Aurifloss
Showing posts with label Aurifloss. Show all posts
Good intentions and Good morning!
Cross stitch has been taking over as my favourite pastime recently. To be fair it's probably half and half with quilting, though I find I'm drawn to the meditative following of charts and making cross stitches after a day of work.
I purchased a few patterns this year and I'm working my way through them. The first one I completed is Good Intentions by Kathy Barrick. Its a lovely design and the sentiment is just so true of me.
I made a few adjustments to the pattern and changed the colours slightly. The colours are a similar palette to the original but was using what I had and substituted the black for a dark navy blue. I stitched a 3 on the hoop she's holding, 3 is the magic number and the number of kids I have.
There's a few single threads used in the pattern and the trickiest part for me was the detail in the face, though I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.
I like the little motifs too, the 'star' shapes very much remind me of patchwork.
Granny Square finish
Finally a fully finished object! I got my Granny Square SAL finished and framed it in this quite dramatic frame.
I loved choosing the colours for this, picking out my favourites and calmly stitching along. One square a week was a relaxed pace.
I would have happily kept on stitching these squares, it's quite addictive and a really big piece full of granny squares would look amazing. Maybe one day.
With other projects to get back to though (and oops maybe start!), I stuck to four. Also I liked the idea of keeping it small within a bigger frame.
In my search for frames, I happened upon this black and gold frame from photo frames & art on Etsy. I got the 8 x 8" frame with mount, which is for a 4 x 4" photo. They have so many great frames and a lovely range of sizes. It was a reasonable price and came really nicely packaged. Highly recommend, they are a family run business and the frames are made in the UK.
Currently this piece is sitting on a ledge, as the frame has a stand, but it also has a hook so it will get hung on the wall eventually. I can't be expected to get pieces both framed and hung surely?!
The Granny Square Cross Stitch pattern is free, you can download it from Fat Quarter Shop.
Have a fabulous weekend and don't forget to join in with the #SaturdayNightCraftAlong over on Instagram!
Sunday Stash: a bit of everything
I've been enjoying a return to what started as my 100 day project, hand piecing my Merrow Croft quilt (pattern by Margaret Mew). If you haven't done any hand piecing before, I have a how-to with lots of tips in my hand piecing tutorial. Using some of my treasured hand printed fabrics by Karen Lewis and Lucy Engels, I'm enjoying the neutral cool vibe of these pieces.
So I'm using up my stash but I'm also adding to it...
Granny square stitch along
Sew alongs and stitch alongs are always great fun! I enjoy seeing people make a pattern their own or even if they follow the pattern exactly, it's nice knowing you're creating something with others and it helps keep you on track for a finish.
The most recent ones I've joined in with were a year long but the Fat Quarter Shop is doing a summer Great Granny Squared-Along that is cute and simple. With patterns designed by Lori Holt, you can make a quilt, crochet or cross stitch piece. There's something for everyone and they make for good scrap busting projects too!
The Granny Square Cross Stitch pattern is free, you can download it from Fat Quarter Shop.
The pattern lists the colours for DMC and Aurifloss colours. I'm using what I have and picked out a selection of Aurifloss in colours that I love. I grouped them into 4 and sort of planned which colours to use where, though I might change up the positions. Kind of random but I like them all so it should work out.
Here's my first granny square stitched up:
From the centre, Aurifloss in 2435 Peachy Pink, 6728 Cinnabar, 2880 Pale Green and 6722 Sea Biscuit.
And I just finished my second square:
From the centre, Aurifloss in 6723 Fairy Floss, 2930 Golden Toast, 4020 Fuchsia and 2606 Mist.
I'm stitching on 32ct Linen in Natural by Zweigart, using two strands of floss over two. I know linen isn't everyone's favourite (I'm looking at you Kimberly!) but I really like doing 2 over 2. For as long as my eyes can take it, I will keep stitching on linen. I do use Aida too, I recently finished a project on Aida that I will share soon! That's one of the great things about cross stitch, you can use whatever count or type of fabric you like. It may come out smaller or larger but that doesn't ever concern me. I have to admit, I haven't been sewing quite as much but I know I will switch things up and return to my quilty projects when the mood strikes.
