D.I.Y. Tutorials // Giant Cross Stitch

I have not been this excited about a project in quite a while! It all began when I saw this from JD Decker:

This whole concept blows my mind and if I am being honest, I am a little disappointed that I didn't think of this idea on my own. Cross stitching with yarn onto fabric on a ginormous scale. Love it.

My wheels have been turning ever since.

I have this huge ocean print on canvas that I got second hand for a steal. My husband hates it. I could love it if I could afford to surround it with the perfect environment. It just looks like junk on our walls as they are right now. So it has been living behind (yes, behind) our couch for months.

My mother used to own an antique cross stitch. It hung beneath the fireplace mantle. I loved it. Those antique crossed stitches go for about $200.00, so I found a replicating pattern years ago and I was going to make my own, but then I realized maybe it was a little too out dated for what I want in my home.

Fast forward to now. Giant canvas + burlap + traditional cross stitch pattern + modern colored yarn + large scale = traditional art with a modern twist and a hint of sentimental value.

Here is a step by step of what I did. Warning: the pattern I chose is pretty involved. If you are new at cross stitching pick something simple or make your own pattern on graph paper. That is the beauty of this project: simple patterns are stunning made large. I chose burlap because it already has little holes and because my pattern is pretty time consuming as it is. Burlap is an easier fabric to work with and it does come in different colors too. You can choose any fabric (I really thought a floral would be amazing!). Here is a great tutorial if you are not going to use burlap.

Materials:

• canvas 
• burlap (add 5" to length and height of canvas and this is how big your burlap needs to be)
• cross stitch pattern (you can make your own on graph paper too!)
• yarn (I like the thought of modern colors to bring a traditional craft to the modern age)
• large needle
• staple gun
• a calculator (most likely)

ONE // Before you buy a canvas, first you want to do the math. Please do not let this part scare you. I have tried to make it easy for those who are math challenged. Once you get past this part it is so much fun! Promise? Ok. Decide how large you want each cross stitch to be. One by one inch is great. Here is a formula to guide you in choosing a good canvas size:

Size of cross stitch  x  number of stitches high on pattern (count the x's from the lowest to the highest)  =  canvas height

Size of cross stitch  x  number of stitches across on pattern (count the x's from the furthest left to the furthest right)  =  canvas length

Now you have your minimum dimensions for your canvas. Keep in mind that if you want a lot of empty fabric space to border the actual pattern add some inches to your canvas size.

If you already have a canvas and a pattern (like me) and you need to know how large to make your stitches to ensure it will fit then use this formula:

Canvas height  /  number of stitches high on pattern  =  size of cross stitch ( keep in mind that this is your maximum---if your number comes out to 2.5" you can definitely take it down to 1" and the pattern will fit on your canvas. This number tells you the largest your stitch can be while making sure the pattern fits on the canvas).

Canvas length  /  number of stitches across on pattern  =  size of cross stitch

You will most likely get two different numbers for your size of cross stitch. A cross stitch need to be square so you will need to settle on a number that works for both height and length. Just make sure you settle on a number that is not larger than the smaller number of the two (example: you came out with .5 and 1--your stitches will need to be .5" because .5 was your height maximum).

THE MATH IS DONE (mostly)!! (can you tell I am a slight math nerd? yeah. Remember when you were in school and were like, "when am I ever going to need this?". Answer: when you decide to make a giant cross stitch). Now onto the fun stuff!

TWO // Cut your burlap to the right size. Take the dimensions of your canvas and add 5" to each side (as in 4 sides) and that is the size your burlap should be.

THREE // Map out your pattern. Find the center of the burlap and the center of the pattern and start there. Work one way and then the other. Try to follow the grain in the burlap as best as you can but there may be areas where you will need to go with your eye to keep those x's straight. Make sure you measure your stitches for consistency. Here is a basic cross stitching guide to help if you are a beginner. And don't forget to tie knots whenever you begin or end a strand of yarn (on the back!) to prevent your work from undoing itself.

FOUR // Once your pattern is complete, center it on the canvas, turn it all over and staple the excess fabric to the back. Make sure your corners are nice a neat!

D.I.Y. Tutorials // Upholstered Bedframes

Oh, the hassle of a bed skirt. Although they are pretty they can also be pretty hard to work with! I have been seeing some tutorials floating around on how to solve that problem. Behold:

via mamma rake

via urban nest

via pinterest // uploaded by user

     Or velcro works nicely...

via trends and traditions

D.I.Y. Tutorials // May Day Baskets

Today is May Day! I have always wanted to participate in the holiday! For those of you who are not aware of the May Day tradition, here is a quick breifing taken from A Field Journal:

"Chapter IV: May Day" in The Original Girls Handy Book (a reprint of a book published in 1887), had a few things to say about "a very pretty custom observed in Merrie England of fastening bunches of flowering shrubs and branches upon the doors of neighbors." The author writes of the (then) surviving tradition in New England, of "hanging upon the door-knobs of friends spring-offerings in the shape of small baskets filled with flowers."

