For the Love of Embroidery

I have always admired the sweetness of hand embroidery.  I count it as treasure when I come across dainty dresser scarves, pillowcases or handkerchieves at an estate sale.  So many times they sell for under one dollar.  I think to myself the hours of work to sell for .50---I can't help but to scoop them up and take them with me.  Lately I have been inspired--once again by Pinterest---with the beautiful embroidered pieces posted. 

http://artsymama.blogspot.com/)

(leanneshouse.typepad.com)

http://www.turkeyfeathers.typepad.com/)

Yesterday when my son presented me with a gift card from Joann Fabric for my birthday, I knew exactly what I was going to spend it on.  I have been looking at a book called Doodle Stitching by Aimee Ray for some time now. 

Not only does this book have over 400 easy designs,

it also has wonderful directions and photos of how to accomplish each stitch.

Believe me if I can learn form these instructions --they are very well written :) I could hardly wait to get started.  I chose a few patterns, traced them onto my tracing paper with a special embroidery transfer pencil and began to embroider. 

The instructions said to use between 3-6 strands of floss--I chose 6----bad decision because my first attempt did not go so well.

Too many strands of floss--the outline is way to thick.  Oh well try again.......This time using 3 strands of floss.  

Much better

I still have lots of practicing to do but not bad for my first attempt.  I think I am going to like this embroidery thing.  Oh no, more supplies that I will need to collect :)  I may have to build on another room on our house just to store everything.