4th Of July Embroidery

I have made some progress on a few items that I mentioned in my last post.  
First up is this heart.  I used quite a few different stitches on this one and I love the result!
The blue lines are Double Knot Stitch.  In between each of the blue lines are Straight Stitches done in sliver metallic thread. The red outline is Back Stitch and the red lines are done in Stem Stitch.  The white lines are done in Chain Stitch.  The white stars are outlined with Back Stitch and filled with Straight Stitches.

I also finished this star.  The outline is all done with Whipped Back Stitch.  The inside is done with Trellis Couching Stitch:

If you look closely, you can see that the couching is done with silver metallic thread:

So these two are finished:

and I still have a few more to stitch:

Works In Progress

I have three new hand embroidery projects to share. Two are actually in progress and one is still in the planning stages.  
First up is this sleeping fox.  
These motifs are from my Sly Fox pattern set.  I combined a few border motifs with the fox and text of "sleep little fox".  I have just gotten started on part of the border and the fox's tail:

I am also working on this beautiful horse.  This motif is from my I Love Horses embroidery pattern set.  I am working the mane with Double Knot Stitch and Stem Stitch.  So far for colors I have a lot of pink, purples and I am thinking of adding a few shades of mint green:

The project in planning is something for the Fourth of July...

I will be sure to keep posting my progress on these three projects!

Fourth of July Stitching Part Four - Finish!

I have a finish to share - and just in time!  I started this project here: {part one} - if interested, you can read my progress posts: {two} and {three}.

This is a 17" x 17" table topper, great for a 4th of July picnic table or serving table.

Here is an aerial shot of the finished piece.  I love the way the blue running stitch framed this: 

Each of the four corners has a different motif:

Since my last post, I removed the yellow straight stitching from the firecracker spark and replaced it with silver metallic cord:

I also used the metallic cord for the flag pole:

Here is my color palette along with the floss numbers:

Fourth of July Stitching - Part Three

I have some progress to share on my Fourth of July stitching.  This is a 17" x 17" table topper.  You can catch up with this project here: {part one} {part two}.  Since my last post, I have finished some motifs and taken some of my stitching back out! 

I took a nice aerial shot so you can see the whole thing:

I have finished this rocket motif,  I used Chain Stitch for the stripes on the rocket, French knots above the stripes, Stem Stitch for all the outlines and the fill on the top of the rocket and Straight Stitch for the sparks:

I am almost done with this big firecracker, I am just deciding if I want all the stars in red or maybe stitch the other two in blue.   

Same with the Uncle Sam hat...lots of color decisions even with this limited color palette! 

The stitching I removed was all the blue around the star field on the flag.  I kept the ring of stars but I am still figuring out how I am going to fill this in:

I will post my progress on this as I finish - hopefully in time for the 4th of July!

Fourth Of July Stitching - Part Two

The Fourth Of July is less than one week away! 

I wanted to share an update on my stitching project.  You may remember this project, {my first post about it is here} if not, I explained that I am making a small table cloth.

Since that last post, I have transferred the Fourth of July motifs I wanted to use and selected my floss colors.  The three main colors I am using are red - DMC #349, white - DMC Blanc, and blue - DMC#820.  I love this particular color, it is such a rich, deep blue. 

All the extra steps I took in laying out the motifs on this tablecloth have really paid off, everything is nicely lined up.  Especially these star bunting borders - I have four of them, one on each side of the cloth.

For the edge, I am experimenting with a running stitch in the blue floss.  So far I am really happy with it!

Hopefully, I will be back before the 4th with another update on this project!

Fourth Of July Stitching - Part One

You may remember from my earlier Fourth of July post that I was starting a new stitching project.  Since that post, I have a little progress to share. 

I am making a small tablecloth to decorate either the buffet table or picnic table for the Fourth. 

I started with this piece of white cotton fabric.  I hemmed it on all four sides with a 3/8" hem.  And I mitered the corners!  The finished square measures 17" x 17".  

Next, I measured to the center point of each side:

And placed a pin:

My plan is to stitch this motif on each edge of the cloth - centered in the middle on each side:

I drew a dot with my water soluble marker at each pin:

I taped the motif on my cutting mat and then placed the fabric over it:

I made sure the center dot was at the center of the motif and then traced the motif:

I traced the motif on all four sides - I measured in from the hem edge to make sure all four sides matched. 

Now I have the motif traced on each of the four edges:

My next step will be to trace different motifs on each corner and one in the center.  I plan on positioning all the corner motifs so that they point towards the center.

I will be sure to post about my progress on this!

Fourth Of July

I have a new pattern set in my Etsy shop!  This one is titled the 4th Of July. 
 
I don't think it is too early to start some patriotic stitching.  I love celebrating the fourth, and I have a fun project in the planning stage that will involve a lot of stitching and use this lovely pom-pom trim.  The red on this trim is so vibrant, I am shopping around for an equally rich blue trim to add.

Here is a picture of the pattern set: