2 Ways to Make Your Cross Stitch Patterns Unique

Cross stitch patterns and fun cross stitch kits are terrific for giving you ideas on what to do for a needlework project, or in helping beginners learn the craft. But the finished piece often looks like it came from a cross stitch kit. If you want to add some zazzle to your cross stitch project, there are two easy and fun ways to add your own unique touch to the design.

1. Use charms and beads.

You can add levels of sparkle and fun simply by adding charms or beads to your needlework. Many stores that sell cross stitch kits also sell charms and beads, so they’re easy to find. Adding it into the needlework is a matter of a few simple steps.

Typically a charm, and often a bead, will have a loop for attaching it to jewelry. You can just as easily attach that loop to your stitching using a single strand of cotton. If you want the finished stitching to look invisible, simply use a thread that is the same colour as the cross stitches or the canvass fabric.

Attaching the charm or bead is much like sewing a button. To attach the charm where you want it, secure the at the back of the fabric, then use your needle to pull it through where you want the charm to go. Stitch several small, neat stitches over the top of the charm’s loop, while holding the charm in place with your thumb. Once it feels secure, tie it off by securing the thread at the back. It is that easy to add a charm or bead to your cross stitch!

2. Use a two-tone effect.

The two-tone technique is very well suited to adding a texture, movement and depth to your cross-stitch pattern. It’s a blended stitch technique that is especially nice for nature effects —grass, sky, fur… the list goes on. Like adding a charm, it’s really very easy to do.

First, choose a shade that is a little lighter or darker than the one included in the kit, and make sure your purchase the same kind of floss (even the same brand if you can). Confirm how many strands of each thread your pattern calls. For instance, if you’re two strands, you will simply use two different colours instead of one colour. Then thread your needle as normal and do the same stitches your cross stitch kit recommends. It is that easy.

Want more great ideas on how to get the most out of your cross stitch kits? Visit the Threaded Needle. They have a large assortment of embroidery floss and needles, as well as great kits and patterns. Visit them at http://threadedneedle.com.au/.

Make Your Own Decorated Apron And Save

If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen and have a creative flair, why not make an apron that’s fun to wear while you’re cooking your favorite recipes? It’s easy to do using fabric paint and rubber stamps. Here’s how to decorate an apron quickly and easily:

1 - Gather your supplies

You’ll need a plain white or cream colored apron to serve as the canvas for your art. Once you have your blank apron, it’s time to visit your local craft store to select images to stamp on your apron. Head to the rubber stamp section and you’ll be amazed by the number of stamps available to you. You can stamp any images you’d like on your apron to give it that customized touch. One fun idea is to use images of food. If you look carefully through the rubber stamp offerings, you’ll probably find rubber stamps depicting fruit, fish, veggies, and any number of other fun motifs appropriate for an apron. Make sure the rubber stamps you choose are large enough to be seen. Go for big and bold. Once you have your stamps, pick up some fabric paint in basic black as well as colors appropriate for painting your images once they’re stamped.

Supplies needed:

a) Rubber stamps of your choice (big, bold ones work best)

b) A white or cream colored apron

c) Fabric paints to fill in your stamped images

d) A foam brush

e) Foam board

A white or cream colored apron

Big Accessories - Apron APR54 24" without Pockets White One Size - $4.40, See Site shipping - Available at The Deal Rack

Fabric Paint

Scribbles - Scribbles 20-Pack Dimensional Fabric Paint - $21.99, 7.72 shipping - Available at Amazon.com

A Foam Brush Applicator

Dyco Paints - Dyco Paints JEN2PB 2" Foam Brush Applicator - $7.36, 6.79 shipping - Available at Amazon.com

Rubber Stamps - Uptown Girls

Art Impressions - Girlfriends Cling Rubber Stamp-uptown Girls Set - $12.85, 6.64 shipping - Available at Amazon.com

Rubber Stamps - Girlfriends

Art Impressions - 4049 Art Impressions Girlfriends Cling Rubber Stamp-The Weigh In Set - $11.44, 6.58 shipping - Available at Amazon.com

Rubber Stamp Set- Way With Words

Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz Cling Rubber Stamp Set-way With Words - $10.99, 5.43 shipping - Available at Target.com

2 - Stamp your apron

Lay the apron down on a flat surface suitable for stamping. Make sure the surface is well protected from the effects of the paint. A foam board works well as a surface for stamping. Use a slightly damp foam brush to apply black paint directly to your rubber stamps. Carefully stamp your images on the apron by pressing firmly into the fabric and quickly removing to avoid smearing or splattering. Reapply the black fabric paint before stamping each new image. Once the images are stamped, allow them to dry for two hours before proceeding.

3 - Paint your stamped images

Once the rubber stamped images are dry, use a damp foam brush to apply the colors of your choice to the interior of the images. This will make your stamped apron come to life with color. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly before wearing. Admire your new one-of-a-kind apron!



A hand stamped apron makes a wonderful gift for an enthusiastic home cook. You can even personalize the apron by painting their name on the apron. You can create dozens of unique aprons just by varying the rubber stamps you choose. Give this project a try. It’ll bring out the hidden artist in you.

My Daughter's Anime Plushies

My daughter is really crafty. She moved from polymer clay to painting to drawing to stitching Japanese anime characters' plushies. She loves working with fabric felt and I must have bought her several colors already.

Her plushies are 6 inches tall and stuffed with recycled fabric fillings from old pillows that we threw. She stitches all of these with her hands and uses various colors of flosses and big needles.

Her friends and classmates ask for their favorite Japanese anime character which she transforms into cute plushies. She can also customize a plushie doll according to the preference of her friends and classmates.

So far, she has made more than a dozen of the plushies. Some she gives as presents and others she sells. My daughter is earning on her own! I guess I can stop working now :)

Here are the most recent plushie project she has done. Aren't they cute?