Thursday, October 18, 2012

A change of plan!

In my next TUSAL report, you will no doubt notice a lot of green threads in my ort jar - all because I had a change of plan!

I had stitched up my Russian Dolls design  and was intending making it in to a Christmas card but then changed my mind and decide to make it into a little box. Well, a girl can change her mind, can’t she?!!

So it went from this…



…and this….




….to this….








I decided to take out the Christmas greeting on the stitching so that the box would be suitable to use all year round. Although the green border would have been fine on the box, (the size fitted perfectly) if the design is positioned the slightest bit off, a border really makes it noticeable. So to make life easier I just unpicked the border at the same time as unpicking the ‘Christmas Greetings’ – I’m all for an easy life!

So all I did was gave the cardboard box a couple of coats of black acrylic paint. I painted inside the box too, to give it more of a finished look. As you know, I usually back my stitching with iron-on interfacing to stop any colour shining through, but as I wanted to keep this design very black I missed this step out. I cut some black felt the same size as the lid and glued that to the top of the lid to give the design a very slightly padded look. I then placed double sided tape all around sides of the lid (outside edge) and then positioned the stitching where I thought it looked best and pressed down the edges onto the tape. I trimmed the excess fabric so that it was just above the base of the edge. I then folded the four corners back and taped them down. I tried to take some pictures of the corners, but the black against black just didn’t show up well, but you can just see the corners on this picture….





With more double sided tape, I added a ribbon to the edge to hide the cut fabric. The final touch is to add a bow – if desired. I can’t decide if I like it better with or without the bow!

All I need to do now is buy a gift to go inside the box….although this step is optional! The box itself would make a great gift.



I took the bow off for taking this picture, but now I think it might look a bit bare without it…. arghhh, I can’t make up my mind! What do you think?

The great thing about this design is that it works really well for Christmas but works also for any other time of the year too!


This is one of my gifts that will be linking up with the Gift MAL with Pull The Other Thread, if you'd like to join in with us and post about you Christmas makes, please click here to find out more.

Until next time…happy stitching!

Rhona




18 comments:

cucki said...

Aww I love the box so much..truly a great idea..
Thank you for sharing ..
Hugs cucki xxx

Shebafudge said...

OMG That is amazing. Congratulations on such a stunning finish!

McKenna C. said...

It's gorgeous! Thanks for telling how you made it! I think the bow does make it look complete.

~McKenna

Carolyn @ The Baseball Stitcher said...

Love the box!! What a wonderful idea!

Ariadne said...

This really looks beautiful!AriadnefromGreece!

Ruth S said...

Love this! Russian dolls - so sweet! Very inspiring ;)
Ruth x

Le trame della Galaverna said...

It is beautiful; great idea
compliments. Russian dolls are pretty.
ciao Giovanna

StitchyDragon Creates said...

Thank you for sharing how you made it, I am definitely going to have to try this! I am leaning towards the "with the bow" option I think, but both ways this is one cute box ;) Have a lovely week, Helen

Debbie (Little Gingham Bear) said...

Absolutely love this - those Russian dolls look so effective on black xx

Valma said...

this box is perfect :)
I love it
so pretty
indeed, the box + a gift inside would be a real treasure =)
xxxxx

Mii Stitch said...

This is a truly lovely box, well done! I love Russian Nesting Dolls & was kind of looking for a design, so you made my day ☺ Hope you find the perfect present for this perfect little box, you really have done a fantastic job

Anonymous said...

Hello

Your blog is lovely, it's my first visit.

The box is lovely, the design is very sweet and you've made it up so prettily too.
Happy stitching!

Anne said...

I looove it Rhona! You always make the cutest finishes!!

♥ Nia said...

Gorgeous finish!! :D Looks beautiful, congrats!!
Hugs&smiles

Stitching Noni said...

Fabulous finish!! Love the Russian dolls design & they look fab finished as the box. Brilliant idea. Thank you for sharing the finishing tips. I love finding out how these finishes are done :)

Faith... said...

It looks wonderful! Another gret finishing job - thanks for the tutorial.

Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches said...

you have a very good mind for coming up with cool gifts.

Anonymous said...

Great finishing ! With bow is better in my opinion ;-). happy stitching, Ann