Here is my inspiration for a container (I followed their tutorial in the link below):

via design sponge // diy paper party cups

I want to watercolor paint white paper cups, punch two holes at the brim and hang with ribbon and a big bow. And I would obviously fill them with flowers!! I thought this would be very cost efficient and easy for throwing it together on MAY FIRST!! Procrastination!

Other May Day baskets to inspire!

via a field journal

via martha stewart

via beehive art salon

Just find or make a container, add a strap, fill with flowers and you are good to go adorn your friends doors! And wouldn't it be lovely to be on the receiving end?!

D.I.Y. Tutorials // Painted Utensils

Mimicking Ladies and Gentlemen, there is diy over at Creatively Christy. I just might have to do this too.

Remember how our Grandma's had spoon collections with a spoon rack? Wouldn't this be a modern fix to keep that sentimental spoon rack alive in current decor?! I think yes!

D.I.Y. Tutorials // Easter Books

These books were made as a hand-out at a party. We are so pleased at how cute they turned out! And what fun to add something that isn't a basket or eggs to your Easter decor!

ONE // Get some books. We found these Readers Digests at a thrift store for .25 each. Using painters tape (or duct tape) tape off the pages of the book as a whole. Spray paint the outside and edge of the books. Once paint is dry, remove the tape (carefully).

 TWO // Use the front of the book as a template to cut out a rectangle of decorative paper that will fit as the cover of your book. You only need to do decorate the book that will be on top of the stack. Mod Podge the paper onto the book. Don't stress too much about air bubbles and perfect straightness. The air bubbles help the book look aged and the paper that hangs over a bit will be taken care of later. Mod Podge your image onto the upper half of the book cover. Wait overnight for books to dry completely.

THREE // Once dry, sand the edges with sand paper. Then distress with distressing ink and some paper towel. Use little if any on the spine, you don't want the original title of the book to show through.

sanding

distressing ink

FOUR // Embellish! Glue on jewels, flowers, glitter...whatever you want!

FIVE // Make your tags. I used shipping tags that you can get at any office supply store for a reasonable price. I used a sponge brush and painted the bottom third of the tag with craft paint making sure each brush stroke was in the same direction. I allowed them to dry with something weighing the tag down so that the tag wouldn't curl up because of the moisture. Add "Bunny Tales" to the tag in your cutest hand writing. We also chose to add some glitter glue and distressing ink.

FIVE // Tie the books together using your material of choice and add the tag.

D.I.Y. Tutorials // Glittered Mason Jars

via sweet occasion

When I saw these mason jars covered in glitter it blew my mind. It's the perfect blend of old world charm and glam! And this is basic craft time here. Apply glue either with a sponge brush and immerse in glitter! These were used for a Gold Rush New Years Party (follow the link below the pic to see the whole party) but you could use these for so many different things! Flower vase, pencil holder, utensil holder, etc! So pretty.

Organize Your Life // Book Page Pockets for Storage

I have fallen in love with this project. Store your monthly receipts in a decorative book! Genius. And you don't have to stop at boring old receipts either. I think this idea would make an amazing journal. Write little notes throughout the month, develop your favorite picture and put anything that makes you smile in the book. Love it. Go ahead and view the tutorial here.

And if you need to know where to get inexpensive books check out your local thrift store. Readers Digests from the 1970's are usually filling the shelves at as low as .25 a book. Not to mention they come in pretty colors and patterns.

DIY Tutorials // Giant Paper Flowers

Have you seen this tutorial over at Design Sponge ?? I am in love and searching for a reason to whip some of these up. They are stunning, playful, feminine and perfect! Talk about the perfect prop for a photo shoot or stunning decor for a wedding or party. In love, I tell you!

DIY Tutorials // Spring Sprouts

Photo: Roberto Caruso

How adorable is?? Very. What a cute centerpiece it would make to welcome in Spring! I will be making one of these this week for sure.


I found it on Poppytalk and they say all you have to do is sprinkle a handful of lentils onto some cotton balls or paper towels keeping damp (but not wet), in a week or so you'll have some adorable delicate sprouts! This one was planted into a wooden box but any container would do.


Then just take a wooden skewer and glue on a flag. You can download a printable of the flag below here if you prefer. (Tip: when printing the flag, it will automatically "scale to page size".  Select "None" instead to get a true size when printed).

Domestic Fashion // Antlers

This is a trend in home decor right now that I cannot seem to get enough of! And I have to admit that I love it. All you wives of hunters, rejoice! Deer Mounts are in! But it has to be done right. If you don't want the complete cabin feel then mix those antlers with bold, modern designs and colors to contrast the burly masculine feel a set of these bad boys bring. Mixing masculine design with feminine details is one of my favorite styles. And not only is this mixing masculine with feminine, but it's also mixing rustic with modern. Plus antlers can be functional! I have seen them as jewelry holders, coat racks, book easels and more! Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy:

via house beautiful

via domino magazine

via design sponge

via bower power blog

I could not find a source for this picture! If it's your, please claim it. Isn't it lovely?

via home design w.com by kevin sharkey

via little green notebook--and this link will lead you to a tutorial on these diy mounts.

via my sparrow blog

via go haus go

And if you don't have a hunting husband or don't feel like spending big money, then here is a diy by Go Haus Go.You can follow this diy to get this white beauty (pictured above) hung up in your home.