Cross Stitch Chairs!

Even the most of active amongst us need somewhere comfy to perch our bottoms and take things slow for a moment. Those of us who are less active, (or just frantically working on a dozen projects at once) definitely need somewhere cosy to create beautiful embroideries. However, there is a downside to stitching so much, what do you do with all of your finished cross stitches. Obviously you frame them and hang them around the house, but what if you've already done that with lots of pieces? Make smaller projects to give away as cards, or small useful things like bookmarks, tissue box holders, and small hanging ornaments. No doubt many of you have made cross stitch cushions, there is even plenty of kits out there designed for that very purpose.

 

Well, some people have got their creative juices flowing, and gone one step further. How about a chair?

This geometric designed chair is the child of thrifty crafter Cintia, author of the fabulous http://mypoppet.com.au blog. I love her crafty ideas, and the best bit, she up cycles many items, rejuvenating them in unique ways to give them a new lease of life.

Vivian  of Nordic Needle is another blogger and an avid cross stitcher. She has been stitching for years, and with all of that experience behind her she adapted patterns of bird cross stitches to upholster 12 dinning room chairs! There's a lady with a lot of stitching time and prowess!

Johan Lindsten is a Swedish designer who is giving vintage cross stitches a new lease of life by using them to create feature chairs. These look so modern and chic, they would look great in a thoroughly modern, minimalistic room. I absolutely love these chairs!

After all that inspiration why not have a go at making your own. Not sure you'll have time to make a full sized chair? Then check out this little cross stitch chair project at Cut Out And Keep to look after all your stitching accessories. This would be so useful, and will make a cute ornament when you're not stitching away!

Happy Stitching!


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Friday Finds: Chic Chicks

OK, so it's Good Friday, it's actually sunny, and I'm being a bit stereotypical with this weeks Chick theme, but hey, sometimes it just has to be done. After all, who doesn't like baby animals. They're cute, they're small and their furry (or feathery, in this case). I remember being fascinated by chicks hatching when we incubated some eggs at school, as these damp, awkward beings broke free and vastly expanded their world. They dry off and get used to being able to use their newly discovered legs and wings in no time at all, and soon evolve into chirruping fluffy babies. A few weeks later they're bigger and losing their down as they become adults. Somehow Chickens lack the same cuteness factor. If I was going to get all philosophical I could try and explore the reasons why, is I the youth of chicks that's appealing, or the potential they have to become anything. Is it because they are more unusual simply because they have yet to mature. Is it because their youth, and their care free existence appeals, or because their new born awkwardness is amusing? Whatever it is, all baby creatures have some appeal, and Chicks are one of the most accessible ones. If you want a cute chick of your own, then head over to these fabulous crafters Etsy Shops for their Chic Chick creations.

This bashful chick is really cute. It reminds me of playing dress up when I was a girl. It's a perfect spring pendant. Head over to IMcreations for this and many more beautiful Scrabble Tile pendants.

May Crimson is behind this pair of cool chicks. These funky hairclips are perfect for your little girl. Don't forget to check out her other non slip hairclips for more fun designs.

If you're a big girl looking for some fun accessories, then check out these Hen and Chick badges. Created by Kaela Mills these are great for a Hen do avoiding the 'Bride' and 'Stacey's Hen Do' emblazoned t-shirts.

For a cute and homely chic chick then look no further than this adorable embroidery hoop floral pink chick, handmade by Three Red Apples. Her quirky design proves that chicks aren't just for Easter!

Chicks are sociable little things, and you can't get much happier than these two little beauties perched on their golden branch. Ukele's policy is dreamy things for dreamy people. Perfect!

Happy Easter!



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Stumpwork Fancies

Stumpwork is a type of embroidery that incorporates 3D structures to create beautiful pieces. It is often used on leaves and flowers, but can be used in a variety of ways. After some lunch time stumpwork browsing, I discovered these beautiful pieces.

This beautiful Lilly Stumpwork is so good it looks real! Head over to Loretta's Custom Stitchery for more details and Stumpwork Instructions.

I love the boldness and brightness of this stylish purple stumpwork bird by Maison Bee on Deviant Art.

This cute deer stumpwork kit by Jane Nicholas Embroidery Kits  is one you could try for yourself.

All of these beautiful pieces of embroidery have reminded me of the Stumpwork kit I got ages ago, which I started but have done nothing on for months (if not longer) When it's finished it should look something like this

So far all I've done is the background leaf stitching and flower centre, and 1 1/2 petals, so it's probably time to free it from it's hiding and get stitching again.

Have you done any stumpwork? how was it?

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Friday Finds: Birds!

Have you ever wanted to fly away?

I have, and still do. While I like my job, have lovely friends and family, enjoy pottering around in my garden (if it ever stops raining) and decorating my house, there are times when I want to fly away from it all. It's natural after all, to want adventure, or escape, or relaxation, or simply something different.

While we have to be satisfied with the mundane, we can still dream of flying away like a bird, free to go where you want, these beautiful bird inspired items by some fantastic crafters could help your imagination to take flight.

Femmart has created this carefully sculpted birds nest and bird necklace. I love how the turquoise of the eggs contrasts and compliments the silver wrapped wire nest.

If you like to create things yourself, but could do with an artistic helping hand, then the beautiful bird design Graphique is a transfer to apply onto fabrics, so you can brighten up a tea towel, pillow or T-shirt. it will even work on paper too.

For a personal touch, look no further than NathalieVan's contemporary urban abstracts. The bold design is fabulously colourful, and the birds are custom painted for your family.

Raw Thread has designed this raven T-shirt for the man in your life. Bold, stark and simple, the T-shirt is also made from organic cotton, so not only will he look good, he'll be doing a bit for the environment too!

If you are a fellow crafter or a vintage seller, or simply love beautiful tags then take a moment to peruse Creative Visions Etsy Shop. I love the intricate border, and the subtle vintage colours.

 If you are looking to sprucing up your walls then Cuma is the place to start. I adore cuteness of the birds flitting amongst the blossom, playing in the flowers and the birdcage. The vinyl wall sticker is also available in red, blue and orange.

Anyway, I'm off to fly away...
                                           ... in my head at least!