This project is a little outside my box, but it is Oh So Cute. I would like to send out a big thank you to Linda McClain for allowing us to share her adorable project with you today. You can see more of her beautiful designs on her blog Catered Crop.
Linda discovered a trend at the Indie craft fairs in Chicago and Austin this past year: framing with embroidery hoops! Back about a squillion years ago we framed our needle crafts with embroidery hoops. Her talented daughter picked up on this hot trend, screen printed her designs onto fabric and put them into embroidery hoops. They flew off the virtual shelves of her Etsy store. Linda shares with us step by step how she created this darling project.
The Circle STAX Die-namics were perfect for framing a project into an embroidery hoop. I cut out a 4.25 inch circle from Black Licorice card stock with the largest die from the Circle STAX Set 1 and then just glued that onto the inside ring of the embroidery hoop. With the 4 inch diameter die from the Circle STAX Set 2 I cut out the paper with the newsprint background to layer on top of the black circle. Then, I added some shading and hand sewing inside the newsprint circle. Here’s a little trick I used to add some fun shading. (If you bought your Circle STAX a while back, you’ll need to first remove the clear plastic back that came attached to them. These were originally included as part of the manufacturing process, but they’re not needed).
You’ll need a Circle STAX Die-namic (or use what ever circle die that you have), ink, and an art or make-up sponge. I used bolder colors than I would normally use in this demonstration so you could see this clearly. Keep in mind that Less is More. Use soft colors and a soft touch. For the most subtle but lovely effect, use an ink that closely matches the paper you’re sponging – it will just give a little dimension without being distracting. After you cut out your circle, leave the paper inside the Die-namic. So you can see this clearly, I cut a circle out of white card stock. You can tape the Die-Namic to your work surface (my beige paper, in this case) to keep it from moving around, but you should also hold onto the Die-namic tightly during the next step.
Starting from outside the circle, sponge ink working from the outside in. This will remove some of the ink from the sponge and give you a softer look. 
Continue sponging from the outside of the circle toward the center of the circle. When you lift the Die-namic, you’ll have beautiful, framed effect. 
To add a little hand stitching you’ll need a piercing needle, circle shaped plastic canvas (you can find them for about $1.50 in the craft stores near the yarn), and a mouse pad to protect your work surface.
Line your plastic canvas up against your newly shaded circle die cut.
Use the grids in the plastic canvas to guide where you pierce your holes. You can then use the holes you pierced to guide your sewing.
I used three strands of six-stranded DMC Embroidery floss. Do not knot your floss or thread behind the paper when you start or finish your sewing because it will leaves bumps on the surface. Instead, just secure the back threads with tape.
And, finally, I added a tag with the new Labels and Tabs Die-namic.
I hope this project has inspired you to craft outside your box.
Thanks for visiting and have a great day!
Supplies used
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Price: $26.95 |
Price: $26.95 |
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Price: $9.00 |
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Price: $6.95 |
Price: $4.50 |
Other supplies: 4″ wood embroidery hoop; Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink; Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink; Copic Markers (G82 for shoes and heart; YR21, YR24, YR31 for hair; E00, E000 and E30 for skin); DMC Embroidery Floss in Ecro; Round Plastic Canvas; Embroidery Needle; My Minds Eye 6 x 6 Sunshine Designer Paper Pad from the Lost and Found series.
