It's all stitched, it's all good

Thank you everyone who chimed in on my question about embroidery. More than 50 of you shared your opinion!

I am not sure if I am any wiser. Well, maybe a little. It seems that there is some consensus that 'free embroidery' and cross stitch both come under Embroidery in the Needlecraft category - along with hardanger, stumpwork and what have you. I guess you could say they are all one happy stitchy family.

But some do see the different types of Embroidery as different crafts in some way and looking at the Feeling Stitchy Flickr pool the vast majority is definitely of the 'free embroidery' type. Which is interesting. Some people who do, for example, crewel or counted cross stitch might think the group isn't for them.

Floresita, please correct me if I'm wrong- The group is open to everything that is stitched. I think it is really interesting to see what the different types of embroidery are all about. Some may be more restricted when it comes to colours or materials, but you can get inspiration from that too, even if you don't do, say, redwork, and have no intention to.

I, for one, would love to see more stuff that isn't 'free embroidery'. The possibilities are, literally, endless and it would be a durn shame to exclude any of the stitchy stuff.

We won... Gold!

Feeling Stitchy is the....

That's right, readers - in case you hadn't checked, thanks to all of of your votes and support, we won Gold in the Handmade Olympics, Fave Handmaking Blog category! We received 2 generous prizes: gift certificates to the lovely Etsy stores The Peach Tree and Pom Love....

Since this blog is all about celebrating you and inspiring you... you're going to get one of the prizes! The other prize will go to one of our randomly selected, hardworking Feeling Stitchy bloggers.

Wanna see your prize? Do you? Do you? Well, here it is - a $50 gift certificate to the lovely Etsy store Pom Love:

"vintage quilt"

Kirsten creates gorgeous, diaphanous, wire-hung mobiles of paper scrumptiousness that can be all yours, if you win this prize. :) I can picture her creations hanging in a baby's room, or floating aloft above a special party or just decorating the air in your favorite craftspace, inspiring you.

"punch drunk love"

To win a prize, leave a comment with a link, telling us:

What's your favorite Feeling Stitchy post / find from the past year?

Edit: At 11:30 PM, ET, Sunday night comments will be closed To give you a little more time to respond, you have until 8 AM, on Monday morning to comment!

I'll randomly select 1 winner to receive the $50 gift certificate to Pom Love! I'll also randomly draw the name of 1 Feeling Stitchy blogger to receive the $50 gift certificate to The Peach Tree. Thanks everyone, for voting for us and showing your support, and leave a comment so we can share the love! :)

Edit: 8 AM, Monday morning - comments closed! Winners announced soon!

Giraffes in Space

 

According to CatReince this embroidery 'is inspired by the thought that giraffes come from outer space'. Well I don't know about that (I only have heard of Pigs in Space) but I do know I like the look of these stars and constellations!

Robot Love

I love robots. It's a documented fact. So of course I was thrilled to see this from Krupp the other day:



She used scraps of commercial upholstery fabric in this piece. So clever!

Of course, Krupp has been known to stitch a robot or two before.



Here she proves that even robots can be part of a bad romance.



And Photo Booth is probably one of my favorite cross stitches EVER. :)

If you love robots too, be sure to see more from Krupp at her flickr photostream - or, if you'd like to stitch some of her robots yourself, check out her patterns at the MrXStitch etsy store.

Embroidered Doll Quilt

Another wonderful marriage of color, pattern, fabric and flawless stitching!

Photo courtesy of craftjunk

This wonderful mini quilt was created by Donna (aka craftjunk) for an early round of the Doll Quilt Swap on Flickr. I spy some Denyse Schmidt and Heather Ross fabrics reminiscent of citrus and sunshine.

You can read more about the quilt on Donna's blog.

Star Sightings

I was totally blown away by my recent star sighting on the Flickr embroidery group. Not only did I see Amy Winehouse-which I might say, she is looking way too good with the birds,,,,,,

Totally Severe's stitching is AMAZING!

But I also saw my all time favorite musician in the world, Willie Nelson-the red headed stranger. 

 

 I think joditbobo may be my new hero

Free patterns from Carina

Our own Carina is sharing some beautiful free patterns over on her blog. There's flowers, geometric and even a penguin pattern! They look beautiful, simple and inspiring...

I really love her stitching on this one, by the way - I like how her satin stitch is almost, but not quite filled in...

Go get the patterns!

Blossoms

Stitched by Kirsten's Fabric Art

Wow. Simply wow, Kirsten!

Embroidery Project - - - Shower Mitt Template

Did you all make your twisted cord? It's going to be the cord to loop your shower mitt over the taps...see?

It's OK if you didn't, it only takes a couple of minutes.

I've got another homework assignment for this week.

These soap saver shower mittens are utterly fabulous. I made one a couple of weeks ago from an embroidery sampler and one from some vintage linen tablemats too. They don't take too long to stitch or make up so that puts them fairly & squarely on the gift list.



Personally I love the cheeky "scrubber" but you might like to use your own design, something vintage or maybe a Sublime Stitching pattern.

