DIY 2014 Linen Calendar Peonies

2014 Peony DIY Calendar

A lovely bouquet of peonies and bachelor buttons ready to hand embroider. The simplest of embroidery stitches make up this calendar so it is easy for the beginner and satisfying for the more skilled.

This kit includes the linen panel with the design printed and easy to follow embroidery lines. Embroidery thread in colors shown. One of a kind enameled buttons, that I have created, to use to hang calendar, or embellish.

 

Get started on your 2014 gifts this summer...a perfect carry along project!  Or, do you know someone who loves to do embroidery...a great gift for the DIY person.

My newest DIY calendar kit is now available in my Etsy shop.

2014 Embroidery Calendar Coming Soon!

Dress Your Wrist

Black Friday Embroidery Sale

I am selling a limited quantity of my DIY 2013 Hand Embroidery calendars at 35% off....  This would make a beautiful gift to give to the DIY or do the embroidery yourself and give as a gift! Or, buy two and you both will have a beautiful project and calendar!

I have designed this so that at the end of 2013 you can cut the panel apart and use the hand embroidered pieces as other functional wearables or home decor.  A cuff, pillow, decoration, or brooch. Visit my black friday sale shop!

Cuff Weekend

I was busy and in heaven this weekend. I finally had a weekend when I could create again. It feels like it's been eons since I've had a chance to pull fabrics, buttons, beads and stuff out to create with. It has been a busy last few months.

For the Romantic

Many good things happening and then not so good...my mother in law passed away in September and it's the little things that you pick up and a memory of something she said or did hits you like a jolt. With her death I have also revisited the memory of many other people whom I loved and cherished and who I have lost over the years.

Simply Victorian

We still have a couple of weekends of yards sales to have...but this weekend was mine!

Do you love Jane Austen

A weekend in the woods

 And, there's more on their way....  plus, there will be a metal working weekend real soon too! Oh, and see that button on the last cuff...one of my first buttons from my enameling class. I can't even tell you how much fun enameling is!

Torch and Needle

I began a new adventure in January... (the reason I've been so quiet)

Now eight months later I have creations that combine my hand embroidery and metalwork, my new line will be christened "Torch and Needle."

About four years ago I began thinking about the longevity of my hand embroidery as jewelry. One of my initial thoughts on creating textile jewelry pieces was that people who are allergic to metal have access to an accessory that is beautiful and unique. So I will continue to create the textile pieces as well. My first love will always be fabric, thread, lace....

After working on a piece of hand embroidery I imagine it will last and be handed down for generations. Or, if not handed down, then found as a treasure in an antique shop or estate sale...

With that thought I began brainstorming how to combine metal and hand embroidery. I came up with several ideas, but didn't have the skills to move forward on the ideas. Over the last four years I've contacted a few metal-smiths and just like everyone else they didn't have time to collaborate...

This idea continued to nag at me, so early this year I took the plunge and began taking metal classes....I LOVE IT! Thanks Jonathon and Holly!

I'm sure that I won't contain myself to combining embroidery and metal...I've seen too many cabochons that I've fallen in love with and want to use. I also love just working with metal...the designing, sawing, soldering. I also have some ideas to combine another medium, but that will have to be next years project!

I have a lot more ideas and I hope you will follow my adventure in metal... Other pieces can be found in my Etsy shop.

A Mint Romance

Are You Ready For 2013?

Don't you just love beautiful hand embroidered creations for your home? Or, do you love to give fun gifts that your crafty friends, mom, sister would enjoy making? Perhaps you like to gather together with like minded people, or want to learn a new craft?  Is 2013 a special year for someone....a new baby....a wedding....special anniversary?

Over the last couple of months I have been designing a new hand embroidery product. A Calendar!  I love Jacobean designs and I love beautiful calendars. I so enjoyed designing this piece and doing all of the embroidery.  I really looked forward to just sitting down in my comfy chair...a cup of tea...watching a movie or listening to a book and stitching. It was almost like a "calgon take me away" moment...lol (do you remember that?)

I have designed this calendar so that when the end of 2013 comes to a close the embroidery designs can be repurposed. You could make six different items from the pieces that you have already embroidered!  Certain sections can be turned into cuffs, a pillow that you could fill with lavender, the beginning of a wall quilt, a valentine heart brooch....the ideas are endless and I'm sure you will come up with plenty as well.

