A bit of Embroidery

I never seem to know what to do when I have multiple things to blog about, make one long post, or do two posts in one day.  So today I chose to do two posts, one for Project Quilting, and this one for Slow Stitching Sunday.

I am excited to have a finished project to share this week.  Years ago, I gave my daughters some embroidery projects for Christmas, hoping to expose them to this enjoyable form of creativity.  I believe I bought this pillowcase for one of my older daughters (I'll bet there is another halfway finished one somewhere in my house!).  I decided I should go ahead and finish this up so that it can be used and enjoyed.

The rose and the light part of the leaves were done, but the rest was waiting to be stitiched.

I did part of the stems using back stitch, but decided I liked how the stem stitch looks better.

It took forever to do all the peach stitching!  So many lazy daisy stitches and french knots!  Sadly, there are some stains on this, and I have my doubts as to whether this will wash out.  The good thing is that I will use it and not just set it aside as something pretty I don't want to ruin.

It sure is pretty, and will look nice in my guest bedroom.  Next I need to get back to the embroidery I was working on to cover my Quilter's Planner with!  I wanted to get that done before the beginning of the year, but the flu messed up that plan, and it hasn't seemed to be that big of a priority to me in the meantime.  Now I'm ready to get that done and enjoy it!

Linking up with Kathy for Slow Sunday Stitching.

Slow Sunday Stitching - personalizing a journal cover

This week I had an opportunity to enjoy some hand stitching - it's been a while since I did any embroidery and I thoroughly enjoyed working on this piece!

The gold lettering is hard to photograph, but it says "Kitty and Jerome's Amazing Recipes"  Since the journal was already complete I had to make sure I didn't catch the flap on the back in the stitching, but it wasn't really to bad.  The gold thread was a bit difficult to work with, but it was so pretty that it was worth the effort.

I had to really stretch out of my comfort zone and write the letters out on the cover myself - I printed out the font as large as I could on a piece of paper, then practiced on that before writing on the journal.  My chalk pencil wouldn't show up, so I took a deep breath and used a very fine point pink gel pen....but it went just fine, and I figure a little imperfection on a hand-made item is to be expected, right?

I really enjoyed working on this, it makes me eager to think of some more hand stitching projects!  I do have a quilt that is basted and ready to start quilting that I should get to working on - I think I'll pull that out this evening and challenge myself to get that finished.  Cooler nights are coming and this quilt has a lovely wool batting that will be super nice to snuggle under!

Linking up with Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching - stop by and see who else is linking up this week!

Leisurely Stitching

I have found that it is a bit hard for me to relax and not be in a hurry, but I am becoming addicted to my slow stitching projects!  I really anticipate that down time to work on them, and am worried that I am going through them too fast.  My husband enjoys me spending time with him and not being on the laptop, so it really is a nice part of my day to sit and stitch.  I actually finished last weeks project and it came out so cute!

I used my Quilted Journal Cover Pattern to  turn it into a beautiful  journal that I will use to write down my positive and encouraging thoughts in!

I had fun choosing some pretty and feminine fabrics for this project.

I even used some of the lovely rose fabric I've been saving since I bought  it last summer for the inside flaps.  Am I the only one that hates to use the fabrics I love the most?  I always feel bad about using them up!

I've been working on finishing up a cross stitch pattern this week.  I've made a lot of progress and should be able to finish that up this week.

I've done all the outlining and just have to finish the quilting lines, cat's whiskers and detailing on the fan.

I was a little distressed to realize that the outline around the whole picture was supposed to be the dark pink in the top corner of the quilt.  But I decided that it's my project and if I like the dark gray outlining, then I don't have to feel like I need to change it to match the pattern!

After this one, there is one more in the series.  I don't think I will start it right away, I have more embroidery that I want to do first.  It's funny what captures my interest, never was into embroidery that much before, but that cute little stitchery on the journal cover got me hooked!

I'm linking up on Kathy's Blog for Slow Sunday Stitching, am having a great time checking out everyone's projects!

Taking it Slow

I have been making an effort to make some changes, I really desire to have less stress and more joy in my every day life.  One of the things I am attempting to do is spend a little less time on the computer and more time doing things I enjoy like reading and working on hand sewing projects.  As much as I love machine sewing, there is just something pleasant and quieting about stitching by hand.

I spent the first part of the year working on hand-quilting a quilt, but since we came back from vacation I haven't decided on another project.  I've been thinking about doing some embroidery and have been collecting a variety of patterns, but after a month of trying to decide I finally committed to this pattern:

This is Block 3 of the Gentle Domesticity Block of the Month series by Jenny of Elefantz Designs.  It really called to me because it will remind me to take time to breath.  I plan on making the finished piece into a journal cover.  I wasn't sure about my choices for the fusible applique part of the piece, but then I thought about my shoebox full of tiny prints for making miniatures with and found the perfect fabrics!  I just love the green with the birds.  I have a ton of embroidery thread from my cross stitch projects and also some Aurifil 12 weight thread and Aurifloss embroidery floss as well so I think I am set for materials.

I did have to hunt up a proper needle - a cross stitch needle is too dull!  I found one good one, so will have to put that on my supply list for my next trip to the store.

I started off with the blanket stitching since I felt pretty confident in that.  I used the 12 weight Aurifil (from the finishing set I won last summer)  I think it worked wonderfully for this!

I made a start on back-stitching the bird and the bows for the curtains.  I think I'll have to wear my glasses because the stitches are super tiny!  I pulled some pink and blue floss to add more color.  I'm enjoying this immensely, so I don't think it will take me long to finish it.  I've got my eye on another project to work on next, but I might try to finish the back-stitching on my Cat project that's been waiting for a while first!

I'm joining in on the Slow Sunday Stitching link-up on Kathy's Quilts to encourage me to keep working on these projects - it's fun to see the projects everyone is working on and I feel like it will keep me accountable to work on mine as well!