picture frames Archive

Originally posted 2009-11-23 07:01:57. Republished by Blog Post PromoterAbout a month before Christmas is not the best time to start thinking about making Christmas gifts. But, judging from my email, many of you are procrastinators, just like me. I went into my usual panic (even though I’m in remarkably good shape at the moment) and got thinking about what to look for to make needlepoint into gifts. In no particular order, here are some ideas: needlepoint bookends Get a set of inexpensive metal bookends and some 14 mesh plastic canvas. Stitch the canvas to be about 1″ bigger than the bookend on the sides and top. Make two of these. Cut two more pieces the same size, but don’t stitch them. Spray paint the bookends another color if desired. Stitch one stitched and one unstitched piece of canvas together and slip the bookend in. Photo Albums Look for albums with

Read More...

I love small needlepoint pieces but I am constantly frustrated by finding ways to finish them. That’s why I love this clever idea from Gingerbread Snowflakes. You can create charming pressed tin frames using tooling foil, tacky glue and tools you have around the house. Designed for ATCs (Artist Trading Cards), this will work for any small piece of needlepoint. You can make each one unique and hang your work in small groups or make them into nicely finished ornaments. If you are doing this with a piece on interlock canvas, just cut the canvas close to the edge of the stitching. If you are using mono canvas, you could cut about three canvas threads from the edge if the piece will get light use. If it will have heavier use, finish the edges. These frames are so clever & so distinctive, you’ll want to make dozens. Get the illustrated

Read More...

Originally posted 2011-03-06 07:16:06. Republished by Blog Post PromoterMany people find lacing the back of needlework essential to keep the stitching taut when framed. But finding good information on how to do it has always been a struggle for me. This outstanding lavishly illustrated lacing tutorial from Plays with Needles shows you how to lace step-by-step. Although she is lacing fabric, the process is the same for needlepoint. Thanks to Denise at Craft Gossip for pointing this out

Read More...

Originally posted 2010-02-05 07:38:17. Republished by Blog Post PromoterI have long been an admirer of Anna Marie Winter’s work. She’s a phenomenal stitcher, teacher, and designer, and is based in Canada. She has a lovely gallery of her needlepoint at Stitch Amaze as well as a gallery on her own site. She teaches at national seminars, and through workshops, both on-line and in person. Her designs are available through Bedecked and Beadazzled. But what I love best about her site is her innovative set of needlepoint tips and techniques. All of them are listed on this master page and are done as PDFs, so they are easy to print out. Included among them are articles on organizing, finishing, and most recently, one on transfer printing for canvas. Check them out, they’re great!

Read More...

This delightful striped picture frame ornament is the newest free design from Jenny Henry. It uses 10-mesh plastic canvas. Stitched in two colors of stripes, it will be really easy to customize. Add a favorite photo and you have a great memory. Because it’s on large mesh plastic canvas, kids could stitch the front easily. You can do the cutting and assembly. Add this year’s school picture and you have a perfect gift for parents or grandparents. If I was doing this I’d make the stripes match the outfit. Or announce a special gift that’s too big, or too lively, for under the tree with a picture in this frame ornament. Or use it as a gift card holder by stitching the stripes through what is the opening on the frame. I keep thinking of new ways to use this, so I need to get stitching on some

Read More...

Originally posted 2010-04-30 07:07:15. Republished by Blog Post Promoter If you are like me, you love small needlepoint designs. In fact that is most of what I stitch. But finding ways to display them can be difficult. Sue Dulles has a post on her blog with detailed instructions on how to reuse a drapery hook to make this charming easel. I just love it and, to tell you the truth, have bought ones that look just like it. Now I don’t have to! I’m thinking of making a bunch to display my twinchies. With some of my little boxes and a small bouquet, this will look so wonderful on an end table

Read More...

Originally posted 2009-09-03 06:58:40. Republished by Blog Post PromoterOnce I had the Bath Mosaic stitched, I signed it. The best way to do this is to use a small Backstitch alphabet. I stitched mine using the main blue thread, so it is very unobtrusive. This alphabet, from About.com, is a perfect size. I used the capital letters and my initials. Next you need to consider how to frame it. Since it’s a square design, frames are a bit harder to find. Mine is in a black shadow box frame with a white matte. A fair amount of the Congress Cloth also shows around the design. I couldn’t find any black ones, but this dark walnut shadow box frame would work well. It comes in several sizes. The 5″ is too small. The 8″ would be nice without a matte. I used a 10″ frame for mine. The Picture Frame Co

Read More...

