Tag: Hand Stitched

Easter Egg and Easter Bunny Embroidery Patterns with Watercolors

Published on by kerricreatesblogLeave a comment

For quite some time, I have been wanting to try out watercolor with embroidery and I decided that Easter was the perfect opportunity to give it a go. I bought an inexpensive set of watercolors at Hobby Lobby, but after testing them out, I realized that the colors I wanted were not in the palette. So I experimented with adding water to acrylic paint, and I have to say that I am very pleased with the results. Just a small quirt of acrylic paint mixed with water worked brilliantly.

My first attempt was a bust. I painted my fabric too close to the edge of the eggs and bunnies and it bled over quite a bit. With just a few tweaks, I found a good system. I embroidered the outline using a back stitch first. Then I added the watercolor, starting in the center of the egg or bunny and worked my way toward the outer edge, being careful to wait to see how far the watercolors spread. As I got closer to the edge, I made sure the brush was less saturated and dabbed very gently.

After letting the watercolors dry completely, I stitched the floral designs inside of the eggs and bunnies. I used a heat erasable fabric pen to trace out the pattern before adding the watercolors, and because the colors were pastels, it was easy to see the pattern inside of the bunnies and eggs, even after painting.

If you love embroidery or are interested in learning, here is what you will need to make these beautiful pastel Easter Patterns:

PDF printable pattern and instructions available in my Etsy Shop

2 oval embroidery hoops (you can use 8 inch round hoops as well)

white cotton fabric

embroidery floss (color suggestions DMC 554, 760, 913, 3817, & BLANC)

fabric pens

embroidery needles

scissors

watercolors or acrylic paints

If you purchase my pattern, you will also get access to a full video tutorial for the egg pattern on my new YouTube Channel “thistles and rainbows,” as well as a tutorial on how to do the woven wheel rose stitch so that you can complete the bunny pattern.

Embroidery has become one of my favorite hobbies. I find it to be a relaxing way to get quiet in the midst of the noise and business of life. The pattern possibilities are endless and I have several more in the works right now. Keep checking my Etsy Shop for fun new embroidery patterns and more.

Valentine Felt Heart “Love Bombs”

Published on by kerricreatesblog3 Comments

One of my favorite things to do in the month of February is to shower my kids with words of affirmation leading up to Valentine’s Day. I have done this several different ways over the years, but “LOVE BOMBS” are my favorite. I started this tradition last year and I loved the concept so much, that I decided to make a bunch and sell them. I made a new batch this year and you can find them in my Etsy Shop. But if you are crafty like me, and want to make some “LOVE BOMBS” of your own…

Here’s what you will need:

Felt in Valentine colors

Ribbon

Buttons

Embroidery Floss

Card Stock

Poly-Fil

Needle

White thread

#commissionsearned

Love Bomb Printable PDF

love-bomb-templateDownload

Cut out the three pieces of felt using the free PDF printable that I included. Then cut 2 pieces of ribbon, one about 5 inches to sew to the top of the 1/2 heart pocket, and another piece about 11.5 inches to use as the loop on the top of the heart. Cut some flower shapes if you want make a flower. I used my Cricut Maker 3 to cut these, but you can just cut some simple daisies in various sizes to layer for the felt flower. 

Use a running stitch to attach the ribbon to the top of the pocket. Depending on the ribbon you choose, you can place it behind the pocket or in front of it. Next, sew the button to the center of your flower and then sew the flower to the pocket and front piece of the heart. 

Loop the longer piece of ribbon, and add a couple of stitches to the inside of the back heart piece.

Now put all three layers together and use a blanket stitch around the entire heart with your embroidery floss in a color that closely matches your felt. If you don’t know how to do a running stitch and a blanket stitch, you can find many helpful tutorials on youtube. Be sure to leave about 2.5 inches of your heart open to stuff with the Poly-fil. #commissionsearned

Once you have stuffed your heart, complete the blanket stitch the rest of the way around, and your VALENTINE LOVE BOMB is complete. Hang it on your child’s bedroom door on January 31 and place a note in the pocket each night leading up to Valentine’s Day to fill their love tank to overflowing. Or you can start your LOVE BOMB on Valentine’s Day and continue leaving notes as many days in a row as you would like to.

I’ve included photos of the various styles of “LOVE BOMBS” that I created this year.

I also used my Cricut Maker 3 to make the little cut out heart cards, but you can just cut pieces of card stock in Valentine colors to fit inside of the little pocket. 

Be sure to subscribe to my blog and leave me a comment to let me know if you make some “LOVE BOMBS” of your own, or you can purchase one of mine from my new Etsy Shop.