Craft review book!

Hello,

I'm working on a review of the handbook of the silk ribbon embroidery! If any one likes silk ribbon embroidery, feel free to comment with what aspects you'd like to learn about! (Can't wait for the camera to upload the pictures!)

Judge nothing

Twitter showed me another gem the other day. This time, it was an inspirational quote.

Judge nothing, you will be happy. Forgive everything, you will be happier. Love everything, you will be happiest. -Sri Chinmoy

It makes me feel very inspired and grateful for those who forgive my little oddities :) What do you love right now?

Share your crafty blogs (yes, even your own!)

Hello,

How is it going? Hope that this day finds you well!

I'm procrastinating watching Drive me Crazy with Melissa Joan Hart (I love her character transformations!) and procrastinating going to the gym. It made me wish that I had more crafty blogs to pour through and procrastinate with!

Have a blog to share?

Crafters do it right! Whats your wish list?

This is beautiful, handmade Crafters Scrap book is a testament to why handmade is so much better than mass commercialism. Look at how the colors blend with the personal touch of the bobbin and buttons!

I'd totally be happy to find this under my tree.

Whats your Etsy find that you'd like to find under the tree?

This features Crafters Photo Scrapbook by LilpaperBoutiquehttp://www.etsy.com/listing/84703488/crafters-photo-scrapbook-album

Christmas Jar Toppers

Have you ever received a Gift in a Jar?

I remember being given the most wonderful hot cocoa in a jar from an elderly neighbor when I was a child. Hot chocolate was sort of my thing when I was in junior high - I was from California transplanted to Ohio; I lived in thick, fuzzy sweaters and sipping on cocoa.

This year; I'm working on my own gifts in a jar - specifically the ones on page 131 in the Big Book of Christmas Quickies. I'll be sure to photograph the finished pieces!

I'm still shopping around for recipes if you have any ideas!

I am eyeing this blog post:

http://linaloo.typepad.com/linaloo/2010/12/whyreinventthewheel.html

Don't they look delicious?

New Ornament being designed

Hello!

I hope that this finds you well. I spoke in the past abou

t how there is an ornament exchange coming up with old family friends.

I originally had planned on using the European Magazine Crosstitcher design of square felt ornaments with cross stitched holiday scenes with in.

Yet upon examining them; they felt more like gift tags than ornaments. I looked through a few books for inspiration and found Splendid Silk Ribbon Embroidery; an older book with great ideas.

I used the silk dupion from my disastrous trip to Jo Ann's and free stitched a heart design onto it. The dupion was a drea; its perfect for silk ribbon embroidery. It *is* a bit hard to pin in place for finishing work; so I backed it with green evenweave for this ornament.

I did short the 1/4 seam allowance on the top a bit:

Something to learn from! I just finished a new bow inspired from Splendid Silk Ribbon Embroidery book. I'll be doing a full review of that craft book as soon as the camera battery has recharged so that I can photograph the much improved upon ornament!

This heart ornament might be offered on discount for being a prototype; I haven't decided. Look it over; offer any thoughts you have on it!

Do come check out the Christmas Bow soon.

Interesting article: Needlework is making a comeback

Hello,

Twitter has now shown me another fantastic article!

One of the more interesting points is about cyber stitching.

*Cyber-stitching" events invite people to drop what they're doing at a specific time, pick up their needle and join online chats about projects.

Read more: http://host.madison.com/entertainment/city_life/needlework-is-making-a-comeback-as-new-groups-experiment-with/article_844276fe-120b-11e1-8df8-001cc4c002e0.html#ixzz1eHRwBEzu

Ribbon!

I have a lot of ribbon supplies. I'm that sort of person who buys two sets of ribbon just for that perfect moss green ribbon that complements the rose perfectly.

I am packing up to move houses (finally getting married! yay!) and I realize that I have a 20 lb box of floss and ribbon. Not supplies like books, hoops, needles - just the ribbon!