Originally posted 2011-02-07 07:00:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter Annick LaTourelle is a French designer of charted needlepoint. Her charming geometric designs can be seen (and ordered) from her website. To get it in English, click on the UK flag in the right column. Her needlepoint designs include geometrics and three charming picture frames. She sells some as charts only (click on charts in the left column), and some as kits (needlepoint kits are listed in both embroidery kits and complete kits). She also sells Threadworx floss and needlepoint canvas. While some of her designs are featured on the home page, click around to see more delightful designs. If you are in France, Germany, or Belgium, click on the news link in the left column to get the schedule of fairs where you can see her. A big shout-out to Jane in Chilly Hollow for setting out on the search

Read More...

Deux Bijoux Bijoux makes amazing frames for Maggie Co and Ewe & Eye canvas. They are intricately painted and do a wonderful job of extending the design onto the frame. There is plenty to see and plenty to love in the gallery of Maggie Co and Ewe & Eye frames

Read More...

Originally posted 2010-01-16 07:23:16. Republished by Blog Post PromoterShout out to Laura Perin for telling us about this lovely tutorial on how to frame needlework. It’s not hard to do and if you learn to do it yourself you can take advantage of sales and less expensive frames. The instructions are in three languages, with English being the second. Also spend some time looking at the posts and on the lovely projects she has done and framed

Read More...

Considering we went to friends on Thursday, so I didn’t have to cook, and that we didn’t go shopping, I’ve been pooped since Friday afternoon. I’m figuring it’s been all the household chores and organizing my DH and I did all week. So today I have a clippings post with an assortment of intriguing and useful blog posts I came across over the weekend. Threadworx Journal was immensely popular in its on-line version. Happily, Threadworx has decided to make each issue of the magazine available in a printed version. You can buy them each here. Each issue is $11.99. They use PayPal for the sales. Finding ornament patterns that work for boys can be tough. But the Cross Stitch design Kell Smuthwaite of Kincavel Krosses has an adorable whole stitch Little Samurai chart available free on her site. These would make such cute ornaments. I saw these bottle top ornaments

Read More...

Originally posted 2009-09-02 07:36:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter I finished this Bargello cupcake last week and decided it would look fantastic in a rough wood frame I have. It’s great to use frames you find inexpensively to frame your needlepoint and it can cut finishing costs dramatically, but, as my friend Marianne learned, it isn’t as easy as it looks. First, be aware that the stated frame “size” is the size of the opening NOT the size of the picture on the front. Depending on how much lip there is on the frame the size of what shows can be considerably smaller. Therefore, unless you “test” your design by fitting the frame over it, plan of having white space all around your design. My problem here is that I have a pretty center and a frame, but I need to know how much background to stitch. If you have

Read More...

Today is the last day to sign up for my stash busting club — the Easiest Needlepoint Club Ever. The special price of $30 for a whole year of delightful projects designed to help you use your stash of threads ends at midnight Pacific. Each month, beginning tomorrow, you’ll get emailed to you a PDF of a great stash-busting project, usually including finishing instructions, so you can create unique projects such as the two shown here. Even better, participants will have a chance to order finishing items, threads for backgrounds, and selections of scrap bag threads at special prices. If you live outside the US, this club is great because all projects are sent to you electronically — no long waits for the mail, no customs hassling, no extra payments for international shipping. I love using up my stash and I think you will too. Click on the button below

Read More...

One of my great frustrations as a needlepointer is finding frames that are deep enough to display the pieces properly. Christine of the blog Les petits croix de Christine created this magnificent display for her cross stitch pieces using matboard and fabric. Not only can you make these plenty deep to display your stitching. You can make them any size you want. Unlike store-boought frames, odd shapes (even a square is an odd shape) aren’t hard to find or more expensive. And you can make then with any fabric you like. Visit the blog post from Denise at Craft Gossip to find out more. Thanks Denise!

Read More...

Yes indeed, we’re ready to hit the books tonight because I’m the Teacher got finished this morning. I just love the idea behind this piece. All you need to finish it off is a picture of the teacher’s face. You can personalize it as well. Maybe change the color of the hair, or of the sweater. Add some “tape” to the pictures, by putting diagonal stitches of Water n’Ice in the corners. So many things to make it special. And this doesn’t have to be a gift only for your child’s teacher. Why not make it as a graduation gift for someone going into teaching? What about a retirement gift for a friend or beloved teacher? I keep thinking of more reasons why you will want to stitch this delightful piece

Read More...