Time for some embroidery!

I don't think I've posted any of my embroidery on this blog yet, so it's about time! I've been working on this piece for ages, little by little, while enjoying the Lord of the Rings audio books. I didn't want to show it before it was completely finished, but now it's finally done. Yay!



I've been planning to embroider this sentiment for a while now, but I wasn't sure what style I wanted... Then I noticed the awesome new banner over at feeling stitchy (made by the lovely PlanetCoco) and knew I wanted to make something similar. Plus, it was a perfect way to practice new stitches! I tried a couching stitch for the first time, so pretty and simple to do! My camera doesn't do too well with macro shots, but I'll try to show you a close up:



Basically, a couching stitch means laying your thread down on top of your fabric, and using a second thread to attach it to the fabric. It feels a bit like sculpting or painting with thread, and I love the resulting texture.





As you can see I used fabric for some of the letters; most of it thrifted, in keeping with the theme of the piece. The other stitches used are back stitch, split stitch, chain stitch, running stitch and satin stitch. I had planned to add a border as well, but in the end I thought it might be too much so I decided not to. I just finished it up and framed it. Here it sits on my desk, to remind me what matters in life - and what doesn't! ;-)

26 comments:

  1. nice job, good sentiment!

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  2. This looks lovely. love the variety of the individual letters

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  3. So pretty! I must send you my friend Jeanette's blog...she is my muse in persona,lol!

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  4. I love this! I love embroidery and this sentiment is a great one to stitch. You do nice work. blessings, marlene

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  5. I saw this in the Flickr embroidery pool and fell in love. Beautiful work, and a beautiful message! :)

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  6. oh, that's cool. like everyone else said, i love the message and the work looks well done!

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  7. Oh Karen this is fantastic! Your stiches are perfect. I love the saying too, it's nice to have something so pretty to remind you of what is important. I want to see more of your embroidery.

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  8. Fantastic: both the work and the sentiment. I want a shirt with this saying.

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  9. Thanks for the comment on my blog! I too love the sentiment - it looks lovely embroidered!

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  10. Visst är det kul att brodera! Den där tavlan är ju hur fin som helst, för att inte tala om budskapet!

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  11. Fabulous work! The stitching and the sentiment are both wonderful. I just discovered your blog, but I'll definitely be stopping by again!

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  12. Karin,
    I love all of the neat little stitches you used. So perfect. A great message, too. I would love to do a little embroidery sampler like this to help learn and practice different stitches :o) Hope you have a great Thursday!
    xox,
    Linnea

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  13. Very pretty love the saying you put on it! Well done my friend!
    hugs ginger

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  14. Great project and great sentiment!
    Twiggy

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  15. Hi Karin,

    This is just lovely - great sentiment, and I love how you've framed it. Am so pleased you liked my Feeling Stitchy banner and that it inspired you to make something so pretty! Thanks also for linking back to my Flickr page.

    Very best regards,

    Kirsty
    (PlanetCoco)

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  16. this is great I love what it says and think I may need to borrow it for a tote bag! I love your stitches and use of fabrics too.

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  17. lovely message (^^,)*
    and a great practice.

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  18. Jag gillar verkligen ditt broderi - och budskapet känns så mitt i prick! Jag har köpstopp nu ett tag framöver, jag försöker helt enkelt att leva mera och att konsumera mindre - det är som att du gjort tavlan till mig! Ok, det vet jag att du inte har, men inspirerad blev jag!

    (länken går till min inredningsblogg, där jag skriver om köpstoppet också)

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  19. Käraste syster, vad fint allt är! Har inte hunnit in på din blogg på ett par veckor så nu är det dags att läsa/titta ikapp. Stella (och Stellas mamma) önskar sig fina julklappar i stil med dennaunderbara tavla ;-). Just nu sitter lillpuppan och pratar och jollrar mer än nånsin här bakom. Längtar tills vi ses! Stora kramar

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  20. That is so cute! I love the sentiment.. Great work!

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  21. Very pretty letters.

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