Wednesday 16 October 2013

That Handmade Touch

Before I found scrapbooking, I liked to knit. And sew. And embroider and I still think there's nothing better than threading a needle or choosing some wool - and adding it to one of my pages. So when Get It Scrapped asked for Ideas For Adding Crafty Handmade Touches to Your Layouts, I had to think before I settled on...

Sian Fair for Get It Scrapped: adding handmade touches to layouts

...cross stitch.


This is one of those pages where one choice led to another without me having to work too hard. I wanted to make a layout about something handmade, so I found a photo of the little red felt Christmas tree decoration. Then I found a piece of MME Christmas paper with just the right size of square for stitching on; and then, when I went looking for a motif to use, a Christmas tree pattern fell out of my pile of cross stitch charts. I love that red coat, which came from a Posie Gets Cozy kit a few years back. Now, if I could find that pattern again it would be just perfect ...for Miriam's Christmas Decoration Swap (I bet she'd love you to join in too. You don't have to make anything and there's still time to sign up. All the details are here.) Or maybe I could knit something?


I've added knitting to layouts in the past too and I have a pattern for a pair of miniature mittens. If the eyes are up to it, they could make a nice choice for the swap, or they could warm up a wintery page. Hmm..

Or a bit of dressmaking? I sewed a tiny blue Alice dress for a layout once.


There's something about that sky coloured felt just makes me want to stitch. Choices, choices...

So if you are feeling crafty, check out Get It Scrapped for more handmade ideas

and if you're in the mood for a bit of Christmas, hop on over to Miriam's and say yes to her swap. Let the crafting begin...

27 comments:

Ruth said...

Good grief, a Christmas page! I've just seen a candle shop completely decorated for Christmas ... eek!
So, Christmas aside, it's a lovely page and you're very clever to be able to sew a tree. Did you mark it out in pencil first?

Sandra said...

I remember you did a layout with cross stitching on it back in Gotta Craft days and I remember being in awe of it then, and guess what .... Still am :)

Jane said...

I love the cross stitch tree, might have to give it a try!

JO SOWERBY said...

I love adding personal embellishments too, would love the mittens pattern,
Jo xxx

Mel said...

Love all the little hand made touches on this layout Sian - it looks really festive.

Maria Ontiveros said...

Gorgeous! Cross stitch was my second craft. . . right after embroidery.
Thanks for the heads-up on Miriam's swap. I commented on her tea post but hadn't seen the actual call.
Rinda

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Very clever. I love how the heart is formed in the middle of the tree.

Unknown said...

That is so effective, I have cross-stitched embellishments before but not directly onto the page, great idea.

Jo said...

You are so talented, the cross stitch looks great on the layout x

scrappyjacky said...

I love cross stitch....am making some cross stitch christmas cards at the moment....but would never have thought of putting it on a layout....love what you've done.

dogmatix said...

Love the LO. Can't believe I haven't tried it myself before as an avid cross stitcher lol

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Oh gosh, this brings back memories of my cross-stitch obsession from years past. I was SO addicted! It's fun to see how you used the grid on the paper to place your X's. Very nice indeed!

Chantal Vandenberg said...

Wowee! This looks amazing! What a super special layout!!!!

alexa said...

It's a lovely, lovely page Sian and showcases your talents beautifully! I love the combination of the grid paper and the cross stitch.

WendyB said...

Love the cross stitch Sian and all the other handmade elements. The Alice dress looks tiny but perfect, my eyes just wouldn't be up to that. Very nicely done.

Becky said...

I love cross stitch too - one of my favourite crafts before I got into scrapbooking. You have made yet another beautiful page :) I hopped over to Miriam's blog and have joined the swap - now have loads of ideas floating around about what I want to make!

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

Great page! I like to cross stitch & crochet. Once I made quilts, but that was back when I could get to my sewing machine currently buried under 10 years accumulation of junk in the junk room.

Sandie said...

I love handmade embellishments Sian and how you used stitches on your page.
I especially love the bunting across the top of your page though. That really grabbed my attention!

Lou said...

i've spent ages examining all the little details on your beautiful page. Now that Cross stitched Christmas tree i may have to try x

Abi said...

I love the cross stitch. I am itching to get crafting again but with my sewing machine at home i am thinking outside of the box. I may just give cross stitch a go!

Susanne said...

Very cool cross-stitching. You are one crafty lady.

Amy said...

Delightful details that add such a richness to all of your pages Sian!

Anonymous said...

I'm guessing Getting It Scrapped got more than they expected when they saw your page--it truly is inspired! I especially like the cross stitch section--that was my favorite activity pre-scrapbooking. As you mention, it was the eyes that helped force the transition--I just couldn't see well enough any more to do the fine stitching I wanted to do. Still I'm able to enjoy years' worth of cross stitch almost everywhere in my home and still enjoy a mix of photography, scrapping, and blogging.

Barbara Eads said...

As a fellow stitcher and knitter, I appreciate the time it takes to add those homemade bits. I remember years ago---saying that when I started stitching on scrapbook pages, you could send in the men with the white coats. I noticed the precision of your cross stitched tree--only a fellow stitcher might recognize that you have crossed all your "x's" in the same direction. I'm especially interested in those little knitted hats. I might have to try to figure them out!! They are so cute.

Lisa-Jane said...

Some very cute touches there! I love the little dress.

Nathalie said...

I am still catching up on your past posts and this one stopped me in my track! I LOVE your tree and the whole idea of featuring a handmade ornament that way! I should totally do that!
I also just used cross-stitching on a recent layout even though I have never cross stitched before in my life ;) It is a very appealing craft…

Anonymous said...

Cross-stitch - how perfect for a scrapbook page. I've done knitting on one or two but thats about it.

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