This is a close-up version of this hand-stitched card, #8 of 50. More background information on this set of approximately 50 hand-stitched cards, 44 of which I gave to my Mom, who is a master cross-stitcher will be found on the image of the whole card.
This is one where I decided to use a MFT Cross-stitch Tag Die-Namics instead of the usual larger hand-stitched die cuts either by Altenew (Pegboard die which is a larger die-cut) or the Paper Smooches Hand-stitching die, which I have used on A2-sized cards. My Favorite Things has a Cross-stitch Rectangle, which I would love to play with and see what I can come up with to create, but I do not own it. At any rate, I LOVE this MFT Cross-stitch Tag Die-Namics set, it comes with a Tag Topper and a Reinforced Hole die, both of which I think are adorable, but I did not use on this card.
All of the patterns that I have uploaded and color combinations have been my own. I have made 2 hand-stitched pieces that I made into cards that I copied the patterns, if I upload those, I will acknowledge my source.
I wanted to show a close-up of the fun foam bright pink hello die-cut, which I chose to cover with glossy accents, and this is an effect I have used a few times, starting with a middle school graduation card that I created for my nephew, and I again used it on the 16 on his, 16th birthday card. I am going to be working on his high school graduation as well as his 18th birthday cards in the next few days, and I am THINKING of using a hand-stitched piece for his birthday card, I have recently hand-stitched a few pieces to try on his card and others to use on a few hand-stitched cards for myself to send out to some people who are very special to me, a couple will be very late, but I hope that they will still feel how much especially one is a much-beloved family member and best friend! But I digress, all to say that although I created these hand-stitched pieces that I made into cards over an eighteen-month period and gave the large set of 44 hand-stitched cards to my Mom in January, 2019, I have recently started hand-stitching again. I am extremely interested in creating more patterns, and I need to learn a few more stitches to incorporate into my patterns.
I had been searching for several years to find a method to incorporate hand-stitching onto my cards, because I wanted to create a really special set of hand-stitched cards to give to my Mom, so that she could use to send to her friends and family on various occasions that would show her own passion for stitching. When I watched a YouTube by Jennifer McGuire, where she was introducing a Hand-stitching die by Paper Smooches, I knew that I had found a way to create what had been in my heart to make for my Mom.
At the time, I was thinking that I would make perhaps 12 hand-stitched cards for my Mom, and I would move on to "regular card-making", whatever that might be, but instead, I found that I really ENJOYED Hand-stitching, that I really loved creating color combinations and basic patterns, and that this was a relaxing and enjoyable way to create but also it was a way to concentrate on something other than chronic pain that I deal with all the time. This is something that I can do and enjoy when I need to be in a reclined position. At times when my pain is very severe, I cannot do anything, but I was thrilled to find this activity for times when it was possible, that I enjoyed it, and that I have a lot of fun creating patterns. So, the number of hand-stitched cards grew to be about 50 as a result, and likely the set of 44 that I gave to my Mom will be the largest set that I ever give, and probably this will be the set that I worked on for the longest to give to her. I have let my Mom know that I am very willing to make more of these cards for her, with various sentiments for various occasions.
Because of an accidental fall, which resulted in fracturing my wrist which required surgery and extensive rehab at 2 hospitals, one of which was an hour's drive on very busy highways near Toronto each way, plus an extensive home rehab program which became a full time job for me for a year, plus there were other injuries from this fall that has exacerbated my neck injuries from the car accident of long ago, which is still complicating life with increased pain and other issues, card-making was put on hold for more than a year for me to be able to do--but I was able to LOOK but I could not type comments on SCS cards that I enjoyed viewing, which saddened me. I do like to show support to other fellow card-making artists, because I KNOW how much receiving a really kind commitment really encourages and uplifts me, and I wasn't able to do that for quite an extended period of time. Then, it became rehab to try and type again... My wrist is quite stiff, and I continue to work on this, but I am very thankful to be able to start creating again. But my crafting space needs major reorganizing, and energy is in a short supply, but I have also realized that I still need to carve out a bit of time to create.
While I was recovering, I watched lots of crafting YouTube tutorials, and Jennifer McGuire is one I admire and respect, and I enjoy how she creates. At one point, I hoped to start my own blog, and perhaps even try out for some design teams when I felt that I was creating at a level that might allow me that honor, but now I want to concentrate on creating and still start my own blog, but to make it more about the joy of the creative process. I was a full-time classical musician who worked full time as a university professor in flute performance, and that was a very busy and a very fulfilling life. When that life was taken away by a car accident, when someone's inattention caused this accident, my life completely changed and so did my health. I will always be very grateful that God brought crafting into my life, and that I can find joy in a very different kind of creating again. THAT is a giant blessing, and I want to concentrate on God's blessings to me.
Thank you for stopping by to take a look at my card. When you take the time and you go to the trouble of leaving a comment, please know that you have been a great encouragement, and I appreciate it. Have a very blessed and enjoyable day, and especially now, please stay safe and healthy.
Date: Sunday, July 5, 2020 GMT Views: 407
Favorited:3
Paper: Gina K Designs Passionate Pink and Green Grass heavy base weight cardstocks, 110-pound white cardstock, Scrapbooking Made Simple Simply Defined Distinctions A2 heavyweight card bases
Paper Size: A2
Accessories: Gemini, MFT Cross-stitch Tag Die-Namics, hello die, pink fun foam, colored embroidery yarn, pink ribbon,glossy accents, wonky stitches die, Darice foam strips, Crafter's Pick The Ultimate glue
Techniques: Hand-stitching on cardstock, die-cutting on fun foam, die-cutting on cardstock
Registered: June 29, 2004 Location: Sugar Land. Texas Posts: 79798
Sun, Jul 05, 2020 @ 10:21 AM
I like this on a tag. Pretty color combo too.
------------------------------ LizThe joy of the LORD is my strength.Right Brain Madness --My blogProud member of the redDivasKSS certified multi-step stamperFan Club member since 2004