The above photo was taken back in the spring around Easter time (hence the hot cross bun) and I was on the final stretch of stitching this lovely cross stitch.
I really love cross stitch designs, I think they are such a beautiful combination of simplicity and complexity and I've found that I am especially suckered in if the design includes flowers. I was sat looking at this particular cross stitch yesterday, admiring the satisfying neatness of all those hundreds of little stitches blending together to make the overall design work.
It was a WiP for quite a long time, almost two whole years in fact. I purchased and downloaded the design from an Etsy shop called "Tiny Modernist"* at the height of my cross stitching frenzy in 2018, and this was the fourth hoop that I stitched.
You can read about the first one ((here)) and the second and third ones ((here))
This design fits really neatly into an 8 inch hoop, which not only makes it a joy to stitch, but also gives an easy option for framing and displaying the finished work.
I like to use a "flexi-hoop" as they come with a little hanger attached at the top instead of the traditional screw that you find at the top of a wooden embroidery hoop. You can find them in all different sizes online, there is an 8 inch one on Amazon ((here)) which is similar to the ones I use.
I actually don't mind the wood grain effect but as I already had some pretty blue spray paint in the cellar (purchased for another project) I decided to have a go at changing the hoop from brown to Mediterranean Blue. It was a bit messy, and I discovered that I am veeeeeery impatient when it comes to waiting for things to dry thoroughly (note to self - tacky is not the same thing as completely dry). But on the whole I'm pleased with how it turned out.
Once I wrestled the cross stitch back into the flexi hoop and was happy with the way it looked, I trimmed the fabric with pinking sheers, then stitched around the edge with a strong length of embroidery floss so that I could pull it tight to gather in the edges. I like this simple way of finishing a cross stitch hoop, it's a bit homespun but I like the idea that the back of the stitching remains visible. I'm quite proud of my stitchy backsides as I do try and keep them neat and don't feel the need to hide them away.
Finally, I painted around the cut edge with a little PVA white craft glue to stop any fraying ends of fabric escaping, and left it all to dry thoroughly. Not a tacky surface in sight, but thorough dryness you understand.
Want to see how it turned out?
You know, with the blue frame instead of the brown?
OK...
here
you
go.....
......ta-dah!!!!
It looks pretty good I think?! I added a final little ribbony flourish and it was ready to hang.
A few months ago at the start of the summer holidays, I decided that trying to write on my laptop downstairs was just not working out for me. It's nobody's fault, we were all stuck at home and we only have one single room downstairs (aside from our miniscule kitchen) where family life happens. I found it impossible to concentrate with J and the Little People coming in and out of the room, the cat mithering me for food and the background soundtrack of television invading my thoughts. When J decided to re-watch the whole of The Sopranos from start to finish (oh my goodness, the language! The noise!) I made my mind up to relocate myself ASAP.
I had a little narrow desk down at my studio which wasn't being used, so I fetched it back home, shifted an old heirloom nursing chair out of the corner of the bedroom and made space for a new work area. It's not ideal having a work space in the bedroom, but there isn't really any other place in the house where I could go, so the bedroom it is for now. I still do my creative work downstairs at the dining table or sat on the sofa (or the floor in front of the fire too) but I am really appreciating being able to close myself off from the fam when I need some peace and quiet to write.
We haven't decorated in here since we moved in thirteen years ago, but as the walls are simply white washed they have been fine for us to live with. However, I would very much like to add some decoration to this space above my desk, maybe a little shelf and some pretty things to hang on the wall there.
I decided a few weeks ago that I'm going to slowly begin collecting some art work especially for my new desk area, and I'm really excited by the whole idea of curating a little space especially for my own enjoyment. This week I received two very lovely parcels in the post, and thought I'd share them with you.
The first parcel contained the above print which is by the very talented artist Brie Harrison. I am a huge fan of Brie's work, and have a few of her postcards dotted about the place. When Brie contacted me and asked if she could send me one of her prints by way of a thank you for a spontaneous shout-out I gave her on social media, I was really touched. I spent a while deliberating over which one to choose (all her giclée prints are just beautiful) and in the end I opted for the one shown above, called "Oaxaca Plant"
I can't tell you how beautiful it is in real life, I've never actually seen a "giclée print" before and oh-my-goodness, the quality is incredible. The finished print is very matt with the most vibrant colours, it honestly looks as if it has been freshly painted. I really love it, so much.
My other parcel contained a rainbow, oh yay for brightly coloured fluffy, frivolous things!
I purchased this from a lovely lady I follow on Instagram, her name is Natalie and she sells her work under the name "Love Indy" *. I saw that she was busy making lots of colourful new stock to re-open her online shop a few weeks ago and I was powerless to resist the lure of the pompoms. This is such a beautifully made decoration and I could tell instantly how much love and care has gone into perfecting the design and making the pompoms absolutely perfect.
