Birthday Presents

Life had been busy around here. I finished my first summer class on Thursday in Educational Psychology and I now have a week off before I start my next two summer classes in Theater Appreciation and Journalism. During my Ed Psych class I also had a car show in Bowling Green to attend, kraut to make and can out, birthday presents to make, and my cousin's wedding with which to help. Needless to say June was a very busy month around the Crafton house so I haven't had time post anything.

My mother and my grandmother have birthdays which fall less than one week apart. This year I decided to embroider a present for each of them. For my mother, I made a piece she can hang in the bathroom which is decorated with lighthouses. I used a piece of loosely woven cotton in a natural color. I also used an iron-on transfer to stitch by. I am not a very good artist so I rely on other resources for some of my pieces.

After I finished stitching, I framed it in a simple wide black frame with a white and black matte. I wanted to used a white frame with a beach feel to it, however she already has some things framed in black in the bathroom.

The walls have recently been painted blue so the black frame and white matte go really well with the paint.

For my grandmother's gift I decided to embroider a large flour sack towel. I purchased the towel in a pack at Hobby Lobby. Once again I used an iron-on transfer for my design.

I also added a small flower in the top corner that will show if the towel is hung by the corner.

Here is another picture of it folded nicely on the kitchen counter.

I am also working on a knitted lace trim to put on the bottom. It is a Kilgorie edge in warm rose crochet cotton. I am using size 3 Lantern Moon rosewood needles (my fave) and size 3 thread (because that was the only size I could find in a coordinating color).

Here is a close up of the lace design.

I originally wanted to use a variegated pink and white crochet thread but all I could find was a size 70 tatting thread which was a little too thin for what I wanted. But I think the warm rose will work well with the towel and the colors of floss I used.

I will post some more pictures when I finish the lace and attach it to the towel.