Dreamtime Designs Craft Challenge -- My Techniques

I'm so excited to tell you all about the brand new challenge at

Dreamtime Designs Craft Challenge!

Not only because the theme this month is outstanding but also because I'm thrilled with the results of my own project.  Add in the fact that we have a FANTASTIC sponsor this month and you've got a complete package!

The winner chosen by the Design Team will receive
a one year subscription to
Through the Craft Room Door!!!

 TTCRD is an online paper craft magazine which can be downloaded to your personal computer and is filled with tutorials, inspirations and articles for the subscribers to read.  Your subscription also allows you access to over 80 free digital images to create cards, scrapbook layouts and other projects.

Would you love to be published and have a chance to win a $25.00 gift certificate to the store of your choice?

You can do this by submitting a paper craft creation to the magazine - details for submissions are located on the web site which you can join for free.

Pretty great, right?

Now on to this month's theme:

My Techniques - Christmas:
A Technique I've Never Tried Before

This challenge revolves around the theme of Christmas & expanding your skills with a brand new technique you have never done before but have always wanted to give a go.

There are 2 questions that need to be included and answered in your post about your project.  They are:
1) Why did you want to try this technique?
2) What has been your experience with it?
>>You can see my answers a bit further down in the post.<<

Here's a little sneak peek of the new technique I tried:

Okay, so it's not really much of a peek of the actual technique.

If I showed too much the cat would be entirely out of the bag.

My choice for this challenge was completely inspired by my lovely Design Team sister, Cindy.  She and her Mom, Corrie, have started a new challenge blog all about embroidery on cards....What?  Hand embroidery on cards?!  It is some of the most beautiful stuff I have ever seen!  From what I understand it's very popular in the Netherlands (where Cindy and Corrie live.)   You can take a look at their challenges here.  The artistry displayed on the cards is phenomenal!!

Since I had never embroidered anything in my life I was a bit apprehensive at trying it.  Then I figured: what the heck.  It's only a bit of cardstock and thread.  If it fails I'll just try, try again.  My first attempt is what you see here!

This adorable image is Eleanor Santa's Helper
from Lacy Sunshine.
I love everything Heather does at Lacy Sunshine
but Eleanor is my favorite!
She was cropped quite a bit so I could really
spotlight that incredible face of hers.

I have to admit that the embroidery did take me hours to do.
Keep in mind that I'm not a sewer.
~~I truly believe safety pins were invented so I wouldn't have to sew.~~
As I slowly stitched away, I watched a "Leverage" marathon on Netflix.
It was a cold, gray and rainy day so the time was well spent in my opinion.

These are the 2 supply items I used for the embroidery
in addition to the pattern.  You can see the thread is variegated.
That's what gave the great color changes in my swirls without
having to switch threads.
The only really small needle I had was in a sewing kit I carry
in my purse...for the safety pin only, of course.
It was from a hotel room several years ago.
Being a pack-rat pays off sometimes.

The pattern that I found on Etsy looks so intricate but is really quite simple.  It's just a series of short stitches going along several swirls.  You can find this and loads of other patterns at Darsie's Etsy shop here.

I just had to make this one into an easel card.
Hopefully the recipient will feel it's worthy of display.

Eleanor was colored using my ProMarkers.
While I was attaching her to the embroidered cardstock,
a glop of glue squeezed out next to the holly leaves.
To save my hours of stitching,
I paper pieced another leaf and berries over the glop.
~~Yes, glop is a very technical term.~~ 

Other items used in making this card were:

Cardstock:  Bazzill Basics

Pattern paper:  Mary Englebreit from the Michaels $ bin

Rhinestone stickers and chipboard frame:  My stash

I cannot thank Cindy and Corrie enough for
inspiring me to try this new technique!!
This is something that I will absolutely be doing again.
Perhaps not all at once next time.
Breaking it down to small increments will make it
much more manageable for me at least until
I get a bit faster.

Now back to those questions that I mentioned above:

1) Why did you want to try this technique?
I had never seen this until recently and became instantly enthralled with it.  Trying new techniques for both card making and other crafts is something that really excites me.  The fact that I'm not a sewer did frighten me a bit but the cards I've seen with embroidery on them are so gorgeous that I quickly overcame my apprehension.

2) What has been your experience with it?
I loved doing this more than I can say!  It did take quite a lot of time this first try.  Future projects should go much more quickly.  I have a feel for what is needed and can see how getting into a rhythm will happen easily.

Now, what technique have you wanted to try?

This is a perfect time to do it!

If you have any questions about the challenge,
please hop over to our Facebook page.
We'd love to meet you and offer any help you may need.

You can find this card in the following challenges:

Cindy and Corrie's Challenge -- Challenge #1
Lacy Sunshine -- Anything goes
Jellypark Friends -- Christmas
Pattie's Creations -- Christmas CARD
Stamp Sun Challenges -- Merry Christmas
Totally Paper Crafts -- Ho, ho, holidays
Crafty Little Fairies -- Classic Christmas: red, green & gold
Crafting by Designs -- Christmas/winter
I Love ProMarkers -- Anything goes

Thank you so much for letting me show off my new technique today!
I'm just a tad bit proud...if you couldn't tell.