Come check out the new ribbon sets that will be going up.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Serynanne?section_id=7670966

Remember that if you buy a ribbon set, you get 10 % off with code Etsyneat.

Artfire

SerynasCreations - ArtFire Seller Shop New Artfire shop has gone live! I'll be offering my silk ribbon kits for 5 $ off to kick off my new shop :)

To celebrate my mossy green being featured on a treasury..

Since my lovely silk was featured in a 'Making Presents, getting ready treasury' which you can find here

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODk4Nzk3NHwxMDkxNzk5MjE3/making-presents-supplies-under-10

I am celebrating by giving you a holiday bonus when you buy silk ribbon sets. When you add a silk ribbon set to your order, use coupon code

ETSYNEAT

to get 10% off your entire order. I will be unveiling new batches of silk ribbon so check out the shop to snag the pretty ribbon and the savings!

Featuring Deer Little Fawn

I found a very inspirational post on Deer Little Fawn. The talented Deer Little Fawn shows someone that inspires her, Elsa Mora.

Deer Little Fawn is quite inspirational herself; I've found her blog very captivating and enlightening. You can hear more about Elsa Mora on Deer Fawn's blog

http://deerlittlefawn.blogspot.com/2011/11/incredibly-inspirational.html#comment-form

Elsa has a very inspirational Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/planetelsita/

I assume most of it is her work or what inspires her.

...really?

Have you ever had a 'really? this inconvenience is happening now?' day?

My day started off at 6 A. M. when Keith accidentally knocked the alarm clock off when he left for work. It freaked out so I got up for my work day. It was raining cats & dogs this morning so every one lined up at my drive through window.

After the 500th person held up their money *inside their car* for me to lean out of the window to get it, I was able to leave work early. Apparently we're going to rotate cashiers in back booth so no one else gets drenched. (After I leave, right).

Since I had extra time, I went to Jo Ann Fabrics. While I was walking to the store, the sole of my work shoe lifted off and I tripped into a puddle that I swear was a foot deep. California wasn't made for these down pours, so the parking lot was full of rivers and miniature lakes.

After I found the silk dupion (which is 40% for Veterans Day; go grab some!) they only had pinks and purples. I really wanted white (for the white cards) but I went with a smoky grey. Pink roses will look really nice on it.

I'm so glad that I'm home... with my silk dupion :)

How was your day?

Making Presents

Hello,

Jo on Etsy has created a lovely and helpful guide for making presents (and she included my mossy green silk ribbon). If you love green and need to get on making presents, check it out:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODk4Nzk3NHwxMDkxNzk5MjE3/making-presents-supplies-under-10

Featuring Napkin rings & Acorns tutorial from all things HOMEY

Hello,

In clicking the new followers, I found someone following all things HOMEY

They have a simple, fun tutorial on how to make acorns & napkin rings.

http://allthingshomey.blogspot.com/2011/11/holiday-craft-tutorial.html

I am adding this onto my week end to do list :)

~Anne

How to make your own floss tassels

I was checking out cool craft sites (once again, I found it on twitter!) and I found a neat tutorial on how to make your own tassels with floss. It definitely looks easy and a versatile effect for all of our Christmas ornaments and book marks.

I'll try it out this week end and show you how it looks :)

Try it out and come show your pictures, comment with links. Links to blogs welcome!

http://dmc-threads.com/basic-tassle/

Purple Pearl Fuchsia Tutorial

For these flowers, I chose a new batch of ribbon that I bought from SilkStudio (http://www.etsy.com/shop/SilkStudio) in lovely shades of deep purple, varying light purple and thin pure white.

To begin, lock your darker color (in this case, the dark purple) onto your chenille needle and make two straight stitches. Leave about two needle widths between the stitches. The stitch can be as long as you like, experiment!

Bring your needle up above where you have made your straight stitches. I like to make these as close as possible to the initial straight stitches, but you may want to start a little higher depending on how full you will like these full straight stitches. Make a few straight stitches across the top of of first two stitches, but place the needle very close to where you come up and do not pull the ribbon through- let a little loop form.

