Monkey & Squirrel shop revamp!

as i said in this previous post, a Monkey & Squirrel shop overhaul was in the works. well finally, after a number of late nights, and long kiddo naps, i've got the ball rolling. i've done away with all the refinished iron pieces, and am now focusing solely on one of a kind embroideries.

this change has been some time in the making. embroidering is where my heart is these days. i can't even say how special it feels to create something for one person to give to another, usually on the most momentous of occasions. anniversaries, weddings, birthdays... these tend to be the days when the most thoughtful gifts are given, and i'm honored beyond words when my creations are purchased as such gifts.

who knows where this change will lead me, but at this moment it just feels right.

stitching my life away...

i can not tell a lie. i want to embroider until my fingers fall off!!! a few months back i began a love affair with embroidered goods and vowed to teach myself the art of the stitch. i purchased a book, bought some supplies, and haven't looked back! here are a few of my most recent creations...

love this song!

some wall bling

indeed!

one can never have enough skeleton keys!

and a little something tough!

any other embroiderers out there? i would love to see some of your most recent work. as i said, i simply can't get enough... so bring it on!!!

handmade gift giving...

as some of you may recall, a few weeks back i promised myself that i was going to learn embroidery this year! no if's, and's, or but's about it... this was going to be the year of the stitch! i scooped up a great book, embroidered effects by jenny hart, and i started studying. after reading and rereading that fabulous little book, it was time to try my hand at some stitching. my nieces upcoming 6th birthday was the perfect occasion for me to get in gear and get to work! here is the finished product which i gave to her at her birthday party this past weekend...

the little birds were iron on transfers that came with the book and the rest of the design i did myself. having the birds already drawn out definitely made this project less overwhelming...

95% of it was done using the "split stitch". the little red berries were made by using the "french knot" technique. which, by the way, i'm in love with!

i hand painted and distressed the embroidery hoop as well, so that it too is part of the art...

all in all i think it came out pretty darn ok. it was my first attempt and i loved every bit of it. not every stitch is perfect, but i put a whole lot of love into it, and after all, that's really what gift giving is about, isn't it?

jumping through hoops...

so, i've got a recent obsession with embroidery. who hasn't right? something about the precision and texture has got me hooked! the amazing amount of tradition behind it all can be somewhat intimidating, but i'm ready for the challenge! i've purchased a book to learn the basics and can't wait to get into practicing my stitches. until then i'd like to share some of my etsy favorites... enjoy!

this little bunny by Cake Eaters, in his retro 70's coloring, is just too cute for words!

the mother and daughter team over at Hare and Drum make wall decor with gorgeous designs and meticulous stitches!

i love this simple design from Samskiart. would be a perfect valentine's day gift for that long distance love.

this sweet little illustrated dream by Cowboy Bunny would be the perfect piece to design an entire children's room around.

what can i say about Neawear, i've coveted all of her wall wear for quite some time now. it is impossible for me to choose just one! i would blow my nest egg here... if i had one.

Mary's Granddaughter has some of the most original designs i've seen to date. i love the little bits of loose thread and the 3D elements she adds to her pieces.

being vegan, i'm not into trophy animal heads hanging on my wall. however, i would take this vegan friendly one from Penny Royalty any day!

ahhh... an embroidery of someone doing embroidery! Planetmithi just blew my mind with this one. love it!

ok, now it's time for me to get to work. all this browsing of others embroidered treasures has lit a fire under my bum!