Snow Sampler Cross Stitch and Framing Project!

Hi everybody! Happy day-after-turkey Day! How are you? How was your holiday? We had a very nice and calm day here at our house. We started decorating the house for Christmas and my husband decorated my car too! YAY! It's full on pedal to the metal Christmas mode now! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! Are you going shopping today? We are! In the past we were those crazy people who got up at 3am and went shopping on Black Friday. But now, we are more reasonable and go out later. Mostly because there isn't much 'stuff' that we want! Now we go to enjoy the spirit of the day and listen to music and drink coffee! Cheers to a nice weekend!

On Tuesday I worked on a project most of the day, and now I'm here to share it with you! I finished a cross stitch sampler maybe two weeks ago. I wanted to frame it myself and make it all fancy. I had the idea in my head. We headed out to Hobby Lobby Monday afternoon and picked out all the stuff. And Tuesday I went for it. And, you know what? It came out just like I wanted! I'm so happy with it! It was really fun to create and craft something different. Paint and glue and ribbon...all the good stuff. A LOT of people followed along on my Instagram Stories as I made it - and that was fun too. I saved the stories in a highlight in case you want to go back and watch the videos. 

The pattern is called Snow Sampler and it's from Country Cottage Needleworks. The fabric I used is Aida 14 in the color Raw. I used all the called for colors of DMC floss, except I made the house red instead of brown. This was a nice easy stitch and it came together quickly. All of the framing supplies are from Hobby Lobby. This is an 11x14 size frame.

 

I purposely made the little house red because I knew I wanted a red frame for this piece. The bow and greenery are attached to the top of the frame using a zip tie! I used two layers of quilt batting under the stitching to make it 'puff' out just a little bit.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a few in-process photos of this project as I was stitching it!

 

 

 

 

 

Here are all my framing supplies from Hobby Lobby! The paint color is Country Red from Deco Art's Americana Collection. The ribbon is wired. 

 

 

 

I chose this frame specifically because I love that little bit of scroll work and the uneven edge of the outside of the frame.

 

Here's the first layer of paint. I used a sponge brush.

 

 

This was after three coats of paint!

 

I ended up doing FIVE coats of paint before it was finally good and solid!!! I was really surprised at how fast the paint dried. I was able to just keep working without having to let it sit too long.

 

 

Now for that giant bow! I was a little intimidated by this part! I have never made a bow like this before. I ended up following this VIDEO TUTORIAL on how to make a wired ribbon bow. Guess what? First time! It was perfect!! I love this!!

 

I'm pretty proud of this part!!! LOL.

 

I used a little flat snowflake ornament and some greenery sprigs to finish off the decorations.

 

In this photo you can see the finished frame. I used some sandpaper and gently sanded away some of the red paint to make it look a bit more vintage or distressed. I am happy with how this looks!! The frame really looks like it came this way. I can't wait to do more of this kind of project.

 

I used a zip tie to hook the two sprigs together and another zip tie to attach the bow in the center. A long zip tie wrapped around the top of the frame to hold it on. Tip: Never use glass with stitching because it needs to 'breathe' and will get discolored faster under glass. (I learned this while researching for the project!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for popping by my blog today! I have discovered that MANY of you who follow my blog and Instagram are also cross stitchers! I guess I am late to this party! I am totally hooked on stitching now! (Cuz you know I needed another hobby - LOL!) It's so relaxing and pretty, and kind of old fashioned too. I am completely into it. 

There are TONS of crafty Black Friday Sales!! Below are my links to all my favorite shops - including Target and Amazon! I am always SO GRATEFUL when you shop using my links. THANK YOU! Take care until I see you next!! XOXO

Comments

[Susie Lessard]

This was such a wonderful post. I'm afraid I don't say thank you enough. I love your blog, but don't always comment. So thank you, thank you, for inspiring all of us! I do cross stitch but it's here and there I'm afraid. Where do you order your Country Cottage Needleworks patterns from if I may ask? Glad you had a nice quiet Thanksgiving and I'm sending you wishes for a blessed Christmas season.

Susie ~

[Veronica Fairbrother]

Oh, Wanda. It’s PERFECT!! ❤️

[Jan E]

Just a great big thank you for your blog, your talent and gift of sharing. I've followed for years and don't take the time to say how much I appreciate the inspiration you spark!
I am a novice cross stitcher...yikes, another hobby right?
Holiday blessings and a Merry Christmas. Thanks for the fun photos too!

[LEANNE M PUGLIESE]

Gorgeous! A work of art to be treasured and enjoyed every Christmas! So festive and pretty!

[Nikki Brown]

Awww Wanda, what a beautiful piece... I love tapestry but never been brave enough to try a counted cross stitch, only pre-printed canvas. Lovely to see Lucky with you every stitch of the way. Hope you get some bargains in the sales, we get some here in the UK but not as good as yours over there. ....

[Anne Sturgeon]

Wanda this turned out so beautiful... Love that red frame so much. I always love when you can find a video tutorial. I folded money into a lei for my sister-in-law's birthday, so fun! Turkey day was awesome and I always love the leftovers. Thanks so much for sharing this. I received a package from The Greetery in my mail today so you know what I am up to today...

[Mary Koby]

Wow! I've been eyeing this pattern for a while, and your wonderful frame has convinced me I should stitch it. Your switch to a red house is brilliant. I hope you're keeping this one!

[Connie Hollenbeck]

Beautiful work, Wanda!

[Rosa M. Vasquez]

Beautiful. Thanks for including the steps to make the project. Your next one should have a little cat somewhere in it!

[Becca Yahrling]

This is so beautiful! Great job on that frame. I started my crafting journey by learning to cross stitch and have a few pieces (most were gifts!). Can't wait to get my Christmas pieces out this week. :-)