Well done! Fasten off the dark purple and thread your next lightest color. I locked on my light purple and set about make very loose, artsy ribbon stitches. You want to bring these up near your purple 'loop' stitches and let them lay over the tops of them. Play with the ribbon to get it to lay in a nice fuschia shape. Remember that with ribbon stitches, you place the needle through the ribbon and pull through. To keep from pulling your pretty ribbon stitch through, place your off hand against the hoop and a finger over the stitch.

Once you get a few nice looking stitches, fasten off the ribbon and select your white stamen color. The next stitches are very easy- a few straight stitches beneath the dark purple straight stitches. Go ahead and add a few more flowers. You can create unfinished buds with a lazy daisy stitch placed under a french knot.

Here's another 'how to' with the loop straight stitches:

Here's a few completed flowers!

As soon as I can, I'll get back on with how to add leaves to these flowers. I hope that you've enjoyed the tutorial!

*Edit* The tutorial has been added. See the new tutorials - stem & leaves- to see how to go from there to here:

~Anne

Thankyou Thursday: Aid for Abby

While checking twitter today, I found a link to a shop http://ww
w.etsy.com/shop/aidforabby 'Aid for Abby'. In reading it; I found out that the shop is ran by a mother of an autistic girl who is suffering from several disabilities.

I am deciding which two cards to get; and it may be these two right here! I could certainly use your help :)

Check these cards out and maybe you'll find your own card that you can't live with out

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AidforAbby?section_id=10261830

I'd like to share a treasury created by Mucar entitled each rose is not a barbet. It features lovely roses in a variety of media, from embroidery to accessories.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjQ4NDY2NXwxMDY4NjI5NDYx/each-rose-is-not-barbet

It features one of my embroidered pieces, the mixed flower heart.

My favorite piece in the treasury is the one that my eye is continuously drawn to:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60481930/angel-baby-dusty-pink-marie-antoinette?ref=tre-1068629461-3

I love the rose decoration!

Holiday Special

Hello,

I've found myself enjoying the creative mood that has come from embroidering sales :)

I want to share my enjoyment, so here are two codes for you to enjoy!

CODETWITTER will give you 20% off and FREESHIP will be free shipping on your order :)

I look forward to embroidering a sentiment for you.

Here are some of the things you could use the codes for

Current Projects

Those of you working on any embroidery project; come share what is at the top of your to do list - or your favorite project :)

I just finished my first cross stitch for someone that I know, my mom's co worker who just had a baby. It is a 'Baby's First Christmas' pictured here (in the big book review)

http://serynascreations.blogspot.com/2011/10/craft-book-review-with-pictures-of-big.html

I think that I'm going to edge it with some lace from my Mom's collection (I kid you not, she has an entire shelf devoted to lace) and another piece of Aida.

Share your current projects by commenting below. Pictures (and links, if you're selling them) are encouraged.

The Giveaway has ended

Hello!

I'd like to thank Lorriane, IndieSpotting and Eclairre for entering the giveaway and for choosing to follow Seryna's Creations. Please email me your address at Serynarpc@gmail.com to claim your free embroidery kit :)

If you missed the giveaway, you can find the kit on the Kit section of my Shop:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/84616892/silk-ribbon-embroidery-card-kit

RedRedCompletelyRed Envelope kit

I have been working on my Christmas ornaments and decided to search the tags on Etsy :) One of the most attractively photographed and lovely looking pieces are these letters from RedRedCompletelyRed

I am working through my own felt ornaments; that I'll post up soon.

Check these out and let me know what you think of them:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78135193/three-felt-envelopes-kit-supplies-and

Changing Colors

I followed a link on twitter and came across this 'changing colors' blog post here:

http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/changing-colors

It definitely is useful & easy. I'm going to try it out with my 'modern' green and purple 1 hour stitching ornaments from the Crosstitcher; the European magazine. I'll try and get some pictures up asap!

