Mid Make: Crochet Edged Pillowcases

I've been working all hours of the night on these puppies. Handmade pillowcases with a hand crocheted edging–perfection in my book. I created these for a class I'll be teaching this fall (keep your eyes open!), but the tute and pattern will be coming too, so never you fear!

I adore the delicate nature of the crochet.  Better watch out, though, I've got my hook and crochet thread ready to attack all sorts of things. Yes, the list of projects may be growing!

Kathreen Ricketson - A Tragic Loss

I am in shock about the tragic news I just heard about Kathreen Ricketson and her husband Rob Shugg, who both died in a swimming accident off the coast of Australia last week. If any of you had the pleasure of working with Kathreen, you know what a wonderful, positive, talented and supportive person she was. From the beginning of this blog, she has been a cheerleader and friend, encouraging me every step of the way.  I loved contributing to her craft magazine and blog and adored her to no end. The energy she put out in this world was huge. An enormous void in my heart cries out. The crafting community will miss her more dearly than I could ever put into words.

These behind-the-scene-photos of her last book crush my heart as I think about her two darling children, Otilija and Orlando. What amazing people they must be. I know that Kathreen and Rob have given them the strength, the character and the long-lasting love to make it through this tragic event. I cannot imagine it. I hold my three so close today as I think of the journey these two must travel. A trust fund for their future has been set up by friends. You can read more abut it here, or you can contribute to the fund via paypal to this address: otilijaandorlando@gmail.com. Other ways to support Kathreen include purchasing her magazines or books, which are amazing and inspiring in so many ways. 

Thank you, Kathreen,  for your love, your passion and your spirit. I will miss you dearly.

Reverse Embroidery Hoop Monogram DIY–a finish fifty project

I've been meaning to do this project for a while. I was inspired to create this embroidered monogram for Allie after seeing this pin,  this post and finding this shop - you know how these things work, jumping from one thing to the next in a long hunt to find the original. Anyway, I never did track down a how-to, so I wanted to take a little twist on it and do a photo tutorial for my own version of this reverse embroidery.  

 

The monogram is nestled in a display of embroidery hoops festooned in some great prints to make a big wall of fun in my daughter's room for her room redo (more on that later).

Don't let the complex look of this project fool you–truly, it is super simple. You need to know the back stitch for the letter outline, and really, that's it. The rest of it is just random stitches. I think this project would make a great kids' craft as it doesn't really matter how the rest of the stitches are done. In some ways, the messier the stitches, the better.

A HUGE thanks to Lizzy House, whose beautiful fabric adorns almost every single hoop.  These fabrics cover three or four of her collections, too. She's so good at making it all work together! Can you tell the new colors in Allie's room? bye-bye, pink--*sniff*

I will show you the before and after of her room soon. So excited to tell you that it is a feature in the upcoming Discovery Girls magazine. If you want to see it sooner, go get the June/July issue in stores any day now! 

Oh, and you know this project coming off of that finish fifty list, big time!

Here are the DIY instructions for the Reverse Embroidery Hoop Monogram:

Materials:
Embroidery hoop(s) (I used an 8" one for the last name initial and 6" hoops for the first and middle initial)
Embroidery floss (in desired color, I used 8 or so skeins for the three letters!)
Embroidery needle
Scissors
Craft glue
Computer/Printer
Water soluble marking pen (or chalk pen)

Print out desired initial such that it will fit on hoop with 1/2 an inch to spare around all lines. Tape monogram onto bright window, with fabric on top. Transfer initial to fabric with a air-soluble fabric marker.

Using back stitch, trace the outline of the letter. Then, use random stitches for about 1/2" outside the outline of the letter to create a border of stitches.

Layer and overlap the random stitches as you go. Add outlier stitches further spaced out towards the outside edges of the border.

Pull the fabric in the hoop especially taut.  Tighten the hoop. Trim the fabric around the hoop leaving about 1/2" all the way around. With craft glue, secure the fabric to the back of the hoop. 

 

You're ready to hang!  Repeat for all desired letters. To make a whole display, simply use other coordinated fabrics in hoops of various sizes. I have a post for you with hints on how to hang the collection.  Coming right up! 

Happy stitching! xo, anne