a joint project
It was hot again today - 41 degrees hot. How ridiculous is that? I usually try to get out every day with Audrey to avoid cabin fever, but cashed in one of my heavily pregnant cards today and, armed with some essentials (grapes for the fridge and a washable fabric pen), scheduled a day at home for a joint project.
I've been wanting to try some embroidery-type thing with Audrey's drawings for ages. This idea has been doing the rounds of the crafting blog world forever, and I can't remember where I first saw it - perhaps here with Amanda way back when? There's this fabulous looking Japanese craft book on the subject, too. It's extremely addictive, and I couldn't help but think when I was stitching these today that they could be the most precious things I've ever sewn (spot the pregnancy hormones, anyone?!) I got Audrey to draw straight on the the fabric with the pen, and then machine stitched over the top. It took a bit of trial and error with my machine. I'd hoped to do it free motion, but once I lowered the feed dogs the whole thing looked like a dog's breakfast. Also, I don't have any fancy embroidery feet for my machine, so I ended up just straight stitching with a tiny stitch length. Not perfect (my machine's stitch quaility and I are often at odds with each other anyway), but it worked. Some stabilizing fabric probably would have helped, but, honestly, I'm too lazy! Her first picture of a cat made it's way onto one of the bazillion singlets we have for the baby.
And then I couldn't stop. A person.
A house. I was tempted to appliqué some patterned fabric into this one - maybe next time.
And my personal favourite (other than the cat), a person with flowers. I'm not sure what these others will become - perhaps part of a quilt one day? But for now, the process of preserving these pictures I love is half the fun.
They're lovely! I've been working on this idea too- I have hand embroidered a family portrait drawn by our 6 year old son, which hangs in the kitchen and makes me smile every single day!
Posted by: janet clare | January 10, 2008 at 10:12 PM
I have tried stencils with fabric paint and embroidery, but not free-hand sewing with my kids art. I think I should put it on my list. Those are so fun. I am sure you will get comments when you are out and about.
Posted by: Ericka B Traven | January 11, 2008 at 12:09 AM
oh those are just gorgeous. I've been meaning to do something along these lines with my eldest forever. She has now passed the totally unselfconscious stage of drawing so I've missed that opportunity. But I'll capture something yet...
They are to be treasured, pregnancy hormones or not!
Posted by: AnnieB | January 11, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Hi I actually do this for a living so I hope too many people won't be copying this idea you can look or buy my work at www.designsbydotty.co.uk
Posted by: dottydesigns | January 11, 2008 at 12:25 AM
I love these!
Posted by: amanda | January 11, 2008 at 12:37 AM
I love her little round faces, and the arms and legs coming right out of the middles... they could be made into softies and amigurumi, too!
Posted by: Michelle | January 11, 2008 at 02:48 AM
I love her little round faces, and the arms and legs coming right out of the middles... they could be made into softies and amigurumi, too!
Posted by: Michelle | January 11, 2008 at 02:48 AM
so cute!
Posted by: lealou | January 11, 2008 at 02:50 AM
awesome
luv Abby
Posted by: Abby | January 11, 2008 at 07:33 AM
A quilt would be lovely or cushion covers.
Like many of the others here i've also been meaning to have a go at this ( i love that Japanese book!), but i never seem to get around to it.
You've inspired me to get a move on before its too late and my little ones have become big ones!
Posted by: Nicki | January 11, 2008 at 08:06 AM
oh these are precious and lovely...
Posted by: sarah | January 11, 2008 at 08:54 AM
These look fantastic! I've had a similar experience with free motion stitching - not sure if it was me or my machine....ah well.
Hope this terrible heat lets up for you soon. We are actually getting cool wet weather in Brisbane at the moment, while my poor friends in Melb are sweltering in the heat...go figure!!!
Posted by: bec | January 11, 2008 at 09:22 AM
adorable! a fantastic idea for other mums..even the non-crafty ones ;)
Posted by: bianca | January 11, 2008 at 09:39 AM
I love it, what a fantastic idea
Posted by: carla | January 11, 2008 at 10:12 AM
love these
will try someday when matty's drawing start to look a little more like something
Posted by: Nancy | January 11, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Cute!
Posted by: Prue | January 11, 2008 at 12:12 PM
That is awesome!
Posted by: Angie | January 11, 2008 at 12:17 PM
The cat is so cute. I love kids drawings. They make me want to turn them all into plush dolls: )
Posted by: Lizette | January 11, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Love it!
Posted by: Morgan | January 11, 2008 at 04:27 PM
so cute!
Posted by: artway/madame chocolat | January 11, 2008 at 08:13 PM
those are really cute! Now you've got me hoping that our little boy will be able to draw more than just circles by the time our next little one is due!
Posted by: leslie | January 12, 2008 at 04:16 AM
These are so fun. I am love that the drawings are all smiling.
Posted by: Betty | January 12, 2008 at 06:08 AM
Sounds like a wonderful project - we will have to try that over here too. Take care!
Posted by: Kirsten | January 12, 2008 at 01:33 PM
What a fabulous idea! I love them and think they are a beautiful way to keep those amazing works of art our children do. I have a cupboard full of my daughter's drawings and have also had mounted and laminated a selected few which I proudly display on a wall. - Kylie
Posted by: kylie | January 12, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Those are all great! I'm amazed you can get such wonderful results on the machine! I would think you'd have to do it by hand to capture all of the detail. Really nice work!
Posted by: Heidi | January 13, 2008 at 02:54 AM