Silk Ribbon Card get ends Tuesday

Hello!

I am deciding that waiting for 50 people to follow the blog to start giving away card kits is taking too long. Now the giveaway will end Tuesday and three people who follow & comment on the blog will receive a silk ribbon card kit!

Full details here:

http://serynascreations.blogspot.com/2011/10/working-on-new-kit-means-giveaway-for.html

Follow and enjoy your high chances of getting a free silk ribbon kit :)

Fuchsia: Free Pattern

Hello!

Today I am in the mood to embroider fuchsias and if you are too, grab your supplies and we can get stitching. Be sure to review the fuchsia tutorial offered here:

http://serynascreations.blogspot.com/2010/06/purple-pearl-fuschia-tutorial.html

Here is a picture of my sketch.

To make the pattern, follow an exaggerated 'M' letter. I find it looks nice if the lengths vary.

Using a vanishing pen, trace a shape onto your fabric.

Work left from right, starting with your darker colored ribbon.

After that, set about making three loose loop stitches ar

ound your first two stitches. You'll want these to remain raised from the fabric a small amount, so do not pull the ribbon taunt when you form the loop stitches.

Tutorial: Christmas card

This is a tutorial on how to create a silk ribbon card - for Christmas or possibly a thank you card.

First, create an embroidered sentiment. You will need a good three inches of fabric around the pattern.

2. Remove the embroidery and iron out the piece. Place the ironed embroidery within your card opening. Using your erasable pen, mark the edges of the embroidery to ensure proper placement.

3. Cut a piece of card stock to fit the interior of the card. Some cards supplied for embroidery will likely have a card supplied. Trifold cards will eliminate this step :)

Use double sided tape or adhesive squares to adhere embroidery to the card. Place the embroidery into the card and secure with more double sided tape. Place the card underneath something flat so that it will bond evenly.

4. Marvel at your creativity!

You can find this kit offered in my etsy shop momentarily. You can also enter the giveaway

here

http://serynascreations.blogspot.com/2011/10/working-on-new-kit-means-giveaway-for.html

Tutorials

Tutorials on how to sew a certain flower or other technique are posted regularly on this blog. Be sure to follow so that you don't miss anything!

The first tutorial; How to embroider a delphinium:

http://serynascreations.blogspot.com/2010/03/technique-thursday-how-to-embroider.html

The second tutorial: How to embroider an Aster (using french knots & ribbon stitches)

http://serynascreations.blogspot.com/2010/03/technique-thursday-french-knot.html

How to embroider foxgloves and irises

http://serynascreations.blogspot.com/2010/04/tutorial-how-to-sew-foxgloves-and.html

Bluebell Tutorial

http://serynascreations.blogspot.com/2010/05/bluebell-tutoria-bookmark.html

Purple Pearl: Fuschia Tutorial

http://serynascreations.blogspot.com/2010/06/purple-pearl-fuschia-tutorial.html

Follow my Twitter [Serynarpc] and my facebook fan page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Diego-CA/Serynas-Creations/115800715114011 for special promotions!

Drop me a note if you have any questions

Craft book review (with pictures) of the Big Book of Christmas quickies

I found this craft book, the big book of Christmas Quickies, right before I left for my Vegas vacation last week. It was about 18 dollars at Jo Ann Fabrics.

Its a good sized book with a great many projects. My first impression is here:

http://serynascreations.blogspot.com/2011/10/review-of-big-book-of-christmas.html

Now that I've had some time to stitch; I've found the ornament section to be very enjoyable. I am currently making a gift for my mother's friend who just had a baby.

The patterns are easy to read and they are very quick. In checking the other projects; I find them very inspiring to sew. One flaw is that the finishing instructions are very light.

What is up next? Well, this little treasure of adorable mice! I plan to back these with felt, sew on a ribbon loop and slip them into Christmas cards to be Christmas tags or Christmas ornaments.

