Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Snip, Snip

Thank you for saved, but not posted posts.  This has been sitting as a saved post for almost 2 months, waiting for either a time when I didn't have much else to post about, or until I could get some better pictures of what I made.  Right now I'm so swamped with packers, moving, and not being able to find a camera, that I'm glad I had this saved post.

What do you do when you have a stitched piece you're not happy with?

Cut it up into little pieces!

Then get some jewelry frames from Hobby Lobby and raid your bead stash.

This was originally the BBD project from the 2010 Shepherd's Bush retreat, but I never fell in love with it.  I didn't really like the colors (I hate baby poop pea green).  There wasn't enough floss provided for some of the colors.  The final thing that sent me over the top was realizing there wasn't enough space for me to stitch my M where it was supposed to go.  Note to designers - if you're providing an alphabet to stitch initials, make sure each letter will fit in the space you charted for it.

I actually made these a few months ago, but finally got around to posting.  I think I actually ended up with 10 to 12 pieces, of assorted sizes.  Quite a lot for such a small piece.  Some of the frames used were antiqued copper, brass, and the chrome pictured here.  I've given a few away, and the rest are down at my parent's house, probably with mom wearing the ones I finished as necklaces.  I'll have to find where she's hidden them, since some of these are meant as Christmas presents.

So, be brave!  Don't hesitate!  If you have a project you really aren't in love with, stop torturing yourself and re-purpose it.

We did this as a project at our November EGA meeting, and people were so scared to cut into a stitched piece it was funny.  But, once they got started, they couldn't be stopped.  I actually got ruthless and went through my stash and took in about 10 different un-loved, un-finished pieces for everyone to use.  Teri (of Shepherd's Bush fame) was amazing, she got on a roll and must have made 5.

18 comments:

Margaret said...

I love the idea and wonder if I am courageous enough to attempt this. Did you iron on stiffening to the back to stop the fray factor?

And This Little Pig said...

Oh I have to agree, I don't know if I would have the courage to cut up a finished pieced, liked or not. So wow :@
LiBBiE in Oz

Christine said...

Now THAT is a brilliant idea!

cucki said...

wow it is looking so lovely..so beautiful and very creative..i love this idea..well done dear.i love it ..
hugs cucki xx

Annie said...

Aren't you clever! Love all your embellishments. I probably have a ton of oldies that could be rejuvenated this way, but my fear of slicing and dicing is hard to overcome!

Margaret said...

Cool! What a fantastic idea! I didn't know those sorts of little frames were available. Thanks for sharing. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

Wow! It looks great. I don't know if I could do it. Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.

Laura said...

oh my goodness! How brilliant! I have a finished Dimensions sampler from about 25 years ago that I will never put up, but I could use it to make little scissor fobs!!! So excited!!! Thanks for showing this!

Michelle said...

Hurrah for saved posts! This is a great example of repurposing something you're not in love with. I think it's a great use of your sampler. And since I'm also an "M", that drives me batty as well not having enough space for my initial!!!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

What a terrific idea! So much better than left in a deep dark drawer... out in the light for others to view. Glad you saved that unposted snip!

Myra said...

Genius! Those are so pretty Mindi. Happy Thanksgiving!

Faye said...

Cute idea Mindi!!! Would be a little scary to cut up cross stitch, but if you were totally not satisfied with it, you may as well do something creative with it!

Thanks for a great idea!! Faye

Ranae said...

Oh! I didnt know the frames could be purchased at Hobby Lobby,I'm there, lol
I would have no problem cutting a piece up to make these.
Thanks for a new crafty project this long weekend. I sure hope I can find the frames.
Thanks for sharing

Keeper of the Crowes said...

Oh my gosh! Love this idea. Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Linda C.

Lois said...

I love this idea! These turned out beautifully!!!

Siobhán said...

That is a neat idea, Mindi!! You have my mind churning now, thinking of designs that I know I won't finish but don't want to trash...

Mel said...

Love it!
We call those art cards in Canada and they often get traded around with people. :)

the striped rose said...

What a fabulous idea! :)