11.07.2012

diy canvas cross-stitch


Now that Halloween is over, my brain automatically goes to Christmas. We're not that far away from December 25th! Christmas is always a time that I make many different things, so I started with a little decoration. I made this spider for Halloween (it was a complete copy cat project - you can get the template here) and I loved it so much that I wanted to make my own Christmas version (you can download the Reindeer Template here and follow along. FYI - you'll have to scale it to fit your canvas size).


I started by sketching out what I wanted my design to look like on some graph paper. This gave me an idea of size and how many "stitches" I would have. Next, using Google Sketchup (a free program I use for design/work), I drew out my blocks and finalized my design. He was starting to look pretty cute! I printed a few different sizes and went to the craft store.


Next, I picked up an 8x8 canvas at Michael's (with a 40% coupon!) and  painted it the same green color I had used for my spider above (I figured I should use what I have on hand). After the paint was dry, I cut out my template and taped it to the inside of my canvas. Using a needle, I poked holes at all intersections where I would be stitching.


The rest of it went a little bit like this:
poke poke poke poke poke poke poke poke...poke...stitch stitch stitch stitch change colors stitch stitch stitch some more...stitch stitch stitch... DONE (finally)!


I hot glued the loose ends to the back of the canvas to make sure nothing would come undone (you don't see the back anyway so it doesn't have to be pretty). Then I propped it on our little console table in place of Mr. Spider (who will have to wait to make an appearance again next year). Merry Christmas!!...err...I guess I'm getting ahead of myself... Maybe I'll make a turkey next.



Happy stitching :)

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[p.s. this post may be linked to any number of these blogs]

35 comments:

  1. Nice, you make it look so easy! Would love it if you linked up on my blog hop www.w-t-fab.com/search/label/bloghop. Also let me know if you'd like to follow each other!

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    1. Thanks for the invite! I'm all linked up and I'm your newest follower via GFC, twitter & pinterest :) Have a great week!

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  2. Awwww, this is too cute, I must try it, too!

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    1. Thanks! Please let me know how it turns out... I'm thinking of starting a section on my blog with "complete projects" from anyone who used one of my tutorials :) Yours could be the first!

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  3. Love this idea. Looks simple enough, even though I don't know anything about cross stitch!

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    1. Thanks! I'm not much of a cross stitcher either :) This was as simple as making a bunch of "x" with embroidery floss. It's tedious (and takes some time) but its super easy. Have a great weekend!

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  4. Super cute! Very Inspiring!

    Come visit us at www.thesitsgirls.com!

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  5. Hi Shannon, Gorgeous idea!!! Love reindeers so much! Thanks so much for sharing the great tutorial!
    Happy weekend!

    Hugs from Portugal,

    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Ana! I love reindeers too and I'm getting so excited for winter :) I Hope you have a great weekend!

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  6. Such an adorable idea! I love the colors. Megan

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    1. Thanks so much :) I'm really happy with how it turned out! Have a great weekend.

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  7. Seriously, this is the cutest thing ever! I can't wait to make this. I'm your newest follower.

    Kimberly @ mypinterestreality.com

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    1. Thanks Kimberly! I love your site and I'm your newest follower as well. If you make a cross stitch canvas, I'd love to see how it turns out! I'm thinking of starting a page on my blog with "followers pictures" that have been made from some of my tutorials :) Have a great weekend!

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    2. Check out my post tomorrow...I made a Valentine's Day canvas. Thanks for the inspiration.

      www.mypinterestreality.com

      Kimberly

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  8. Oh those are so cute! Love them - perfect for the season :)

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    1. Thanks so much! This is my favorite time of the year :)

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  9. Hi Shannon. This is so clever. I have never seen anyone do cross stitch on canvas before and I think it is inspired. Cheers Karen www.madewithmytwohands.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Karen! I loved the idea when I saw it and thought I'd put my own twist on it :)

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  10. Oh, I love this idea. My daughter would love it too! Thanks for linking up to Pin Me! I've pinned it!

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  11. This is such an adorable idea. Love it!

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  12. LOVE these :) Thanks for sharing at M.M.M.!Totally featuring it next week!

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  13. this is such a great idea. love the design

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  14. I would love for you to share this (or any of your other great ideas) at the link party going on through tomorrow night at ‘Or so she says …’ Hope to see you there! www.oneshetwoshe.com

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  16. Thank you for linking up these cute cross-stitches to Think Tank Thursday last week!! The party will be live tonight at 9:00pm est. at www.saving4six.com

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  17. love it! I think I'm going to attempt it, they are so cute!

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  18. This turned out so cute! I've never used Google Sketch Up I am going to check it out! Stephanie

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  19. Oh my goodness Shannon!!! That's AMAZING!!!!

    Thanks for sharing at The DIY Dreamer… From Dream To Reality!

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  20. Excellent canvas making idea, these canvases really have incredible look, i want to do that, many thanks for sharing..

    Canvas Prints & Wall Art to Give New Look to Your Home

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  21. Do you have some templates of old arcade game characters like pacman and others too? That would be awesome if you have some pictures like that too.

    Canvas Prints

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