I highly enjoyed this craft book and wish only for more hours in the day to sew them away.

Are you planing on doing any Christmas embroidery this year? I highly suggest checking out this book to see if it has your needs covered! Feel free to share your Christmas stitching ideas here :)

Interesting article; embroidery for men

Hello,

I found an interesting article about needlepoint for men at http://www.coolcraftsites.com/2011/nuts-about-needlepoint/needlepoint-for-men-%E2%80%93-a-classic-needlepoint-book/

My fiance and I often joke about how men are never pictured or featured in advertising for embroidery. Embroidering isn't something just for men - there are plenty of male tailors and such; but in going through the little advert for 'quick kits', I found only one picture in 44 pages of a man embroidering.

Food for thought.

What do you think?

News

Good evening,

As I will be working on Christmas themed embroidery to

morrow (as in; about 12 hours!), I'll be snapping pictures of new things that will be hitting the shop.

One certainty is that this recently sold (and renewed) card will be embroidered.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64029379/holiday-wreath-card-in-silk-ribbon

I will be experimenting with color and cards (using the oval opening as well the square opening) to see which bring out a holiday spirit. I'll be sharing the pictures and my thoughts with you here, so don't be shy about which you like.

Also working on the line of heart cards such as these

so be sure to let me know which is your favorite

Pink heart card

Red flowered heart card

Pink rose heart card

I appreciate your feedback!

working on a new kit means a giveaway for you!

Hello,

I hope that this finds you well. I am currently working on a new monogram kit. I have made several for my mother's friends - all monogrammed cards. The interest has made me decide to offer a 'create your own card' silk ribbon kit.

This kit will come with instructions on how to create beautiful silk ribbon embroidery like this:

The kit will come with

*full instructions

* a selection of silk ribbon

* a selection of DMC embroidery floss

* One hand drawn floral pattern

* a felt needle book with needles

* One card with an opening designed to display embroidery

Due to my excitement about it; I'll be giving one of the monogram kits away free; shipping included when I reach 40 blog followers!

To join the giveaway:

1. Follow the blog here. New followers can post in to alert me that you are following.

2. Post your favorite item from my shop and why you like it to this post

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Serynanne

3. For promoting the giveaway on your blog or twitter is another entry. Go ahead and link to your blog mention in your comment!

I'll be using your feedback on what you enjoy in the shop to list new silk ribbon creations to the shop!

I'll make a post with the winner when the blog reaches 40 followers!

Review of the big book of Christmas Quickies

Hello,

I recently bought a book published by Leisure Arts, the big book of Christmas quickies. The cover promises +250 projects within.

Plus:

1. There is a great deal of projects for plastic canvas and perforated paper; two supplies that I have on hand right now.

2. The first few pages feature cheery ornaments that I plunged into whole heartedly. The patterns are wonderfully simple to follow.

Favorites:

Merry mice are cheery and darling! I'm also fond of classics like 'Baby's First Christmas' and the simple pleasant ornament designs. There are also several simple designs that can adorn the edges of stockings, napkin covers and small gift tags.

Cons:

I may just be a slow stitcher; but I've been working on Baby's First Christmas on page 8 for about five days and its about 3/4 of the way done. I also find the finishing instructions to be a bit thin. For a seasoned stitchers it will be easy to follow; but it slowed me down for a few.

I plan on timing the next time that I stitch it to give an accurate view of how 'quick' this particular design is. I'll also post photos of designs from the book as I finish them.

Have you purchased a new craft book? Post them in the comments here!

News

Hello!

I am working on some new Christmas themed stitching for the new cross stitch themed shop that will be going up soon! Fantastic news is that I have a new laptop. The sad news is that the memory card from my camera can't plug directly into this laptop.

I'll be editing the pictures for a fun, simple cross stitch ornament that will work with all of your small patterns. You can stitch it with a simple blanket stitch very quickly; making a fabulous and quick little gift.

