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)

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Embroidery Project -Crewel Embroidery-Tree of Life-Part 1

While working fiendishly on this one bedroom remodel, I forced myself to give in to my “Crewel” side…

Jacobean style embroidery has been calling to me lately, and I have an affinity for the Tree of Life, so it is only natural for a creation that twines the two together!

I found this design via the web, printed it out in reverse and created my own iron on transfer with a Sulky pen. (See tutorial)

I just couldn’t see the tree on a plain solid background so the Tree is on this greenish mix twill like fabric. 😉

I’m using  the Medici wool that I found on close out. 😉 Those little wooly skeins have been singing to me since I found them in the store…

What do you think so far?

I still have the wristlets on the creation board too. For embroidery: the dragon is in waiting, a little rose-kid is done and awaiting a face, and two other small purses (not wristlets) are done and just waiting for their embroidered flaps.

Lots has been happening! Whoo hoo, this weeks blog posts should be full!

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

————-Helpful Information———-

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

Embroidery Project – Wristlets – Dragon Wristlet -Part 3

Embroidery, sewing, crochet and all designing has been slowed by our attempt to finish off this one bedroom in our remodel. We’ve managed to install two floors in two days and are now working on the finishing ‘bling’ which is definitely tiring and taking all of the creative energy of everyday so far.

At night, I sit and peruse my projects and dream up ideas for them, but the actual ‘doing’ of the project has been hindered.

Remember this wristlet?

After much trial and error, I’ve committed to a dragon design for the pink flowered wristlet. The dragon is Hubby’s design. 😉

Hopefully, I can get to some embroidery this weekend and have a finished wristlet to post about on Monday!

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

————-Helpful Information———-

Wristlets Part 1 (Click Here)

Wristlets Part 2 (Click Here)

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

Embroidery Project – Wristlets – Kitty Cat Wristlet -Part 2

Back to the fun!

After posting here and questioning Email groups that I am involved with, I did receive several embroidery suggestions for the wristlet fabrics. Thanks for the great ideas!

1. Dorset Buttons
2. Elf
3. Fairies
4. Retro Cat
5. Coloring book pictures
6. Dover book outlines
7. White cat chasing butterflies
8. Fish
9. Friends with hoola hoops
10. Kids Playing Hopscotch
11. 60’s flower child plucking daisy
12. Cheshire Cat Face

After ironing on a little design of an Elf with a watering can, I just couldn’t bring myself to stitch it. I looked at the blue daisy fabric and kept seeing the little white cat chasing butterflies. (Thanks Raven!) So, I hopped on over to Hoop Love and found the little kitty transfer. It was the basis for the inspiration to alter it just a bit.

The kitty is originally stitched on white felt then appliqued onto the wristlet. The butterflies are done the same way, stitched on orange felt, cut out, then appliqued onto the wristlet fabric.

The flowers, grass, leaves and stems are all stitched directly to the wristlet fabric. The whiskers and the butterfly bodies are added after applique. I went ahead and used animal eyes for the little eyes instead of chancing the eyes to stitches. I used pearl round eyes because the smallest cat eyes I have are 9mm….WAY TO BIG!

The wristlet itself is a great purchased pattern/tutorial. The instructions are very clear. I won’t kid you though, this is actually a tough one to sew. Really. The zipper top is a great finish, but I had difficulty turning it right side out and fixing the zipper ends in the install. It is my first one, but I’m not new to sewing, so I was surprised that I had as much difficulty with it as I did.

It’s made from 4 layers of fabric! This wristlet uses cotton fabric for the main fabric and lining. It is interfaced with fusible lightweight pellon and I used a fusible fleece for the interlining. This little purse packs a LOT of fabric and has great heft. It feels really sturdy, not stiff…sturdy.

It’s cute, compact and feels good to hold on to.

The zipper opens to reveal a cute little pocket…probably big enough for a cell phone…

and the wristlet handle connects to the zipper to double as a zipper pull.

It was fun to embroider and fun to prep. There were some hard struggles with the construction, but overall the project is a success! Now, I wonder if it is a salable item?

————-Helpful Information———-

Hoop Love Vintage Transfers (Click Here)

Wristlet Pattern (Click Here)

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

Embroidery Project- Sewing Wristlets-Prepping for Embroidery-Part 1

Wristlets…just begging for embroidery!

A few days back I discovered a “new to me” blog, Oh Fransson. There I watched a few daily wristlets being created and my mind started whirling…thinking of how I could use these wristlets as canvases for embroidery.

I bought Elizabeth’s pattern and spent some time digging in my fabric stash. Her pattern is wonderful! Pages of a combination pattern/tutorial. The directions are clear and easy to follow. (Which I cannot blog here, you will have to buy the pattern. No affiliation, no profit for me, just an honest consumer. Although…always willing to accept a kickback…lol)

I just couldn’t decide which style of her 3 to create, so I am trying one of each in the larger sizes. I followed her directions, cut out the solid colored fabric for the wristlets, then stared at it a bit and decided I needed to mix it up a little.

I spliced other fabric onto the main bodies and created a second color ‘base’ for each wristlet.

Each wristlet has been prepped for finishing. The lining, interlining, interfacing, main fabric has all been correlated. The pocket is sewn in place in the lining, the zippers are prepped, the straps are ready and waiting. Now…all they need are some embroidery embellishments.

I see an elf watering these flowers. What do you see here? Any ideas?

I see maybe…a…fairy touching the flowers here. What do you see? Suggestions?

Maybe a retro cat? Ideas?

I am at a stopping point now. Wondering what to add to these cute little bags.

What do you think?

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