Do you know what my four year old daughter said to her little sister the other day? “I’m so glad you weren’t born a dragon, or else I’d be so scared of you!”
A high complement indeed, wouldn’t you agree? I mean really, I’m grateful she wasn’t born a dragon either. That would be a serious situation to be sure. (Privately, I have my own opinions about possible dragon like tendencies…specifically where spinach at dinner, or potty training is concerned.) Speaking of being born, I’m also rather grateful I wasn’t born back in the era when it was fashionable for ladies to sit around sewing tiny stitches into meticulously patterned alphabets and botanicals. I’m sure I would have been cast off into the realm of the forever unfashionable, because I would never have survived the second stitch.
I’ve rather lately discovered colored sharpies, and I’m quite certain that there’s nothing that can’t be done with them. Where have I been for the last decade anyway?! I made some super simple art for my girls’ room with spray painted embroidery hoops from the thrift store, sharpies, and some scrap white fabric. In the interest of keeping this doable for the art challenged (that would be me!), I printed out some cute little animals to trace onto the fabric.
I laid my fabric over the image. My fabric wasn’t super thick, so it showed through clear enough to trace.
I traced the image, pressing as lightly as possible. The ink will spread out as it soaks into the fabric. The harder you press, the thicker the line will be.
I spread it out over the hoop, and tightened it. You can even be spiffy and iron it first, but I prefer to live dangerously and avoid ironing at all costs. Lastly, the excess fabric needs to be trimmed.
After great deliberation, I’ve decided that five completed hoops in twenty minutes is much more to my liking than the twenty years of hand cramps, knotted thread, and possible insanity it would cost me to do the hand stitched variety.
I enjoy the look of these so much, I’m considering trying a grown up version in a different room of the house. I think “modern” and “vintage” can combine quite nicely, don’t you?
Edited: The images were found via The Graphics Fairy
Psalms 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Linking to:
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Hi, Abby. This is such a good idea. Far away it truly looks like the real thing. I agree-much better alternative! Your blog is refreshing. I loved your post on Chapter 37.
New follower on g+. Do you use bloglovin’ at all? I’d love for you to visit me!
Gina @ Gina’s Craft Corner
Gina, just checked out your blog…loved the fabric stamping post! I don’t use bloglovin just now, but if I can figure out how to add it I will be soon! Thanks so much for dropping by!
Abby
I personally Feel blog post, “Modern Cross Stitch – a.
k.a Sharpie Art – Chapter37” ended up being spot on!
Ican’t agree with you even more! At last looks like I reallyidentified a website worthy of checking out. Many thanks, Krystal
this is a really cute idea- especially if you are bad with needles!
These are adorable! Would you mind sharing exactly where you found the images? I just love the owl! This is definitely my type of craft.:)
Clare,
I got the images from the Graphics Fairy. She has tons of cute vintage style images you can download for free and use for personal use. Thanks so much for your sweet comment!
Abby
Yes, I am familiar with her.:) Thanks for the tip-I love vintage/modern!
Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday over at Sugar Bee Crafts – I featured you yesterday!
–Mandy, SugarBeeCrafts.com
Since I cannot sew to save my life, this is the perfect project for me – lol. Love the colors you used and the “patterns” you drew!!! Great idea, even I can do this!
I found you through the “Homemade By You Link Party” on “Made to be a Momma” where I am also partying, would love it if you’d stop by too.
Hugs, antonella
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These are so cute! Love the fun spin on the cross stitch. I am so happy to be featuring these today. Thanks for sharing at Life Inspired.
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Great project – thanks for the tutorial. So cute.
actually would be faux embroidery… not cross-stitch, but super cute no matter the type of stitchery. I see these wood hoops at the time at thrift stores! And sometimes you can find the iron on patterns too. CUTE!!
Excellent point! Thank you for pointing that out! I do so appreciate you taking the time to stop by!
Abby
Have you tried sharpie tie-dying? I did this with my grandkids instead of the messy real tie-dye. Let the kids color on their fabric (t shirt or whatever) with the sharpie and then lightly mist with rubbing alcohol (sprayed from a spray bottle). You can also let them use eye droppers and drop small amounts of rubbing alcohol onto the fabric.
I’ve never heard of that before, but it sounds super fun! Thanks so much for sharing this idea with us Jeanne!
Abby
I told you before how much I Love your pinspirational project! I have pinned this and also blogged it for my Walkabout Wednesday series. Sharpie Inspirations post here
Hugs, Antonella