When I laid the above three things out to photograph earlier this afternoon I was immediately struck by how well the colours all go together. Don't they look lovely? I'm calling it a win!
So now I need to decide what kind of shelf I'd like before I begin knocking nails into the wall to hang my pretty things, but I'm excited to make this tiny little corner of the room a lovely spot to call my own.
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@brieharrison on Instagram ( ♥ thank you Brie for the beautiful gifted print ♥ )
@love.indy_ on Instagram (*pompom rainbow not gifted)
@tinymodernist on Instagram (*cross stitch pattern not gifted)
OH MY GOD thank you SO MUCH for that tutorial how to frame a cross stitch in a hoop! I hardly cross stitch ever, but I made a present for my best friend in cross stitch around easter time (three succulent plants) and never found the nerve to put it into the frame after I realised that I couldn't find a proper frame for it.
This is a super easy solution and I am going to dig it out and try again. Thank you!
(You just glue the edge down, right? Or how does it stay on the backside without peeking out?)
Posted by: Julia | October 18, 2020 at 10:20 PM
Very pretty cross stitch, lovely colours. Wishing lots of love to your little corner of colour and craft x
Posted by: Beverley | October 18, 2020 at 08:38 PM
A tip for hanging a group of pictures is to cut a large piece of paper (wrapping, newspaper,etc.)in a size large enough to hold the whole group. Then lay the objects on top until you like the grouping. Then put a colorful dot under the exact place each object has a hangar. Now, tape the paper onto the wall and hammer away! Presto, everything exactly where you wanted. I love that rainbow!!! LUV it!
Posted by: Mary W | October 18, 2020 at 04:15 PM
Beautiful cross stitch ! A place to work has become a desperate need during this pandemic. Find it where you can. It is still definitely Summer here. Looking forward to cooler temperatures. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Charlotte | October 18, 2020 at 04:06 PM
I love your blog and especially all your trips and photos. I can't get enough from trees, rivers, landscape and your pretty cat. My cat could be a sister of your Tilly. A BIG THANK YOU for all your blogging and patterns. I already made some blankets and used some of the flower patterns for my seasonal wraths. Blogtober is great, I'm looking forward every day and enjoying it very much. Please keep on blogging. Greatings from the West of Austria (close to the Swiss border)
Posted by: Ruth Ender | October 18, 2020 at 03:18 PM
I love reading about your life. It chimes with me because I used to live not that far away but I’m now a defector and live by the coast on Merseyside.
I have a confession. I bought the wool to make a sweet pea blanket years ago and never did anything with it. I have been shielding more or less since March and I was needing a practical project for this coming winter. So this might be the appropriate time.
It’s lovely to visit with you. I think you must win an award for the longevity of your blog. Long may it continue.
If I get stuck with my blanket can I cry for help?
Posted by: Sara | October 18, 2020 at 01:30 PM
Mithering ....I haven't heard that word for years. My mother always told me off for mithering, I was very good at it.
Love your new corner and your new art - I love the colours. Love your blog too, I have been following for a while and it help through the lonely times.
Keep safe, happy and well, love from Morley.
Posted by: Gill Compigne-Leaney | October 18, 2020 at 01:08 PM
Love your choices Lucy💕
Posted by: Liz | October 18, 2020 at 08:18 AM
Really enjoying your Blogtober..thank you so much Lucy. Also, of course, thank you for your beautiful blankets! Xx
Posted by: Jan Painter | October 18, 2020 at 06:39 AM
I have found that during this what seems neverending time that I need to breathe deeply and settle my spirit down. Reading your blog is relaxing. You seem to be good at making the best of the craziness and then some. So good to have a quiet corner of one's own. Looks like you did some really beautiful stitching. And yes, a neat back gives you a little pat on the back for doing a good job. Thanks for sharing. Cooling off in South Carolina, USA
Posted by: diane willard | October 18, 2020 at 02:14 AM
A little spot to call your own is just one of the most important things, and yours is going to look fab! Somewhere to nip to for a few moments of headspace!
Posted by: kate bates | October 17, 2020 at 10:19 PM
Just lovely ...all three blend nicely! Xx
Posted by: Mary Lloyd Jones | October 17, 2020 at 08:59 PM
It looks lovely together, just a tiny shelf with a hanging Chinese lantern plant would look so well together. I am in a different stadia of life. My house became quiet, COVID finished it off. I've to sell my table for 10 to 12 persons I took down from India 23 years ago, by a smaller one and make myself two little corners, one to eat and one to work. Just like you, I need some faffing ;>p My two Persian gentlemen do need a place to be with me and disturb work and watch me eat. XD
Posted by: Tineke | October 17, 2020 at 08:36 PM
Tricky to find a quiet spot here as well, I know exactly what you mean. I work on the dining table, which is a bit rubbish because I have to clear away three times a day. Oh for a desk of my own... Love the arty wall you're creating, the stitching is beautifully done and I love how you've finished it. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | October 17, 2020 at 08:12 PM