DIY • Embroidered Canvas

I saw these bitty canvases at the craft store the other day and picked them up because they were just so cute.  I haven't painted in years, but knew I could use them for something.  I mean, they're tiny canvases!  So, as I was stitching up my Easter embroidery patterns, it dawned on me that I could stitch on canvas, too!  Easy peasy.

Do it, to it!

SUPPLIES

• 3" canvases - I found a pack of 4
• Embroidery Floss - I used Sublime Floss in Petal and Amazonite
• Embroidery Needle
• Scissors
• Paper cut to 2"

DIRECTIONS

• Trim regular printer paper, or whatever you have on hand, to two inches square.  Because these canvases are stretched, there's a half inch of frame all the way around the back, so the workable area is only 2 inches.
• Draw your pattern onto the paper.
• Center your paper on top of the canvas and poke holes along the pattern with your needle.  Be sure they're spaced relatively evenly.
• These holes are what you'll be stitching into.
• Backstitch into your holes.
• Repeat this technique with any other shape and display them proudly.

The cool thing about this project is that you can use any design.  I just drew cats and hearts, because I'm me.  But you can use this technique to embroider letters to spell out names, or just make abstract patterns.  You could also make silhouettes of your favorite people or pets.  There's really no limit to what you can do!

DIY • Free Easter Embroidery Patterns

Spring is finally starting to show up and thought it was the perfect time for another batch of free embroidery patterns.  Especially when the subject matter is so cute!

DOWNLOAD PDF HERE

These patterns are for personal use only and cannot be sold or altered in anyway.  Enjoy!!

DIY • Embroidered Cat Tote Bag

I was walking through Hobby Lobby the other day looking for a necklace chain, a new P hook, some twine, you know, the usual.  But, I ended up just meandering around, as I do, and I came across this incredible tote bag.  It was huge and sturdy and had two giant flat pockets on the outside.  It's like it was telling me to stitch a kitten to it.  There was nothing I could do.

So here's how to make one of your own...you know it's calling to you haha!  

SUPPLIES

• Blank tote bag
• Pencil - these are our new favorites.
• Black embroidery floss - you probably don't need that much, but it's all I could find haha!
• Embroidery needle
• Scissors

DIRECTIONS

• Free-hand draw your pattern onto the tote with your pencil.  Don't worry if it looks wonky, you can always erase.  Or just go with and let it have an organic look.  There are no mistakes here!
• Start your backstitchin'.  I started with the cat face and tail, making the beginning and ending stitches go under the pocket to give the illusion that the cat popping out.  
• The paws are a little trickier.  To make the floss go over the edge of the pocket, carefully place the needle on the backside of the pocket's seam.  Be careful not to stitch all the way through.  Pull the thread through that stitch on the backside of the seam and then wrap it around the edge of the same and stitch like normal.
• When you get to the end, just wrap your last backstitch around the edge of the seam and that's it!  That one is a little easier.
• Optional: If you want to protect the threads on the inside of bag, grab some fusible interfacing, cut to the size you need and iron it one.  That will keep the threads from getting caught on anything. 

I hope you like this one!  It works up really quickly.  I think it only took me around 15 - 20 mins.  Mine is going to be my new grocery bag ^_^

Free St. Patty's Day Embroidery Patterns

Woohoo!  Free embroidery patterns are awesome!  Especially when they're topical.  Here's some free St. Patty's Day embroidery goodness for you.  Decorate your space, make them for teachers or friends, as party favors or just because you really love cats in green top hats.

DOWNLOAD HERE!

These patterns are for personal use only and cannot be sold or altered in anyway.  Thank you!!

DIY Valentine's Day Embroidery Pattern

It's almost Valentine's Day!  I wanted to share some new embroidery patterns for one of my most favorite holidays.  Hearts and pink and chocolate?  Oh yes.  This holiday was made just for me!

Use these to decorate your home, as valentines for your friends or just because you love hearts and cats.  Feel free to grab the screen shot below or download the pdf here.  And as always, these patterns are for personal use and cannot be sold or altered in any way.

Have fun!

Thanksgiving Embroidery Patterns

Thanksgiving is just a couple of days away (!!!) and I've got another set of embroidery patterns perfect for a host/guest gift or just a fun activity during the day.  Add a name and date for a fun little keepsake!

Feel free to download the pattern here or use the image below.  As always, this pattern is for personal use only and cannot be sold or changed in any way.  Have fun!  And Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween Embroidery Patterns

Hooray for Halloween!  Just a couple days left till the big day and I wanted to share some holiday embroidery with you.  They're great for last minute decorations, teachers presents, hostess gifts, or whatever.

Below are details of the pieces I worked up.  I wanted to explore a few different ways to incorporate color in them and I'm so happy with how they turned out!

CLICK HERE for the full sized pdf file.  

I had a lot of fun drawing up these little guys and hope you have fun making them!  If you want some more embroidery ideas, check out this post full of kittens.  And if you end up making them, I'd love to see what you do!

Happy Halloween!

DIY - Embroider Your Own Handwriting

This is a quick and easy project that I whipped up while I was making my kittens.  I hope you like it!

SUPPLIES

• Paper
• Light colored fabric
• Embroidery Hoop (I got mine at Salvation Army for .25!) 
• Disappearing Ink pen (check in the sewing section of your craft store)
• Sharpie

1. Gather your supplies and trace the inside of your hoop.  The way you know how much room you're working with.
2. Write our your quote, lyric, name, or whatever you want* in that space with your Sharpie.  I had to write it out a few times before I got something I really liked.  I always end up writing like a 5 year old when I need to use it for something :P Just keep tracing your circle if you need! 
3. Then place your fabric on top of your writing and trace over that with your disappearing ink pen.
4. Toss it in your hoop and get to stitchin'!  If the disappearing ink starts to fade too quickly, you can always touch it up as you go.  And I forgot to photograph the floss with the supplies, but there's tons of floss at your local craft store I'm sure.  Or you could check out Jenny Hart's shop for her gorgeous floss.  

I added a running stitch around the edge that used all three colors I chose and I couldn't be happier with the result!  You can leave it in the hoop and trim the edges and glue them to the back of the hoop.  or you could frame it in regular frame.  If you use a different shape, I would trace that and use it as your template, then just use the hoop for stability as you work.  I think a big one with a giant quote or poem, with lots of embellishment would be so fun!  

*Mine is a lyric from my favorite Neko Case song.

Cat Lady Embroidery Patterns

So fun!  I got the itch the other day to do some embroidery and decided to share the patterns I made!  I'm definitely a cat lady and I love drawing ridiculous kittens, so these are going to make a great addition to our home.

If you're new to embroidery, or just want a refresher course, Jenny Hart made the best videos (for KIN Community) that I've ever found on the subject.  Check this one out for three ways to transfer patterns onto fabric.  And her step-by-step French Knot tutorial has me making the most pro knots I've ever made!

I hope you like these little guys!  I'd love to see if anyone makes them ^_^

Click here for the pdf!

*These patterns are for personal use only