Saturday, February 22, 2014

Embroidery Hoop Art

Saturday, February 22, 2014
Happy almost March! I don't know about you, but I'm very much looking forward to some warmer weather and less snow. It's absolutely gorgeous in Albany today... we hit 54 degrees! Andrew and I went for a walk through the snow and it seemed like everyone was out enjoying the unseasonably high temps. Unfortunately, it's not going to last long as we'll be dipping back into the 20's this week. In other news, I apologize for the long hiatus. Over the past month, I've been putting in close to 80 hours a week at the hospital on the pediatrics floor. It's been incredibly rewarding and affirming that pediatrics is absolutely the career for me!

Anyway, on to the project!


Over the summer, my grandma gave me some embroidery hoops that she isn't planning on using. I don't do cross stitch, but I figured I could come up with something creative.


I decided to browse the internet for a retro camera image and settled on this one



I converted it to black and white, added "smile," printed it out, and taped it to the back of some cross stitch fabric that I had placed in my hoop.



Holding the hoop up to the window, I traced the camera image onto the fabric.


Next, I used double thick black sewing thread to stitch over the pattern. As you can tell, it's definitely not perfect.



(As I said, I don't really do embroidery... and I was in a bit of a hurry since this project was really me procrastinating on some major med school work that needed to get done.)


Even with the imperfections, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I hung it on the wall with the other embroidery hoops Grandma had given me. I placed a photo from a family snow adventure in the larger of the three hoops, and left the tiny one blank. I'm still thinking about what to do with that one, but seeing a blank canvas on the wall reminds me to keep the creative juices flowing regardless of how busy life can get sometimes.






Also, I know that spring doesn't officially start for about a month, but I'm really longing for it now, hence the Mark Twain spring quote. If you're looking for another easy project, this is how I made the tiny burlap print.

Hope you find this simple project inspiring!



Linking up at

37 comments:

  1. Sarah! This is so cool and I think it's perfect! I used to do samplers but they really had/have no place in my home. I love this idea!

    I think it's great that you work so hard and know which path you are going to take. I wish I had been so focused when I was your age. Thankfully my kids have found their careers and that makes my heart want to burst!

    Take care and stay warm. We are very cold here in Chicago as well.

    XO,
    Jane

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    1. Thank you, Jane! Hope you are staying warm in the midwest... Spring is coming!

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  2. This came out so beautifully, I love it. Simple and fun, not overly complicated - perfect! My daughter is a photography student, she would love this!

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    1. Thank you! Give it a try for your daughter!

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  3. What a fun project, I love hoop art! This is so cute!

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  4. Hi Sarah! I just love this and am so happy I saw it at Uncommon Designs! I might just have to learn how to embroider! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful project - have a wonderful Monday and a great week!

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    1. Thank you, Cindy! It's super easy... give it a shot!

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  5. I'm obsessed. This is really awesome!! I would love for you to link it up at Link it or Lump it (if you havent already) http://www.sohosonnet.com/link-it-or-lump-it/link-it-or-lump-it-link-party-27/

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  6. Oh my. This is so so cool. I'm not sure I could even do that simple stitch you did, but I ADORE how this turned out!! Thank you so much for sharing at our link it or lump it party!

    Amy @ http://www.delineateyourdwelling.com

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    1. Thank you, Amy! You could definitely do it... just tracing over a pattern :) Give it a try!

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    2. Be sure to stop by our link party tomorrow, I'm featuring this awesome hoop art! Grab a feature button, too!

      http://www.delineateyourdwelling.com

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  7. I love it! All of it! Sharing on FB! Thanks for linking it up at Monday Funday!

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  8. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful project on The Inspiration Board at homework. You were featured today!
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    carolyn ~ homework

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    1. Thank you for the feature, Carolyn!! Glad you liked the project!

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  9. Sarah! This is AWESOME. My sister is a photographer and would love this. Thanks so much for linking it up at the par-tay. Sharing :) Hugs!

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    1. Thanks, Kelly!! Glad you like it! Thanks for hosting such a fab party!

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  10. Love this!! I am featuring it on Link It or Lump it tomorrow (I see my co-host Amy is featuring it as well!) super fabulous...

    Sonnet at Sohosonnet.com

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  11. Neat display idea, love the camera stitchery :-)

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  12. How creative! I really love this and it's so simple in color. It could go with any style home. Great project. Hello from Link it or Lump it!
    leelee @ paperbagstyling.blogspot.com

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  13. This is so wow Sarah. I could hardly believe that it was embroidered. Stopping by from Link it or Lump it. Have a great week :)

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    1. Glad you like it! Thanks for stopping by!!

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  14. Thanks so much for sharing this cute idea! I love embroidery art and am so excited to feature you tomorrow! XO, Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com

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    1. Aimee! Thank you for the feature!! Hope you're having a great week!

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  15. Love this idea! I saw it on Aimee's site, and now I want to try it, but I might go with aqua colored thread...should be fun!

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    1. It would look great in aqua! I was thinking about white thread on solid colored fabric for my next embroidery hoop art. Thanks for stopping by!

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  16. You are so very creative! I just love the stark simplicity of the black and white. Maybe I will drag out my cross stitch supplies and do something like this!!

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    1. Thanks, Jeanette! Definitely give it a try, and let me know how it turns out!

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  17. I love embroidery hoop art! This is so cute!

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  18. Congratulations! This post is (going to be) featured over at Diana Rambles today and has been pinned in the Featured at Diana Rambles board at Pinterest, Tweeted, and Recommended on G+. Please grab a featured button off my sidebar or via the link under the features. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea!

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  19. I love the idea of a blank hoop! and i think you did a great job! Glad to find a blogger as interested in medicine as i am!

    Amanda Rose
    www.sewmuch2say.com
    NY NEblogger network rep

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