I have used basic stitches so that no one feels intimidated... back, straight, stem, blanket stitch and, of course, french knots. With the use of many different colors and basic stitches you can make this beautiful calendar.  And, if you have questions....

I will also be opening a flickr group so that we can share pictures...ideas....questions.  I plan to begin in one area of the calendar in June and each month work together, through the flickr group, so that everyone can get together and have their calendar ready by January 2013.  I produced this calendar early so that if you want to give it as a gift the recipient should be able to have it ready as well. Even though I am going to sell kits that will include all of the same embroidery thread, it doesn't mean that you have to use my color scheme.  I will also sell just the panels so that you can use the color scheme of your choice.  I can absolutely see this done in just black and white....I have some other ideas but I'll share them in the flickr group!

If there is at least 10 participants who finish and post their calendar I'll have a giveaway...  some of us need incentives...lol.  Visit my Etsy shop to purchase your calendar kit or panel.

Featured in Cross Stitch and Needlework

 

I was  so excited when I was contacted by Cross-Stitch & Needlework for a "Fab Find" feature in their May issue!  This feature is for my Wildflower Romance Cuff Kit.  This kit includes all of the materials and embroidery floss to create this cuff yourself.  This would make a great gift for mom, sister or best friend.

However, if you don't have the time to create your own cuff....you can always find a completed cuff in my shop.

Keep watching my blog and Etsy shop for a brand new kit!

eReader Kindle Bags and Hand Embroidery

I've been looking for larger platforms to do embroidery and create something that is useful as well.  I decided that ereaders needed a handmade/artsy carrying case to give them a bit more charm. These ereader bags have a shoulder strap that allows you to carrying across your body, or over your shoulder. I've padded them so that they also protect your ereader when you set it down.

I love my newest....the 1970s version playing off of the book/movie/play "Butterflies are Free." It has a very hippie look and the fabric is from the early 1970s!

Animoto Video

I decided to try out Animoto to create a long video of my creations.  The purpose of this video is to have it playing on my laptop when I have a table at an art/craft show.  It was quick and easy to make. But then I had all of the photo's I needed ready. 

Let me know what you think and if you have ever used this service.

Historic Hand Embroidery

Amazing aren't they?

I have been doing some research on embroidery. I am fascinated with pieces that are related to the "order of the golden fleece." As I delve more into this subject I will update you on what I have found. But for now...enjoy this beautiful hand embroidery.

The cope was made between 1433 and 1442, designed by Robert Campin. Produced in the workshop of Thierry du Chastel, an embroider who originally came from Paris.

Can you imagine how many hours were spent creating these pieces?  The gold is real gold...

Wedding Memories

What are the special keepsakes from your wedding?  Photos, the top of the cake, a wedding garter? I was asked to create eight of my bridal cuffs and a ring bearer pillow for a bride which will become a keepsake for her and her attendants on this special day.

It's such a joy to work on this type of project. As I stitched I thought about other weddings and how special the memories are and will always be.

I would be happy to create heirlooms like this for your wedding....

Flower Garden Camisole

I haven't made a piece of clothing for many, many years.  As I was digging through all of my vintage textile collection I came to this lovely hand crocheted yoke.  It looks like dogwood flowers, but I'm not sure.  What do you think?  I wish I could crochet like this because I'd love to make another.  It looks like a very easy pattern and I may try it someday...adding it to my journal as I type, so I don't forget!

I began by putting this on my dress form and just looking at it for a few hours. At that point I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep the pink ribbon that runs through it.  As I was looking at it my eyes spotted a piece of pink linen that I saved from Goodwill a few years ago.  I've used small bits and pieces of this linen over time, but still had a large piece that would be just enough for this creation. Along one edge it had a border print and then a nice open print along the other edge.

Drafting a pattern is something that I haven't done in an even longer time. I began sketching what I wanted and then created the pattern from there.

Since I love embroidery I saw the perfect way to incorporate it into this design. I echoed the design on the linen onto a solid linen.

I attached this piece to the front, then sewed the yoke to the front.

On the back I wanted it to be open and summery romantic. So I opened up the back and then created tabs, added a bit of the vintage lace from the bottom front to each of these tabs.

At first it was kind of gaping under the arms and I didn't like that.  I pulled a thin sting elastic thread through the underarm and gave it a light gathering.

One of the things that I thought was very unique about this piece of vintage crochet is that there are buttons on the left shoulder to make it easier to take off and on.

It took me the entire day to create this top and I am so happy with how it turned out.