You may think that it is too early to start thinking of Christmas. I might agree except that summer is the perfect time to start a portable project and Christmas ornaments are just that! I love this little set that I just finished. Each ornament takes quite a bit of hand stitching time but it can be done on the lake, at the shore, pool side, in waiting rooms, etc.
The partridge ornament was made using the Sizzix die Bird 2 with Bonus Textured Impressions. I cut two of the bird die using some gorgeous natural white wool felt from National Nonwovens. I took one of the pieces of precut felt and placed it inside the embossing folder on the multipurpose platform , Tab 1, in between the cutting pads.
This is what the felt looks like embossed. I know that the embossing will not hold in untreated felt, as the fibers shift around, but my hope was that they would last long enough for me to use them as an embroidery pattern. And they did!
I more or less followed the embossing patterns using a simple back stitch, a lazy daisy stitch and french knots. I used Cosmo's beautiful Seasons variegated embroidery floss.
After the embroidery was complete, I added a single sequin for the eye held in place with a clear glass seed bead. Then I used a blanket stitch to hold the two layers of the bird together, left an opening for stuffing, and then closed it up.
The pear was cut using the Sizzix Pear Die. Again, I used National Nonwovens felt to cut the pieces of the pear. I cut two of the complete pear for the front and back of the ornament. I cut the inner pear out of a wheat colored felt and the innermost pieces out of the natural white like the bird.
I stacked the felt pieces on the pear and used Cosmo embroidery floss to secure them with a blanket stitch.
I added tear shaped beads that I happened to have for the pear seeds. I added three sequins to the leaf for a little sparkle.
Happy summer sewing (thinking of Christmas)!
Oooh, cool technique! I may just be sticking my head in the sand a bit longer about that Christmas thing though...
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of embossing as embroidery transfer- perfect use of a die!
ReplyDeleteThey are both gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteLove them both!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a super good idea! Love the stitching on the bird especially. I love all the ideas you are coming up with!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderfully clever! And so much quicker than marking the old fashioned way....
ReplyDeleteYour ornaments are delightful. The dove is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYou are so clever. These are beautiful. I really want this Sizzix die cutter now. Dang you! :-)
ReplyDeleteVery creative, and very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome idea! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is so clever, gorgeous work Amy!
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas tree is going to look very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThough I do wish you hadn't introduced the clever way to use a new tool to this collector of "must have" patchwork tools
Another amazing project to add to my to do list: )
ReplyDeleteWe're totally on the same Christmas wavelength. I wonder why that is? I suspect it's the heat that's making our minds wander to cooler times.
ReplyDeleteAnyhoo, that is such a cute set of ornaments. Love the embroidery on the bird especially!
Lovely Amy! we are just having our first few days of warm weather since last summer (minor exaggeration but not much of one!!)so Christmas is not on my mind at all but these ornaments will be lovely on your tree!
ReplyDeleteJust stunning. this would make a lovely present.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that one day while surfing online I found your blog, all your creations are so beautiful and your tutorials so well explained! I just joined your blog to be your follower and have added a link from my blog to your blog so my readers can discover this wonderful place, thanks for sharing your talent with us.
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful! I love that impressions die, that's so cool!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love this! Great technique, can't wait to try it!
ReplyDelete