DIY Embroidered Banner Embellishment with Kira

Hey friends!  It's Kira and I am back with what might be my favorite layout of all time.  And it's all thanks to this cute little banner!

I started by using one of the exclusive cut files this month, and used the draw feature to trace it on some fabric.  Then I used a simple backstitch to stitch around the word "gather" in blue.  Once I stitched the word, I cut the fabric out in the banner shape I liked.  I used a skewer stick for the dowel and machine stitched to attach it.  I tied on some embroidery floss on each end of the dowel to "hang" the banner.

I used an enamel dot (and a tiny bit of hot glue) to attach the banner to the page.  I grabbed the Whimsical thickers included in this month's embellishment kit to create a flower cluster at the top of my banner.

The background paper is Paper 16, which has this gorgeous ombre rainbow heart pattern on it.  I decided to play with color blocking to decide on the placement of my photo since my boys are wearing blue and green shirts.  And it worked out nicely since I had stitched my banner in blue as well.

I fussy cut another large floral piece from Paper 3 and placed it under my photo and under the banner.  I grabbed more elements from the die cut pack, puffy stickers  and rub on sheet to color block around my page.

I love how this page turned out and you'll definitely be seeing more of these embroidered banners from me in the future!  Thanks for stopping by!

xo, Kira

Tuesday Tutorial - DIY Template for Hand-stitching

Hello! It's Tara here sharing an easy tutorial today. I fell in love with Mira's 'Let's Get Digital' file this month. I don't own a cutting machine, so I decided to use it as a template for hand-stitching. You can use this method for anything you would like to stitch - just print out the words/phrases, re-size, and go!

The supplies you need are:

• paper piercer
• mouse pad or soft mat
• needle
• thread
• printed phrase
• removable adhesive

After printing out the re-sized digital file, I used some removable adhesive to attach it to my 4x6 card.

I tried to space most of my holes consistently, but not too far apart. I didn't worry too much about measurements. This part took a little longer than I expected! Also, you may need to use more pressure if you are using your tool over a few layers of paper or on photos.

Tip: Do not place holes too close together! I didn't think about it too much and when I started stitching, the small space between a couple holes ended up giving way. Don't fret if this happens to you, just keep on going. With practice it gets easier and no one will be able to tell the difference.

I found that using a back stitch was the easiest way to hand-stitch. If you're new to hand-stitching, Amy Tangerine has a great tutorial with some helpful tips!

Here is a look at my finished 4x6 card:

I really love the "hello, I love you" title paired with a "3" stamp from my stash documenting my son's third birthday.

An up close look:

I added a couple enamel dots from the October Sprinkles Kit to dot my "i" and cover up a little oopsie.

I hope you give hand-stitching a try! I found it relaxing to stitch while watching television or listening to a podcast. Once I got started, I was able to get into a good rhythm and was done in no time.

Have a lovely day!

Xxo, Tara