I've found my latest craft addiction: embroidery. I had no idea how much I would love these little stitches!! I did some embroidery on the wedding gift I gave my dear friend a few weeks ago and after that I was itching to experiment with more stitches. Do you ever get that feeling? Where all you can think about is a craft project and until you get your hands on the materials and have the time to actually do it, it is basically a form of torture. I'm sure there are other craft nerds who understand what I'm talking about....I hope. Well, I planned to spend last weekend playing with the cute cake embroidery patterns in the latest issue of Mollie Makes. On Saturday I went to Hobby Lobby to look around and find some pretty embroidery thread colors. When I was about to leave the thread aisle I found the iron on kits for embroidery and a dessert-themed pack caught my eye. I decided to try to embroider this phrase on a tea towel instead of the cakes because it is one of my favorite quotes, "Have your cake and eat it too!". I really love how the colors look. I picked out a ombré color scheme of pretty tangerines with blues to accent. Now I have another handmade tea towel to add to my collection! :)
"I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." ;-)
Have you ever tried embroidery? What are some of your favorite embroidery projects?
I haven't tried it yet, but I got a cute little kit for Christmas (gotta start somewhere) that stichionary is adorable!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute! I love learning and experimenting with a new craft... for me it is crochet right now.
ReplyDeletelove these! i've been putting off so many embroidery projects that i want to do. love love love that kitchen towel!
ReplyDeletethe first one is just so gorgeous!
ReplyDeletekw, Ladies in Navy
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Embroidery is the best! Sublime Stitching and Wild Olive patterns are my fav. Plus I love the fact that if you have tracing paper and a transfer pen, you like literally make anything into an embroidery pattern! It's the best!
ReplyDeleteAlso I am ridic jealous of your stitches! I still just do back stitch on everything :P
Thanks for the tip! I can't wait to try drawing my own embroidery patterns. So many options! :)
DeleteOnce you get into embroidery and work out how to do it embroidery is really fun to do. I'm just starting to teach myself how to do it. I'm getting there slowly!
ReplyDeleteCute! I got a kit a few years ago, but never got into it. You've inspired me to pull it and give it a second look though.
ReplyDeleteGiddy is a good word!
ReplyDeleteI used to love embroidery and gave up when I went to an exhibition by a Guild. The work was so stunning that I realised how much better it was than mine, and instead of practising and reaching for the stars I gave up dispirited. Silly girl I was!
This is brilliant! I used to embroider alot (my favourite is a portrait of my cat) but I've let it slide cause I'm short of time. I do include handwritten embroidery on the purses I make and sell though so I still do a bit. Your post has inspired me to try out a just-for-fun project. x
ReplyDeleteI LOVE STITCHING TOO!! I have some of my projects posted on my blog if you would like to see them.
ReplyDeleteYour project is so lovely. I am going to have to try some of those stitches you show.
Smiles,
The Joyful Thrifter
I used to do needlepoint, and I have been wanting to do some embroidery or cross stitch pieces for my house with really ridiculous (haha or maybe a little offensive) phrases and pictures on them, with the classic floral border. Because it would be /hilarious/.
ReplyDeleteyou are seriously so good at everything you do! renaissance woman, you!
ReplyDeleteAw Julie! You are so sweet. Thank you! :)
DeleteThis is fantastic! My favorite embroidery project is the one you saw on my blog! So much fun! I do have a question... What is the difference between chain & split? They look different to me but the movement of the stitch looks the same (up and through the thread again???)
ReplyDelete♥Sarah♥
theantiquepearl.blogspot.com
Chain stitch is different because you bring the needle up through the loop in the thread. Split stitch is bringing the needle through the stitch before it and "splitting" it in two so it has that braided look. I hope that helped a little! :)
DeleteThis is so funny! I just went to my local stitching shop with my mom last week, and I was sorely tempted to buy the whole store. :)
ReplyDeleteIf you don't already, you should read the blog of Alicia Paulson from http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/. She does knitting, quilting, and sells some cross stitch and crewel work kits in her shop. I just bought her crewel work sampler, and it has a lot of the stitches you show up there, but with the added bonus of some puffy crewel wool!
On another note, if you like tea towels have you seen these from Anthropologie? http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-kitchen-dishtowels-dish/A24451072.jsp
They have lots of cute dishtowels that I'm sure you could recreate yourself!
Oh my goodness! I've seen that crewel sampler on Instagram a few times. I'm pretty sure that has to be my next project. So lovely.
DeleteThe Anthropologie tea towels are lovely! Those little strawberries are so sweet.
eeeep!! How beautiful!! I LOVE it!!
ReplyDeletegorgeous! :) i've always wanted to learn embroidery, now if only i can master one craft first instead of adding another... ha ha ha!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I love embroidery. It's so therapeutic! You've done a really good job there.
ReplyDeleteI get obsessed with new things too!!
Becky
Xx
Http://www.beckybedbug.com
I've only done little bits and pieces, but would love to make some larger things like you are doing. Goodness knows I don't need another hobby to become obsessed with, but how can one resist? Your tea towel is so perfect, the quote, the colors, everything.
ReplyDeletelove yours! i'm curious, where did you find your tea towels? i am currently working on two and i don't like the fabric much. interested to find another kind/brand...but not even sure where to look. yours look more like real tea towels. thanks, michelle
ReplyDeletehttp://knitreadsew.wordpress.com
Hi Michelle!
DeleteI actually found this tea towel at Hobby Lobby! They had them near the embroidery thread aisle in a pack of two.
thank you! there’s a brand spanking new Hobby Lobby where my parents live. i’m feeling the need for a field trip.
DeleteYour stitches look perfect! (Mine were truly awful when I first started out.) And the design is adorable. I love to embroider...it's one of my only crafting hobbies that is really relaxing for me. I've been stitching for a couple of years now, not counting some basic stuff I did as a kid.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you're doing wonderfully on your own, but if you're interested in embroidery books I really recommend Alicia Paulson's book and one called "A Rainbow of Stitches." Very cute motifs and very informative books! Also, you probably already know about this, but there's a Flickr group that has tons of free vintage embroidery patterns here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/hooplove/pool/ .
~Kristin
Aww thank you Kristin! Alicia Paulson's work is so lovely. Thank you for sharing the flickr group too!
DeleteI've only dabbled a bit in embroidery, but I really want to learn more after seeing your post! :)
ReplyDeleteMy college roommate and I love to embroider and cross stitch! We spend hours in the library with our coffee and work on our embroidery projects, although we get the weirdest looks from people. Its worth it though because needlework is so much fun! Yours look lovely! I really love the colors!
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful! Im inspired to try it myself!
ReplyDeleteis there nothing you can't do? lol, these are so gorgeous. lovely colors!
ReplyDeleteI know what you're saying about being obsessed with a project and feeeling waiting to get your hands on it is like a torture. it is only the sign that you are a real crafter :) Your stitches are so neat, I am feeling a bit jealous.
ReplyDeleteOh girl...you are making me seriously want to embroidery. Right now. Don't get me addicted too...I don't know how I'll fit all my obsessions into my life.
ReplyDeleteHaha! I know right? At least all of these crafty addictions are fun! ;-)
DeleteI looove embroidery! I've recently gotten really into counted cross stitch, though. It's...definitely a bit difficult if you're akin to hobbies that you can do without thinking (like knitting, for me), but the results are so worth it!
ReplyDeleteI love to do a little bit of cross stitching from time to time. It is so relaxing, just counting the stitches and following the pattern. I love it!
ReplyDeletei love embroidery! that's one of those arts i don't think i have the patience for but just love to see how creative you can be with it.
ReplyDeleteLove your towel! Cute stitch-onary! I keep talking about getting back into embroidery, but I just haven't done it yet. Your towel might tip me over into starting again.
ReplyDeleteEmbroidery really is the best. As much as I love crochet, I think embroidery might be may favorite. I love the tea towel! I am thinking about stitching up some sort of sampler for my work area, as well.
ReplyDelete-BekahDrey
http://bekahdrey.blogspot.com
I love that tea towel! Cross-stitch is my favorite form of embroidery, I like the 'x's
ReplyDeleteYou sound perfectly normal and sane to me. Your tea towel is glorious x
ReplyDeleteWow those are such lovely projects! Are they your first ventures into embroidery? If so, you've got an incredibly neat hand :) I've been meaning to try my hand at embroidery for ages know, there is something inexplicably charming and even enchanting about it isn't there! Looking forward to seeing more stitching fromy ou in the future, Khrystyna x
ReplyDeletehttp://littlerubyrobin.blogspot.ie/2012/07/etsy-love.html
That is seriously cute! I have never taken the time to really learn how to embroider - I just do whatever and if it doesn't turn out - oh well. What would you recommend to learn how to embroider? Did you reference a book?
ReplyDeleteWow great job! I really like embroidery but have never really tried my hands at it...
ReplyDeleteSo lovely, Meredith! I'm especially fond of your "stitch-onary"...such a cute idea!
