. I just haven't gotten any of the finished designs uploaded.

Here was the third design I tried. I really loved the little hearts on it. I loved the tulip-esque flowers of the original design too... but daisies fit the overall theme better.

Still think it turned out pretty cute.

2nd floral circle done for the centerpiece table numbers.

I think it was safe to say my sister liked this one even better. She liked all the greenery. I mean, I did too. So I can't really blame her. Also, yellow is her favorite color, as well as the color most highlighted in her wedding, so the flowers being more predominately yellow was another plus.

Also, also, I was happy with the better execution of this piece. It looked a little cleaner more so than the other. Which leaves me very optimistic.

I had a lot of time on my hands when I finally sat down and started this project. I basically spent my entire day off embroidering. So these two got finished one right after the other. My updates in the coming days will probably be a little more periodic since I can't devote EVERY day to just crafting.

I have cross stitched for a long time. Off and on since like middle school.

Now don't get me wrong. I love the whole pixel art aspect of cross stitch, but that artist inside me has always wanted to pick up embroidery as well. I love idea of almost basically painting with thread. I want the option of the more freeform design aspect. Plus, I have this whole collection of floss, why not be able to put it to another use, right?

Something in me decided that the perfect time to start was when I took on the project of hand stitching 20+ table numbers for the centerpieces of my sister's reception tables. (Something I totally put on myself since I thought it would fit the backyard barbeque, cute/country/outdoorsy theme so well.)

So, it's definitely time for me to pick the #StitchEveryDay back up! Hopefully the coming months will bring some happy, beautiful updates... and me realizing I bit off more than I could chew.

Day one and I finished the first floral outline. Fairly simple pattern, made a few mistakes, took some notes on how to improve with the next one, but I'm still happy with it. And I think the quality is still at an acceptable enough level to use it.

Also please ignore the blue marker that still wasn't washed out in the last pic.

I am loving my newest purchase to elevate my at home gel manicures: holographic glitter/powder. All my nails were painted that original dark purple color. Then dab/rub the glitter/powder on... and voila! Super awesome holographic effects!

Sadly, I don’t actually have any progress pics. 

In all truth, after that last “final stretch” all-day crafting and finishing up the dream catcher project... the next morning I discovered all the muscles in my hand were sore. I think the last minute beading really pushed me too far. It was such a weird feeling to have my fingers actually ache every time I squeezed with my thumb.

More photos of the finished Dream Catcher Wall Art Pair. Because you bet your ass I took pics from all the angles. I was too in love with it NOT to have a photo shoot.

Here’s a look behind the scenes of my progress on my Dream Catcher Project, and how my #YearOfStitches evolved into #YearOfCrafts. 

So I had to take a bit of a hiatus from the daily cross stitch project I started. Why, you ask? Because I had to turn my attention fully to the project I had started a few weeks before. A graduation present for my sister.

What started as a cute cross stitch pattern I saw on pinterest, turned into so much more, so very fast. I have a habit of doing that with projects. My plans are always grandiose and more often than not, I bite off more than I can chew--hence the pile of WIP’s I have. But I was determined to see this one through. (Spoiler alert: I got the whole thing done in a little over a month from when I started seriously working on it, just in time for her graduation party. I’m actually pretty proud of myself.)

So like I said. It started with a cross stitch pattern… the message was cute for a recent grad, and it had that boho-feather/dream catcher feel to it that is so my sister's taste. But then I decided I needed to add a crocheted dream catcher as a second piece of wall art to really seal the aesthetic. Then of course, why not just throw some crocheted feathers in the mix? And can’t forget the beaded accents and ribbons!

Remember how I said this went from simple to a whole project? Yeah. After the third trip to the craft store, I realized that was an understatement. But! It turned out better than I could have imagined and she loved it. (Plus, I made her parade all my hard work around her party so every guest could gush over it. And this girl loves her some artistic appreciation and praise.)  So, I’d have to say in the end, it was worth it.

Next came the outline for easy fill in.Next pattern was an easy decision. Black cat for my fur baby.

Meet Estelle, my beautiful, silky, sassy, sweet, midnight inspiration. I do a good majority of my daily cross stitching at work on my lunch break, but sometimes I come home and continue. She likes to loaf on the bed with me and nap (I work third shift, so she’s gotta get those day time naps in). She’s the best shadow a mom could ask for. <3

Day 6 fell on a weekend, and I had some time on my hands. So I got most of my next section done: a sea colored key.

If you’re wondering why a key--I mean, other than that sweet antique aesthetic--it’s a play on how my last name is sounded out. Seemed fitting with, you know, my first name right above it. ( Colors used: (800, 597, 3809, 517) Used 3 strands for the fill in color, 1 strand for the back stitch)

Day 7: a crown. Even though I may be called “princess” I promise I’m not bitchy or that high maintenance. I’m a little particular sometimes, and a tad spoiled. But it mostly has to do with my love of Disney--especially the Disney Princesses.

( Colors used: (210, 341, 800, 504, 30415/S415) Used three strands for each stitch)