A great big vintage style cross stitch project

Phew! I have just completed my biggest cross stitch project ever. I have been cross stitching for years, but most are mini projects which I make into cards or put into frames. This little beauty has taken me a few months, and more than a few trips to Hobbycraft for more supplies!

As soon as I saw this pattern in Cross Stitcher Magazine I knew that I wanted to make it. My granny has a stash of threads kept in an antique sewing box in her bedroom, and the last time I visited her I was lucky enough to be allowed to raid it to pick some colours to start off this latest project. I wanted the deep pink of the roses and the dark green leaves to stand out against a paler border. I decided to sew it on an antique off-white aida instead of crisp white because I think it gives it a more ‘lived-in’ vintage feel.

After I had finally finished stitching it I headed to the charity shops to find a square frame for it. The hunt for cheap square frames seems to be getting harder and harder recently – why are they so much less common than rectangular ones?! I finally found a pine frame and brought it home for a couple of coats of white emulsion before sanding it down for a distressed finish.

 

Currently it is sitting pride of place in front of the fireplace in our living room waiting for me to find the perfect space for it. I quite like the contrast of the pastel against the jet black stone of the fireplace but our lounge has a bit of a ‘Scottish hunting lodge’ theme – all tartan and wicker – so it isn’t quite right in this room.

What have you been up to this week?

Until next time,

K x