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th!
xo, Allie
www.sleepynorthwest.com
Oh, so pretty Meredith!! I love to embroider! I just finished some vintage blue birds and it is posted here on my blog: http://vintagegreyhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/07/pretty-blue-birds.html. I am always on the lookout for vintage embroidery patterns, because they are the sweetest! Wishing you a Happy 4th of July! xo Heather
ReplyDeleteI haven't done a cross stitch in awhile. My last one took over 3 Christmases to complete. I think I was just a bit too ambitious for a 16x20!
ReplyDeleteYou can see it here: http://prettylittlepinkthings.wordpress.com/2011/08/06/project-granny-square-baby-blanket/
I am loving these smaller embroidery projects I've been seeing online lately. They're so precious. I've been itching to pick up a needle again.
This is now going to be a great adventure. I did a heap of cross stitch, say 15 yrs ago, and then just stopped. Maybe I should learn bit more :-)
ReplyDeleteThat is sooo cute! Love your work!
ReplyDeletehi! i found your blog by instagram!!! i really like it!:D nice to meet you!:D
ReplyDeletei get so excited too. giddy might be the word!
ReplyDeletetotally loving the colour scheme :)
Barnicles x
Hi Meredith, I love your first steps into the embroidery world. :) I remember stitching an aquarium in 5th grade. ;) My mum might still have it somewhere lying around.
ReplyDeleteHaven't stitched much after that...but stitching is definitely a very diverse craft. You can use it in so many ways!
I really have to try out different stitch techniques too...
And YES, you're not the only person getting obsessed with new craft projects. So nothing to worry about. ;)
Warm regards, yoojin
I love all your works. you're great!
ReplyDeleteIt's adorable! I'm a beginner and you are an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteSerena
http://cappelloabombetta.blogspot.it/
I ❤ your style! the colours you choose are amazing!
ReplyDeleteI love embroidery! Although I can't figure out the French knot. And now I want to buy a bunch of tea towels to embroider ha!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog through Pinterest. I'm a knitter and embroiderer as well. Your tea towel is so adorable. Don't you have trouble actually using them? When my girls were little I did a lot of handwork on their clothes, smocking, shadow embroidery, ribbon embroidery and heirloom sewing. It's all beautiful! I'll be back again.
ReplyDeletethat is so cute! I mostly sew (cushions, quilts etc) so my effort in branching out was to try knitting and I love it! This little project (and the stitch-onary) has definitely inspired me to try embroidery too but perhaps after I finish my first ever knitted scarf! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a craft nerd-geek-obsessed individual too =) I can't WAIT to try something new and it defintely feels like torture when that is all you can think of and of course you can't get to it. Your embroidery is beautiful and inspirational!
ReplyDeleteMeredith, your stitching looks PERFECT! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteThis is adorable! I love embroidery too, but my stitches aren't as neat! Question for you - what size needle did you use and how many "threads" of the embroidery thread? My mom taught me to pull apart the embroidery thread and only use 2 threads that make up the standard thread. Does that make sense? But your stitches look thicker and more defined than mine! I like your look better, but I'm having a hard time threading all the threads through the needle's eye. Help! :)
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through Pinterest and I love it! I get obsessed about crafting too. Right now it's quilting and embroidery, but when it gets cooler I will probably only want to knit!
ReplyDeleteOhmygosh, your stitches are gorgeous! I used to embroider a lot, but I haven't had much time, lately...I was missing it this week! My favorite was an cotopus pattern I have hanging by my desk (http://michelleclement.typepad.com/blog/2010/11/she-is.html). So fun!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, Meredith! It's creative, inspiring, lovely and simply delightful. I've just entered the blogging world and don't have a clue about all the buttons, bells, whistles.....any blog tutorial you might recommend for this newbie? Any resources would be so appreciated! Thanks, and many blessings as you continue with this very special spot on the web! Brenda.
ReplyDeleteI love your cheat sheet! And the colors you chose it makes me want to learn to embroider.
ReplyDeleteI just got this pattern too! Here is the link if anyone wants it. The Macaroons are my fav. So glad to see embroidery making a comeback. You can take it anywhere, you can make it your own (love what you did with the ombre here), and they make great gifts!
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I need a tutorial on the chain stitch...please :)
ReplyDeletei am super late to this party, but i wanted to point you toward this: http://www.publiccollectors.org/PDFs%20of%20Books%202010/Handbook_of_Lettering.pdf
ReplyDeletei got this book on interlibrary loan a few years ago and LOVED IT, and was googling the other day and found the whole think as a pdf. i've started embroidering as a kid and picked it up again a few years ago, and this is one of the best/ most excellent resources i've found.