Holding on to Summer

I finished  stitching Hello Summer from It’s So Emma from the Fat Quarter Shop two weeks ago, but I didn’t know how I was going to display it. At first, I thought I would turn it into a pillow, but the fact that I hesitated so long meant that really wasn’t what I wanted to do. I have seen this display piece many times on The Real Housewives of Cross Stitch. I enjoy their flosstube episodes very much, but sometimes the displays are a bit much for my taste. I hemmed and hawed whether to get this piece at Hobby Lobby, but I  did purchase it last week when it went on sale.

The piece had a black wire basket attached which had to be removed to allow space to display the cross stitch piece. Let me just say it was a bear to remove that basket. I used every tool I could think of, but it wouldn’t budge. I sprayed the bolts repeatedly with WD40, but nothing budged. Now because I am a very determined lady, I kept at it. Finally, I was able to remove one side of the basket, and after an hour of trying everything, and I do mean everything, the rest of the basket came off. I’m telling you this in case you might be tempted to purchase one.

Once the basket was removed I gave it a couple of coats of whitewash as the barnwood backing would not go well with my decor. Next I hot glued on five strong magnets.

I also glued washers to the back of the cross stitch. You can see that I also made a plastic template indicating where to place the washers on future pieces. These magnets are more expensive than the washers so I glue the magnets to the display and the washers onto the back of the cross stitch.  I learned that from watching the Housewives flosstube episodes and tutorials. (Note: If you are going to purchase a package of washers, bring a magnet with you as not all washers will stick to the magnets. (Ask me how I know :-)

For fun, I added a popsicle stick under the sweet treats.

 

In spite of how difficult it was to remove the basket, I do love this display idea. I already have an idea for  how it will look at Christmas, and I haven’t even stitched any Christmas pieces yet. :-)

Have you seen the new Aleene’s Tacky Glue packaging? You store the container cap down, and it is always ready to use . . . no clogged nozzle or globs of glue . . . It’s a game changer!!!  Yes,  indeed, it doesn’t take much to make me happy!!!

So, are you tempted to try cross stitching? Why not check out Cross Stitch University? The Fat Quarter Shop is offering a series of episodes for beginners on Youtube to get you started. There is a free downloadable pattern and there will be step by step instructions. Be forewarned; take it from me . . . cross stitching can become highly addictive.

Last thing . . . I took this shot Tuesday night in North Weymouth, and while it is a perfectly fine sunset, it was nothing like the sunset Monday night. That one was beyond magnificent with a sky awash in deep purples, pinks, and oranges. Did I get a photo of that shot? Nope! I was standing in a crowded parking lot. . .  absolutely mesmerized by what I was seeing. I hoped last night would be a repeat of that glorious sunset, but alas it wasn’t. 

 

Stay safe.