A Technique for Sharing

Hi there! I wanted to pop in to share a technique I posted on the Serendipity Scrapbook forum this week. Every other Tuesday the DT is responsible for sharing a fun little scrapping trick...this week it was my turn. I cannot take full credit for this. I got the idea from a newsletter but I can't remember which one. I hate when I can't give credit where credit is due. Soooo, just know this is not an original concept...I stole it! :-)

The idea is to stitch a circular frame. Start by using a template to lightly draw a circle. Then use a paper piercer or needle to punch holes around the circle.



Stitch around the circle criss-crossing your stitches as you go.





Continue until you have filled every hole. Carefully cut the center from the frame. While you could cut the center prior to stitching, I don't recommend it. The center provides good support while you are stitching. Just use caution when cutting after the fact so as not to cut your stitches.



Once complete, the frame can be very versatile. Use it to frame a picture or a title. Embellish it with letter stickers or fun little embellies such as buttons, stickers, chipboard shapes. You can cut or punch around the outer edge to add interest. I hand-cut a scalloped border to create a flower.



I will admit, this larger one took a little while but I think it was worth it. The worst part is I ran out of thread. I started with the fuchsia colored thread from Making Memories and what I thought was more than enough. But I ran out with only a third complete. A quick run to AC Moore and Michael's yielded major panic as neither carry the Making Memories thread...most likely too old an item. I selected a similar color of DMC floss and headed home to start over. Must have been my lucky day...it was a PERFECT match!!! Just to give you a heads up, I would suggest 2 "skeins" (don't know the correct term) of DMC floss for a frame this size.

I will be making many more of these in a much smaller size. I'm thinking a little flower garden would be cute. I can also see this making an interesting center on a larger flower. If you decide to give this a try, be sure an let me know. I would love to see what you do with it!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week and Hallelujah it's almost the weekend!!!

Hugs and love,
L

P.S. Almost forgot to mention the new Martha Stewart punch sets that include the border and matching corner punch...they are da BOMB, Baby!!! LOVE 'em! I bought 3 sets while on my "thread" run. Again, the shopping gods were smiling on me as they were on sale! I used the circular one on this layout. Be sure to check 'em out! Later!