Oct. 22, 2008 - A Homemade Christmas-Embroidery

A Homemade Christmas....it makes me think of simple times and heartfelt gifts.  When the girls were little, every Christmas we would watch Little House on the Prairie's Christmas story when Laura and Mary were little.  The Ingalls family made sacrifices so that they could give meaningful gifts to each other, many of them handmade and by the end of the movie the whole Ingalls family was laughing or crying with joy.  It was such a sweet story.   

I have always enjoyed making homemade gifts, different crafts, homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, etc. So with Christmas time coming I try to think of different items that can be homemade.  I usually don't make anything elaborate, just simple and heartfelt. 

This year I am working on some embroidery pieces.  Nothing complicated, just some simple sayings with some vines playing around the edges for "extra beauty".  This is such an easy and simple project, it can travel with me and be picked up and worked on whenever I have a few minutes.


Here are a few of the supplies that I use; embroidery floss, muslin and a fabric marker.  I use the Mark-B-Gone side of this marker.  It will disappear with a light misting of water.  If you use the disappearing ink side, the markings may disappear before you are finished.  Trust me on that one.


I start out with a quote or scripture and play around with it on the computer. It is easy to experiment with it by changing the font and size. Microsoft Word and Photoshop are what I use.  Photoshop is a little more flexible if you put each word in a different layer.  I print out my finished version on regular printing paper.


Next I tape the paper to a sunny window and then tape muslin over it.  Take the Mark-B-Gone marker and copy the design onto the muslin. You can also do this on the counter if you can see through the muslin.


I take another piece of muslin the same size as the one with the design on it and layer them together.  It makes such a difference in your finished piece if you put the two layers together.  With just one layer you can see the threads in the back.  Put the muslin in an embroidery hoop and you are ready to stitch.

I pick out the colors of thread that I want to use and decide what stitches I will use.  I usually use 2 strands of the floss, on the above picture I used 3 strands on the word Joyfully so it would be a little bolder.  I use an embroidery needle, they have bigger eyes and not too sharp of points.
I use a simple stem stitch, french knots, and daisy stitches most of the time. You can click here for a nice embroidery stitch guide.

The vines I usually just do freehand, but you could easily draw them out before stitching.
I also keep in mind what frames I might have on hand.  I try to get frames from rummage sales and just spray paint them to make them go along with the stitching.  You can also get inexpensive frames from Walmart or Hobby Lobby. 

The final steps are misting it with water to get rid of the Mark-B-Gone markings and then iron it from the back side.  Attach it to a piece of foam board by taping it on the back side or sewing the edges together on the back, or using a spray adhesive.


Here is one I did a couple of years ago.  I did the words free hand and only used one layer of muslin and you can see the threads on the back through the material. 


This one is much larger.  It is in an 11 x 14 frame.  I entered this one in our local fair and it won first prize in the Miscellaneous Embroidery division.  You can see the threads on the back on this one, too.  So
make sure you double your muslin before you begin.

To see more Handmade Christmas ideas visit Emily Rose at simplyvintagegirl.com.




 

- Post A Comment!

Comments

Oct. 23, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by solidrock

I love this! You are very talented.

- Permanent Link

Oct. 23, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Tammy

I love your embroidery! I have not attempted this, but what a wonderful home made Christmas gift- so beautiful and made from the heart!

- Permanent Link

Oct. 23, 2008 - Wow

Posted by monkey

Wow those are amazing. I try to do embrodery every now and then.
Have a blessed day.
Miss Emily

- Permanent Link

Oct. 23, 2008 - And now you...

Posted by Anonymous

I have just finished visiting and commenting at both your girls' blogs and knew I must jump over to see you and commend you for your great work in their lives! My goodness-you have extraordinary children, which I know has much to do with an extraordinary upbringing!

I am 26 years old, married six of those years with three children (one who I hold in my womb for a few more weeks before I can hold him/her in my arms) and I can honestly say: I was SO ill-prepared for life, womanhood, and the role of wife and mother. I praise God that He gave me such a strong desire to BE the woman that would glorify him that I tirelessly taught myself how to be and live in an acceptable way. I didn't know how to cook. I didn't know how to sew. Or can. Or be a godly wife. Or parent. So-I taught, and read, and read, and listened to lecture upon lecture. And of course, gleaned much from my Godly husband. But it was a hard and trying time, one that still leaves me sad to this day, that I don't have a mother I can look up to and rely on for wisdom and advice.

While I am not your child, I will rise up right now and call you blessed... Because you have done a great service to your husband, your girls, and ultimately~ God's army in the work you have done as a Godly woman/wife/rolemodel and mother.

I can only hope that through God's grace I can accomplish so much in my own life.

Rebecca from www.zeahrenaissance.blogspot.com

- Permanent Link

Oct. 23, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Jocelyndixon

Wonderful! I've always wanted to do something like that, but I'm too chicken. :P

- Permanent Link

Oct. 24, 2008 - Those are so cute!

Posted by rjdjohn316

I love your Homemade Christmas! Those are so neat. I wish I knew how to create stuff like that but I don't know how to embroider. Wanna teach me, Mrs. Blue-Eggs? (hint hint)

I am sure you had lots of fun making them, and they look absolutely lovely. :)

Love,
Rachel
http://dixonhomestead.com/rachel

- Permanent Link

Oct. 25, 2008 - Hello Mrs. Blue-Eggs

Posted by rjdjohn316

It was nice getting a comment from you. I forgot your username was Robinlyn, and I was trying to figure out who it was that commented. :)

I would be so glad if you would teach me to embroider! That would be so much fun! When do we start? hehe.

Glad you liked the photos of me. Yes, the steps are old-fashioned. I love stone steps.

Love you and miss you, Auntie Blue-Eggs. :)

Love,
Rachel
http://dixonhomestead.com/rachel

- Permanent Link

Oct. 27, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Jocelyndixon

What are we going to embroider? And will it be over the internet or over tea? :P

I'm glad you like my blog. I thought it turned out nicely compared to what I was, frantically, thinking it would. LOL :)

(((HUGS)))

Love ya!

- Permanent Link

Oct. 28, 2008 - Home school Open House

Posted by Tammy

P.S...It's not too late to post something for the Open House this week...it's the first one, so word is still getting out- join us if you can! :)
Tammy (Lattes and Lollipops)

- Permanent Link

Oct. 28, 2008 - Come What May!

Posted by SchoolinRhome

Your embroidery is great! Simple and to the point which makes it so beautiful! I sent this info to your daughters too but it is such a great movie- I am trying to spread the word to all my friends!
I thought you might like this awesome new movie! It is called Come What May! It supports the fight for life, inspires the Godly marriage and encourages purity. You can even veiw it free today and tomorrow yet! It is so worth the time. I am trying to get the word out before everyone goes to vote, too!
It was made by over 40 homeschoolers! Way to go homeschoolers! A+
Check out my post here:
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SchoolinRhome/611224/
Please leave me a comment if you were inspired and plan to pass it on to others. I'd love to hear that!
In Christ's love,
SchoolinRHome

- Permanent Link

Nov. 18, 2008 - great job!

Posted by Anonymous

love what you did here - thanks for sharing!
jodi
www.backporchreflections.blogspot.com

- Permanent Link

Entry 77 of 187
Last Page | Next Page