Handmade (embroidered) Holiday
It has been an excitingly busy holiday. I felt like a true business person, I sold several custom pillows and a few pillow pattern - I was quite thrilled. Despite the hectic holiday season, I was still able to abide by one of my resolutions for 2010 - that is - give handmade gifts for all gift-giving occasions. It was difficult - several sleepless nights - but I managed to create some handmade treasures for my home as well as a few friends homes.
One of my favorite creations was a poinsettia dish towel that I made for myself and my friend Liz. First, I drew and colored the pattern above in Adobe Illustrator. Next, I printed the design on cotton fabric (on my Epson printer). I cut along the edge of the design - like you would if you were creating a decoupage - then I affixed it to a dish towel I purchased at Ikea (pack of 4 for $2.00 - on sale) using spray glue.
[caption id="attachment_624" align="aligncenter" width="325" caption="Dish towel"]
[/caption]
Next came the fun part. I outlined the flower with a stem stitch embroidery. It looks a bit like Shadow work to me - maybe we can call it digital shadow work - what do you think?
[caption id="attachment_625" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Poinsettia Close up"]
[/caption]
I made 2 sets - one for my home and the other for my friend. I presented it to her at her annual Christmas eve party. She was thrilled - It was a great hostess gift, different that the various bottles of wine that everyone else brought.
Since I am in the pillow making business, I had to create a few extra pillows for my couch. My couch is read and therefore quite festive, but I think the addition of the pillows was a great touch.
Well, I should get started on my project for Valentine's day. I am thinking of doing something with the image below.
[caption id="attachment_628" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Valentine's Day Project"]
[/caption]
xoxo
Al
One of my favorite creations was a poinsettia dish towel that I made for myself and my friend Liz. First, I drew and colored the pattern above in Adobe Illustrator. Next, I printed the design on cotton fabric (on my Epson printer). I cut along the edge of the design - like you would if you were creating a decoupage - then I affixed it to a dish towel I purchased at Ikea (pack of 4 for $2.00 - on sale) using spray glue.
[caption id="attachment_624" align="aligncenter" width="325" caption="Dish towel"][/caption]
Next came the fun part. I outlined the flower with a stem stitch embroidery. It looks a bit like Shadow work to me - maybe we can call it digital shadow work - what do you think?
[caption id="attachment_625" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Poinsettia Close up"][/caption]
I made 2 sets - one for my home and the other for my friend. I presented it to her at her annual Christmas eve party. She was thrilled - It was a great hostess gift, different that the various bottles of wine that everyone else brought.
Since I am in the pillow making business, I had to create a few extra pillows for my couch. My couch is read and therefore quite festive, but I think the addition of the pillows was a great touch.
Well, I should get started on my project for Valentine's day. I am thinking of doing something with the image below.
[caption id="attachment_628" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Valentine's Day Project"][/caption]
xoxo
Al