This is the 4th card of approximately 50 hand-stitched card that I made over approximately 18 months, this is one of a set of 44 that I made as a special set of cards for my Mom, who is a master cross-stitcher. I started with the concept that she would be giving these stitched cards to her friends who also cross stitch, but then I realized that she would also perhaps want to give some of these cards to family or friends who do not stitch or craft in some way, which somewhat changed how I decorated or embellished some of the cards. This card has a rather large needle and long, embellished thread cut from fun foam. I love the dimension that I can get from die-cutting with fun foam, but this material is very delicate, and can easily be damaged, so I am not so sure how it will do long-term, or traveling in the mail. In a few cards including one for my nephew's middle school graduation, I have coated fun foam die-cuts with glossy accents, and I have been pleased with the results, but it's best to use a light hand with the glossy accents. Another example is a card I uploaded within the last week or so, my sister, Sarah's birthday card. That Sizzix Happy Birthday To You die is much more delicate a font, and it requires a very light touch with the glossy accents or any other clear epoxy-type product. I look forward to playing more, how I love to play with materials in an outside the box manner. Sometimes all I create is a muddy mess, but occasionally, I am able somehow to create something new that makes me happy to be creative.
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.
I really love the combination of the stitched piece in terms of the color and stitches combination along with the heavily embossed (via a 3D embossing folder) piece of cardstock. I particularly love the combination of this colored embossed cardstock plus the colorful hand-stitched piece. I love these more delicate colors of a variety of stitches.
This card utilizes Anna Griffin mirror foil cardstock that I have used to die-cut the word prayers with the Hero Arts die. I do find that this mirror silver foil cardstock is more challenging to photograph vs the silver matte foil... But the brightness was a nice balance against the lighter colored embossed cardstock plus the colored hand-stitched piece. For the A2-sized cards, I was able to change out the white envelope that comes with the Scrapbooking Made Simple Simply Defined Distinctions A2 heavyweight card bases and matching V-flap envelopes in a set of 25. I embossed the rectangular flap with the same 3D embossing folder that I used on the card layer under the hand-stitched top layer in the same color as the card's embossed layer. I think that this is one of my favorites of the hand-stitched cards I have made in A2 and 5 by 7 sizes. I continue to look for good-quality colored envelopes in the 5 by 7 size, and would really appreciate any sources of your favorites in colored 5 by 7 envelopes with my thanks.
As I have mentioned previously regarding these hand-stitched cards which utilize a stitching die like those by Paper Smooches and Altenew Pegboard dies--it was only after watching a YouTube by Jennifer Mcguire, who introduced me to the two stitching dies and how to actually stitch onto paper. This was the answer that I had been searching for a way to stitch onto cards or to simulate Hand-stitching, and I was thrilled to be able to actually hand-stitch onto cards, something I had been wanting to be able to create in the last few years. The process to create a much larger gift for my mother of hand-stitched cards took about 18 months to complete.
I was thrilled when I was able to create special cards for my Mom, and I was so pleased that my Mom was so happy with the box of 44 assorted hand-stitched cards, I created them with an assortment of sentiments and occasions.
Thank you so very much for stopping by to take a look at my card, I truly appreciate it!!! When you take the time and trouble to leave for me a comment, it means a great deal. As a matter of fact, it absolutely makes my week to see that comment and to read it and to learn from your comment.
Please stay healthy and safe, especially during this pandemic. And stay tuned while I gradually upload the approximately 50 hand-stitched cards, plus any new cards that I am making. A year ago last early April, while on a Caribbean cruise with my sister plus two cousins, who are more like sisters to me, I fell while walking in a downtown Port and fractured my wrist, which resulted in needing wrist surgery plus many months of rehab at 2 hospitals, one of which was over an hour away, plus I also further injured my neck, which has complicated receiving treatment, as the treatment that I had been receiving have stopped working so well. All to say that my wrist rehab has been more thsn my full-time job for the better part of a year, why I have not been uploading new cards except Bill's Hand-stitched birthday card approximately a week or a bit more ago, and I hope to be able to make more cards and I would like to start my own blog when it's possible to do so. Right now, I need to continue to work on reorganizing my small crafting room, so that everything I need will fit in, and the rest I will need to purge and sell.
Thanks again for stopping by to looking at my card. I learn so much from many artists here on Splitcoaststampers, and how I am grateful for this community, and for all of the wonderful artists I have already met here.
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2020 GMT Views: 575
Favorited:0
Paper: Anna Griffin mirror foil silver cardstock, 110 pound white cardstock, Scrapbooking Made Simple Simply Defined Distinctions A2 heavyweight card bases and envelopes set
Paper Size: A2
Ink: Versafine black
Accessories: Gemini, Paper Smooches hand-stitching die, 3D embossing folder, colored embroidery thread/yarn, Darice foam strips, Crafter's Pick The Ultimate glue, Hero Arts prayers die, large needle and thread die, size 20 needles
Techniques: Hand-stitching on paper, die-cutting with foil cardstock, embossing with an embossing folder
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni SCS Gallery Moderator Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: July 27, 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 123004
Sat, Jun 27, 2020 @ 4:57 AM
Wow! Beautiful. It must have taken ages, but I am sure it's quite therapeutic and relaxing. I'm sorry about the wrist injury and other complications. Recovery seems to take longer the older we get .
Registered: July 19, 2007 Location: Orangevale, Ca Posts: 3696
Sat, Jun 27, 2020 @ 10:06 PM
Your patience and perseverance turned out beautiful works of art. It is no fun to have to put so much focus on health situations when they appear. Sounds like you've been a real warrior. Your card creating becomes a fresh breathe of air I bet.
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