Project Tutorial: Mothers Day Card

Naturally for Mothers Day next Sunday I had to design and make a card. With new stitch inspiration from my new Encyclopaedia of Stitches in the form of Rosebud Stitch, flowers were the obvious choice. It was easy to think of a slightly corny saying for the card. Besides, it might be corny but t's true, I wouldn't change my mum for anything! So here's the card I made, which you are more than welcome to reproduce for your own mum. Because it doesn't mention mothers day in the saying, you could use it as a birthday card for your mother too. I'm quite proud with the card, it's pretty easy and simple to make, once you've got the hang of all the different stitches!

 

Here's the chart I've developed. I stitched it using 2 strands of embroidery cotton for each colour, on 14 count pale blue aida using the DMC threads and beads stated below the chart, but if, like me, you have a stash of embroidery threads then just use whatever is too hand, or tailor it using your mums' favourite colours! The finished Chart size is approx. 3" (7.5cm) x 4" (10cm). Remember to cut the aida at least 2" bigger.

 

 

 

Writing: DMC 552

Basket: DMC420

Flower centres: DMC 445 (rosebud and spikey flower)

Flower centre, Daisy: Mill Hill yellow seed beads (can substitute with French knots in DMC 445)

Rosebud: DMC Colour Variations: 4180

Daisy: DMC Light effects 5200

Spikey Flower: DMC Perle 8 colour 99

Leaves/ Stems: DMC 320

 

How to Stitch:

 

Writing: Mostly Backstitch with some Cross Stitch

Basket: All Backstitch

Rosebud: Use Rose Stitch with a French Knot centre

Spiky Flower: Use Satin Stitch for the centre, with Backstitch petals ending in a French knot.

Daisy: Use Lazy Daisy Stitch for the petals, add a seed bead or French Knot for the centre.

Leaves: Use small Lazy Daisy stitch.

Stems: Use Backstitch for the Rose and Daisies, and Stem Stitch for the Spiky flowers.

 

Once you've finished stitching it, it should look something like this! From here on it's easy, all you need to do is trim down the cross stitch to the required size. (I left 5 squares either side and 7 squares above and below) and simple glue it onto the card, using either a clear drying adhesive such as PVA or double sided sticky tape. Just make sure you have glued down all the edges to prevent fraying.

As an alternative, you may wish to fray the edges, in which case leave an extra couple of squares all the way round after trimming the cross stitch down, and gently and carefully pull away the threads for those extra 2 squares. You can embellish the card or finish it in any way you want. Write your own personal message inside the card, and hey presto, you've made a simple embroidery mothers day card! She will love it as you have taken the time and effort to make it!

Happy Mothers day!


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Friday Finds: Mothers Day




 

Treasury Tastic: Mothers Day

Mothers day is traditionally associated with flowers and florals, probably because it always falls in the spring, when many flowers are in bloom at their best. Flowers look pretty, they smell nice, and brighten up a room without fail. Flowers don't have to be given just as a bouquet however, as the lovely Etsy Crafters I have included in this treasury prove.

'Mothers Day Florals' by yousewshould

Mothers day is traditionaly associated with Flowers, probably because it always falls in the spring. So, here's a selection of some cute, funky, bold, subtle, pretty floral gift ideas!

Mother's Day Gift T... LittleCoveCott... $2	Quilled mother's da... PaperDaisyCard... $7	Silver Lotus Flower Dro... HapaGirls $52	Mothers Day Gift - Choc... BeanTownEmbroi... $21.99
Purple "special mu... buzybeez1 $5	Paper Flower Bouquet Pr... PippiLongstock... $15.99	Patchwork lavender bag,... HillyHandmade $12.95	Rose Blossom Flower Soa... LoveLeeSoaps $6
Pink/Purple Flower Moth... autumnroots $3.5	Real Flower Red Necklac... NaturalPrettyT... $30	MOM Tissue Box Cover Pl... RainbowPonyDes... $3.5	Vintage compact lip bal... HarmonyCharmin... $31
Mother's Day Person... PurpleGlazePot... $18	Ribbon embroidery, home... Katrinmania $25	Mother's Day Scrabb... IMCreations $7.95	Throw Pillow Cover Rose... IrenGarden $82

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

 

 

 

Which is you're favourite? I find it so hard to choose, but I love the Quilled card by Paper daisy, it's so intricate. The pillow cover by IrenGarden is beautifully bold, and the rose blossom soap by Love Lee Soaps look too good to use! I could carry on forever, but I'll let you come up with your own ideas instead!