Be sure to follow the blog!

Side news; I'm heading to Vegas for a week! The blog won't be updated; but check back to see pictures of the new Christmas projects :)

Christmas comes to the shop

Hello every one,

I have obtained a new plethora of Christmas designs that I can't wait to stitch. Several shall be hitting the shop; but with a twist - I'm considering getting a seasonal only shop. The hardest thing to solve is the name!

Thoughts? :)

Also keep an eye for an ornament tutorial coming up; finishing my first felt cross stitched ornament!

tutorial

Hello!

I hope that this finds you well. I am setting up a work space to work on some new silk ribbon kits :) While I feel inspired from doodling new patterns; I thought that I'd share some of the free tutorials you can find on this site.

Tutorial List:
Spider web roses:
http://serynascreations.blogspot.com/2010/08/spider-wed-rose-tutorial.html

Leaf tutorial:
http://serynascreations.blogspot.com/2010/06/leaf-tutorial.html

Fuchsia Stem tutorial
http://serynascreations.blogspot.com/2010/06/fuchsia-stemtutorial.html

Fuchsia Tutorial:
http://serynascreations.blogspot.com/2010/06/purple-pearl-fuschia-tutorial.html

You can always find full kits in the kit portion of my shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Serynanne?section_id=7340073

Happy stitching!

Your favorite flower

Close your eyes a moment and think to your favorite flower. When did you first see it? Do you have a good memory associated with it?

My favorite flowers are carnations. It started in sixth or seventh grade when we were learning about photosynthesis. To make the point about how plants processed nutrients; the teacher placed white carnations in jars of different colored water. For days the classroom was filled with pink, purple and yellow tinged carnations that brightened up the whole room :)

My favorite flower to embroider; however, are fuchsia

I tried to stitch a fuchsia many times; wasting ribbon and feeling generally down on myself. I just couldn't decipher the old embroidery book (and its hand drawn pictures!) Finally; I tried one final time and every thing clicked just right. I feel such a feeling of accomplishment to finish a beautiful fuchsia.

I've tried to take the sting out of the frustration I had by offering up my own tutorial. You can find it here:

Fuchsia Tutorial:
http://serynascreations.blogspot.com/2010/06/purple-pearl-fuschia-tutorial.html

I also offer a full kit with iron on transfers and ribbon on the Etsy shop:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65013559/silk-ribbon-embroidery-kit-blue-flowers

I look forward to hearing about your favorite flowers!

Beauty is Blooming at Etsy Neat

Etsy neat; the team devoted to hand stitched pieces of art; have been growing beautiful flowers for you!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTM5NDk1M3w3OTE2MTA2OTU/beauty-is-blooming-at-etsy-neat

Needle Art Loveliness

Many thanks to Rebecca for featuring me in the treasury needle art loveliness. There are so many beautiful pieces in the treasury!

Sneak Peek:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTAyNDcxfDc4NjA3NDIzMw/needle-art-loveliness

# Project # 1

For some reason, my computer won't save the rotated version and the laptop is at the repair shop. Sorry!

This is the most adorable ornament I can imagine! I can't wait until the felt arrives.

Has any one started Christmas Ornaments to share?

The Cross Stitcher, Britain's no 1 magazine, has been very inspirational this week end! I have been working on the 25 festive designs to stitch in an hour. I've found them to be easy - whole stitches only - and very quick work!

I've come across a great link to Blooming Felt.

The only sad thing is that this is britain's number 1 magazine, after all, so the prices are in Euros and you have to wonder about the shipping cost. I do love the colors; but decided not to wait for shipping from Europe.

I checked Etsy for an alternative and found a great deal! I have purchased some felt from shoppe3130 - purple, sapphire blue, red and green! I expect to be posting some Christmas designs here very soon. I will let you know how the felt holds up for Christmas designs!

