Really Tied the Cross Stitch Together

stitched by Twazu

Because the dude abides, because it's Thursday night, because I am in love with this cross stitch and because I love The Big Lebowski. Thank you Twazu for making my week.

Love: Embroidered heart coasters

photo by yarnattacks

I'm not sure what I love more - this embroidered heart coaster tutorial by Lisa, or this photo. They are both so wonderful. Be sure to visit her tutorial for beautiful photos and all-around craftiness.

Take A Stitch Tuesday: Chevron

As promised, I'm joining the Take A Stitch Tuesday challenge all February long. I'm posting my results here, please leave a link to your blog or Flickr stream in the comments if you're joining in, too!

The chevron stitch was relatively easy and fun - I didn't have counted fabric on hand, but I had a scrap of pillowcase, and I thought the subtle white stripes would make a great "guide" to line up my stitches:



I tested out three weights of thread - from top to bottom - regular perle cotton, 4 strands of embroidery floss, heavy perle cotton.

Then I used white perle cotton to chain stitch "chevron" down the side:



Want to learn the chevron stitch?
This wonderful video by Mary Corbet was a great help.

2 excellent photo tutorials of the chevron stitch:
Sarah Whittle's blog
Big B's blog

The Crafter's Guide To Taking Great Photos

We were very kindly invited to part in the blog tour for Heidi Adnum's The Crafter's Guide to Taking Great Photos.

I loved having at look at this book, I think these days with the rise of blogs and places like Flickr, photography is a key part to embroidery, after all, you've worked so hard on your piece of embroidery, you're going to want it to look its best when you show it off to the rest of virtual world! So this book comes in very useful for doing such a thing.

The book opens with a chapter on camera basics, something very useful, if like me, you've spent most of your life with a point and shoot (or at least just sticking to the point and shoot function of your camera, which at least technically could do so much more). It then goes on to how to set up your photo, with information from choosing the right background to choosing the right props.

The book then goes on to the section I really like, as you see one of the things that has in the past put me off making more of an effort with my photos, is the thought that I would need lots of extras, and expensive kits to do it properly, however this is a photography book for crafters, so of course we can make the kit ourselves! There are instructions on everything from making your own light tent out of a cardboard box, a sheet of white paper and some tracing paper to making a tripod with a water bottle (not recommended for larger cameras).

The next section of the book is divided into chapters for various different types of crafts, with sections on planning, composition, common problems and interviews with practitioners who photograph that particular craft type. There is a chapter entitled knitting & needlecraft but it's much more concentrated on knitting rather than anything else you could do with a needle, however there are still lots of useful hints in that chapter that could be applied to embroidery. There is also useful information that could be applied to embroidery in the fashion & fabrics, art and home accessories chapters.

The final section of the book tackles photo editing and what to do with your photo once you have taken and edited it.

I think this book would be useful for a wide range of crafters; from people uploading their finished pieces to Flickr or blogs for fun to small business owners looking to improve their product shots. The book itself is beautiful and inspiring, crammed full of beautiful product shots from crafters already out there taking beautiful photos.

Love: Anchorman quote cross stitch

stitched by Katie Kutthroat

So awesome. And kind of how I feel around Valentine's Day. Pattern available in Katie's etsy store.

Winners of Mary Thomas embroidery books!

Hi guys! We have 2 winners!

Winner of the Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches

SarahFeb 4, 2012 11:11 AM

ooh, I'd love either one! and I've been loving all the inspiration coming across the blog lately. thanks!

Winner of Mary Thomas's Embroidery Book (vintage edition)

jessFeb 4, 2012 10:34 AM

Oh my gosh! The vintage one would be awesome! Love Feeling Stitchy for the inspiration.

*****

And thanks to everyone for all the love for Feeling Stitchy! We've done our best to make this a wonderful place, and knowing you appreciate it and are inspired here makes it all worth while.

If you didn't win this time, don't fret - we've got loads more giveaways planned this month... and maybe even.. one later this week? ;)

Love: Super Hero Hearts girl

stitched by that moxie girl

Um, this is is really adorable. I was never a hearts and pink and red girl, growing up (I was more likely to wear gray, black, and monochrome.) But I have become a real sucker for hearts and pink and red in my 30's.

This sweet kid is a pattern available in the Imagine gnats store. Don't even get me started on how cute the boy version is! Wonderful stitching, Jill! :)

Patterns love: Little Dorrit & Co.

Romeo & Juliet: Act I, Scene V by Julie from Little Dorrit & Co.