I'm super content when I'm cross stitching, focused but chilled. If you haven't ever given it a go, this is a great pattern to start you off! Download the free pattern and join the SAL!
sunflowers
Like many of you I've sure, the war in the Ukraine has been a horrible shock and weighed heavily on my mind. As well as making donations to charity relief efforts, and there are excellent resources available online to research where to donate, the craft community responded with many designers creating patterns to donate their profits. There have also been calls to purchase digital items from creators on Etsy who are in the Ukraine, this is easy to do by selecting Ukraine in the shop location menu in filters. These may seem relatively small actions but it all helps. I purchased the beautiful Sunflowers for Ukraine embroidery pattern from Wild Olive by Mollie Johanson - she also has a cross stitch pattern in her shop now. She is donating the proceeds to Hope International's Ukraine fund.
I enjoyed stitching this project, I tried some new things and am happy to share the simple stitches I used along with a few helpful embroidery tips!
I began by tracing the pattern with my favourite water soluble pen, Sewline Styla, and then picked out appropriate sunflower colours of thread. My Aurifloss collection isn't very big and the colours I had weren't quite right, so instead I included some 12 weight threads in my picks (the thread colours are listed below). I really like doing embroidery with both the floss and the thread, they are different because of course Aurifloss strands can be separated in the same way as other embroidery floss and the 12 weight doesn't separate. The 12 weight is a lovely thickness for embroidery, especially when doubled over / using two strands.
I like to use the loop method to start stitching so I often cut longer lengths of floss as it will be doubled over. When I'm being good, I like to separate the individual strands of floss after cutting. Did you know you are supposed to do this? It does help the thread behave and helps stop knotting. The strands I'm not using just get wrapped back around the spool (the wonderful wooden spool!) ready for when I need more thread.
For the inner petals I used split stitch, such a fun and easy stitch to do and it has such a nice texture for outlines.
a vision kept in sight
Following on from my last post, I'm back to share my new word of the year and a very special project I created. It seems so late to say this but Happy New Year to you all, I am sending my very best wishes to you all for a marvellous, healthy and joy filled 2022!
In previous years I have created a vision board, usually on new years eve, often incorporating my word of the year. I had lots of fun collaging with decorative paper, magazine clippings and pictures to create my board. This year I stepped that idea up to create a fabric vision board - with the same collage feel - incorporating fabrics, paper, notions and thread.
The project was designed for a follow along tutorial for the CraftyMonkies VIP member club. I offer lots of advice, suggestions and ways to personalise your own vision board. If you've ever wanted to create a vision board and you have a passion for crafting & fabric, I think you'll really enjoy the exclusive & downloadable video content. There is also a recording of a Q&A session I did last week with some VIP club members; where I shared my passion for the word of the year and vision boards, gave more ideas and inspiration for choosing your word and was so thrilled to see a couple of the incredible finished vision boards they had created. You will have to be very quick if you want to access my month's content, as there is new content released in February!
It is the PERFECT project for stash busting and incorporating all those little treasures and do-dahs from around your sewing room. Here is a photo of some of the goodies I picked from my stash to create this project...
A vision board is such a great way to set your intentions and keep them in sight; to remind you of your goals, dreams and vision throughout the year and have your word help maintain your focus. The Aurifil Artisan theme for this month is 'New Year Inspiration' and this project is the epitome, my creativity was alight putting it together and it is inspiring me each day!
I have it hanging where I can see it everyday, each element was created with intention and it has a meaning, tied to my goals and intentions for 2022.
My word for the year is Elevate. I want to improve myself, continue learning, elevate my surroundings and venture to new places. My goal is to elevate my friendships, strengthening them and making time to just be with my friends. I want to get outside, be healthy and strong. All of this (and more) is visually represented on my board. It might not speak the same language to someone else looking at it, but I know it it's meaning and it is for me.
I'm going to show you the elements in more detail and hopefully they will help fire your creativity and imagination...
A year in the making : The fruits of plenty
It took a year...
How it started...
How it's going...
Done!
It's not often I complete something in a year, my work in progress pile can attest to that! This stitch-a-long is the third one I've completed from Modern Folk Embroidery, obviously I highly recommend his patterns and this was a joy to stitch. It was lovely receiving the next part of the pattern each month and I've really enjoying seeing all the other versions as they've been stitched on instagram #MFESAL2021, so many interesting colour combinations. The pattern is The Fruits of Plenty. Also see my previous stitchings, Love Thy Neighbour - better pictures in progress here and Kindness & Fortitude - shows how different patterns can look depending on your choices.
