Cross Stitch Project – Hawaiian Flower Ornaments, Bird of Paradise

Teeny Tiny Stitches…

This design comes from this “Hawaiian Christmas” leaflet. The photos on the leaflet are so small that I basically had to stitch it up blindly and hope the flower was what I wanted in the end. I haven’t been able to find any info on the leaflet to link to…maybe it’s no longer in print.

Close up, the photos are dime sized at best. I plan to stitch the Bird of Paradise, the Yellow Ginger… and maybe a plumeria or hibiscus.

My plan for these were to make ornaments but I found that Westex ornament frames are in short supply and maybe even obsolete. So…plan B.

I stitched this one on 18ct. white aida. The chart is rather simple and it stitched up in 2 days for me. The backstitching was more confusing than difficult because the leaflet really didn’t define the areas very well. It makes a cute little finished design. I followed the DMC floss color chart so my finished item is different than the leaflet cover since the models were stitched in Bates.

I’ve given the task of framing or finishing to my hubby, John. I requested round Koa wood frames with enough depth to insert glass, fabric and backing. If that doesn’t manifest, then perhaps he’ll make a wooden box. The box lid will have to have 3 circle inserts to frame the 3 flowers I am stitching to complete this ‘set’.

I am almost done with the backstitching of the Yellow Ginger. I will post that when it is done.

Your life needs fun. Go ahead, have some fun!

smiles,

alicia in Hawaii

Cross Stitch Project – Mill Hill “Kitchen Collection” Cupcake and Mixer

Shiny, shimmering, glorious beads!

I love my local needlework shop, Fiddlesticks Hawaii. They brought these kits in for me…just to tantalize my addiction to stitching.

Each of these were lots of fun to stitch up. The colors are just…well…”fun”. There is something about them, that when viewed in person, make them almost mesmerizing. Here is the Mixer. Kit is Mill Hill, “Kitchen Collection”, Mix It Up. Design by Debbie Mumm.

Here is the Cupcake. Kit is Mill Hill, “Kitchen Collection”, Lil’ Cupcake. Design by Debbie Mumm.

The one area that is not that much ‘fun’ to tackle on these projects is that little strip of red or green below the main picture. That can get rather tedious and it is very easy to make mistakes there since the greens and reds are scattered so. I started each of the projects there…at that boring band. I saved the fun stuff for last!

I also stitched and beaded at the same time. Some folks like to complete all the stitching first then return to do all the beading. These projects are so small… I didn’t think it would hurt to bead while stitching along.

I have the other kits in the Mill Hill Kitchen Collection and as soon as I finish up the Elephant I am stitching up, then I’ll continue with the rest.

…maybe I’ll make the Toasty Toaster

…no…maybe the Bowls…yikes! So many to choose from!

Your life needs fun. Go ahead, have some fun!

smiles,

alicia in Hawaii

Cross Stitch Project – Mill Hill Wildlife Elephant

If you view and elephant from the side…you might see…

See all the beads.

See all the stitches.

Changing gears, yet again, here is my newest time interest. Mill Hill comes out with new bead kits every so often and once in a while I find something that catches my fancy.My local shop here, Fiddlesticks, ordered this one special just for me.

Look at this! It was just too adorable to pass up…and I have the perfect space to display it while ‘gently reminding’ people that “I’ll never forget”…heehee…<evil grin>

I actually started off back into cross stitch with Mill Hill’s release of their “Kitchen Collection” (which will be my next post) and from those two pieces I stitched up, I moved onto doing just this little elephant.

I just love the texture, colors and shimmer of the beads. The complementary colors are done well in this piece and makes it just irresistible in my book! Had to get my artsy hands on this one.

After picking it up yesterday at the shop, I’ve gotten this far today with it. These kits usually take me 2 days to complete…so lets hope that tomorrow or the next day will show us a full grown, stitched shiny blue elephant!

Your life needs fun. Go ahead, have some fun!

alicia in Hawaii

Mystery Project-”Blue”

Blue…

A pile of plush Bright Blue Fur…

What could this BECOME?

added to some bright pink… Fun!

Your life needs fun. Go ahead, have some fun!

Embroidery Project -Crewel Embroidery-Tree of Life-Part 2

Adding a few flowers…

After really thinking and perusing several stitching books, I managed to add one complete flower and start another. This piece really appeals to me and I can spend so much time just dreaming up different approaches to it. A lot of fun, creative time has been expended on just that part alone!

In the photo below:

The blue centered flower has a satin stitch-padded spot center. Although it appears to be a much simpler stitch, the red/pink surrounding that center is actually a knotted pearl stitch. The petals are done in chain stich to form a little raised ‘rainbow’ type affect for each one.

The beginning of the rose is done is with detached herringbone stitches. The darker outline is done with stem stitch. I was planning to fill the bud area in with buttonhole stitches.

The flower on the right has been completed too since that last posting. The center is lattice couching using two shades of pink. The petals are done with buttonhole stitches in a dark blue.

I’m not sure if the second rose will be done up the same as the first. I’m thinking that it need not be.

What do you think? Same or different?

Any suggestions for the leafy looking design there?

Your life needs fun. Go ahead, have some fun!

————-Helpful Information———-

Find Crewel Embroidery-Tree of Life, Part 1 (Click Here)

*this piece is embroidered in Medici wool

Email me: alicia in Hawaii (curiosities808@gmail.com)