Embroidery Embellishment: The Charm of Charms, Buttons, and Beads
Have you noticed that there's a proliferation of embroidery kits and designs around that make use of little embellishments? Those special little touches that add "something" to the work - sometimes that something is zing, sometimes it's elegance, sometimes it's just a splash of fun - are pretty popular! I try not to be too narrow-minded in my view of embroidery, but I must be, because I never noticed the abundance of embellishments in the embroidery world until just this past summer.
But now I'm hooked. Really. I like these little extra baubles and buttons, beads and charms. Oh, they've been around a while - goldwork, sequins, beaded embroidery, charms, buttons... they're nothing new! But it seems to me that they are enjoying a resurgence in popularity.
This is what sold me on the fun of these little items and that opened up my eyes to noticing them around more and more:
It was these little Sweetheart Tree kits. They're small kits - counted thread techniques - with little extra embellishments to the kits. I don't generally work counted thread techniques, except in dabbling in a bit o' blackwork here and there, and - very rarely - some canvas work... and hardanger now and then, too. Ok, fine - I take it back, I do "do" counted thread stuff - but it's not usually cross stitch.
Normally, these would not be something that would catch my eye. But they did. Why? I think it's the little embellishments! Both kits make use of little tiny beads and one has little heart-shaped white buttons in it. I like them! It takes them "above ordinary."
I admit I'm SLOW - I'm sure little embellishments have been prevailant for a while in needlework - or perhaps they never lost their charm! Maybe I just haven't noticed them....
But NOW... check this out:
I do believe I could become an embroidery embellishment junkie!
Here's a sweet little seashell made by Susan Clarke Originals.
And a pretty little iris by the same company... Irises are among my favorite flowers, and I'm in the middle of embroidering one right now. So I just love this little thing!
A very pretty snowflake - perfect for.... well, earrings came to mind at first, but this is about embroidery, so I chased that thought away, and voila! a better one crept in - what about building a simple embroidered card around this for a Christmas card?
This is largish - quite large, compared to the other pieces here. At first, I thought "What in the world would I ever.....?!" and then the same thing happened. In crept a little thought. A "formal" garden border - maybe even in blackwork or a similar style - built around it. Why not? For a framed piece... I could see it!
Cherries! Who doesn't like cherries?! They remind me of summer - and this is another perfect little something for a crazy quilt square, for the center of an embroidered motif, or for the center of an embroidered card.
And here's a whole little group of "under the sea" embellishments.
OH - so many ideas, so little time!
This bunch of stuff above came in the embellishments Treasure Box I ordered last week from Twining Thread, as part of their close-out. Along with them came ribbons - glorious, beautiful ribbons - and all kinds of neat stuff. What a deal!
Well, if YOU have any ideas for my new embellishment stash, I'm all ears!
In the meantime, I need to go find some storage space....
PS - I'm going to full feeds for a bit on Feedburner. What think you? Do you prefer partial or full feeds?
But now I'm hooked. Really. I like these little extra baubles and buttons, beads and charms. Oh, they've been around a while - goldwork, sequins, beaded embroidery, charms, buttons... they're nothing new! But it seems to me that they are enjoying a resurgence in popularity.
This is what sold me on the fun of these little items and that opened up my eyes to noticing them around more and more:
It was these little Sweetheart Tree kits. They're small kits - counted thread techniques - with little extra embellishments to the kits. I don't generally work counted thread techniques, except in dabbling in a bit o' blackwork here and there, and - very rarely - some canvas work... and hardanger now and then, too. Ok, fine - I take it back, I do "do" counted thread stuff - but it's not usually cross stitch.
Normally, these would not be something that would catch my eye. But they did. Why? I think it's the little embellishments! Both kits make use of little tiny beads and one has little heart-shaped white buttons in it. I like them! It takes them "above ordinary."
I admit I'm SLOW - I'm sure little embellishments have been prevailant for a while in needlework - or perhaps they never lost their charm! Maybe I just haven't noticed them....
But NOW... check this out:
I do believe I could become an embroidery embellishment junkie!
Here's a sweet little seashell made by Susan Clarke Originals.
And a pretty little iris by the same company... Irises are among my favorite flowers, and I'm in the middle of embroidering one right now. So I just love this little thing!
A very pretty snowflake - perfect for.... well, earrings came to mind at first, but this is about embroidery, so I chased that thought away, and voila! a better one crept in - what about building a simple embroidered card around this for a Christmas card?
This is largish - quite large, compared to the other pieces here. At first, I thought "What in the world would I ever.....?!" and then the same thing happened. In crept a little thought. A "formal" garden border - maybe even in blackwork or a similar style - built around it. Why not? For a framed piece... I could see it!
Cherries! Who doesn't like cherries?! They remind me of summer - and this is another perfect little something for a crazy quilt square, for the center of an embroidered motif, or for the center of an embroidered card.
And here's a whole little group of "under the sea" embellishments.
OH - so many ideas, so little time!
This bunch of stuff above came in the embellishments Treasure Box I ordered last week from Twining Thread, as part of their close-out. Along with them came ribbons - glorious, beautiful ribbons - and all kinds of neat stuff. What a deal!
Well, if YOU have any ideas for my new embellishment stash, I'm all ears!
In the meantime, I need to go find some storage space....
PS - I'm going to full feeds for a bit on Feedburner. What think you? Do you prefer partial or full feeds?
Labels: embellishments, needlework products, pictures
Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, September 27, 2007
PermaLink | 6 comments | Click to Comment
Share this
6 Comments:
I've done a couple projects with embellishments, and it really does add a little extra zing and make things pop!
I really like the full feeds, I read them on my LiveJournal friends page, and it makes it handy not to navigate away to read things!
Thanks for letting me know about the feeds, Kim! I appreciate it. I'm going to do the full feeds for at least a month, to test the response.
I'm absolutely sold on embellishments. It's so much fun to add just a touch of something here or there on a project. I notice, too, that when I give a little embroidered something as a gift, an accent like a button or charm is such a "sell point." People like that extra touch!
Thanks again!
MC
As a long time lurker on your blog, I confess that my eyes lit up with the embellishments, but then I am as much a surfce texture person as a (modest embroiderer)! Yes, a touch of 'bling', a little glimmer or just a little something visually for the recipient of a card or gift to find and go "oooh' makes a difference :-)
Oh, by all means go to the full feed, I would appreciate it as sometimes, if time is short, I don't get to read a whole entry if it isn't on the feed (just lack of time). Having it there is convenient and I can click through to the blog if I am enjoying 'the read' and mark it for later use.
Thanks you for a hugely interesting and enjoyable blog, even to a low level embroiderer like myself,
Marjorie
Hi, Marjorie -
Thanks for the comment! I'm glad you like the site, and the full feeds!
MC
Mary, I like the full feed too.
I have seen beads used as an embellishment in the place of French knots and other tiny stitches.
definitely full feeds!
Post a Comment
<< Home