This was the final part for the month of December, it was a little sad putting in those last stitches because it meant it was over but I'm so pleased with the finish.
My favourite floss is Aurifloss and I chose to use a peach and a terracota -ish colour for my project. The colours are Peach #2215 and Pumpkin Spice #2395. I stitched 2 over 2 on 32 count Belfast Linen in the colour Linen Pink - a pretty pale pink that is a nice warm background for the floss.
When I started stitching I used a Q-snap frame and a grime guard I made (details in this post) and while I do like working with a hoop or frame, I then discovered the sewing method and stitching in hand, from the lovely Kimberly and The Real Housewives of Cross Stitch. If you haven't tried it I would encourage you to watch their tutorial video, as it shows a couple of different options and plenty of tips. I believe this is how Jacob of Modern Folk Embroidery prefers to stitch too, so I'm in great company!
I do like using beeswax for conditioning the thread, it's not essential but it does smooth the floss and makes stitching (especially on linen) a little easier. I got the beeswax in the above picture from a local beekeeper, if you don't have a local source then there are some lovely sellers on Etsy, like Cobble and Hive.
In so many ways it is hard to believe a year has passed but then time has warped even more in the past couple of years, it feels like a lot of time has been lost. I recommend a stitch-a-long as a marker for time if you need one!! This was the half way point...
I now realise I don't have pictures of the back but trust me I got messier as I went along ;) I did start with good intentions and tried to keep the back as neat as possible but ultimately I don't really care what the back looks like and it can get frustrating. I would much prefer to stitch as I please and enjoy the process rather than care about the backside.
The pattern called for initials but rather than just add my own, I added my husband, myself and the first initials of our three children. I love it.
And just like that... 34613 crosses later, the pattern is complete.
This coming year I would like to get all my complete cross stitch projects framed and I very much look forward to having this beauty on display. Having said that before about previous pieces, I really need to make this happen!
quilt label X gold needles
An important part of the process is quilt labelling. Do you label your quilts?
Despite not yet having a finish, the idea for a label came to me and I jumped right in! There's no point in waiting to create, might as well stitch when the mood strikes. Here I show you my process for making this label, share some favourite tools and there's a chance to win a jar of Hemline Gold needles.
vintage sewing set ~ scissor fob
A satisfying and useful little make, combining things I love and using up what I have - this scissor fob is keeping my scissors safe!
I have been so enjoying a lot of hand stitching time recently and my cross stitch obsession is growing. Counted cross stitch is so relaxing, I have to concentrate enough so that my mind is not engulfed in worries or to do lists (as it often is) and the patterns mean that even though you are repeating the same stitch over and over it doesn't get boring. Also you can create little projects like this one or work on much bigger pieces, so there's variety. The rabbit hole that is FlossTube (search flosstube on YouTube) led me to discover the website Tiny Modernist Cross Stitch and I fell in love with the Vintage Red Sewing Set pattern. I will stitch the pincushion at some point but as I kept loosing my scissors down the side of the sofa, I bought the pattern to make the scissor fob.
Stitched on an offcut of linen from my current big cross stitch project (Modern Folk Embroidery SAL), it was a quick stitch and I spent some time thinking about how to finish it off. I know a lot of people use the little glass seed beads beads but I don't have any and didn't want to buy anything new. I searched though my boxes of stuff and found these wooden beads from AGES ago - my mum has saved them from when I was a teenager (I was obsessed with the bead shop in Affleck's Palace and the bead shop in The Lanes in Brighton, where we spent holidays). She had given me a bag of beads and these wooden ones are such nice colours.
life is short you're capable
I made a thing! The original plan was for this to be a pincushion but I like it too much to stick pins in it, so it's a decorative little pillow. I like just having it around, a nice reminder and message to myself.
I designed this embroidery pattern as a companion to my You're Capable cushion/mini quilt pattern, which was inspired by Gwen Stefani lyrics and created to give empowerment.
It was a quick stitch, using couching with double strands and a single stand, and 3 strands for the back stitch with Aurifloss in # ???. It was complete chance that the dot of the fabric fit perfectly in the tail end of the Y but it does make me smile.
The fabric is Double Dots, Black & White by Cotton + Steel 2017. I fused Shape Flex SF101 to the back of the fabric before stitching. It is easily my favourite interfacing, it gives stability without stiffness and it fuses so nicely. I find myself using it often with different projects and it's perfect for this kind of thing.
