Hello everyone! Welcome to Satur-YAY! We're going to celebrate the weekend by getting our craft on. Since the weather is finally feeling a bit fallish here in sunny California, I am getting in a cozy mood and have had a hankering to get in touch with the little old lady deep down inside of me. There's nothing cozier to me than sitting down in the rocking chair, cup of coffee in hand, and cross stitching my little heart out.
Cross stitched details aren't the only way to add stitching to your stamped projects. There are several ways...so don't worry. If you're not down with hand stitching there's something for you here too! I thought I would create a little tutorial featuring three ways to add stitched details to your card projects. Let's just say, it's a stamper's guide to stitching. :) And let's get started.
Don't forget to check out the video tutorial below. I'll walk you through each of these techniques I'm sharing today and give you some tips and tricks along the way.
Add Hand Stitched or Cross Stitched Accents
The first way to add stitching to your projects is with traditional cross stitching. I love this method, because it takes me back to my youth when my grandmother taught me to cross stitch. Lucky for us stampers, many companies are creating dies specifically designed for adding cross stitching to your card and paper crafting projects. Today, I'll be showing you the My Favorite Things Cross Stitch Tag die and the Paper Smooches Cross Stitching die. These are perfect examples of dies that allow for fun stitched patterns. There are other dies available that make it easy to hand stitch your own sentiment too!
I had a great time playing with various stitch patterns and thread colors on the tag for my card project today. And I even created my own custom colored thread using some white embroidery floss and a Copic marker. I snagged this idea from my ever so talented friend Carly.
In addition to using a die to create an entire stitched background for your card, it's easy to add stitched details to your stamped images. I pierced some holes in my holly leaves and adding some simple stitching to these stamped images for another fun stitched touch! You can do this with ANY stamp you may have. Play with what you have. I think you'll find this is a fun technique that you'll come back to over and over again.
Because the stitching is really the star of the show, a simple die cut sentiment and a couple holly leaves finished this card off perfectly.
Add Faux Stitched Accents
There are so many options for stitched dies on the market now. These dies make it easy to add a little faux stitching to any project. These dies add faux stitched accents. Some actually cut a shape with the stitching and some just add the stitching. Make sure you know what kind of die you are purchasing when you buy. The Essentials By Ellen Stitching Lines dies and the Lawn Fawn Stitched Trails are some of my favorite dies in this category. Neither of these actually cut the card stock, but instead just add that faux stitching which can add just the right finishing touch to an otherwise simple card.
If you're looking for a shape with stitches, there are plenty of stitched nesting dies on the market. Circles, squares, hearts, windows....you can find a lot of options in this category. They're great to have in your collection.
For this card, I added a few stitched lines and kept the card very simple. This faux stitching adds detail and texture. And I love the little heart. How cute is that?
I added a simple Copic colored image to my card front. This adorable snowman is from the Avery Elle Frosty Friends stamp set. This snowman has won my heart. I love his adorable cheeks and his retro vibe.
Add Machine Stitched Accents
I'm not gonna lie...this has been a go to for me for years. I love to keep my sewing machine ready to go with some gold thread. Just stitch a line or two down your card front...and voila! Instant charm.
Today I decided to branch out and do my stitching in a heart shape. I used a Hero Arts Heart nesting die as my guide. Now, I'm no seamstress. But I took it slow and let go of my perfectionist tendencies (just for a minute) to achieve the adorable heart on my card front. The great thing about this is that it's meant to feel handmade...so it doesn't have to be perfect. If you're first one is a little messy, add a second line that overlaps. It has a way of making it feel intentional. :)
Once again, with the stitched details, I didn't need a whole lot to finish this card. I added another snowman, a couple holly leaves and a die cut sentiment. Love the way this one turned out.
So there you have it! Three cards, three different ways to incorporate stitching on to your next card project. I'm so addicted, stitching just might find its way on to every card project I make for the next several months. ;)
Oh...and did you all notice that there's not a bit of gold on these card projects? I'm branching out. ;) I thought the silver glitter was perfect to add to the retro vibe that the stitched details and snowman evoke. Nothing like a little silver tinsel to make it feel like a retro holiday card.
So now that I've shared my projects, it's time for you to get your craft on. Be sure you find the time this weekend to do something you love. I can't wait to see what you've created. Be sure to share it on Instagram and use #EllenHutsonSaturYAY so I can check it out.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you leave here feeling inspired! Until next time, happy SaturYAY and I hope you have a fabulous day.
MUAH!
Watch The Video Tutorial
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Supplies
