Sew into Spring

Once upon a time long ago I just knew I would learn to sew. You see, my grandmother was a fabulous seamstress and I assumed I would find it as easy to do as she did. NOT! Forget the fabric, the alterations… I just can’t do it. But I can sew on paper as long as straight lines aren’t required. If my grandmother could see me now using a sewing machine with paper she would be aghast. But sew on paper I do and I also sew by hand on paper as well.

Today I’m going to share with you some different ideas for stitching. Heather's layout has stitching used to frame the whole page border. She also did some hand stitching with colored thread to accent a few hexagons. I love how this, it adds just the right amount of color to the misted areas and makes those hexagons pop.

Natasha's bright and beautiful layout has a lot of stitching. It’s so fun that she used line stitching and zigzag stitches together on the same layout. She stitched around the page border and also used stitching to accent the different layers of papers and embellishments. Her stitching adds a lot of pizzazz to this page and really shows off the details in her layout. Plus, who doesn’t like pink stitching!

How adorable is Lisa's layout! I adore all the accents, the little birds and the little felt stitched bird house. I like how stitching was used here to only enhance a couple of embellishments. I love, love, love the stitching across the springtime alphabet stickers. Wow, that line is super straight and it adds so much to the letter stickers. She also used some zigzag stitching to combine two coordinating patterned papers. She also used straight and zigzag stitching.

You by Heather Robertson

Supplies: Paper: Basic Grey, Crate Paper, Cardstock: Coredinations, Chipboard: Scenic Route, Tags: My Mind's Eye, Bling: My Mind's Eye, Brads: Bo Bunny Press, Doodlebug, Mist: Tattered Angels. Tools: Punches: Martha Stewart, EK Success, Masks: Pink Paislee, Other: Sewing Machine, Sandpaper.

Design Notes: I took the packaging left over from a Pink Paislee chipboard hexagon and used it to mask and mist on my page. Then I hand stitched around the edge of some of the hexagons. The page layout was borrowed from Page Maps.

First Day Jitters by Natasha Naranjo Aguirre

Supplies: Paper: Bo Bunny Press, Chipboard: The Dusty Attic, Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts, Pearls: Prima, Brads: Creative Charms, Paint: Adirondack, Glitter: Clearsnap, Glitter Glue: Ranger Ink, Ink: Clearsnap, Floss: DMC. Tools: Die Cut Machine: Sizzix, Dies: Spellbinders, Punches: Fiskars, Martha Stewart Crafts.

Journaling: You had just turned three when you first started school. You and I were both nervous because you were so extremely shy. Nonetheless, you were excited and very eager to learn!

Design Notes: I love to add stitching to my work because it adds such beautiful texture. All of the stitching on this layout was done by hand using embroidery floss.

Springtime Blossom by Lisa Swift

Supplies: Paper: Echo Park, Cardstock: Bazzill, Diecuts: Doodlebug, Jillibean Soup, My Mind's Eye, Stickers: October Afternoon, Echo Park, Rub-ons: Scenic Route, Chipboard: Bella Blvd, My Mind's Eye, Brads: Doodlebug, Pen: American Crafts Slick Marker, Other: Felt, Charms, Clothing tag Photo turns: Creative Impressions, Pearls: Queen & Co., Thread: Coats.

Journaling: Whether it's weeds or "real" flowers, my heart melts each and every time you present me with a freshly-picked bouquet! I have no idea what these flowers are, but to know you took the time to pick them for me is...priceless. I love you!

Design Notes: I loved the floral design on the black and white clothing tag so I kept it to use on a page. My layout was based on a sketch by Becky Fleck.