I am lacking in trimmings stash and though I do love pom poms, I wanted to try something a bit different and used a THIN ribbon for edging. I had to carefully baste it in place because there was a risk of loosing it completely in the seam allowance, thankfully though it worked out and I love the extra pop of pink on the edges.
Then I added handmade tassels because why not add corner pizzazz too?!
Since I'm on a kick of using my hoarded stash fabrics, I couldn't resist using the fabulous telephone print on the back - ok, this officially makes it double sided!!
Telephones, Trinket by Melody Miller.
It's pretty and squishy and I will certainly be using ribbon this way again because it was fun to sew.
If you'd like to stitch this message, you'll find the embroidery template as part of the You're Capable pattern available in my shop!
have courage and be kind
Finishing a project is such a joy! But then so is starting a project... and working on a project, no wonder I am always making ;)
This finish is a special one for a few reasons. The cross stitch kit is from Stitchsperation, I love her kits and had already completed one which you can see here. She hand paints the fabric and not only is that really cool but it means you get a unique piece of fabric to stitch on. I chose 28ct evenweave and as a change I stitched this in hand rather than using a hoop.
Now I really like my Q-snap frames and won't be giving them up completely but I also really like stitching in hand and I'll probably just decide on a project by project basis what I feel like doing.
New to me, I also used the sewing method to stitch this design. Usually I stitch one cross at a time, I don't like the other way of making half stitches and going back on yourself. But the sewing method is a bit of a revelation and is quicker too (not that speed matters). I really enjoyed stitching this way, although on occasion I did do my usual one cross method (for travelling in a certain direction), I know you can turn the work around but I hate that - my brain literally can't cope and my counting goes off.
If you cross stitch and haven't tried the sewing method, give it a go! I watched this YouTube video tutorial on the Fat Quarter Shop FlossTube channel and seeing Priscilla, Chelsea and Kimberly each show how they stitch was so helpful. Kimberly's tip of loosening the frame to stitch this way really works and that's what I'm doing with another project I have on the go!
The Stitchsperation cross stitch kits comes with thread, though as I have a lot already I requested she didn't send any so I can use what I already have. This was stitched with Aurifloss #2692 using 3 strands of floss over two. I love how it turned out!
I framed it in an Ikea frame and hung it on the gallery wall we have in our dining room. Eventually I need to frame more of my completed projects and then hang them on the opposite wall. It would be nice to have the wall dedicated to stitchy things so I can look at them as I'm at my sewing machine (or eating dinner! - small house means multiple use dining room!).
In other news, I've been joining in with CraftyMonkies over on instagram for the #monkiemotivation photo challenge. I can't always do it everyday because, well life gets in the way but there are some really fun prompts to inspire you creatively and they are a great way to play and escape for a bit.
Yesterday they suggested making a colour palette using the website Coolors, it's so easy to use and I really enjoyed playing about with it. I actually have photographs that I've taken while we've been out walking, mostly of things with colours that inspire me and this would be a great way to pull a palette together from those pictures. There are inbuilt pictures too, so you can scroll through those to find colours you love if you're not into taking photographs.
I went with this photograph and use the colour picker to select colours that I liked and I think they make a nice palette!
This selfie was taken with my husband yesterday as we celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary! We had a quiet night in and ordered a takeaway (after earlier making pancakes with the kids!). A lockdown anniversary celebration.
Finally I just wanted to let you know that I have some upcoming classes with CraftyMonkies, my next class is Stitches & Thread - explore sewing machine stitches and expand your options using thread! I will show how to best set up your sewing machine for using different stitches, as well as types of thread and tips for preparing your fabric. Learn all about selecting needles, weights and varieties of thread for different uses. Whether purely to decorate small makes or items of clothing or for applique stitching or quilting, this class will inspire you to use and enjoy your machine to the max! Click the image below to book your place.
Excitingly you will now find videos of some of my live classes available in the CraftyMonkies online shop! If you're interested in learning how to do Big Stitch Hand Quilting & Tying a quilt or would like to watch me demonstrate making my Stitchy Pie needle case pattern, head HERE.
And I am thrilled to be taking a live class myself this weekend! I'm doing the Mindful Stitch Journal class with Gary Mills and can't wait to spend an afternoon relaxing, learning and sewing. If you'd like to join the class too visit CraftyMonkies.
Hope you're all having a good week, staying safe and enjoying working on your sewing projects!
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