I've included the Scrubber template & a blank one too.


NOTE: These are the "fronts" for right handed mitts. If you're a leftie & you especially want your embroidery to be on the front of the mitt then you should trace the mitten part with the thumb on the other side.


All you need to do is download & print the "original" of the template of your choosing & then trace it onto some linen, calico or thrifted sheeting with a wash out marker. Trace the mitten shape as well as the text (or just the mitten & fill it with your own design). Please be aware that this traced shape will form our "pattern" for next week & we'll be stitching ON this line, so don't stitch your design too close to it.

Original Scrubber here.
Original Blank here.

During the week you can stitch your design & I'll show you how to assemble the whole thing next week...sound good?

Patterns: April Showers and some more hearts

Amidst the cold torrential rain here in the UK, spring feels like it's almost, possibly here, so I thought this new pattern by September House fitted the bill. I love the rainbow trim on the dress and the little scottie dog!

As for this week's featured free pattern, well I believe hearts are not just for Valentine's and I think this embroidered bookmark, stitched by Flickr user Awe Lisa, using a Sublime Stitching free pattern, looks very cute and if you read Awe Lisa's blog about where she left the bookmark, I think it must have made a very sweet surprise.

More Button Finds

Heart Buttons by Deep Indigo

I just had to share this bowl of sweet hearts with you! You can see more of Deep Indigo’s rainbow heart embroidered buttons here.

___I hope to add a few work in progress photos next week from some of our button swap members (if they are willing to share with us!), but for this week I leave you with this sweetly stitched wip photo by Birthine -

__

Work in progress by Birthine

What's the difference between embroidery?

Hey guys - I have been wondering about something and maybe you can enlighten me.

Why do (some) people think of embroidery and cross stitching as separate things?

I see people talking about how they used to do cross stitching, but then got into embroidery. Huh? To me, cross stitch is sub-category of embroidery, not a category in itself. I know, there's counted cross stitch, but I would still put that under the Embroidery umbrella - and it wouldn't even stick out at the side and get wet!

Then there are other people who, when you tell them you do embroidery, will say "oh so you do cross stitch?"

What is going on? To some they are two different things and to others one is the same as the other. Am I missing something?

Stitchy Tunes

I really love the band Architecture in Helsinki. Not only do they make great music but they make cute stitchy videos.  

I can't decide what I love more the coconuts or the tikis. 

Architecture in Helsinki - Like It Or Not from helsinkids on Vimeo.

Five questions with a manbroiderer | Spicy-Shots

I'm very excited to launch a new feature here on Feeling Stitchy that I'm calling "Five questions with a manbroiderer". Today I'd like to highlight the work of Glenn Dragone, aka Spicy-Shots on Flickr.

Aside from a career in the home textiles industry, Glenn is a prolific crafter. He is an accomplished quilter, knitter, and photographer in addition to being an amazing embroiderer (as evidenced by the images of Glenn's work that you can see throughout this post ... by the way, is anyone else excited for Tim Burton's upcoming take on Alice in Wonderland?)

FS: When did you first start embroidering, and how did you become interested in the craft?

GD: I started embroidering last April. Basically, I’ve always been attracted to things that are created with any form of needle and thread. I’ve been knitting for years. During a mindless meandering on the internet, I came across some antique redwork. I was fascinated by the simplicity and decided to give it a try. The embroidery evolved from that point.

FS: How would you describe your style?

GD: Since I’m rather new to the craft, I would call my style "ever-changing". I do gravitate towards 50’s and 60’s retro pieces. I also love classic illustration.

FS: What is your favorite embroidery project that you've made? That someone else has made?

GD: I was pleased with the Alice in Wonderland projects I’ve done. I like the original artwork and wanted to transform it into a 3 dimensional piece. There are tons of great embroidery artists out there. I have many favorites.


FS: Do your friends / family / co-workers know that embroidery is a hobby of yours, or is it a "secret identity"?

GD: Everyone knows that I have some sort of project in the works at all times. I am officially “out” and embrace my crafting.

FS: Do you embroider in public? If so, what is the strangest / funniest / most interesting reaction you've gotten from others?

GD: I’ve knit on a plane and haven’t really had any negative reactions. I do get the stares and the occasional .. “What are you making?” question from time to time. I would embroider in public. I just haven’t had the chance.


Do you know any manbroiderers that should be featured here on Feeling Stitchy? Do you have any questions that you'd like our manbroiderers to answer? If so, please leave me a comment below!

I love your bike

Stitched by Laura Hartrich

Isn't the stitching on this piece amazing? I love the beautiful contrasting and complementary colors and all the different stitches.

And, there's a beautiful story behind this piece as well - Laura is donating this to a benefit for Mariel Mentink, a bike rider who was struck by a hit-and-run motorist in Austin. Mariel is now hospitalized with a great deal of rehabilitation in front of her. I just lost a dear childhood friend in September to a bike accident, and so this bike, and what Laura is doing has extra meaning for me.

To learn more about Mariel Mentink, and to lend your support, visit http://supportmarielmentink.com/.