Thirty Handmade Days

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Allison

Hi 30 Days readers. It’s Allison , from little lovelies, here to share another embroidery project with you. You can see the other needlework posts that I have done for 30 days by clicking here.

Every six months I have been trying to get a hand print of Sawyer’s to keep and reminisce over as he grows up (so quickly!). There are the more traditional ways – clay or paint – but I wanted to incorporate my love of embroidery into this keepsake.

To make one of your own you will need:

a traced hand print from your kid of choice
two fabrics – the back fabric (I used white) and the hand print fabric (the yellow flowery fabric I used)
needle and thread
embroidery hoop
water soluble pen to trace your pattern
small, sharp scissors – needlework scissors are ideal

I traced my son’s hand and then traced over that with a thick, black marker so I could see it better through the fabric while I traced.

See how you can still see the black marker through the fabric? Trace over it with a water soluble ink pen and you are almost ready to stitch.

To get ready to stitch, you want to layer your two fabrics – white on bottom and yellow on top. You’ll see why I did it like this.

Back stitch around your traced hand pattern. You’ll be stitching through both layers of fabric at the same time.

Take your fabric out of the hoop and begin to cut away the excess yellow fabric. I cut away the majority to get it out of the way and then cut closely around the backstitching (about 1/4″) all the way around. Small, sharp scissors are key! I used my embroidery scissors to get the job done. Just be patient and careful while you cut away – you don’t want to accidentally snip a stitch.

I didn’t permanently finish the back of this piece. I didn’t want to use glue because I am not sure if I am going to want to take this out of the hoop and re-frame it, or maybe I would like to add a bit more stitching to it. For a temporary finishing job, sew a running stitch all the way around the perimeter of the hoop, pull the thread tight and tie a knot.

This is what you will have when you are done. It looks neat and doesn’t do any permanent damage, just in case you ever want to take the work out.

I am so happy to have my 2 year old’s little hand print as a keepsake embroidery piece. Good for years of weepy mommy reminiscing.

As always you can find me all over the place: little lovelies / facebook / twitter / pinterest

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Posted on February 13, 2012 by Mique

Remember how I posted my personalized Valentine’s day paper? Well my daughter turned ten (as mentioned on her best birthday week ever, Bridgit Mendler interview post) and I had fun making some super cute gift wrapping.

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Just like the Valentine’s day paper, I created this in Photoshop. But you could use Picnik, Photoshop Elements, or whatever floats your boat. I used a custom shape for the birthday cakes, but have seen some cute dingbats that would work too.

Julia had a stack of custom presents to open- it was pretty fun. My 2′x3′ sheet of paper lasted through five small-ish presents.
What ended up being Julia’s favorite was this poster I created for her:

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Hard to believe that a poster that big only cost me $4 at Kinko’s. Again, because it’s printed on the oversized blueprint machine, it can only be done in black and white. Anything color is *way* expensive. I created this in Photoshop as well. Just used a picture I had of her and layered on the other elements. It is now hanging on her bedroom wall- so it must have been a hit!
What do you do to make birthdays special?

I’m linking this post up to:

I’m Lovin’ It with Tidy Mom
the 36th Ave
Weekend Wrap Up with Tatertots and Jello

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Mique

The pink and red will continue throughout the week as I share Valentines day ideas from some of my favorite blogs. The Dating Divas gathered awesome projects and I’ll be posting them here. Today’s round up is DIY gifts that you can whip up for your special someone this coming Valentine’s Day!

#1) Lucky In Love Scratch-Off Cards {The Dating Divas} – Show your spouse how lucky you are to have them this Valentine’s Day! Follow this simple tutorial to create scratch off cards to reveal your love for them.

#2) Love Story Pallet Art {Sweet Rose Studio} – Create a special piece of rustic art for your special someone using pallet boards, paint, vinyl, and one amazing quote!

#3) Hate Ironing? I Do! {HowDoesShe?} - Perfect gift for him (and you)! Ironed shirts. You’ll love it as much as he does.

#4) Felt Valentine Fortune Cookies {Somewhat Simple} – Give your sweetheart some love coupons in a new, creative way!

#5) “How Do I Love Thee?” Countdown {The Dating Divas} – If you can think of 24 reasons why you love your sweetheart, you are already halfway done with this project! An adorable way to show your love by using a muffin tin and FREE printables!

#6) Made With Love {Eighteen25} – Giving the gift of a homemade treat is a great way to show someone you love them. And we’re sharing a cute little tag to help you prove it.

#7) Frayed Cut-Out Applique Valentine’s Shirt {iCandy Handmade} – We love to make Valentine’s Day shirts for our kids to wear on the big day. Whip one of these up and gift it to them on V-day morning!

#8) ABC’s of What I Love About You {Somewhat Simple} – Think of characteristics you love about your spouse for every letter of the alphabet and find photos that illustrate the qualities on your list. I’ll show you how to put them together to create a fun mini book printed and bound professionally for less than $5!

#9) Love Buckets {Brown Paper Packages} – Give the gift of love with these darling love buckets! Each day the members of your family can leave each other little love notes, making the countdown from February 1st to the 14th extra special!

#10) Thumbprint Valentine’s {Brown Paper Packages} - Put a personal “touch” on Valentines for friends and family this year—perfect for parents, grandparents, and more!

#11) Be Mine Banner {Polkadot Chair} – What better way to surprise your sweetheart on V-Day than by “spelling it out” for him! Recycle an old book into a fun banner perfect for Valentine’s Day!

#12) Valentine Button Necklace {Blue Robin Cottage} – Create a darling Valentine’s gift by making this unique and charming embroidered fabric button heart necklace.

#13) Valentine’s On The Hour {Thirty Handmade Days} – A genius idea for your loved one – give a gift throughout the day on the hour….includes sticker templates!

#14) “Hooked On You” Pail {Lil’ Luna} – Easy and cute, these pails are perfect for anyone you’re “hooked on!”

#15) Magnetic Heart-Shaped Shoe Clips {Polkadot Chair} – Have any fashionistas in your life? Use some might magnets to make some fun interchangeable shoe clips for a present! Great for lovey dovey day

#16) DIY Felt Valentine Envelopes – Pottery Barn Style {The Crafting Chicks} – Make your own felt Valentine envelopes to fill with treats and love notes for your kids! FREE love mail printable, too!

#17) Chair-Back Valentine Envelope Knock-off {iCandy Handmade} – The perfect stash for your child’s little Valentine goodies!

#18) Pocket Kiss Flip Book {Brassy Apple} – Blow a kiss to your sweetheart wherever they may be!

#19) Valentine’s Kit {Blue Robin Cottage} – Looking for the perfect Valentine’s gift for your hubby? Make him a Valentine’s kit with all the things in it he loves! This tutorial even includes a Free kit card printable!

#20) “Cross My Heart” Pillow {Polkadot Chair} – Looking for a present for a holiday decor queen? Here is a fun tutorial for a quick and easy pillow to make for that fabulous friend to display on Valentine’s Day!

#21) Big Hunk Candy Bar Bouquets {My Insanity} - With some bamboo skewers and a little hot glue, you can make Big Hunk bouquets to give to your husbands. This post also features a FUN “Amazing Race” date you can do on Valentine’s Day!!

…and there you have it! A BUNCH of fun gift ideas to try out this coming Valentine’s Day! Check back tomorrow for even MORE Valentine’s Day ideas!
And if you still can’t get enough, I have a whole section brimming with red, pink, hearts and all that gushy stuff. Enjoy!