I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more
Contact Mary
I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more
Contact Mary
December 23, 2014
Well, it’s December 23rd – two days before Christmas, and time to hang a new hand embroidered ornament on the tree!
So far in this mini series, we’ve set up the Christmas ornament and started embroidering it, we finished the embroidery on the first side of the ornament, we finished embroidering the second side of the ornament, and now, we’ll do the finish work.
This is the fun part, because this is where it all comes together!
December 22, 2014
Just over a week ago, we began a mini series on how to make a hand embroidered Christmas ornament from embroidery supplies in your stash.
Even though time was ticking quickly towards Christmas, I proposed that we still had plenty of time to embroider an ornament – a fun ornament! – and have it hanging on the tree or wrapped as a gift before Christmas.
In the first article, I showed you how I set up my ornament and began the embroidery. In the second article, we looked at the embroidery techniques I used on the front of the ornament.
Today, I’ll show you how I finished embroidering the front and the back of my ornament, and tomorrow, I’ll show you how to finish the ornament – a simple but effective finish, that takes about ten minutes. I promise! Only ten minutes!
Don’t forget you can click on any of the photos in the article to view them larger.
December 20, 2014
Just popping in this morning to give you something to dream about while you’re sipping your coffee and waking up.
You know, just a little something to help you procrastinate on a Saturday morning!
The Crewel Work Company has announced their needlework retreat dates for next year. They look blissful, fabulous, dreamy – come see…
December 19, 2014
I’m pathetic when it comes to judging timing on my embroidery projects. I am an Over-Optimist when it comes to time.
If I just crack down and do it – Really Concentrate on it – it won’t take long at all. I can have that done in a day.
I tell myself things like that all the time. I give myself the Most Amazing pep rallies. Go, Mary. You can do it!
December 18, 2014
Yes, I know I should have done this two weeks ago! But there are a lot of things I’m doing right now, that I’m sure I should have done two weeks ago!
Every year, I’m accosted with the what-do-you-want-for-Christmas question, and I’m pretty sure there are plenty of stitchers out there who are also asked the same thing.
As time ticks away and Christmas looms closer, you still have a chance to lay out some heavy hints. If you have family and friends who might be baffled about what to get you for Christmas, forward this list!
You can even act like you did it accidentally.
And if you’re like me and you have to finagle (or even buy!) your own Christmas presents, maybe you’ll find something on the list you didn’t even know you wanted. Get it! Wrap it! Sneak it under the tree!
Then thank your husband, your wife, your brother, your sister, your parents – doesn’t matter who! – profusely for it.
December 17, 2014
Last week, we began Part 1 of this mini series on how to embroider and finish a Christmas ornament using materials, threads, and embellishments from your own stash.
Today, we’ll look at Part 2, which is essentially finishing the front of the ornament (even though, when I took the photos, I hadn’t finished the front of the ornament yet!). No excuse except (cue up the music): “It’s that time of year…”
(Is anyone else trying to figure out how we arrived at 8 days before Christmas, without warning?)
But see, that’s the nice thing about this project. It’s relaxing. It’s fun. It’s easy. And it should produce a nice finished ornament to either give as a gift or add to your own tree. Above all, this should be a no-stress project. And that’s exactly how I’m approaching it.
December 16, 2014
It’s just been released – Judy O’Dell’s Just-a-Thought needlework stand! And it’s lovely, and I’m excited about it, and I want to tell you all about it!
Update 2023: Judy has retired and this stand is no longer available.
I was very fortunate to receive a stand for review, after reviewing the prototype and giving feedback on it earlier this year. Even though I did receive the stand from Judy (thank you, Judy!), the review below is objective. I don’t get any kickback or anything if you buy a stand or if you don’t.
You’ll hear pros and cons, along with my own thought processes while unpacking the stand, putting it together and using it.
I’ll also compare the stand to other stands that I own, so that you have a good idea of what the Just a Thought Needlework Stand is and what it isn’t.
And all this, just in time for Christmas! If you have a needlework stand on your Christmas wish list, this one may fulfill all your Christmas dreams!
