Monday, March 25, 2013

Stitch Me Up Blog Hop

Welcome to the "Stitch Me Up" blog hop!
I love to hand stitch, and I host a "Slow Sunday Stitching" linky party on Sundays for hand work bloggers. Sew... this blog hop has been perfect for me!
My "Stitch Me Up" project incorporated the flower designs from Bee Tree Designs, and a quote from one of my teenage clients (who said that she heard it in the movie called "The Perks of Being a Wallflower".
I don't love how my project turned out (sad face). 
The colours aren't right, and the background fabric is too mottled to showcase the stitchery. Also there is too much empty space, and the finished stitchery doesn't fit into the frame I bought for it.
But I really do like these flower curlies...aren't they so cute?!?

I have been wondering if I might like it more if I hand quilted a grid in the background . 
Any other ideas?
I have enjoyed visiting the stitching blog posts so far and want to thank Madame Samm and Jane for another fun blog land adventure. Check out these wonderful blogs today to see more hand stitching projects!


72 comments:

Judy B said...

I do love the saying and your flowers! Thank you for sharing.

Christine M said...

I quite like what you've done. It has a bit of a vintage feel about it.

Janet O. said...

Very pretty stitching, Kathy. When I enlarge it, the background doesn't seem as dark. How large is the piece?

Barbara said...

I might add a few more flowers to the empty corners...just the flowers without the curlies.

Patty C. said...

Nice interpretation-im sure you will come up with the perfect finish!

Just Sew Sue said...

What about tea dyeing the whoe lpiece in a very weak tea?

Fiber Babble said...

Your stitching is lovely! It's pretty as it is, but if you want 'more' my suggestion is to re-do the lettering to be larger and with swirly-er letters. If you have Microsoft products, check out French Script or Monotype Corsiva :-)

Martina said...

I like it and the quote makes me think! Thanks for sharing!

Frederika said...

Love your stitchery.
Its a great quote.
Frederika

Britt-Inger said...

Your stitchery is great in spite of the tanned back ground. I think it will fit with some bright and bold colors.
Thanks for sharing

AnitaS said...

I like it the way it is. You get an vintage feeling.

Teatime Creations said...

I like your stitchery project the way it is . Very cute.

charlotte said...

I like the look. A lot of quilting lines might muddle it more than help it though. Your stitching is beautiful though.

Nati said...

Very nice saying and embroidered decorations! thanks for sharing

Unknown said...

Oh I like the vintage feel it has just the way it is....

Thearica said...

You are being too hard on yourself. I think it is lovely.

KaHolly said...

I like it alot. I think it looks very old fashioned.

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

Looks lovely. Because your background is about the same hue as your stitching thread, the colors don't pop a lot. Like others have said it has a vintage feel to it, so if you like that feel then leave it alone. I wouldn't tea dye it only because your thread would also be dyed and then you will have the same result only a bit darker overall.

You could try painting the background fabric a contrasting color to the thread colors using Shiva Paintstiks or other similar paint sticks. You could use paint sticks with a stencil brush, which is a somewhat dry application (compared to fabric paint with water, which could run) and paint in a circular motion, perhaps not painting all the fabric but just around the embroidery area like you framed it.

I would test out some paint stick colors on some scraps of the background fabric before committing to doing it on your embroidered piece.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Just lovely Kathy

Catherine said...

I also like your project as it is. The saying you embroidered makes it very special indeed.

Kate said...

It's a very pretty piece.

Gwen said...

I really love those swirly flowers too. I notice that the green stitching contrasts quite well with the background, so maybe if you either redid the flowers in a different color they would show up better or add some intertwining stitches in a contrasting color. Or just leave it as is, it's still lovely!

Sowing Stitches said...

I like the back ground fabric! A perfect setting for your delightful stitchwork! :)

Linda Coleman said...

great stitching

Barb said...

What a neat saying....

Loves to Quilt said...

We are all too critical of our own work. As I have read many times in blogland, relax and enjoy the process!

Sparky said...

great quote very vintage looking too

Deb@asimplelifequilts said...

What a great quote and I just love those curlique flowers too~

Beverly said...

You did a great job of stitching. I feel like my stitching is bland and needs a quote. I love the quote between the flowers you did. I think that's exactly what mine needs. Great job!

Vickie said...

Wonderful words to share !

Linda said...

It does have a vintage feel. You should just enjoy it as is! Perhaps you could make a pillow out of it and put a fringe around it to match. I think it's very pretty!

Kathy said...

Very nice! Don't be hard on yourself! You did a great job!

carla said...

Hi!!! I really love it just the way it is!!!!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

We are our on worst critics. I will tell you really how it turned out, wonderful!!! Thanks for playing.

Lou said...

Really pretty! I would add a few fabric borders and make a pillow out of it. The borders will brighten the flowers:)

Teresa Quilts said...

