Friday, September 12, 2008

Stitched Cards

My camera was about to die on Wednesday but I was able to first get a few pictures of some cards that I had stitched up because I needed one for a birthday and one for a thank you the following day, and a trip to Hallmark wasn't going to happen.

Stitched cards

Whenever I see cards like this on blogs and websites, they always look so cool and it makes me want to stitch some up. So, I do and then I'm disappointed with the results.

The cards at Make and Takes were my latest inspiration. The sunflower pattern is here and more patterns are here. I was going to use six strands of floss like it was suggested but I broke yet another needle threader trying to get all six threads into the eye of my needle, so I used three strands for part of the card and four for the rest. I think the sunflower's petals would have looked much better with six. I added some French knots to the middle of the flower just because I could. (I used to run screaming from French knots but thanks to this tutorial and lots of practice, I like making them now.)

The owl pattern is a freebie from Pimp Stitch that's no longer available. And, yes, I know his eyes are uneven.

So stitched cards #2 and #3 turned out just as disappointing as card #1 did. I would much rather embroider on fabric than I would on paper but I am going to keep at this until I get it right.

Oh, yeah, here is card #1. I hate the hearts. But it did teach me to poke the holes closer together when working on a curve.


You can get the Chi Chi Fever pattern from Sublime Stitching.

12 comments:

Diane said...

I think it's amazing that a trip to Hallmark was not going to happen, but stitching three cards from scratch worked! You rock. I'm proud of you for saying you wouldn't give up "til you get it right." We all see the flaws in our own work, but I think your cards look great!

SmilingSally said...

I'm impressed! These cards should be framed.

Marie {Make and Takes} said...

Your Owl looks awesome. That's a great pattern, so is Chi Chi! You did a great job on the sunflower. It's hard to get all the strands in, it took me a lot of practice to maneuver the thread. Thanks for linking to me.

Unknown said...

Oh my GOD! You are NOT going to believe this but I just finished up my next freebie for my blog and it's embroidered cards! Though a little different than hand stitched cards, I couldn't believe when I read my blogs tonight and there you were with stitched cards! Great minds think alike! And that owl is awesome!

Mary said...

Very cute cards!!!!
Mary

Brook said...

I love these cards! the chiahuhua is so cute I love these patterns !!

Kellie said...

I'd rather receive one of these hand stitched cards than a Hallmark card any old day! They are lovely, Patty!

Tell me, did you finish off the backside in anyway or let the stitching show through? I've done a couple of cards on my sewing machine in the past and never knew if or how to finish off the back.

Jenny S said...

Disappointing?! They look fantastic!!! I love the little Chihuahua xo

SmilingSally said...

Tag, you're it! Come visit to see what you're tageed with.

Unknown said...

I think these cards are great! We always see the flaws in our own work that others never see.
I also love your new header!

Anonymous said...

Oh man! I've been looking all over for an owl pattern like that! I can't believe they discontinued it. Grrrr. I think your cards are completely adorable. Feel free to send me the owl for my birthday - it's coming up in October! haha. These are really great.

I am Arizona; a person, not a place. said...

I saw some stitched cards on a blog (can't remember which one) and I've been itching to stitch some. Yours are so cute! I love Chi Chi Fever...I have a chihuahua, so of course I would! lol! The hearts look good in the photo. They aren't perfect, but I think the imperfection is charming.