Sunday, January 18, 2015

Robots, Hearts and Lavender Girl

When you look at the birthday card below, you will naturally think this is meant for a kid.  Well, let's just say it's going to someone with the heart of a kid!  My brother is no longer a kid in age, but really, is anyone ever too old for robots?  I thought I might stitch just one, but I cut the fabric larger just in case.  Turns out, like Lays' potato chips, you can't stitch just one.  And then I got the silly idea of adding the balloons as well.  I'm finding the whole thing pretty cheery actually.   The design is a freebie from the Tiny Modernist and if you happen to be in a robot mood, click here for the pattern.  I used 36 count hand-dyed Aida, an old piece I had from Sassy.




 

It was time for stitching the annual Valentine I make for my Valentine's Day loving friends.  I used  "Heartstruck Friends" from Midnight Stitching, stitched on another piece of 36-ct hand-dyed Aida from Sassy.

I recently discovered that the term 'deckle edge' is not as commonly known as I thought.  In addition to the blank looks I got from a few people when I mentioned the term,  one of my friends started giving me the definition of  'decolletage', confusing me no end.  But the discussions reminded me that I had one of those scrapbook scissors that cuts a deckle edge.  So I pulled that out for cutting the background paper.  Nothing fancy, but I like the look.  This was a quicky to assemble since I didn't need to cut out a window for the design.  And stickers help to dress it up.


I needed a gift tag for a New Year's present that included some hand-made (not by me!) lavender soap.  I was inspired by Sheryl's post at her Sewing After Seven blog to use the Snowflower Diaries Lavender Girl, a freebie you can get here.  I used all DMC,  changing the beads to French knots in 791 and the dress to 333. It is stitched on 36 count Summer Khaki Aida.  I added a little light iron-on interfacing to the back. Then I used pinking shears to cut out the circular shape.  The backing is cardstock cut in a circle that fits just inside the pinked edges.  I also cut out the tab at the top and punched out a hole.  I used double-sided tape to attach the card stock to the stitching and I had a cute tag to add to the gift bag.  I can see making more of these in the future!

24 comments:

Vickie said...

Very thoughtful, little gifts. I really like your brother's. ;)

Mylene said...

Such a cute cute card for your brother and lovely card for your friends. Great idea with the gift tag. You sure a busy-bee...

Kay said...

I really like what you have done with the Lavender Girl. I need a quick gift this week and this might be just the right things to sew. x

Lee said...

Thanks for sharing Lavender girl I am about to Harvest a large crop of lavender and your stitching has inspired me to make small bags using this design

Robin in Virginia said...

What super projects you created! My favorite is the Valentine.

Robin in Virginia

Anne said...

Very cute card even for a grown up man who has kept his inner child! Love the lavender girl tag too!!

Liz in Kansas said...

All are lovely and I know the recipients will love them. I especially like the valentine with its cute little guys rubbing noses!

Unknown said...

What amazing creativity!

Margaret said...

I love all of these! The robots are so cute! Not only do you choose wonderful designs to stitch, but the way you finish them is always perfect and creative.

Jackie's Stitches said...

I completely agree - you're never too old for robots!

Jane said...

What a fun card the robots make, hope it makes your brother smile :) Love the round tag too, so pretty

CATHI said...

Lovely finishes! I should stitch a Valentine design, too, but still do not know, which. But I still have some timem :-)

Cathi

Annette-California said...

You always make the prettiest gifts & cards! LOVE the lavender girl.
love Annette

Mii Stitch said...

What fun projects you've been working on! Absolutely adore the birthday card with the robots on it, a real gem :)

Sheryl said...

Three very pretty designs, don´t know which I like best. All original and lovely as gifts.

Carol said...

The little lavender girl finish is darling, Annie--what a great idea for a special gift tag. Yikes--are all of those French knots??? You must really like the person you're giving it to :)

Your brother will really like his card--the added balloons are a great touch. It seems just like yesterday that you stitched him the Larry David look-alike card! He's getting quite a collection...

Hope you have a great week, Annie :)

Hetti said...

Oh Annie, such a nice and cute cards you have made. Your new year has started with a lot of creativity!!
XXX Hetti

Brigitte said...

I know that when I come to your blog there is always a good idea waiting for me. I also know someone who would be very pleased to receive a robot card, and this someone isn't a child either, lol. I will keep this in mind and stitch something like this for his birhday.

Also your second card is gorgeous. I also have some scissors that cut different kind of edges and I use tham so rarely. Maybe I should get a bit more creative with my future birthday cards.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Brigitte said...

... and this little lavender girl makes a great gift tag.

Karen said...

These are all wonderful, Annie, it's hard to say which one I like the best! Beautiful stitching and finishing work as always!

Dani - tkdchick said...

I really like Heartstruck friends! I love you ingenuity for finishing!

Annette said...

Your pieces look great.
I like the robot..
I loved to have seen the face of your brother!!

Linda said...

Beautiful.

Holly said...

This is my first-time visiting...I just looked at your cross stitch album and am in awe of your Altoid tins! Yes, I have probably been living under a rock but I've never seen this before. I especially love the ones with the crocheted motifs in the lid, especially the adorable purple penguin. Beautiful work!