When the weather turns cool, I always want to do handwork. It just seems right to curl up on the couch watching TV and making something beautiful. Two years ago it was knitting. Last year I worked on hand quilting Grace’s baby quilt (which still isn’t done). This year is shaping up to be an embroidery year!
Yesterday I showed Grace’s Thanksgiving dress – rich chocolate brown accented with leaves and acorns. The skirt on the Birthday Party dress just begs for embellishment. So I embroidered it 🙂
I knew exactly what I wanted, which can sometimes be a blessing. This time it was not – no where on the wide world of the internet, either free or paid for, could I find what I was looking for. Thankfully my husband uses Photoshop professionally, so I’ve been able to pick up a few tips here and there. Combining a couple coloring book pages (from Google images) and more time that I will admit to, I came up with this:
It’s so far from perfect! But all you need for embroidery are the basic lines anyway. Feel free to use this graphic in any way you desire. I’d love a link back to here though!
Use your favorite stitches to create the look you want. I used: stem stitch (outlining leaves and pumpkin), back stitch (outlining acorns), satin stitch (pumpkin stem), running stitch (inside leaves and pumpkin), and a made up long straight stitch for the acorn caps. 
I’m feeling like this will be the first of many embroidery projects this year. It’s very soothing and very portable – good in this busy holiday season. I did the leaves while watching the Doctor Who 50th at a friend’s house. Interested in embroidery? Interested in what I might make next? I have a pinterest board full of inspiration for you to check out!
Have a safe weekend!
Gabi Sunshine 