You can find the magazine at Barnes and Noble. Its a purple colored magazine with photos of cross stitched designs (in purple and green coloring, very modern!)

quilling

Hello,

Apologies for the erratic posting. I have been diagnosed with tendonosis; which cuts into sewing and blogging. However, I am still committed to finding the perfect holiday ornament for the ornament exchange!

Here's a tutorial on quilling which sounds very promising. She promises to hold our hand!

http://www.reesedixon.com/2008/12/quilled-snowflake-ornament.html

Etsyneat Team Captain giveaway

PilousPercilla a talented EtsyNeat team captain is doing a giveaway!
flexfamilyarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/ffa-giveaway.html

As always, I will definitely be signing up. I am always amazed at the embroidery in PilousPercilla's avatar. She is the designer of the embroidery featured at the top of the page. Isn't it lifelike?

~Anne

Christmas Designs

Christmas Ornament ideas have been decided. Thanks to advice from RustBeltGallery, I have decided to stick to what I know- silk ribbon embroidery.

I'll be trying two ideas- embroidering heart shaped felt ornaments & embroidering silk ribbon on small 3 inch hoops. I'll show them about to see which ones are pretty enough for the exchange!

Some thoughts of flowers I may use:


What do you think?

Design Transfer Tutorial

While I was cruising through EtsyNeat forums (which I suggest you join if you love hand embroidery!), I found a tutorial that had been posted by sewjenaissance


http://sewjenaissance.blogspot.com/2011/08/design-transfer-tutorial.html

I have often complained about my design of transferring (holding the design over a window). This looks to be so much easier!

Found tutorial: Vintage egg

Yesterday I mentioned Christmas ornaments - and where to find tutorials. While perusing the internet, I came across a Vintage Egg tutorial:
http://www.happytogethercreates.com/2009/04/vintage-egg-ornament-tutorial.html

There's not much that captures my attention more than a vintage egg.

When I was a child - young enough that 'my own money' was a new concept- I found Christmas shopping very exciting. I came across a vintage egg stylized candle that seemed so exotic and special that I immediately purchased it for my mother :)

I'm sitting down to craft one for my Mom right now. If you do it as well, come back and share your pictures :)

Christmas Count down Part Three

While taking a break from my Christmas ornament crafting, I decided to plug 'silk ribbon embroidery' into Google to see what people are up to.

In France, someone is doing silk ribbon embroidery on egg shells. You read that right- some talented person is embroidering on blown eggs.I feel inspiration waffling up off of this picture like the aroma of an omelet. Can you imagine the talent needed for that?
I can't imagine the effort this takes!

Christmas Count down

What embroidery projects are you working on for the Christmas holiday?
My mom and I have are glad to participate in a hand made ornament giveaway with our long term friends Nancy and Crystal.

This inspired me to get out the 'gift tag' packet that was a free gift with the Stitchery magazine. There are several cute Christmas themed cross stitch patterns designed to be placed on aida and taped onto packages. The set up is pretty simple- embroider a simple pattern, adhere it to provided tag with double sided tape and tie to a package.

In the same magazine there is a felt ornament with an 'aperture' or opening in it where you display a cross stitched design. My cross stitching leaves much to be desired, so I'm thinking that I will place silk ribbon designs within.
Will botanical designs be a hit for Christmas? Time to start searching for ornament tutorials. Do you know of any :)
There are only 128 days (about!) until Christmas!

The votes are talied: calla lilies are in!

I've been searching out feedback on which flower should be featured in the first 'set' of cards to hit the shop. All of the votes on facebook (and my nwod website :P ) have said 'calla Lilly'

Please come by the shop to see a sample of the cards that will be hitting the shop:


I'll be posting a coupon code when the first sets go up! Keep an eye out :)

Embroidered Bookmarks

Its been a slow week at the blog. Not enough tutorials; I know. I apologize for that. The day job takes too much time!

I had a few moments so I put together a few bookmarks. I was excited to see how they would turn out, so I rushed production a bit. You can see they could have used some ironing :P

I'll get a book mark tutorial up ASAP!