New Embroidery

Sorry guys, I’m officially out of clever puns for posts about embroidery at the moment. But I have been stitching furiously!

I think my stitcher’s block earlier this month stemmed from not having an image of the final product in my head before I began. So lately I’ve been creating free form designs—no drawing on the fabric before hand, no tracing a sketch. I’ve been experimenting with new stitches and techniques, all the while just adding whatever I feel like in the moment. I love the way they’ve turned out, expect more of these in the future! Of course, these are all available here.

Hanging by a thread

As promised, here are my experiments in embroidery! I started by finishing a project I had started last winter… beleive it or not those satin stitches took FOREVER. I do love the results and have proudly listed it in my second etsy shop, although I’d be happy to keep it too! My first brand new design began with a monogram. I don’t think it was quite as successful, so I’m going to try the idea with a different stitch next.

But while I was still in love with French knots, I tried a few more things. Though I’ve embroidered before, I couldn’t remember how to do them (I found a great tutorial here!), and once I figured it out I was hooked! I started with my own color experiment in red.

Next up: combining those French knots with other stitches in a less abstract design. I’ve always loved poppies and I thought their black centers would be a fun way to work in texture to a piece. Red Poppy hoop available here! Stay tuned… I’m just waiting on more hoops to arrive in the mail and I’ll show you all what else I’ve been working on!

Spruce Home

Amanda Brown and Lizzie Joyce of  Spruce design studio combine their backgrounds in art and their love for vintage decor to update furniture sure to “spruce your space.” And while with a little luck anyone can find a great vintage piece, this duo also has an amazing collection of fabrics with which they reupholster their pieces and a great eye for combining colors.

Shop Local: Chicago

You know who’s awfully crafty? The folks down in Chicago. I could probably blog for a year about Chicagoans’ handmade goods, but here are a few of my faves:

five trees' Maine Lichen Ringcatcher

I crochet here and there — I’ve made several blankets and more scarves than I can wear in a winter — but that’s nothing compared to five trees fiber arts. Amy’s shop is full of assorted neckwarming devices, of course, but what really sets her apart are her clusters of crochet bowls and stuffed critters. Something for Mom and Baby in the same shop — love it!

five trees' Maxwell

Also using fiber — this time of the fabric variety — is cookoorikoo. I love this necklace made of fabric yo-yos: now that is a statement piece!

cookoorikoo's partly sunny yo-yo necklace

And one more for the kids: Les Tissus Bows. Handmade bows, nursing necklaces, children’s decor and more all handmade by owner Heather. I just love the fluffy hand-trimmed tutus — enough to make any terrible two-year-old look like an angel!

Les Tissus Bows' tutu