Surprise!

 I think this is a first for me.  I completed a cross stitch project and actually got it framed/finished! I have a box of projects that I have done over the years yet never did anything with them, just put them in the box, but this was done for a reason — a certain somebody’s birthday.

The Bean is all into the Marvel movies.  Her favorites are Spider Man and Loki.  She is not at all impressed that her great-grandfather drew for Marvel at one time.  I guess that is just too ancient for her.  But, anyway, since I am into the cross stitch again I decided to see what I could find for some room decor.

I decided on these less-than-realistic renderings.  I think they turned out cute but I have to say I almost gave up on baby Spider-Man.  All that black thread.  And scattered single stitches.  But, I carried on and completed it.

This is the first time I have framed anything in hoops.  I thought the look would be good for the young super hero’s room plus it doesn’t required a lot of hanging apparatus.  I am sure her interest will fade and these will end up in a box in a closet somewhere which is appropriate — I hope she doesn’t hang them in her first apartment!  But, I was intrigued with the process of doing the framing and aside from impaling myself with the needle multiple times trying to attach the felt to the back, it went very well.  I will do it again.

I think I might be more apt to frame some of the things in the box now that I have tried this.  From what I see on any number of places on the ‘net, you can really dress up the hoops with paint, ribbon, jewels, washi tape, etc. so there is all kinds of ways to be creative there.  I decided to just leave hers plain to not take away from the needlework and also she isn’t a ‘fussy’ child and I don’t know that she would like too much fluff.  

So, that is what I have been doing.  Now it is time to start on the kits I bought in Williamsburg.  The fabric in the kit is a smaller count so I don’t know how crazy it will make me — we will see.

So, yeah, that is what has been keeping me busy.  I was in a mad rush because of time constraints but the next project I won’t have that problem and I hope to sit down and actually enjoy the process a little more!