Scrapbook-ChickADoodle: embroidery

Saturday, March 30, 2013

How fun!

The Stitch Me Up blog hop was so fun and inspiring. I learned a lot about embroidery that I didn't know before and saw many ways to creatively use embroidered pieces. I think I have a new hobby!Til now I've always admired embroidered pieces but now I can do it. I know as I practice my stitching, I will get better at it. It will be great to take along on car trips, plane trips and anywhere I have excess time but can't be near a sewing machine.

In the last couple of hops, I've been lucky to win some nice giveaways. A mug and matching mug rug, cute fabric, a sweet mini quilt, pretty handmade buttons from Africa, and an awesome take along placemat with zippered silverware pouch that rolls up and ties shut. My sister also gave me one of her mini magnetic pincushions that attaches to the side of the sewing machine. How cute is that! I love the blogs hops as I learn so much from them. Winning a giveaway is so fun, the icing on the cake! Thanks to all who offer the opportunity to win!

Incomparable Buttons from www.buttonmad.com and pincushion from quiltingbydawn

Mug and rug from Susan Parr in England fabric from the Recipe Bunny

Mini quilt from Mary Kolb, Minnesota

Placemat by Melanie Poisson at Creations Cliodana

The next blog hop starts April 8th. Stop by then to see the schedule.
Thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

My turn on Stitch Me Up Blog Hop

When I heard about the Stitch Me Up Blog Hop, I signed right up. I knew it was the challenge I needed to encourage me to learn how to embroider.
Big thanks to Debbie from Busy as Can Be and Cyndi from Stitch Stitch Stitch for creating these lovely FREE patterns. Big thanks to Jane of Jane's Fabrics and Quilts who has been a wonderful cheerleader and organizer and Madame Samm for this terrific blog hop idea. I ordered Presencia threads from Jane and they were a delight to work with. A big thanks to our sponsor Colonial Needle

As soon as I saw this pretty lady, I knew she would be my first project. She reminds me of my Mom. I attempted several stitches on this piece; back stitch, french knot, basic buttonhole stitch, double blanket stretch, coral stitch and squared laid work (variation 2 according to my embroidery book). I then turned her into a table topper for my pretty Ackfeld frame. I hope you like her.

My next project was to add an embroidered outline to my Nancy Drew wallet from the last blog hop. It really helps Nancy stand out.

I loved the Nana's chair pattern and wanted to make it as a mini quilt for the door to my sewing room. The pattern reminded me of Mary Engelbreit fabric. I first had to reduce the size of the pattern as the Ackfeld hanger I have for over the door holds a 6 inch mini quilt. I did not get a chance to finish it as my granddaughter came to visit for spring break and we had such fun traveling around sightseeing that I ran out of time. I did want to show my partially finished project with some M. E. that inspired my color selections. The chair will be filled with stars and M.E. inspired flowers.