Love your project! It turned out very pretty and dainty looking.

Tammy said...

The flowers are still very pretty.Regardelss of what you think of the background....we are our worst critics you know....I over analyze every single item I make. You did a wonderful job.

Brenda said...

Love you project, I alway love seeing a quote on hand stitched projects.

Just Quilt It said...

Your work is lovely. I think a grid, or perhaps feathers hand stitched in the background would really make you love this piece.

Carol Swift said...

We are our own worst critic...I beat myself up all the time over my projects...but I love your flowers and your saying. It is so true! Thanks for sharing and hopping with us. :O)

Linda C said...

The stitching is very well done and hand quilting would be a nice touch if you still plan to frame it. The others have given you some wonderful suggestions, looks like.

Anonymous said...

I Love the Fabric you used and your stichery! It looks antique! Thanks for this Great Giveaway!

Jeanie said...

I'm guilty of being too hard on myself too..... this is lovely and you should be proud! When I'm trying to make things centered or in a certain place, I write it on a piece of paper and place it underneath my project, then trace it on the fabric. Works every time. Thanks for sharing today!

apple blossom said...

nice

The Slow Quilter said...

We are our worst critic when it comes to our work. I think it looks lovely and the saying was most hart felt.

Cathi said...

I quite like the vintage look of this! And the saying makes one think. Beautiful piece!

sandra said...

You did a wonderful job and it looks very vintage, just love it.

Patty said...

I do like this. I think if you turn it over so you can't see the front, leave it alone for 24 hours, then turn it back over, you will see it in a whole new light. Then,like us, you will see just how pretty it is.

Pauline said...

I love your quote! Great stitches!

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

I like it and love the saying.

lefuntz said...

I like the mottled background and I think your project looks great. The background is a little dark in the photo. You could fill in the flower with stitching or even crayon if you want them to pop more but I think it would lose the vintage look.

lefuntz said...

I like the mottled background and I think your project looks great. The background is a little dark in the photo. You could fill in the flower with stitching or even crayon if you want them to pop more but I think it would lose the vintage look.

vicki said...

Love the saying. The flowers are very pretty too. Thanks for sharing it. vickise at gmail dot com

LJ said...

I like your little stitched piece and the quote is neat. I can't help out with the wrong frame!! but you could add a fabric mat around the stitching to make it larger. Ideas...what about stitching the design over again but just a bit to the right or left - like a shadow. You could do it in a dark gray or black that might highlight the first stitching.

Needled Mom said...

What a delightful saying you have stitched out so nicely!!

lauraluvsloons said...

I love the pretty flowers and the saying. If you wanted to add something, how about a portion of the curly q's from the embroidery design to the upper right and lower left corners. That would give you more design around the saying.

Cindy said...

Oooo....all that work and you don't like it...sad. I think you did a great job.

Scrapbook-ChickADoodle said...

Lovely work. It is pretty as it is, but if you don't like it, maybe adding a bit of green.. a leaf or two to the flowers may help.

tink's mom said...

Jane is correct, we are our own worst critics. You did a great job and you should be proud not sad.

Sherry said...

Thanks for sharing your project. I too love the flower design and the curly vines. I did not get the chance to stitch that design.

Teresa in Music City said...

Oh yes I agree those little curlicues are too cute! A grid in the background might be just the trick to make them pop out. It might be worth a try anyway.

Janet said...

I think it is quite lovely! I do think you could use some quilting to make things stand out a bit more. Like around the words and maybe an echo around the flower branches.

CaliQuilter said...

Kathy,

I love your project. The sentiment is so sweet, and your stitches are beautiful.

Carrie P. said...

very pretty. maybe you could continue the swirly part on around. I think the quilting will look good too.

Robin said...

Aw, I'm sorry to hear about the troubles with this piece. I think it looks good. Maybe the quilting will fill up the empty space. I love the stitching and the fabric myself. I'm sure someone would love this as a Christmas gift if you don't want to keep it.

Michelle said...

I like it, it's lovely!

krislovesfabric said...

Beautiful stitching :)

thepiececorps said...

It has such a retro feel to it and your quote is awesome! Luv it just the way it is! B-)

Jenny said...

lovely job. I love the flowers too!

Linda said...

Your stitching is great. I like the flowers and the swirls. I would like to see a little more of the whole thing before saying anything about a grid...I agree with everyone else. We are all more critical of our own work than others.

I enjoy slow Sunday stitching. I don't do alot of embroidery but I use this time for binding, knitting, tatting or crochet. I find it very relaxing to do my handwork and a good end to the week.

Quilt n Queen said...

Kathy, we are our biggest critic for sure. I luv the flowers and the curls. I've made many quilted projects that I didn't like until it was quilted and bound. That is when you realize you luv it!! Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Easter.

Sharon Dawn said...

I think your flowers turned out beautifully, but grid quilting is always a nice touch. Nice quote!