 

Happy Browsing!


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Friday Finds: Mothers Day

Mothers Day is on the 3rd Sunday from today. I always struggle with knowing what to get for my mum. She is a 'stuff' sort of person, some people always love more jewellery, stationary, books, clothes, (insert other). This can be an advantage as that person is almost certain to like what ever you get that fits into their favourite category. Then there are the 'traditional' gifts, such as chocolates or flowers. These are all well and good, but can be a bit boring if you give them every year, so here's few gift ideas from Etsy to give you some inspiration for Mothers Days gifts.

Oakwood Soaperie is the  perfect place to start for some pampering gifts. After all, mums work hard to keep their families happy, and are always there to turn too. I love these orange blossom bath bubble bars. It's a nice change from lavender or vanilla, but still soft and fruity. Besides, what's good for mum is good for daughters too, right?

This  shabby chic photo album by Crafting to Stay Sane is simply beautiful. It has such a  luxurious vintage style that your mum will leave it on display to show it off to all her friends. It;s a gift you can make extra special by filling it with photos, and one any mum will surely appreciate.

As someone who would love to try silk ribbon embroidery, and enjoys making cross stitch jewellery, I can really appreciate the work and thought that is behind this pretty blue rose brooch. Bean Town Embroidery are extremely talented to produce this unique piece of jewellery, perfect for the fashionista female.

Quilling is yet another craft I would love to be good at. Paper Daisy Card Design have excelled at this craft, as this gorgeous floral card proves. While you're looking, take the time to check out the many other equally beautiful quilled card craft creations!

Sometimes, a simple gift is the  best one to choose, which is why this hand painted mug by Sharon Bradbrook is so perfect. It's cute, it's useful, and it's always good to remind your mum how much you love her. And no, If you have big long arms, it does not mean that you love your mum more than those of us of the shorter limbed variety. It's all about the S-T-R-E-T-C-H!


Happy Shopping!


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Mothers Day!

Mothers day is a widely celebrated day, although the actual day varies worldwide. It is a day when motherhood is celebrated, along with the maternal bond that is so important to all of us.

I hope that mothers everywhere had a lovely day yesterday, hopefully being treated and pampered, and just told how much we children love our mums.

I didn't see mine as she lives about 2 1/2 hrs away, and as we don't have a car (and i had to work in my day job as a cell biologist this weekend) I couldn't go, but I am visiting this comeing weekend, which I'm really looking forward to, especially as she's thinking about cooking a whole salmon! delicious!

Although I wasn't there, I did find time to make a card for her (I had to wait to write this blog as I dodn't want her to get a sneak preview!). I was inspired by the blog of a fellow crafter, Bugs and Stitches by Lupin, in her tutorial on making these fabulous flower brooches.

My first thought was that looks good, my second I could do that, and my third, that looks easy. In hindsight, my first thought was, is and will remain true, my second is a possibility (if I took enough time and had plenty of practise) and my third.... well, not so easy as you'll see.

To begin with, I cut smaller flower shapes out of felt, along with some leaf shapes, and thin strips to use as stalks. As I used a design of 5 flowers, and it's only a small card, I didn't layer them up as Lupin has. Instead I stitched  a flower centre in various ways, such as french knots, embroidery, and an algerian eye. I also stitched veins on the leaves.

I then positioned them on the card, before gluing them on carefully using a clear drying craft glue. I left this overnight to dry, and then as I didn't have much time and had to post it on my way to work, I quickly wrote on it 'To my marvellous mum'. Here is the finished design.

It's not bad, but I've got a long way to go to produce anything as lovely as Lupins felt designs, so I might just leave it to her! You can buy a variety of lovely felt items on her Lupin handmade shop, as well as felt squares and craft supplies in her felt shop. if you fancy making a beautiful felted card then check out her newest tutorial which was only posted today. It puts my efforts to shame.

I hope my mum likes is though, and she defianately is marvellous, so Happy Mothers day to my marvellous mum!

My sister, mum and me!