Love Lives Here

Some of you may remember the sneak peek of a project I was working on here.  This pillow is the finished project!  I love how it turned out.  I started with a vintage lace edged embroidered table scarf.  The only embroidery on it was the flowers.  I added a garland made of vintage mother of pearl buttons and stitched the words.  A happy yellow heart seemed like the perfect addition!

Next, I added some french knots and beads

Some machine stitching and embroidery stitches

And a cheery yellow bow

I sewed the scarf onto a piece of pretty floral fabric and used the same fabric for the pillow back.

I can't decide if I want to keep it or put it in my Etsy shop.  As much as I enjoyed the creating part, I didn't enjoy the stuffing of the pillow part!  It is a little lumpy feeling!  If I make any more pillows, I will make it to have an insert.

Love lives here and I hope it lives where you are too!

Happy Friday!!!

I'm joining these great blogs today

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Felt Smack Down Submission

Today is the deadline for the Felt Smack Down over at My Life Under the Bus.  This is my Easter Brooch.  It's the first time I've done a felt project and I haven't embroidered since I was a teenager and I embroidered a sunset across the back of a blue workshirt!  Do you remember when that was all the rage 35 years ago?!!!!

I have no grand illusions of winning this contest but entering it has made me feel good about myself and that is my prize!  Here's why:

~ I tried something new, and that was one of my goals

~ I finished something I started

~ I'm a perfectionist and this is far from perfect....I entered it anyway

~ It reminded me of how much I enjoy doing needlework apart from the sewing machine

So win or lose, I'm glad I gave it a shot!  What have you done recently that you're proud of or made you feel good about yourself?

Going Red and Being Thankful

A friend on Facebook suggested we start each day this month with "Today I'm thankful for....."    I really like this idea and I've decided to start each blog post with what I'm thankful for!  I think starting the day this way will help me focus on what is good and positive instead of the bad and negative.   Today I'm thankful for my family!  I love you all!

Thank you all for your input in the outline color of the letters on this apron.  I went with the red to add more color and oomph!  I also found red lip shaped buttons that I'll sew on the left side of the design since it's kind of off center!

I forgot to mention that this design is machine embroidered, but I'm doing the outline by hand.  I may have inadvertently made it sound like I did it by hand and I'm sorry if I have misled anyone. 

I'm getting closer to re-opening my Etsy shop and I'm so excited!

I Need Your Opinions

I embroidered this apron and as you can see, or not, the lettering doesn't show up.  It says Kiss the Cook.  The apron is a kind of royal blue and the lettering is black.  I'm thinking if I outline the letters in red it will show up fine.  What do you think?  Do you have any other ideas?

This is another embroidery design that I cut out to make a magnet.  I used the colors the design called for and I don't like the combination, so I would change it up if I make it again.  I love magnets on my fridge but I don't buy holiday ones.  What about you?  Would you or do you buy holiday magnets?

I look forward to hearing what you have to say!

Closer To Opening My Shop

Now that I finally have all the legalities out of the way, I can re-open my Etsy shop as soon as I have something to put in it!  While this shop was closed, I was focusing on making things for the booth I rent at Sassafras Hill.  I don't know if I will be able to keep up with two shops but we'll see how it goes through Christmas.  These dish towel dresses are what I've been working on so far. 

Today I'll be working on embroidering...aprons, magnets, signs.  I want to open my shop by Wednesday! 

Blogtoberfest Day Four: It's A Magnet

Remember this cute guy from the bib that didn't turn out?  Well, now he's a magnet!  I used the bib fabric around him to make the sachets and my daughter suggested using the embroidery to make a magnet.  I never would have thought of that!  She's quite clever and creative, that girl.

Erin did the intricate cutting, being careful not to cut through the edge embroidery.  I then traced around the cut out piece on cardstock, cut it out and then glued it to the back of the piece.  I dug through my bin of supplies and found a roll of stick on magnets, cut the size I wanted and stuck it on.  I think he's just adorable.   Who wouldn't want him hanging out on their fridge?!