Space Theme Pillowcase Border - Part Two

I have an update to share on the pillowcase border I first posted about here

Since that last post, I have completed the blue moon, the orange ringed planet and various stars.  I still have a few stars to stitch.  You can see the tracing paper transfer is holding up well - I can still see the stars to stitch.  The transfer has not been brushed off or smeared despite all the handling of the fabric:

I am so happy with the floss colors I am using.  Especially the orange and blue.  The purple stars are metallic floss which is really challenging to work with!

This border motif is from my Space! embroidery set.

Space Theme Pillowcase Border - Part One

 I have a work in progress to share.  I am making a pillowcase with a space themed motif.  The motif is from my Space! embroidery pattern set.

I am using this midnight blue colored fabric.  Since I cannot see through the fabric, I used tracing paper to transfer the motif.  

This tracing paper comes in a variety of colors that show up on dark fabric.  I used the yellow sheet.  I turned the sheet colored side down and taped my motif on top of it.

I used a stylus to trace over the motif.  When I finished and lifted off the paper - I was very happy with the quality of the transfer: 

Easy to see and stitch!  

Progress Report - Space Stitching Part 5

Do you remember my space stitching project?  {If not, you can review my progress here: 1, 2, 3 and 4}. I have made a tiny bit of progress that I can share.  I have stitched part of the astronaut in white back stitch:

I have added some french knots in silver for the far away stars and now I am experimenting with stitches and colors for the close up stars.  So far, I have tried yellow floss mixed with silver blending filament to add some sparkle.  The yellow is six strands of DMC #973 and the blending filament is Kreinik #095

The far away stars are silver metallic thread - Kreinik fine braid #001.  I love this and I need to buy some more as this piece is all I have left!

I used gray for the astronaut's faceplate - this is DMC # 415 but now that I am looking at it, I am very tempted to take it out and replace it with this black floss:

I think it will look really good all filled in with the black floss- it will be a nice contrast as I plan to fill in the astronaut's suit and helmet with white floss. 

Gray or black, I would love to hear which color you would choose!

Progress Report - Space Stitching - part 4

I have some progress to report on my space stitching project.  --If you would like to review my progress so far, you can check out these posts: {part one}  {part two}  {part three}. --  I am going to be making a pillow.  For one side of the pillow I am using this rocket picture that I embroidered.  For the other side of the pillow, I have decided to stitch this little spaceman:

I wanted to add this shooting star to the spaceman picture, so I just cut it out and taped it in place before I started transferring this to my fabric:

I transferred the pattern using a water soluble marker.  It is very easy to see the pattern through this white fabric!

I think it really helps to keep another copy of the pattern to refer to while I am transferring.

There - all transferred!

Now to put it into the hoop - I am using my big 10" hoop:

Now my next step is going to be selecting floss colors.  I am so enjoying my new organized lifestyle!  I am recording all the pertinent information for this new project:

And since I did the same for the rocket stitching, I can see which colors I used so that I will be able to use the same on the spaceman:

Remember this border?  I have figured out the perfect use for it on this pillow - I will be posting about that soon!

Progress Report - Space Stitching

I have a bit of progress to report on the rocket ship I am stitching.  All of the stitching on the text and the blast off exhaust is done

I mostly used back stitch and split stitch.  For the antenna rings, I used some metallic blending filament.  I love the sparkle it gives.

I decided to go with all orange for the lettering.  I was trying out all sorts of different color combinations but I kept coming back to the solid orange.

I think it will work the best for the project I am making with this stitching.  Remember I was going to add this border?

 I am still trying to decide exactly how to work this into my project.  Once I figure that out and I choose the best colored fabric or combo of fabrics, I am going to make a pillow!

Here are the floss color numbers I used on this project:

Space Stitching Update

I have a quick update to share on my rocket stitching project from the Space Pattern.

The rocket is done:

and I am just adding some stitching in yellow to accentuate the orange blastoff exhaust.  Now I need to fill in the count down numbers and the words.  I am having a hard time deciding which colors to use for these.  I tried the red on the number three and I tried the bright orange on the exclamation mark but I am not really sold on either one:

Hmmm....here is my color palette so far.  If you have any color ideas I would love to hear your suggestions!

After I finish this part, I am going to be adding a border:

I also wanted to share some spring garden pictures.  I have been trying to get pictures of all my spring favorites as they are coming into bloom around the yard and garden.  First up are these sweet miniature daffodils:

They look so pretty blooming next to these grape hyacinths - the hyacinth blooms are just starting to open, I love the white edging on each bloom.  They are spectacular when they are fully open. 

And some daffodils:

This is a lilac bloom just getting started.  It is my favorite lilac, it is a white blooming lilac called Madame Lemoine.  I only see a few blooms on it so far so it may not be very showy this year.

And finally some rhubarb!  This is the first year I will be able to harvest from these plants - they are finally mature enough - I cannot wait to make a pie!

Space! A New Embroidery Pattern

I have a new hand embroidery pattern packet in my Etsy shop.  It is called Space!  This is a really fun pattern set.  For one of my projects from this pattern, I am stitching up this 3.2.1. Blastoff Rocket.  I have transferred the rocket to fabric and have selected some bright floss colors:

I am planning to use the gray for the port hole and add this sparkly silver blending filament for the antenna rings. 

I couldn't wait to stitch the rocket flame...in three colors too.  I think I will do the countdown numbers in orange and red. 

Here is a picture of the pattern packet.  There is a lot to stitch, along with all the motifs, there are some nice borders that will be wonderful for all types of projects - especially pillowcases.  I included some fun space suit patch motifs that would be perfect for young aspiring astronauts.  I also put in the sun and all the planets, I have a fun stitching project planned that will feature all of them.