I have a new embroidery designer crush; Little Dorrit & Co. is a new Etsy shop selling patterns based on old stories. Julie from Little Dorrit & Co. has also posted a free design, Romeo & Juliet: Act I, Scene V on her blog.

I would definitely recommend checking out the gorgeous freebie, as it's perfect for Valentine's Day and also checking out Little Dorrit & Co. itself, for some lovely patterns. I particularly like how Julie has gone back to the original stories she has created patterns for, so for example Little Red Riding Hood in her pattern is Little Red Cap, as that is how Little Red Riding Hood was originally known.

Little Red-Cap by Julie from Little Dorrit & Co.

And I also love how Little Dorrit & Co.'s Cinderella has an Elizabethan vibe.

Cinderella by Julie from Little Dorrit & Co.

Artist Love: Bec Groves Interview

I'd like to introduce you all to Bec Groves, an embroidery artist I've been following ever since I first saw her work on Flickr. She was kind enough to answer a few questions for us, so you can all get to know her. Read on!

Your hometown and current city?
I grew up in Huntsville, Ontario. I spent a majority of my adult life in Sackville, New Brunswick, until recently moving to Peterborough, Ontario where I live with my partner Steve, our dog (Ava!) and kitten (Olive!).

Can you cite any specific influences in your work?
My inspiration comes from people and their stories. I’m extremely lucky to be surrounded by amazing people. I spend a lot of time trying to capture moments and feelings I’ve shared with my friends and family.



I really love the emotional quality in your embroidered pieces - what do you think makes you stitch this way?
I stitch the way I feel. There’s just something about the process of embroidering that allows me to slow down and really capture the details and create unique movements in the work. Embroidery allows me to design and construct these moments in a way that is different from any other medium and creates a work that is both wonderful and strange.

Do you work from drawings or use photos as reference?
Both. I design and draw everything, but often reference my own photographs or images that I encounter and inspire me.



Please describe to us your creative process.
I feel like my ‘creative process’ differs from project to project. Sometimes it just hits me and I jump out of bed at 5am with an image and than I spent the next four hours drawing and searching for the right fabric. I find that I’m most productive before 9am.

Do you have an art background - if so, how do you think this has affected your work?
I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Mount Allison University, a small school in New Brunswick, Canada. I’m a stronger artist because of my time there; I learned technical skills for a variety of different mediums, was given the skills needed to become a working artist, and I benefited from the support of a strong, close-knit art community.



Do you have a favorite brand of embroidery floss? Or do you stitch with whatever’s on hand?
I use DMC and Anchor mainly. But I don’t feel attached to any one brand. When I started really getting into embroidery I rooted through a lot of my mom's old supplies. So I’m working my way through a supply of hand-me-down floss from my mom (that she may not know I took…oops!). I think I’ve just stuck with the brands that she used. Like mother, like daughter!




Name one project of yours that you LOVE
There’s one image that I’ve titled “Stella & Fawks” and it’s an image that has had many “new lives.” It was actually one of the very first images that I ever sewed and I’m constantly reinventing it.

It’s that indefinable, intangible love between a fox and a girl. It's one of those moments I’m capturing that I feel is continuous and I don’t think I’ll ever be done with it.




5 bands you LOVE
I LOVE Joel Plaskett & the Emergency, Hannah Georgas, The Raul Alberta Advantage, Entire Cities and Fleet Foxes.

What do you LOVE most about the online stitching community?
I love that everyone is so willing to help one another and answer each others’ questions and share experiences and give advice. It’s so encouraging.

*****

Thanks, Bec, for taking the time to sit down and chat with us!

By the way, Bec has listed her first embroidery pattern in her etsy store - it's called the Daisy Mae, and it looks to be a wonderful stitch:



To learn more about Bec, visit:
www.becgroves.com
www.becgroves.etsy.com

Do you like Bec? Then "like" her on Facebook... :)
https://www.facebook.com/grovesbec

Giveaway Love: Mary Thomas Embroidery books

Hi Guys! Remember I told you February on Feeling Stitchy was going to be all about love? Well, I wasn't kidding, and we've got some giveaway love for you today! By the way, I had every intention to do this post last night, but hail, thunder, and some creepy lightning got in the way, switching off my computer at least once! eep! So, the giveaway's today instead. :)

A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled on 2 books that so many of you love and swear by as embroiderers. So, I decided to do a giveaway of both, for those of you who haven't had a chance to own them!

Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (updated version)


Mary Thomas's Embroidery Book (vintage edition)

I'm doing a giveaway today of one updated version of Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches and one vintage copy of Mary Thomas's Embroidery book. (2 different books) The vintage copy won't be the one in the picture - but it will be the best quality vintage copy I can track down!

To win, just leave a comment on this post by 9 PM, US central time on Sunday, Feb. 5. Tell me which copy you'd like, and tell me one thing you love about Feeling Stitchy!

Edit: 9 PM, Sunday - comments closed! Two winners will be announced tomorrow! :)

Love: Chewbacca embroidery timelapse by Love and a Sandwich

Approximately 2 and a half hours of awesomeness in 2 and a half minutes. Stitched by the incredibly awesome Chelsea of Love and a Sandwich.

Checking In with Studio M.M.E.

Back in November we did a little piece on Megan from Studio M.M.E. So much has happened since then with her. Let's check in and find out.

I'm not gonna lie to you. I have a huge crush on Megan from Studio M.M.E. She creates incredible works of art, is a savvy indie business woman and her patterns are to die for. She creates eerie calmness with a hint of mystery in her work.

She refused to take life lying down. After being laid off from her job, she turned her focus to her own business and she hasn't looked back! She has created a company that is as unique and imaginative as her artwork, as her patterns show here.

Besides running a successful business, she has had several public showings of her artwork. You can find patterns, home decor as well as prints of her work on her website.

Check out her site and her blog. Trust me, you will have a crush on her too.

Love: Sheldon's kitty song

stitched by taoseeker69

Can it be? Amy appears to be stitching the words to Sheldon's "soft kitty" song. In case you haven't heard the song, it's here. :)

Love: bear hoop inspiration

stitched by bearpawandbearpaw

Oh my goodness I love this so much! This adorable piece was inspired by the illustrations of Aya Kakeda and was artfully stitched by bearpaw for the Hoop Up! Stitch and Send Swap.

Apparently, bearpaw is relatively new to embroidery? Well she hasn't wasted any time and is already creating amazing things. Read more about her creative process on her blog post. Beautiful work, bearpaw!

February Stitchalong - All You Need Is Love

Hi! I'm Camilla from the DIY home decorating blog, Family Chic and I am so thrilled to be writing this guest post for Feeling Stitchy! I've had a soft spot in my heart for embroidery ever since the age of 5 when my mom sat me down with a square of burlap and some yarn and taught me the basics. I was hooked at that very moment!

One thing I love to do is experiment with my stitches; I get a kick out of adding embroidered details to almost anything. For this project I tried something different and combined sculptural wire with a simple couching stitch to make a Valentine for my kids. I hope you enjoy it!



For this project you will need:
- Embroidery floss
- An embroidery needle
- Sculptural wire (I use Twisteez Brand - available at Blick for about $6.00 a bag)
- A piece of rough linen and a piece of cardboard; both of the same size
- A glue gun
- A metal clip



Step 1: Cut out a piece of fabric and a piece of cardboard - both of the same size.




Step 2: Grab a bag of Twisteez Brand Wire and select your color.




Step 3: Shape your sentence by bending the wire.




Step 4: Using embroidery floss in the same color as your wire, tack down your sentence with small stitches spaced about 1-inch apart.




It is especially important to tack down all the loops so your sentence stays flat against the fabric.




Step 5: Using red embroidery floss, dot the "i" with a french knot.




Step 6: Fill in the heart with a satin stitch in red.




Step 7: Using a hot glue gun, attach the linen to the cardboard. I like easy and unusual ways to hang art so, I hung my work from a metal clip.




This is so easy - you can get it done in less than 30-minutes. Happy Valentine's Day - Enjoy!

I have over 200 easy-to-make projects on my blog, Family Chic. Be sure to stop by and take a look at my sewing and embroidery section!

Thanks Feeling Stitchy!

****

Thank you, Camilla, for this wonderful guest post, and for kicking off our February Stitchalong. I love how well this ties in with last month's stitchalong - this is basically couching, but with wire - feel free to use yarn, pipe cleaners, or anything bendy to complete your project!

To join in, add your projects to the pool and tag them "Feb2012Stitchalong". I'll be checking in later this month with your progress, so have fun with it!

February is going to be extra-special here on Feeling Stitchy. I've decided to celebrate "love" this February - love for this community, blogs we love, artists we love, books we love, businesses we love - in short, there's gonna be a whole lotta love this month. And, giveaways! I've worked extra-hard to shower you with love this month, so think of us as your Valentine!


love, floresita :)