As stated in the descriptions of the other hand-stitched cards I have been uploading, most of the 50 hand-stitched cards I made in an 18-month period were created for a very special set of hand-stitched cards to give as a large set of assorted cards to give to my Mom, who is a master cross-stitcher. I looked for several years to find a way of adding hand-stitching to a set of cards for my Mom. But not until I watched a wonderful (all of Jennifer McGuire's videos are wonderful in my opinion) video tutorial by Jennifer McGuire, where she introduced us to Hand-stitching on cardstock via using a hand-stitching die.
At first, I only used the Paper Smooches die, then I was introduced again, I believe by Jennifer McGuire in a later video tutorial the larger hand-stitching die, Altenew 's Pegboard die, which is, larger and is, basically A2-sized, which I have chosen to use on an A7-sized card base to allow for matting opportunities. Another feature that I really like about this Altenew die, is that it has an outer cutting edge, which I find very convenient. The Paper Smooches die does not have an outer cutting edge, which allows for more variety in matting the actual base, which I have used, but I still prefer having the outside cutting edge when all is said and done...
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.
This is the first card that I have uploaded that uses the larger hand-stitched die plus I am using the same WONDERFUL Scrapbooking Made Simple Simply Defined Distinctions heavyweight bright white card base and envelope set but in the A7 size. These card bases have a weight of 200 pounds, and to me, they are perfect for my hand-stitched cards, and so far, it's the only base I have used, once I found them. They are made in the UK, and come in an economical package of 25 card bases and V-flap envelopes for $9.99 US and are only available at Scrapbooking Made Simple either online or in their store in Southern California. The A2 and A6 sets are $8.99 each. I highly recommend these and also highly recommend shopping online at Scrapbooking Made Simple, because the owner, Stacey, is a delight, and she has taught me a great deal. But most of all, I would encourage you to shop there because Stacey and her family have gone through so many disasters, yet they keep on... Their home was destroyed in a large CA fire, yet their insurance company refused to rebuild it, and they were in a dispute for years. Then, more recently, Stacey's husband, who is an administrator in the store suffered a massive stroke the day after having major heart surgery, and they are all fighting together. Stacey does cool tutorials, and she taught me the basics on many paints and guiding waxes, etc, and she has had a couple of great die/stamp lines of her own. My favorite which was made by Toni's isn't in production now, Simply Refined, but I hope that it will be back when possible. The other line, which is still available is Simply Defined, manufactured by Sizzix. Do check them out!!! I don't normally encourage shopping from a specific store, but their circumstances are such that they need our support. Expect to wait under normal conditions a month for regular orders, and for special blow-out sales (with wild savings) that you will wait for many months, but I have always found that the wait was worth it...
I will be uploading a number of hand-stitched cards of this 5 by 7 size, my all-time favorites are in this larger size, and THE favorite of mine will be coming later.
This is a card for a crafter, and likely a knitter. I wish that I had poked out the knitting needles through the yarn, but I had trouble getting the very soft silver mirror cardstock out of the long, narrow knitting needle die twice, and I did not wish to risk having any further issues or complications with these die-cuts, and I was not pleased with the markings on the lower portion of the die-cuts, hopefully my skills for extricating such difficult die-cuts out is improving, and when I had a similar frustrating issue with a tiny, sparkly "th" die-cut in a very recent 18th birthday card for my nephew, I was slowly able to extricate it out successfully. I don't think that my frustration level was any lower, but the outcome was infinitely more successful. Plus, I am REALLY trying to enjoy the artistic journey a whole lot more, instead of concentrating and even at times worrying about the outcome. It's supposed to be fun, and I am here to learn!!! But, when I had a deadline of finishing close to 50 of these hand-stitched cards to take with me on a plane ride on December, 2018, and I gave them to my Mom in January, 2019, no special occasion, I just brought them over to her house one evening with my sister, and I presented her with a big box full of these cards... All to say, there was a real deadline. I didn't have a chance to take any photos until I got to my sister's house, and I took the photos for all of them over 2 days. Perhaps it was a good thing, and it forced me to make decisions and to put them together more decisively.
Some cards like this one are geared more for a crafter, others were deliberately created to be used for anyone. That was not my original intention, as I planned to make all of the set about Crafter's. But, originally I was thinking of making perhaps a dozen cards, and that project grew.
I wish that I had the same access to beautiful colored envelopes for my 5 by 7 cards. I did find a package of gold envelopes by David Tutera (sp--will have to ammend later, sorry) on sale at Joanne's that I used for some of these cards.
If you have a source or sources for some beautiful colored envelopes for 5 by 7 cards, I would be very grateful to receive any assistance finding some. As a result, I was forced to use the white envelopes that came with this set of card bases, when I hoped to use the best that I could find for this very special set of cards for my Mom, which is what I did... Please let me know what you use!!! For my A2-sized cards, I used gorgeous colored envelopes by Gina K Designs, and by Simon Says Stamp. My favorite envelopes from SSS are their metallic envelopes, and I used them whenever possible. I kee hoping that SSS and/or Gina K Designs will bring out the same great quality and colors in the larger-sized 5 by 7 and even for square cards.
Thank you so much for stopping by to take a look at my hand-stitched card. When you leave a comment, it really means a lot to me, because I appreciate your views and I value your opinions.
Be safe and stay healthy especially at this very unusual and challenging time
Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 GMT Views: 437
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Registered: April 6, 2009 Location: Weyers Cave, Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley Posts: 1942
Tue, Jul 14, 2020 @ 7:52 PM
Oh Joanne, what a Beautiful card this is! Your greens are so pretty together and I love the border you made for all the rows of stitching. The knitting needles and ball of yarn look Fabulous! Lovely embossed texture and a great way to add a sentiment, once again~
------------------------------ ~Roberta
�Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.�
― Lou Holtz
Registered: April 13, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 7097
Wed, Jul 15, 2020 @ 4:04 AM
Green is my color, Joanne!! Love the knitting theme on this fabulous get well design!! That fabulous embossed background looks like stitching, as well!!
